2011 Dodge Grand Caravan Steering Problems

The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the water pump was replaced. The contact stated that several months later, while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where a power steering flush was performed; however, the failure persisted. The mechanic replaced the steering pump, which seemed to correct the failure. The contact then stated that the whining sound returned without warning. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the valves inside the engine connected to the fuel injector were defective and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that after the diagnostic tests, the vehicle failed to start up after several attempts. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11662837

Incident

Apr 23, 2025

Mileage

130,000 mi

The TIPM failed which caused a loss of power to the vehicle and power to the fuel pump. I was driving at approximately 60 MPH when the vehicle lost all power and the steering wheel felt locked. I was unable to turn the steering wheel as the Dodge Grand Caravan came to a quick stop as if it was out of gas. Luckily I reacted quickly and was able to avoid an accident. After approximately 10 minutes of trying to restart the vehicle and drive to a safe location the vehicle restarted. This happened again when I was driving and came to a red light at a major intersection and the vehicle stalled out as if out of gas and the steering locked. I again tried to restart the vehicle intermittently for 15 minutes; after which it finally restarted, and I was able to drive and get out of the intersection without an accident. I was lucky that this didn't cause an accident. The other times the defective TIPM and power to the fuel pump caused the vehicle to fail to start and left me stranded. I have had the vehicle diagnosed and the TIPM repair price is quite expensive. The vehicle did not have any check engine or warning lights before this occurred. I have read many similar complaints of this occurring with others driving Dodge/Chrysler vehicles. I feel that there is evidence that the TIPM and the fuel pump on the 2011 Dodge Caravan are safety concerns. Every experienced mechanic I have spoken with is aware of the common issue with the TIPM, and power to the fuel pump and vehicle. Although I avoided an accident there is a concern for everyone's safety.

NHTSA ID

11525717

Incident

Mar 31, 2023

DRIVING AT ABOUT15 M.P.H. I HAD TROUBLE STEERING AND NOISE WAS COMING FOR UNDER THE HOOD, I PULLED OVER AND I LOOK UNDER THE CAR IT WAS LEAKING LOTS OF OIL. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER,THE PROBLEM WAS A HOLE IN THE TUBING ON THE RACKEN PINEN STEERING .IF IT WAS ON A HIGHWAY OR ON A FASTER ROAD IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD ACCIDENT WITH OIL LEAKING AND COULD NOT STEER THE VAN. I WAS VERY VERY LUCKY.THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT. I HAVE A PICTURE OF THE HOLE. I REPORTED TO CHRYSLER. Consumer stated metal that was replaced rusted.

NHTSA ID

11432932

Incident

Sep 25, 2020

MY VEHICLE WAS AT JEFF WYLER CHRYSLER, DODGE AND JEEP IN BATAVIA, OHIO FOR A WEEK PLUS A FEW DAYS. IN ALL OF THAT TIME THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS HAVING ITS TRANSMISSION ISSUES DIAGNOSED AND INSPECTED, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FAILED TO ADDRESS THE OPEN RECALL OF NHTSA RECALL #17V-376, FCA RECALL #T33 FOR THE STEERING WHEEL WIRING. THE DEALERSHIP KNOWS ABOUT OPEN RECALLS AND, YET FAILED TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS ON THIS VEHICLE. INSTEAD, IT ALLOWED MY VEHICLE TO BE TOWED FROM ITS LOT BACK TO MY HOME ADDRESS, DESPITE KNOWING THAT IT FAILED TO ADDRESS THE RECALL. DODGE CUSTOMER CARE REPRESENTATIVES INFORMED ME OF THIS RECALL WHILE I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH THEM AND STILL THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT EVEN MAKE MENTION OF THIS. THEY FAILED TO REPAIR THE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS OR FATAL ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE AND DODGE FAILED TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE RECALL WAS COMPLETED DURING ALL OF MY CONVERSATIONS WITH DODGE AND DODGE EXECUTIVE OFFICE PERSONNEL.

NHTSA ID

11234874

Incident

Jul 25, 2019

Mileage

14,800 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, BOTH OF THE SLIDING DOORS ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OPENED AND THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.

NHTSA ID

11166056

Incident

Jul 1, 2018

Mileage

126,000 mi

APPARENTLY THIS IS A WIDELY KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH DODGE AND RELATED CHRYSLER VEHICLES ACCORDING TO OUR MECHANIC. BASICALLY THE TIPM--TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE IS BAD AND THIS CAUSES AMONG OTHER SYMPTOMS: VEHICLE NOT STARTING, ISSUES WITH ELECTRIC CONTROLS(LIGHTING), ISSUES WITH FUEL SYSTEM(FUEL PUMP OR RELAY) OUR VEHICLE HAD ISSUES STARTING. ESPECIALLY DURING WINTERTIME THIS HAPPENED. AND HAVING REPLACED THE BATTERY NEW AND ALSO HAVING ENSURED SPARKPLUGS ARE NEW, THOSE ISSUES WERE RULED OUT. STARTER ISSUE ALSO WERE RULED OUT BOTH BY OBVSERVATION AND MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO HAVE DIFFICULTY AND INTERMITTENT SUCCESSES IN STARTING, UP TO THE POINT THAT IT DIDN'T START ANYMORE ON 12/10/2018. THE STARTER IS TURNING BUT ENGINE DOESN'T START. SO TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND LEARNED THAT THE TIPM IS THE ISSUE. PRIOR TO IT TOTALLY FAILING TO START., IN THE PAST 4 MONTHS, THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED 4 TO 5 TIMES WHILE DRIVING IT ON THE THREAD GOING ABOUT 30 TO 40 MILES AN HOUR WITH TRAFFIC. I REALIZED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE BASICALLY THE CAR STOPS ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD--WITH TRAFFIC. WHEN THIS FAILURE HAPPENS, APPARENTLY NO FUEL GOES INTO THE ENGINE THAT THE VEHICLE COMES TO A HALT. THERE IS NO POWER STEERING AND RADIO OR OTHER--AS IF THE POWER WAS JUST TOTALLY DISCONNECTED. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OFF THE ROAD, USING ITS MOMENTUM. AND AFTER A COUPLE TIMES TURNING ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. AGAIN THE SUDDEN ENGINE STOPPAGE OCCURRED AROUND 5 TIMES AND I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT AFTER A COUPLE OF TRIES. UNTIL THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER START AT ALL FROM A PARKING LOT. THE REPAIRS COS $1300+ FOR THE TIPM WHICH HAD TO BE DEALER ORDERED AND REPROGRAMMED.

NHTSA ID

11160965

Incident

Dec 10, 2018

Mileage

91,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND HAD TO BE JUMPSTARTED TO DRIVE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LARRY H. MILLER CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM SANDY (LOCATED AT 1525 N UNIVERSITY PKWY, PROVO, UT 84604, (801) 734-9791) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN OPEN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE STEERING COLUMN. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ID

11152943

Incident

Sep 16, 2015

Mileage

62,000 mi

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON THEN ALL LIGHTS ON THE PANEL LIT UP. CAR RAPIDLY ACCELERATED WAS ABLE TO GET CAR OFF THE ROAD AND STOPPED SHUT OFF CAR DUE TO IT RANDOMLY ACCELERATING THEN THE KEY WAS LOCKED IN THE IGNITION. DOORS WILL NOT WORK AND CAR WILL NOT START NOW

NHTSA ID

11152288

Incident

Nov 18, 2018

Mileage

89,000 mi

SEVERE ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH ENGINE SHUTDOWN WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, STALLS AT INTERSECTIONS AFTER DASH LIGHTS "GO CRAZY," NO-START, ALL DASH LIGHTS ON/OFF, WIPERS RANDOMLY GOING ON, DOORS AND WINDOWS INOPERABLE, KILLING NEW BATTERIES, BRAKE LIGHT SPORADICALLY FUNCTIONAL, AND A/C IN REAR RANDOMLY CHANGES SETTINGS. THESE INCIDENTS OCCUR AT RANDOM PERIODS WITH NO SPECIFIC CAUSATION.

NHTSA ID

11124086

Incident

Sep 1, 2018

Mileage

76,000 mi

THE VEHICLE STOPS RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING. IT HAS OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS: ONCE AT A SLOW SPEED (25 MPH) ON FLAT TERRAIN, GOING UPHILL AT 57 MPH, GOING DOWN HILL AT 45 MPH, ALL IN GOOD WEATHER CONDITIONS AND TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE CAR CANNOT BE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED, BUT AFTER A PERIOD OF MINUTES WILL RESTART. THE ENGINE SEEMS TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION AND HAS PLENTY OF POWER. THERE APPEARS TO BE NO ENGINE/MECHANICAL REASON FOR THESE EVENTS. THE EVENTS LEAVE NO TRACE OR ERROR MESSAGE THAT CAN BE OBTAINED BY OUR MECHANIC. IF THIS POWER OUTAGE OCCURRED WHEN IN THE PASSING LANE, CROSSING A RODE AT AN UNPROTECTED INTERSECTION OR OTHER CONDITION WHERE STALLING OUT RANDOMLY WOULD LEAVE US OR OTHERS IN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION IT WOULD BE TERRIBLE. WE HAVE BEEN FORCED TO STOP DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR FEAR OF INJURY OR WORSE.

NHTSA ID

11032278

Incident

Sep 21, 2017

Mileage

165,000 mi

DRIVING STRAIGHT, APPROX 35 MPH ON 2-LANE STATE HIGHWAY PASSING THROUGH SMALL TOWN WITH RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON BOTH LANES AND NO SHOULDER. WITH NO PRIOR WARNING, ALL RED INSTRUMENT WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON AT ONCE, INCLUDING FUEL PUMP/THROTTLE, BRAKES AND OTHERS. CAR STALLED DEAD AND INSTANTANEOUSLY LOST POWER TO STEERING AND BRAKES, WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. WOULD NOT RESTART. FORTUNATELY DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STEER VEHICLE PARTLY OFF ROAD INTO A DRIVEWAY OF BUSY STORE, BLOCKING DRIVEWAY TO CUSTOMERS. STATE POLICE WERE UNABLE TO GET CAR IN NEUTRAL TO PUSH TO SAFE LOCATION. POLICE ORDERED CAR TOWED AND IT IS CURRENTLY AWAITING DIAGNOSIS FOR TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE("TIPM") FAILURE AT DODGE DEALERSHIP. THIS WAS A LIFE-THREATENING FAILURE AND IF IT HAD HAPPENED AT NEARLY ANY OTHER LOCATION OR IN ADVERSE WEATHER THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURY OR DEATH TO DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. WE HAVE TOW RECEIPT. WE DON'T KNOW WHETHER STATE POLICE FILED INCIDENT REPORT. MANY SIMILAR TIPM FAILURES OF DODGE AND CHRYSLER VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO NHTSA AND YOU HAVE RECENTLY REJECTED A CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY PETITION FOR NHTSA INTERVENTION REGARDING THIS DEFECT. CHRYSLER/DODGE IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE TIPM BECAUSE 80,894 JEEP WRANGLERS AND DODGE NITRO VEHICLES WERE RECALLED IN 2007 FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. IN THAT RECALL, DEFECTIVE TIPMS HAD A SOFTWARE PROBLEM THAT COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL. NHTSA SHOULD REQUIRE DODGE TO RECALL EVERY MODEL THAT HAS THIS SAME TIPM INSTALLED AND TO IMMEDIATELY WARN THE PUBLIC THAT THEIR LIVES ARE IN DANGER EVERY TIME THEY DRIVE THEIR DODGE/CHRYSLER VEHICLE. IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE THAT THE MANUFACTURER AND NHTSA HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN INFORMED OF THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT AND FAILED TO PROTECT THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.

NHTSA ID

10937195

Incident

Dec 17, 2016

Mileage

108,000 mi

THE VEHICLE OF RECORD HAS BEEN SPONTANEOUSLY SHUTTING OFF ALL DAY, IT SHUT OFF 15 TIMES IN 1 PARKING LOT, BUT THE MOST DANGEROUS ASPECT WAS WHEN IT SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DOING THE SPEED LIMIT IN A 50 AND A 55 MPH ZONE. IT WILL GENERALLY SHUT OFF RANDOMLY, BUT PRIMARILY AT STOP SIGNS OR BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACES, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN 3 INSTANCES WHERE IT SHUT OFF AT 40 MPH OR HIGHER IN THE LAST 8 HOURS, WHEN THESE SHUT OFFS HAPPEN IT TAKES 5-10 ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE CAR. WHEN THESE INSTANCES HAPPEN THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP AND/OR TURN.

NHTSA ID

10785236

Incident

Oct 21, 2015

Mileage

96,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND THE VEHICLE JUST SHUT DOWN, THE POWERING STEERING WENT OUT AND THE ENGINE STALLED WHICH WE LATER FOUND OUT WAS DUE TO THE FAULTY TIPM. WE HAD ALSO BEEN HAVING A FEW ISSUES WITH THE FUEL PUMP.....THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT SHUTTING OFF AND ALL LEAD TO PROBLEMS WITH BEING ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO EVEN GET VEHICLE STARTED.

NHTSA ID

10716449

Incident

Apr 9, 2015

Mileage

95,000 mi

VEHICLE STALLED 6 TIMES WHILE TRAVELING ON EXPRESSWAY 70-75 MPH ,LIGHTS GOING ON AND OFF...LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WHEN STALLED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE. THEY HAD BEEN CONFERRING WITH DODGE REPRESENTATIVE WHO AFTER 1 WEEK STATED TO GIVE VEHICLE BACK TO CUSTOMER. AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH I FEEL IT IS A FAULTY TIPM, HOWEVER DODGE APPARENTLY DOES NOT THINK SO. SO I HAVE A VEHICLE THAT CAN STALL AT ANY TIME...DODGE KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM AND THEY JUST DON'T CARE. I WILL SAY THE DEALERSHIP WAS GREAT, FREE LOANER CAR, NO CHARGE FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY GENUINELY FELT BAD TO HAND THE CAR BACK OVER...I DID NOT BUY MY VEHICLE FROM THIS DEALERSHIP, HOWEVER THEY TREATED ME AS IF I WAS A CUSTOMER OF THEIRS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10679351

Incident

Jan 14, 2015

Mileage

82,000 mi

WHEN TRYING TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES SO MUCH IT FEELS LIKE I WON'T BE ABLE TO HOLD ONTO IT. MY SON REPLACED THE ROTOR AND PADS ON FRONT BRAKES AS THEY SEEMED WORN. THEN IN APRIL 2014 WE TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE BRAKES WERE GRINDING. THEY REPLACED ROTOR AND PADS AND THINGS SEEMED OK UNTIL MAY, WHEN BRAKES STARTED SQUEALING AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING AGAIN WHILE BRAKING.. TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALER ON MAY 21, AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK BRAKES, ROTATE TIRES, AND CHANGE OIL. THEY SAID BRAKES WERE IN THE "GREEN". STILL HAVING VIBRATION OF STEERING WHEEL WHILE BRAKING, SO I ASKED TO BRING IT IN FOR ANOTHER CHECK, AND NOW THEY SAY THE NEW ROTORS, (ABOUT 2 MONTHS OLD) SHOW SIGNS OF SIGNIFICANT WEAR. THEY ASKED ME IF I DROVE WITH BOTH FEET, AND I DO NOT. THEY VERIFIED MY COMPLAINT OF VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL, AND ASKED ME TO BRING THE CAR BACK IN ON THIS COMING FRIDAY. THE BRAKES SHOULD NOT BE WEARING OUT THIS QUICKLY... *TR

NHTSA ID

10595658

Incident

Jul 11, 2013

Mileage

45,000 mi