21 of the
821 complaints about the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan are about the
body and structure — 3% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
53,000 miles.
D
21
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Door
1257.1%
Body
733.3%
Hatchback/Liftgate
14.8%
Structure
14.8%
Body & Structure across every Dodge Grand Caravan year
BOTH SLIDING DOORS WERE WORKING FINE, THEN ONE DAY THE DRIVER'S SLIDING DOOR JUST FROZE--CAN'T OPEN IT ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE LOCK IS STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION AND THE POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH WON'T MOVE THAT DOOR'S LOCK TO THE 'UNLOCK' POSITION. WHEN YOU TRY TO MOVE THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON/LEVER ON THAT SLIDING DOOR, IT'S STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION--EVEN WITH A BUNCH OF FORCE I CAN'T MOVE THE LEVER TO THE UNLOCKED POSITION--I FEEL LIKE I'M GOING TO BREAK THE LEVER IF I FORCE IT TOO MUCH.
NHTSA complaint #11331608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 144,000 miles103 Patton BAR Road, OR
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOORS FAILED TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
NHTSA complaint #11291620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,000 milesPubelo, CO
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
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 complaint #11166056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,000 milesNEW Albany, IN1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
FIRST THING I NOTICED WAS THE TIRE PRESSURE GAUGES COME OFF AND ON RANDOMLY EVEN THOUGH THE PRESSURE IS CORRECT. SOMETIMES, MY VANS SLIDING DOORS WHEN THEY SHOULD BE OPENING, START CLOSING BEFORE THE DOOR IS EVEN OPEN COMPLETELY AND WITHOUT ANYONE HITTING THE BUTTON TO CLOSE (MY 3 YEAR OLD FINGERS WERE SMASHED IN THE DOOR DUE TO THIS. LUCKILY, XRAYS REVEALED NONE WERE BROKEN, BUT I AM LEFT WITH AN EXPENSIVE HOSPITAL BILL)). WHEN I GO FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, SOMETIMES IT FEELS AS THOUGH I'M BEING JERKED FORWARD BECAUSE THE SHIFT IS SO HARD. LASTLY, MY VAN STARTED NOT WANTING TO START IN THE MORNINGS. AFTER TESTING BATTERY AND REPLACING SPARK PLUGS, THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO GET WORSE. IT'S LIKE IT WANTS TO START BUT CAN'T GET GAS SO IT DIES. REPEATEDLY TRYING GOT IT TO START, BUT THEN IT QUIT. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO START ONE MORE TIME AND DROVE TO MECHANIC. THEY INFORMED ME IT'S A FAULTY TIPM MODULE, AND IT NOW WON'T EVEN CONTINUE TO RUN ONCE IT'S STARTED. SO THEY INFORMED ME THEY CANNOT FIX IT BECAUSE ONLY A DEALERSHIP CAN REPROGRAM IT, AND THAT BECAUSE IT'S THE MODULE IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE EVEN IF I COULD GET IT TO START TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT CAN DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING IT LEADING TO DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. SO NOW I'LL HAVE TO PAY TO TOW IT. I JUST PURCHASED THE VAN 3 MONTHS AGO BECAUSE I NEEDED ROOM FOR MY 4TH CHILD AND WANTED A SAFE, RELIABLE VEHICLE. NOW I HAVE A CAR PAYMENT AND A VEHICLE WITH ONLY A LITTLE OVER 80,000 MILES THAT ISN'T RELIABLE AND IS SITTING BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO REPAIR WHAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN PLACED IN THE VEHICLE TO BEGIN WITH GIVEN IT WAS DEFECTIVE BEFORE INSTALLATION. PLEASE HELP PEOPLE LIKE ME BY HOLDING THE MANUFACTURER ACCOUNTABLE FOR FALSELY REPORTING A SAFE VEHICLE WHEN THEY KNEW IT HAD A DEFECTIVE PART THAT CAN ONLY BE FIXED BY A DEALERSHIP SINCE IT HAS TO BE PROGRAMMED.
NHTSA complaint #11164379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesJacksonville, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. OCCASIONALLY, AFTER INSERTING THE KEY FOB IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DUE TO A LOOSE PART INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JACKSONVILLE CHRYSLER IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIPM MODULE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT BOTH SLIDING BACK DOORS RANDOMLY OPENED AND THE FRONT WINDOWS WOULD SOMETIMES FAIL TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
NHTSA complaint #11057157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesTampa, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY
DRIVING AT ABOUT 70 MPH, WHEN THE L/R TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10948061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,000 milesLong Beach, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE REAR PASSENGER DOORS AUTOMATICALLY OPENED AND CLOSED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10824390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,000 milesMiami Beach, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR PANEL OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V234000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
NHTSA complaint #10672644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesRahway, NJFire
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR INTERIOR PANEL CAUGHT FIRE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DOOR AND PANEL WIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED FOR THE INITIAL FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITH THE REAR DOOR MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
NHTSA complaint #10639279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,000 milesIthaca, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HATCH BACK DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT ENGAGING THE KEY LESS ENTRY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATELY MILEAGE AT TIME OF FAILURE WAS 53,000.
NHTSA complaint #10597947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oregon City, OR1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AUTOMATIC DOORS WOULD CONTINUALLY CLOSE AFTER PARTIALLY OPENING. THE DOOR WOULD JUST RANDOMLY CLOSE, CAUSING INJURIES TO THE PASSENGERS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10551261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,003 milesOrlando, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
CONTINUED ISSUES REGARDING VEHICLE PERFORMANCE INCLUDING FRONT TIRES, TRANSMISSION, WINDOW SWITCH, SLIDING PASS. DOORS. FINANCED A 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ON JAN 25 2013, VIN # [XXX]. UPON DELIVERY I HAD ISSUES WITH CAR AND RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP THE NEX DAY. ISSUES INCLUDED HARD SHIFTING, CAR VEERING OFF THE ROAD AND SOME NOISES AND NO MANUALS OR PAPERWORK FOR WARRANTY. NUMEROUS REPAIRS WERE MADE ON CAR THROUGHOUT PAST 6 MONTHS SOME OF WHICH MADE ON CAR, SOME OF WHICH CAUSED OTHER ISSUES TO COME UP WITH REPAIRS INCLUDING FAILURE TO PROPERLY REPAIR THE CAR, BRAKE ISSUES, ALIGNMENT AND STEERING WHEEL, FRONT TIRES, SLIDING DOOR SCRAPING, TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND MORE. NUMEROUS UNSUCCESSFUL REPAIRS AND OTHER PROBLEMS NOT ADDRESSED OR UNWILLING. FRONT TIRES/ REAR NEVER MATCHED AND WERE SUPPOSE TO BE REPLACE PER SALES AND NEVER HAPPEN CAUSING TREADS TO SHOW AND STILL DOES, TRANSMISSION JERKS AND HESITATES, DOORS RIP PAINT OFF SIDE OF CAR AND SCRAPE. OTHER ISSUES INCLUDE PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW SWITCH AND PICKUP. ** 2 CHRYSLER CASES CREATED AGAINST DEALER TO FIX ISSUES. CASE # [XXX] CASE # [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10546699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,520 milesHenderson, NV
STRUCTURE
WHILE OPENING THE BACK DOOR OF THE MINIVAN, I NOTICED A HISSING SOUND COMING FROM THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. MY WIFE AND SON BOTH NOTICED IT A FEW MINUTES PRIOR TO ME OPENING THE DOOR. ABOUT 15 SECONDS AFTER I HAD OPENED IT, I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THE ENTIRE GAS STRUT EXPLODED AT THE BASE AND SENT BROKEN PIECES FLYING ABOUT 15 FT INTO THE DRIVEWAY. I WAS HOLDING THE DOOR AT THE TIME AND THE FULL WEIGHT OBVIOUSLY WAS THEN UPON ME. UPON RESEARCHING THIS A BIT I NOTICED THAT SEVERAL MAJOR CAR MANUFACTURERS HAD ISSUED RECALLS BUT APPARENTLY DODGE HAS NOT YET. WELL I'M REPORTING THAT OUR 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS THE SAME ISSUE AND HAS THE STABILUS GAS STRUTS. I HONESTLY HOPE NO ONE GETS INJURED AND THANKFUL THAT WE WERE LUCKY IN THIS INSTANCE. HAD IT BEEN MY WIFE NOT HOLDING THE DOOR AND MY SON STANDING RIGHT THERE, THINGS COULD HAVE GONE DOWN QUITE DIFFERENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10521533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31,123 milesAltoona, PA1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
ON APRIL 10, 13 WE CAME HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE. I GOT OUT OF THE VAN AND WENT AROUND TO THE LEFT SIDE TO UNBUCKLE MY 3YR OLD SON. I THEN WENT BACK TO THE BACK OF THE VAN TO GET THE GROCERY'S OUT. I HEARD THE SIDE DOOR CLOSING. THEN A YELL. WHEN MY SON GOT OUT OF THE VAN HE PUSHED THE BUTTON LIKE HE HAS MANY OF TIMES. HE MUST OF NOTICED SOMETHING IN THE VAN HE FORGOT AND WENT TO GRAB IT. THE DOOR SHUT COMPLETELY ON HIS RIGHT HAND. HE BROKE THE BONES IN HIS HAND AND NOW IS IN A CAST. THE BIG SELLER POINT FROM THE CAR DEALERS WERE ABOUT THE SENSOR AND SEE THIS AND SEE HOW IT STOPS. WELL IT DID NOT AND MY 3YR OLD NOW HAS A BROKEN HAND.
NHTSA complaint #10509891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesa, AZ
STRUCTURE:BODY
1). NOTICED THAT THE AREA AROUND THE REAR LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE (INTERIOR) GETS HOT. IT IS NOT THE SPEAKER AS THE SPEAKER IS WORKING PROPERLY AND THE AREA GETS HOT EVEN WHEN NOT USING THE RADIO. MY CONCERN IS THAT IS THE SIDE WHERE THE GAS PUMP IS AND HOPING THIS DOESN'T CAUSE A FIRE OR EXPLOSION. OUR 22 MONTH OLD BABY SITS ON THAT SIDE OF THE VAN. 2) NOTICED THAT THERE ARE SCRATCHES ABOVE THE REAR WHEEL HUB ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VAN, FROM BOTH SLIDING DOORS. 3) THERE IS A HARD SHUTTER FROM THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, WHENEVER THE SPEED HITS 10MPH. THE SHUTTER CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A CLUNKING MOTION. 4) WHENEVER I START THE VEHICLE, THE RPMS WILL SHOOT UP AND DOWN AFTER 2 MINUTES, BEFORE GETTING TO NORMAL IDLE.
NHTSA complaint #10499352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50 milesLakeland, Floirda, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE SLIDING DOORS DO NOT HAVE AN AUTOMATIC STOP; WHEN THE KIDS GET IN AND OUT AND THE DOOR CLOSE BUTTON IS PUSHED, THE DOOR KEEPS GOING; EVEN WITH CHILDREN IN/OUT THE DOOR, ITEMS LAYING BETWEEN THE DOOR... I EVEN HAD MY HAND IN THE DOOR FOR TESTING AND THE DOOR WILL NOT STOP; IT WILL KEEP MOVING FORWARD TO CLOSE. WHAT A SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY FOR A MINI VAN THAT IS DESIGNED FOR KIDS IN AND OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10497862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,501 milesCanton, TX1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE VAN WAS PARKED AND I HAD THE PASSENGER REAR SIDE DOOR OPEN. I USED THE PUSH BUTTON FEATURE TO CLOSE THE DOOR AND REALIZED I HAD FORGOT SOMETHING ON THE FLOOR. I REACHED IN AND GRABBED IT AND THE DOOR HIT MY ARM AND INSTEAD OF STOPPING AND OPENING AGAIN IT CONTINUED TO CLOSE AND MY ARM WAS CAUGHT IN THE DOOR. THE DOOR DIDN'T STOP CLOSING UNTIL I REACHED OUT WITH MY LEFT HAND AND GRABBED THE HANDLE AND PULLED IT OFF OF MY ARM. MY ARM WAS BRUISED AND HAS BEEN SORE SINCE IT HAPPENED. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE DOOR HASN'T RESPONDED AND RE-OPENED WHEN SOMETHING WAS IN THE WAY. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME ANYONE WAS INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #10496670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blue Springs, MO
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
WE PURCHASED A WHITE 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 4/30/11, IT NOW HAS 24,000 MILES. WE HAVE NOTICED THAT BOTH SLIDING SIDE DOORS HAVE CAUSED LIKE EVENLY PLACED BLACK MARKS ON THE REAR WHEEL WELLS WHEN THE DOORS HAVE BEEN IN THE OPEN POSITION. BOTH DOOR INTERIORS HAVE MARKS WHERE THE DOORS HAVE MADE CONTACT WITH THE BODY MAKING THE FORE MENTIONED MARKS. WE HAVE MADE COMPUTER INQUIRY SEARCHING FOR "ANYONE WITH A DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE SLIDING DOORS RUBBING?" AND HAVE HAD HITS ON THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10437910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blue Springs, MO
STRUCTURE:BODY
WE PURCHASED A WHITE 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 4/30/11, IT NOW HAS 24,000 MILES. WE HAVE NOTICED THAT BOTH SLIDING SIDE DOORS HAVE CAUSED LIKE EVENLY PLACED BLACK MARKS ON THE REAR WHEEL WELLS WHEN THE DOORS HAVE BEEN IN THE OPEN POSITION. BOTH DOOR INTERIORS HAVE MARKS WHERE THE DOORS HAVE MADE CONTACT WITH THE BODY MAKING THE FORE MENTIONED MARKS. WE HAVE MADE COMPUTER INQUIRY SEARCHING FOR "ANYONE WITH A DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE SLIDING DOORS RUBBING?" AND HAVE HAD HITS ON THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10437910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blue Springs, MO
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
WE PURCHASED A WHITE 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 4/30/11, IT NOW HAS 24,000 MILES. WE HAVE NOTICED THAT BOTH SLIDING SIDE DOORS HAVE CAUSED LIKE EVENLY PLACED BLACK MARKS ON THE REAR WHEEL WELLS WHEN THE DOORS HAVE BEEN IN THE OPEN POSITION. BOTH DOOR INTERIORS HAVE MARKS WHERE THE DOORS HAVE MADE CONTACT WITH THE BODY MAKING THE FORE MENTIONED MARKS. WE HAVE MADE COMPUTER INQUIRY SEARCHING FOR "ANYONE WITH A DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE SLIDING DOORS RUBBING?" AND HAVE HAD HITS ON THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10437911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blue Springs, MO
STRUCTURE:BODY
WE PURCHASED A WHITE 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 4/30/11, IT NOW HAS 24,000 MILES. WE HAVE NOTICED THAT BOTH SLIDING SIDE DOORS HAVE CAUSED LIKE EVENLY PLACED BLACK MARKS ON THE REAR WHEEL WELLS WHEN THE DOORS HAVE BEEN IN THE OPEN POSITION. BOTH DOOR INTERIORS HAVE MARKS WHERE THE DOORS HAVE MADE CONTACT WITH THE BODY MAKING THE FORE MENTIONED MARKS. WE HAVE MADE COMPUTER INQUIRY SEARCHING FOR "ANYONE WITH A DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE SLIDING DOORS RUBBING?" AND HAVE HAD HITS ON THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10437911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.