2011 Dodge Grand Caravan engine problems

ENGINE

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 complaint #11662837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

V51 recall cause problems with power control module. Poor fuel economy Trouble starting/ restarting Engine not receiving power

NHTSA complaint #11597511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the engine turned over, but the vehicle failed to start. The contact became aware that the jumper ends were burned. There was no fuel entering the engine. The contact stated that the silicon on the relays needed to be replaced and the fuel pump had failed. Additionally, the driver's side window became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA complaint #11595037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Dealership still cannot pinpoint exactly what is wrong but the car does not start. One time it’ll start and the next it won’t. It’s actually left me stranded in the cold because that seems to be the only time it won’t start. It’s happened to many other grand caravan owners too. No mechanic I’ve taken it to can solve the problem I’ve spent so much money replacing parts on this car.

NHTSA complaint #11583251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Vehicle randomly dies completely like no battery connected either while parked or in motion. Then after a few moments vehicle starts like nothing is wrong. No codes no warning.

NHTSA complaint #11542324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that she was able to maneuver the vehicle off the roadway. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ECM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that an unknown recall repair was previously performed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

NHTSA complaint #11497387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

This vehicle always fails to start in the colder weather. After a review of this condition. It has been found that the fuel pump relay does not send proper signal. This relay is a part of the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM). When it fails to operate, the vehicle will experience long crank times. With its ignition switch style, as soon as you turn the key, the vehicle will continue to crank UNLESS you manually turn the switch all the way back to the off position. This condition will cause the starter motor to overheat or burn up. Eventually the vehicle may start then die. Fuel delivery is too inconsistent when colder weather arises. You can't just replace a plug-in-style replacement fuel pump relay since it is a part of the whole TIPM. This vehicle has not yet died in traffic or on the highway thank God. There is never any CEL illumination or any stored fault codes. It started doing this the first winter I bought it. This is my second year and it's only just Fall and it is acting up again. This is a KNOWN issue among these TIPMs that are on more than just this vehicle but many other Dodge/Chryslers with this same TIPM. Someone needs to take accountability for a faulty product that needs redesigned before these issues continue to affect the consumers that trust in their product. I hope that this issue is addressed and resolved before others continue to complain about vehicle faults, or even worse experience any catastrophic conditions resulting in death of consumers based on this faulty TIPM, that controls most aspects of the whole vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11491408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road, where he successfully restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact stated that after the vehicle had been repaired, the vehicle would fail to start intermittently, and would only start after several attempts. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no open recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE INGNITION SWITCH. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED AN IGNITION SWITCH RECALL THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN DUE TO THE MODEL YEAR. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, AS IT DISPLAYED THE SAME FAILURE DETAILED IN THE RECALL NOTICE.

NHTSA complaint #11460756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

My car was fine until one day in rain the whole dash and radio shut off and came back on repeatedly, spedometer bouncing each time. Took it to dealer/JDByrider and "they dont know prob/happens all the time" w a very "oh well" attitude. They did nothing. I called again when car ALSO started shutting completely off at long red lights. I was told next appt available would be 23 days! Thats still 4 days away. NOW in addition to dash/radio/spedometer problem the van doesnt just die at LONG lights, it dies if I have to stop for drive thrus, stop signs, short lights. The headlights have also started flickering very very badly. Im upset that repairs are supposed to be covered by JDByrider and theyve had me driving this dangerous car for almost a month before trying to fix it. Im not allowed to get work done on it elsewhere or else it makes future repairs on parts not covered by JDByrider. I have 4 kids and this car is not safe on road and Im literally not allowed to get someone else to fix it if I want it to continue to be covered by JDB. JDB blames Dodge. My car purchase was supposed to cover repairs and instead Im being forced to drive 4 kids around in car dealer cant fix and they claim Dodge dont know how to either. I should have never been expected to wait almost a month for this to be addressed.

NHTSA complaint #11441091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Battery light turned on and vehicle immediately shut off. Got car jump to make it home and all electrical components went hay wire - all dash lights blinking - transmission wouldn’t not shit and accelerated by itself, headlights wouldn’t go on, windows wouldn’t go down. Dodge recalled every other car model in their line for a bad ALTERNATOR rapid failure, except Caravan, which should absolutely be included. It’s a know issue - car shouldn’t be dying while driving with under 100k miles.

NHTSA complaint #11431864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I was driving on the highway and about to increase speed from 60mph to 65mph then the vehicle shut off. I lost power steering and ability to brake I was near an exit and was able to roll into a safe spot. Vehicle would crank but not start. I contacted AAA for tow service. When AAA arrived the vehicle started. I had it towed anyway. Since the incident the vehicle starts. I am afraid to drive. I had passengers with me that night and this vehicle (engine) failure could have resulted in multiple injuries or fatalities. I purchased this vehicle from a used car dealership in October of 2020. Within a week the vehicle broke down. It would crank but not start. The used dealership had the battery replaced then the TIPM and finally a bypass was performed on the fuel pump relay switch in December of 2020. I've had no issues of this nature since those repairs. Now I have another serious safety hazard issue.

NHTSA complaint #11426708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

purchased van no problem mechanic gave great review following week wouldnt start mechanic said tipm is bad we had tipm rep[laced already 3 times and now its bad again this time i was with my family when van completly shut off on highway doing 70 miles a hour we have to carry a jumper battery pack with us to start van i called crysler and they informed me there is no problems with my vans tipm well thats funny google has over 45 thousand articles about these problems and nobody does anything about it till people die

NHTSA complaint #11422425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD AT ABOUT 30 MPH GOING STRAIGHT (WITH MY WIFE/KIDS) AND THE CAR JUST TURNED OFF COMPLETELY. THERE WAS NO ELECTRICAL, NO PROPULSION, POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THE ELECTRICAL BLINKED ON AND OFF A COUPLE TIMES LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO COME BACK ON BUT I HAD TO PULL OVER (LUCKILY WE WERE ON A RURAL ROAD) AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON.

NHTSA complaint #11414748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME. DEALERS UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM. THOUGHT IT WAS CAMSHAFT SENSOR, REPLACED AND SAME ISSUES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT ALWAYS ON, SEEMS TO COME ON AFTER EXTENDED DRIVING. ON HIGHWAY, WITH ENGINE LIGHT ON TRACTION LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCELERATE PAST ABOUT 60 MPH EVEN WHEN PRESSING GAS TO FLOOR. ON HIGHWAY THIS IS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. I SEE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND I AM FRUSTRATED THAT NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. BEEN DEALING WITH THIS FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS.

NHTSA complaint #11413822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

FUEL PUMP RELAY WENT BAD. ALSO FOUND BROKEN OIL FILTER VALVE, BROKEN FLEX PIPE TO EXHAUST AND LEAKY TRANSMISSION LINES.

NHTSA complaint #11376730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

VAN WILL BOG DOWN AND THEN JUST SHUT OFF. WILL ALSO TAKE 5-6 TIMES BEFORE IT WILL RESTART. THE ELECTRICAL GOES HAYWIRE RANDOMLY. FOUND OUT THE TIPM IS BAD AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON OTHER VEHICLES DOING THE SAME EXACT THING DURING THE SAME YEARS.

NHTSA complaint #11354480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER/SPEED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS LOSING COMPRESSION IN THE CYLINDER DUE TO A DEFECTIVE LIFTER THAT CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE CAM

NHTSA complaint #11338855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN ONGOING ISSUE OF HAVING THE CYLINDER 4 MISFIRE. YOU CAN HAVE THE SPARK PLUG, SPARK PLUG WIRE, THE COIL PACK, CYLINDER HEAD VALVE, FUEL INJECTOR, VACUUM, SHAFTS AND EVERYTHING ELSE REPLACED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL STILL COME ON SAYING THAT THIS CYLINDER IS MISFIRING. I HAVE HEARD AND READ MANY ARTICLES THAT SAY THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES AND EVERYONE IS SURPRISED THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE. AT THIS POINT, YOUR ONLY OPTION TO HAVE A RE-MANUFACTURED ENGINE INSTALLED WHICH CAN END UP COSTING MORE THAN YOU OWE ON THE CAR WHICH MANY PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD. HOW CAN YOU ALLOW A VEHICLE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE AND NOT HAVE A SOLUTION TO FIX IT? THIS CODE APPEARED ON MARCH 2019 AFTER A WEEK OF PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE REPLACED EVERY PART THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS ERROR CODE AND THE ONLY OPTION IT TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THIS IS JUST NOT FEASIBLE AS THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AND SHOULD BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #11331437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I THINK THE 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN MAINSTREET SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE CARS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS ALWAYS FALLING LIGHTS COME ON WHILE IM DRIVING AND WON'T TURN OFF FOR A HALF HOUR LAYER NO MATTER WHAT I DO. THE AIR BAG LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS COMING ON AND THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING WHEN YOU SHIFT INTO GEAR THERE'S ALWAYS A BIG GUMPING SOUND AND THE SHIFT GETS STUCK IN PARKED GEAR FOR MINUTES BEFORE IT WANTS TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. I'VE READ A LOT OF THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED ITS DANGEROUS

NHTSA complaint #11310815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

FOUND A PUDDLE OF OIL IN MY DRIVEWAY, TOOK TO MECHANIC, INFORMED ME THE ENGINE OIL FILTER HOUSING WAS BROKEN, AND HE HAD 10 OF THESE RECENTLY. ALSO TOLD ME WHEN HE CONTACTED DEALER FOR PARTS, THEY SAID THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE, THATS WHY THEY KEEP A LOT IN STOCK.

NHTSA complaint #11302748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

VAN DOESNT ALWAYS START, TAKING MANY TRIES TO TURN OVER. HAS BEEN TO DODGE AND OTHER MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES. BEEN TOLD THAT THE TIPM/ FUEL PUMP RELAY IS THE ISSUE. VAN HAS SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY ON THE HIGHWAY ON TWO OCCASIONS.

NHTSA complaint #11298309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC LOCKS WERE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING AUTOMATICALLY REGARDLESS IF THE VEHICLE WAS ON OR OFF. THE HORN WOULD ALSO RANDOMLY SOUND WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. DODGE OF BURNSVILLE (12101 HIGHWAY 35W SOUTH, BURNSVILLE, MN 55337, (952) 894-9000) STATED THAT THE TIPM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1,000. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2015 FOR THE POWER MODULE BY THE SAME DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,500.

NHTSA complaint #11296618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

WIRELESS IGNITION NODE (WIN) MODULE POSITION FAILS COMPROMISING THE ABILITY TO START THE ENGINE WITH KEY FOB. THIS WAS REPAIRED ONCE FOR 122 DOLLARS. THREE MONTHS LATER, DEALERSHIP WANTS 1200 TO FIX IT. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND TOW TRUCK WAS REQUIRED.

NHTSA complaint #11289288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. SHE NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO LOCATED FAILURE CODE: P0302, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE SOLENOID HEAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT AND THE REPAIR ONLY COVERED 150 MILES AND 10 YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.

NHTSA complaint #11278297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I HAVE HAD MY VAN NOW FOR ABOUT 700 MILES, WE BOUGHT IT USED FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I RAN THE VAN THROUGH AN AUTOMATIC CAR WASH, AND WHEN I PUT THE VAN BACK INTO GEAR AND BEGAN TO MOVE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SO I TURNED OFF THE VAN HOPING TO RESET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE VAN DID NOT WANT TO START BACK UP. (AT THIS POINT I AM IN A ALLEY WITH ONE WAY TRAFFIC) FINALLY I GOT THE VAN TO START BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON WHEN I PUT IT INTO GEAR IT SPUTTERED AND THEN STOPPED IT GAVE A RED LIGHT WITH A BOLT THROUGH IT AND ALSO THE OIL LIGHT CAME ONE. AGAIN I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO START THE VEHICLE AND FINALLY GOT IT TO GO AGAIN. THEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT BEGAN SHIFTING ON ITS OWN, IT IS AN AUTOMATIC BUT THE 1, 2, 4, 3 , 2 , 1 GEARS BEGAN SHOWING AN FINALLY IT STALLED, LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO A PARKING LOT. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT TRUST WORTHY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. I DO HAVE SOME VIDEO OF THESE THINGS HAPPENING.

NHTSA complaint #11258927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

DODGE HAS KNOWN ABOUT ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSIONS FOR YEARS 2011 GRAND CARAVAN MODELS AND HAS PUT OUT SEVERAL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS REGARDING THESE ISSUES AND ISSUES WITH OXYGEN SENSORS AS WELL. NOW, MY VEHICLE IS AT A DEALERSHIP WITH A TRANSMISSION THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND FAULTY O2 SENSORS THAT TOTAL BETWEEN $6,000 AND $7,000 WORTH OF WORK. DODGE ALSO KNOWS ABOUT BRAKE ISSUES THAT AFFECT THE SAFE OPERATION AND STOPPING OF THESE MODELS AND HAS YET TO REPAIR ANY OF THESE ISSUES.

NHTSA complaint #11233669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPAIRED THE CAMSHAFT AND FUEL PUMP, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A THIRD TIME. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA complaint #11204749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TAKATA RECALL. 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WE BOUGHT IT IN JUNE 2018 ..PROBLEMS BEGAN IN JILY 2018. IT BEGAN WITH TIRE SENSOR LIGHT COMING ON AND STAYING ON BUT NO ISSUES....THEN ADVANCED TO NOT STARTING AT ALL..EVALUATION RESULTING IN SEVERAL TOWING BILLS EVEN AFTER 2 NEW FUEL PUMPS PUT IN..THEN A FUEL PUMP RELAY. RAN FOR A WHILE AND CONTINUED TO SHUT POWER OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS, BACK RDS. NO WARNING LIGHTS JUST SHUT OFF. MORE TOWING COSTS. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS DUE TO NO WARNING AND WHILE DRIVING WHEN VEHICLE JUST OFF. NOW U UNDERSTANDING NUMEROUS DODGE GRAND CARAVANS DEALING W SAME ISSUES AND REFUSING RECALL...PUTTING LIVES AT HIGH RISK ESPECIALLY W A SPECIAL NEEDS IN VEHICLE, MY LITTLE KIDS AND KIDS SCOUT FRIENDS. ITS CURRENTLY UNABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE DUE TO ITS UNEXPECTED SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA complaint #11196843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.