8.1

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$900
Average Mileage:
83,900 miles
Total Complaints:
15 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (7 reports)
  2. replace TIPM (6 reports)
  3. repair cracked head (1 reports)
  4. replace fuel pump (1 reports)
2011 Dodge Grand Caravan engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Dodge Grand Caravan Owner Comments

problem #15

Sep 262019

Grand Caravan V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 148,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Gray Daniels Nissan in Brandon, MISSISSIPPI sold me a car that was broken. I pointed out that the motor was ‘jumping’ on the date that I purchased the vehicle, and I was told “Oh it only needs a tune up”. I got the car home and 10 hours later it wouldn’t crank, and my friend and mechanic told me the head was cracked on the motor and I was looking at $1200 to $1600 worth of repairs. Because I signed an “AS IS” contract, Gray Daniels refused to help me.

Knowing today’s technology, and having diagnostic software, I can’t believe this company didn’t know they were selling me a vehicle that was in trouble. I am an honest hard working woman, and I went to a dealer that has a well-known name, in hopes to be treated fairly and with dignity, but instead I was treated poorly and I feel as if I was swindled out of my money. I was also made to feel stupid and as if it were my fault that the car was broken. This is bad business and I will not rest until I have told every possible person that I can tell. If you want someone to treat you fairly, then don’t do business with Gray Daniels.

Also don't buy a 2011 Grand Caravan... according to what I've seen on this site... they are the worst of the Caravans. UGGG.

- dgoldman, Terry, US

problem #14

Nov 192019

Grand Caravan Crew 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

Couldn’t figure out then dodge wanted to charge $2000 to replace TIPM. Found online rebuilder and paid $400

- Colbie B., Dalton, WI, US

problem #13

Feb 202020

Grand Caravan Crew 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,000 miles

The rebuilt TIMP had the same thing happen. It wouldn’t start right away and would cut off while driving, basically draining the battery! The rebuilders sent a new one because it was only 3 months old!

- Colbie B., Dalton, WI, US

problem #12

Mar 132013

Grand Caravan Crew 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,069 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle starting having an intermittent starting problem about 18 months after we purchased it. Mentioned the problem to the dealerships we took it to for service, but they failed to find the problem or duplicate the problem. We have had the vehicle since new, but now it has failed to start altogether. Now all of a sudden I am on the hook to get it fixed because the warranty has run out.

FCA dealerships had 4 years to get this issue fixed and they failed each time. This is one of two things complete incompetence or a con to get more money out of their customers. I let the readers decide. Recently the vehicle fail to start altogether, so my wife had it towed to the dealership. They have still failed to find the issue or have no knowledge on how to find it unless we pay $100 to put it on a tester, we're already out of pocket for the tow for a problem they should have fixed during warranty.

I am baffled as to why they are not aware of this fairly common issues on FCA products as it happens on Jeeps & Durango's. How in god's name are they training their technicians these days........

- Byron W., Maple, ON, Canada

problem #11

Jul 192016

Grand Caravan 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,600 miles

Hard starting, at shop and first looked at fuel pump relay. My mechanic says that is fine. Thinks it is fuel pump. I should get it back today. I was hoping it was not the TPIM module but we have had issues with the driver side windows randomly rolling down when moving the switch up. I don't think it is the fuel pump because when the van finally starts it will keep going with no issues. My mechanic says he has been replacing a lot of fuel pumps for this generation of dodge caravans.

Crossing my fingers!

- silverfun, Orlando, FL, US

problem #10

Dec 272016

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

I bought this van in May used, was told it was in awesome shape. My wife is disabled and we purchased this van so we could have plenty of room for her wheelchair and service dog. Today I went out to run an errand (to get needed medical supplies) and the van would not start. It tried to start, but would not. The Electronic Throttle Control light came on. I tried several times. The temp outside is approx 45 degrees, which is really on the chilly side for AZ. This happened once before, and again the outside temp was on the chilly side. We live on a fixed income, and this is not something we can easily fix on our own. Any suggestions on where to start to find out what is wrong? Am going out to try to start it again.

- cherielleaz, Phoenix, AZ, US

problem #9

Nov 052016

Grand Caravan 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 127,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is so annoying. I get in my 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan all set to travel out of state and van won't start. I jump start it, it won't start. I am so disappointed that I couldn't embark on my planned trip as a result of this unprecedented issue. I really want this fixed and have my van up and running.

- kazig, Slidell, LA, US

problem #8

Sep 142016

Grand Caravan Crew

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles

I have two small children, and am concerned about this issue. I am afraid to be stranded somewhere, and after looking into this apparently common issue, I see that it could lead to just random stalls which is scary. I do not have the money to fix it. My warranty has proven useless in that does not cover this (probably because they know this is a problem, and it would cost too much for them). I sometimes have to attempt upwards of 10 times to FINALLY get the engine to completely turn over. It also seems to run rough sometimes, particularly when up a hill, etc. I can not trust this vehicle to be dependable and since it is not that old, and it appears as if this is a known problem, I believe the manufacturer should issue a recall, as they have on other models with this same issue.

- Heather N., Madison, AL, US

problem #7

Aug 162016

Grand Caravan 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,787 miles

In reading all the complaints on the web, we believe the TIPM is the problem. Our car only starts intermittently it will crank but not start and has left us stranded several time. We're afraid to go to the dealer because we know they are going to rip us off and spending over $1000 to fix it is very hard to do. We bought a new battery thinking that would solve the problem. The car started but who knows if we will be able to start it today. It's is the only car we have to take us both to work. Very upset about this.

- nec, Cathedral City, CA, US

problem #6

Jun 132016

Grand Caravan V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,371 miles

Over the last month or so my Grand Caravan has been having some starting issues. The only way I can explain it is like when the batter goes dead. It's left me stranded once where I thought the batter was dead and I had a tow truck come and give it a jump. However, since then the same problem has occurred but not as severe as it takes 3 or 4 turns of the key to start the van. It is very intermittent.

I brought it to my Dodge dealership and had them check the battery, its connections etc. All came back fine and they could not reproduce the problem and suggested leaving it for a few days which is not possible. I even replaced the battery in the key fob.

Glad to see that other are experiencing this as well. Not looking forward to dropping $1000 on a new TIPM.

Let hope for that recall

- chris innisfil, Innisfil, ON, Canada

problem #5

Nov 152015

Grand Caravan Crew 3600

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

In early january of 2016, I took my van to Neuwirth dodge dealership of Wilmington,NC because of a starting issue, they did a computer evaluation and informed me it was a bad fuel pump and replaced it with a charge of $837 and change, 2 days later I called them back and informed them the problem was even worse. They gave me a number for a tow truck and I had them tow it to the dealer. They kept the van for a couple of days and called and informed me they could find nothing wrong and charged me $175 for the tow bill. I drove the van home and the next morning I am still having the same issues but did get it started. I took it to be inspected for the state of NC and when they were finished it would not start for them, they checkekd all they could without charging me extra and informed me that they believed the problem to be the crank sensor and that the dealeds service should know that. I have not contacted Neuwirth since for fear of being ripped off again. My wife and I are living on a fixed income and that kind of money doesn't grow on trees.

- Glenn H., Supply, US

problem #4

Jan 012016

Grand Caravan Flex 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

I took the van to dealer (at the time that it did turned on) spoke to a dealer man and he check through my vin number if it was under warranty first (which is not) he mentioned to me that if I get the codes and the codes match i wouldn't be charged the diagnostic charges. I took the van (mind you they know am a woman alone and van doesn't turn on) to AUTO ZONE got the codes. Once I got the codes print out, I got stuck because the van would not turn on. With many attempts I mange to turn on and went straight home.

The next day I took the van to the dealers and left it there overnight. The codes happens to match and they told me they could fix van because the Cylinder head and 3 spark plugs where under warranty but the van takes 3 extra spark plugs and pressure sensor is malfunction and needs to be replaced in order for van to work properly. I agree! The next day he calls me back to pick up van. I had one of the dealers pick me up at work, when I get there he charges me $124.34 just for diagnostic and van wasn't fix to bring the next day because the pieces needed to be order.

I took van in the morning Jan 12 he said van would be ready Jan 14. Jan 14 he called me that van was ready. I go and even before they showed me van that it works, I had to pay $226.63 in order for them to give me keys. When I go to get my van and turn on..... The van did not turn on... Of course I went in very upset and told them I wasn't leaving until van was fix. They gave me a rental yesterday Jan 14 and have not heard from them yet.

Dodge company should remake all this cars because they are clearly a piece of crap. Not only that but they are fast to charge $$$ instead of making sure the safety of the customer should be first. I am very disappointent that I am in this situation and the van in from 2011 year is not old at all. What can DODGE do for me? I bet nothing...

- Damaris R., Wappingers Falls, NY, US

problem #3

Nov 042014

Grand Caravan 3.6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,000 miles

Van started having problems about 2 months ago, the low voltage light came on. We replaced the battery. A few weeks later the van doesn't want to start. It turns over but just won't start. Dealer told us it's the battery again. We replace it. Same night, van turns over but just doesn't start.

Yesterday I was trying to get the kids to school and it just wasn't starting. Made an appointment with the dealer for lunch. My husband came home and the van started right up. After 4 hours with the dealer they said it was the alternator. Upon trying to pick it up van it would not start. Asked the mechanic if we could borrower his boost box to jump it. Still wouldn't start. He said it wasn't the problem they thought it was and asked me to leave it again.

Today, after five hours, the mechanic calls and said it's the alternator and fuel pump. Husband goes to pick it. Van tried to start just couldn't. Took our Suburban and jumped it. Van started and drove home. Van started by itself about 4 other times today. Just tried one last time, wouldn't start. If it were to start right now I would drive it to the junk yard. Biggest piece of crap we have ever owned.

- Rhonda J., owensboro, KY, US

problem #2

Oct 262014

Grand Caravan Crew V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,000 miles

How on earth can Dodge produce and sell a van that has a problem "starting!!!?" I am bringing it in Monday, but, there should be no problems with a car that young, it's not human.

- Deb D., Highland Park, IL, US

problem #1

Jul 052014

Grand Caravan Crew 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

I have a 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan with about 52,000 miles on it. On day the radio just went off and then turned back on. It did this multiple times before we sent it in to the shop. Then one day it it would not start. It would turn over but would not fire until I tried it 6 to 10 times and then it would start. We took it in to the dealer for a misfire in cylinder #2 ( recall on left head) but it started all the time for them, until I went to leave, and then no start. The tech was able to duplicate it and said we would trouble shoot it.

A week later they called and said it is more then likely the TIPM causing the problem and the part is backorder nationally and would cost me $1037 plus tax for the parts and labor. If it is back ordered then there is a big problem and Chrysler knows about it. I hope they issue a recall soon so I can get my money back.

- Allen M., Humble, TX, US

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