Dodge Caravan jerking problems

Filed Sep 9, 2026 · Tires · NJ

Hello, After installing 4 new tires on my van I immediately noticed a jerk my vehicle was experiencing at highway speeds. mostly when turning , changing lanes or moving the steering wheel like adjusting lane positions. I had double checked the tire air pressure and lug nuts, even added extra 5 lbs. to the tires but still has this strange feel when driving. I am returning the tires for an exchange tomorrow, I do not trust these tires, makes me very nervous to drive with them at higher speeds, my alignment is perfect as I had that checked at purchase also (lifetime vehicle alignments)

Filed May 18, 2023 · Engine, Visibility · NM

Belt under hood keeps falling off and or breaking car seizes up and locks up almost crashed a few times Also engine problems smokes a lot wipers don’t work windows won’t go down also transmission jerks when driving

Filed Nov 7, 2018 · Transmission · 102,002 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 dodge caravan. While driving 55 MPH on an interstate, the vehicle stalled without warning in the middle of traffic. The contact restarted the vehicle and described a jerking motion that occurred without warning. The contact pulled to the right side of the road and placed the vehicle in the reverse position; however, the vehicle failed to reverse. The vehicle was towed to jt's chrysler dodge jeep ram fiat (4838 sunset blvd, lexington, south carolina 29072, (803) 220-3725) where it was diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer stated that the warranty coverage expired on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,002.

Filed Sep 9, 2015 · 7,000 miles · OH

I bought my 2012 dodge grand caravan in march of 2012, and by the end of that same year had to have new tire put on the front of the van, (they were completely worn). I have had problems with the electronic drivers set not working in fact has not worked properly since I have had the van, and when I took it to have it looked at they of course could find nothing wrong, to this date it is stuck in the same position and will not move. The sliding automatic doors, at times do not work for great periods of time and sound very grinding when they are working. Then with in those same few months in 2012 the van started to rust inside the gas door. It has been fixed twice already at dealership and still rusts! I have also had to replace the breaks and rotors on the back and now they are needing to be done on the front. I have approx. 30,000 miles on my van. The other complaint with van is the lack of A/C power, and that it sometimes feels that the engine is bogged down with no load, or is hesitant jerky.

Filed Oct 3, 2014 · MI · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a safety first advance safety seat that was manufactured on august 3, 2011. The child seat was being utilized in a 2006 dodge caravan. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH attempting to engaged the brakes, the vehicle started to jerk violently. As a result, the child safety seat harness fractured which caused the child to a sustained a sore shoulder. The child did not require medical attention. The child safety seat was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.

Filed Oct 9, 2013 · Electrical, Visibility · 106,000 miles · WI

Driving approximately 35-40 MPH, van shut down completely however, horn, wipers, wiper fluid, door locks went crazy. Was able to pull to the side of the road. Horn and electric stopped after approximately 5 minutes. After waiting a few minutes, I was able to start the car again and make it home. Car wouldn't start again. Had it towed to the dealer who replaced the battery and cable connector ($300). Also found more brake and axle seal issues at a cost of $1,000. Drove the vehicle for approximately 40 miles (to and from work) without problem. Went for a short errand, driving 35 MPH, car jerked, wipers went halfway and horn started blaring, wipers and fluid went crazy again, and car stalled. Neighbor was able to disconnect the horn but car wouldn't shut off. Neighbors called police (embarrassing). Car wouldn't shut off (opposite problem from when the car shut down before repair.) drove the car home where it is now waiting for a tow. Beyond frustrated and angry because my 16 year old daughter was driving the during the second incident. Called dodge corporate where "[xxx]" was less than empathetic and told me that there were a lot of miles on the vehicle, as if this makes it okay. No apologies. Car is a lemon. Three brake jobs during the life of the vehicle. This will be my 3rd tow in 6 months. This could have caused a severe accident had the car shut down on a busy highway. Additionally, vision is impaired due to windshield washer fluid spewing.

Filed Aug 21, 2013 · Acceleration, Electrical · 130,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge caravan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle began to surge in a jerking motion. The speedometer reading also fluctuated. The failure recurred whenever the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Aug 13, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 55,387 miles · DE

On a highway ramp entering the highway the horn on my van started to blow on & off, at the same time the windshield wipers were wiping & the spray was spewing at me at high speed. The lights blinked on and off & the door locks were going up & down. The radio was blasting as well. I came to a stop before entering the highway to try & figure things out but nothing worked. For 5-8 minutes I sat there in fear it would catch on fire. I put in park, turned it off & took the keys out. It continued to do all the activity with the keys in my hand! When it stopped & I tried to starting it. It started & ran ok till it happened not more than 15 minutes latter on my way to the dealer. This time it lurched forward at a faster speed with everything wiping, blowing, spewing & blinking which caused me to drop it into neutral & brake to a stop in the median. This time when it became quite it wouldn't start again & was towed to the dealer. They saw the codes it left but couldn't determine the cause. They said they could keep it thru the weekend & try again on monday or I could take it & bring it back when it did it again. This is the car I drive my family in all the time. Myself & 4 young girls plus friends. Although I am thankful to have only had to pay for towing I am very upset that they couldn't find the cause. I am essentially driving a ticking time bomb. This could happen again at any time, anywhere & with a car full of kids! I have said from day 1 that the van had electrical problems & no one took me serious. The only thing the dealer found that raised a red flag was that the windshield wipers come on when you use the turn signal - this has been a chief complaint all along. My family has had dodges for a long time, have been loyal customers & employees. We expect better from a company we've grown to depend on & refer others to for their next vehicle.

Filed Jun 3, 2011 · Steering · 87,000 miles · ND

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge caravan. The contact stated that there was a recurring failure in which the vehicle would jerk violently without warning. The power steering unit was replaced a total of four times and most recently, the vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who advised that the power steering column would need replacing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not offer any assistance stating that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The failure mileage was 87,000 and the current mileage was 150,000.

Filed Oct 8, 2009 · Electrical · 112,406 miles · OH

The issue is with the dodge caravans 2004 ECM's, there are numerous complaints of these parts going out on these vans. I just had mine go out on my way to osu hospital two hours away from home. There was no warning at all one min my van is fine the next it jerked,engine light comes on and van drops in low gear and will not shift. Had tested by dealer with simulator and it was the ECM, I did some checking to see if there was a recall,to my surprise no recall but this is a known problem with these vans. The issue is: if known problem and the repair price is very costly why has there not been a recall? In my case there was no accident thankfully, now had we not been in traffic that was slow moving we would have for sure caused accident when it dropped in to low gear. These vans a normally used for families and most of us can not afford the price it cost to have our van fixed. I myself did alot of checking around on this issue before even considering to file this and decided that we as the owners should not have to pay for a very well known problem with these vans it should be the makers responsibility to do a recall and fix it. The part alone was to cost $750.00, test done to see if that's what it was cost $140.00 and grand total with labor $1200.00 now thankful I had the resources to get this but to those of us who do not they are out of family transportation. Thank you for your attention in this matter.