2011 Dodge Grand Caravan: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Apr 23, 2026 · Electrical · 200,000 miles · MN · fire

The contact owned a 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, turned off, and unoccupied, the front driver’s side of the vehicle near the driver’s door caught fire. The contact extinguished the fire. No fire or police report was filed. The front driver’s side of the vehicle was consumed by the fire. The contact believed the failure was due to an electrical malfunction located in the driver's door that caused the fire. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to a salvage facility. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Jun 16, 2023 · Electrical · NY · fire

My van caught fire. Randomly after not being driven for more than 15 hours. The investigator says it is believed to be the inverter in the back drivers side panel under the cup holders which short circuited and caught fire which engulfed my entire vehicle in a mater if 40 minutes while waiting for the fire department to arrive. The van is obviously a goner. Burnt to a crisp along with all of our DeWalt power tools batteries fishing poles tackle chainsaw and 4 brand new car seats that were just purchased with the last 2 months. Along with cracking all the windows on that side of my home due to the heat from the blaze...

Filed Oct 23, 2019 · Engine · 132,000 miles · WI · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2011 dodge grand caravan. While the vehicle was parked in the driveway, it would not start and the brake warning indicator illuminated. A bystander assisted with jumpstarting the vehicle. The contact noticed an abnormal popping noise and, within seconds, flames appeared under the hood of the vehicle. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the flames. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. There were no injuries. The contact called her insurance company to have the vehicle inspected, but was informed that her insurance coverage had expired. The hood and driver's side of the vehicle were damaged. The cause of the failure was not determined. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.*dt*dt

Filed Mar 7, 2019 · Electrical · 181,643 miles · OK

Van was in motion on city street (taking daughter to school) when it started shaking and then there was a burning smell. Auto shop said it's electrical but has referred us to dealership for further auto service because whatever caused burning smell "shorted out the radio / information control unit" the van is not safe to drive with this issue or it could catch fire.

Filed Jun 2, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · MN

My van has had electrical type issues since we purchased it, but in the last couple years they have imagnified. Every issue starts with the car smoking and some sort of light coming on (engine, battery etc..) many times I take it in and the dash light is no longer illuminated or they can not find anything wrong with it and reset the electrical panel. I have replaced the battery numerous times, alternator three times (last time it was completely burnt out and the time before it was completely melted). Transmission lines and coolant lines. The last time my headlights were replaced the wires were charred and frayed. Last night my son was pulled over by the police because the officer noticed the car was smoking. He popped the hood to let the smoke clear (my son said the smoke had a copery taste). After it cleared the van started and drove fine. This is after having the alternator replaced (for the third time) just last week. The technicians at the shop have never seen these kinds of problems before and the guy at interstate battery said he has never seen a car deplete a battery like mine does. With all these issue being associated with the words melting, charring, smoking, it really concerns me that one day my van is going to catch on fire or blow up and this is not normal for any vehicle, but especially one that has been taken care of and maintained. I have friends with the same van and similar mileage (155,000) and they have not had any of these issues. I contacted dodge who referred me to the federal safety agency and the local dealership. Please help!!!

Filed Apr 14, 2018 · Electrical · 118,000 miles · NM

Vehicle died suddenly on the road on april 13, 2018 due to alternator failing. O'reilly auto parts confirmed that the diodes failed on alternator. Existing recall on the durangos, chrysler, and jeeps but not grand caravan for this particular problem with alternators. Burning smell under the hood of the vehicle coming from the alternator as well.

Filed Mar 21, 2018 · Brakes, Engine · FL

2011 dodge caravan purchased 3/2017. Motor had a slight knocking sound took it back to dealer they sent me to their mechanic. I was assured that it was fine. Then brakes went really low and did not stop right. Told it was a master cylinder.installed that then it happened again so was told that it was a bad master cylinder. Installed another one. Did not fix the problem after a few days.????? Then I was told we needed a brake booster. Installed that and it did seem like that was it fixed, then the brake light came on and brake pedal went low. Now it has a very horrible sound and the trany at times does not want to shift and the RPM's go up and I have to pull over and shut off the vehicle and turn it back on and it will shift.???? Electronical.??? I have read complaints on the federal safety agency and I feel like dodge should repair the brakes and the trany problem. From what I can read it is a defective part of the programming. The horrible nosie when you pull off, I dont know what it is but sounds bad.. I called dodge dealership right after I bought the van and they were very rude and said there were not any recalls for this 2011 van and I see that there is and some says complete. Well if they are complete seems to me like it needs to be repaired again because it is doing what I see that people are complaining about. I owe nearly 14,000 on this van. . Doge/chrysler should make it good. The complete on the recalls like I said is not complete. Please help me if you can. I dont have much faith after the person at the dodge dealership was so rude to me, but maybe you all there can help me get it repaired. This is a safety issue.the windows sometimes dont want to come down and yall have something about it might catch on fire.the keybob will not open the side doors.

Filed Jan 24, 2018 · Engine · 140,000 miles · MI · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2011 dodge grand caravan. While parked, the vehicle caught on fire. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed a total loss. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Oct 26, 2017 · Electrical · 29,119 miles · FL · fire

Friday morning (oct 20, 2017) vehicle was driven momentarily, then immediately parked because the engine light was on. Vehicle was not moved, started, or key cycled after it was parked. Then on tuesday (oct 24, 2017) around 8:18 am, smoke and then flames were visible coming from the engine compartment, left side. Left tire/brakes not involved. *dt 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'

Filed Jun 12, 2017 · Electrical · 66,550 miles · NY · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge grand caravan. The vehicle was serviced per the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v234000 (electrical system). While the contact's wife was driving 35 MPH, she heard clicking and popping noises coming from the front driver's side door and noticed smoke. The front driver's side door caught fire. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. The manufacturer sent an independent inspector to investigate the incident and ultimately stated that chrysler had no responsibility for the fire. The cause of the fire was not diagnosed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact's insurance company stated that they would attempt to repair the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 66,550. *tt

Filed Mar 8, 2017 · Electrical, Visibility · KS · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2011 dodge grand caravan. While the vehicle was parked, it caught on fire. There were no injuries and the vehicle was destroyed. The fire department was notified and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the vehicle was inspected. The inspector did not find a defect with the vehicle. The vehicle was also inspected by the fire department were it was determined that the cause was a defect in the rear passenger window. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Apr 4, 2016 · Brakes, Engine · 71,000 miles · OH

Several times this winter my wife has went to start our vehicle and it would not start. This has resulted in missed time at work and kids missing school as well as 1 occurrence of being strained while out shopping. It seems to effect it mostly when really cold outside 30 or below. We have also had severe issues with the brakes. I have had all four brakes replaced twice and both front rotors as well as calipers replaced. The problem is that after a few minutes of driving (20-30 mins) the front passenger side brake drags causing a very strong metallic smell to enter through the air vents inside the van. My worry is that one day it will catch on fire and my vehicle will be lost in the fire.