2011 Dodge Grand Caravan: check engine light

Filed Jun 6, 2023 · Electrical, Fuel system · CA

The TIPM failed which caused a loss of power to the vehicle and power to the fuel pump. I was driving at approximately 60 MPH when the vehicle lost all power and the steering wheel felt locked. I was unable to turn the steering wheel as the Dodge Grand Caravan came to a quick stop as if it was out of gas. Luckily I reacted quickly and was able to avoid an accident. After approximately 10 minutes of trying to restart the vehicle and drive to a safe location the vehicle restarted. This happened again when I was driving and came to a red light at a major intersection and the vehicle stalled out as if out of gas and the steering locked. I again tried to restart the vehicle intermittently for 15 minutes; after which it finally restarted, and I was able to drive and get out of the intersection without an accident. I was lucky that this didn't cause an accident. The other times the defective TIPM and power to the fuel pump caused the vehicle to fail to start and left me stranded. I have had the vehicle diagnosed and the TIPM repair price is quite expensive. The vehicle did not have any check engine or warning lights before this occurred. I have read many similar complaints of this occurring with others driving Dodge/Chrysler vehicles. I feel that there is evidence that the TIPM and the fuel pump on the 2011 Dodge Caravan are safety concerns. Every experienced mechanic I have spoken with is aware of the common issue with the TIPM, and power to the fuel pump and vehicle. Although I avoided an accident there is a concern for everyone's safety.

Filed Oct 29, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · OH

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.

Filed Jul 19, 2021 · Electrical, Fuel system · OH

Vehicle shakes, dash lights flash on an off, doesn't want to accelerate, check engine light flashes occasionally. Mechanic has run diagnostic tests, the only code the vehicle is showing is oil pressure.

Filed Apr 25, 2021 · Acceleration, Engine · 70,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Jun 29, 2020 · Engine · 138,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed Jan 22, 2020 · Electrical, Fuel system · 115,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge grand caravan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle vibrated abnormally without warning. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal with excessive force in order for the shaking to stop. Additionally, the service engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle on several occasions. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to immediately start. Several attempts were needed to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the fuel pump relay needed to be replaced. Jeep, chrysler dodge ram & fiat of ontario located at 1202 auto center dr, ontario, ca 91761, 909‑390‑9898, was contacted by phone in attempt to purchase the necessary part for repair. The contact was informed that due to the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v115000 (electrical system) the part was unable to be purchased. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000. The VIN was invalid.

Filed Nov 5, 2019 · Engine · 153,000 miles · OH

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.

Filed Sep 30, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 108,338 miles · OH

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.

Filed Apr 30, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 113,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed Jan 15, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 200,000 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge grand caravan. When the engine was turned off, the fuel pump continued to operate. As a result, the battery died. The contact stated that the traction, ABS, and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home after a few occurrences. The contact planned to take the vehicle to frank fletcher dodge jeep chrysler (3314 stadium blvd, jonesboro, ar 72404, (870) 277-2011) for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Dec 23, 2018 · Electrical · 78,000 miles · SC

Tipm failing. Our 2011 dodge grand caravan only has 78,000 miles on it, yet the tipm is causing all sorts of problems. The biggest issue is that the vehicle won't start on occasion, and it's progressively getting worse. The engine turns over, but it doesn't start after several attempts. This happened again today. Other times it won't even turn over. When it doesn't turn over, we usually put the vehicle into neutral and back into park, then it usually starts. We've also had the check engine light come on many times. One set of codes was for a camshaft positioning sensor, so we replaced those. Then a couple weeks later it did it again, so we had them replaced again. After a few months we then had the light come on and the dealership eventually had the pcv hose and valve replaced, then the lifters, rockers, tappers, etc. On the right side (not part of the left-side recall). We have had doors randomly open, lock or unlock. Windows have opened without us activating the switch. A few times the alarm (horn) has sounded and we have to press the button on the fob several times to shut it off. The car also shut off once while my wife was driving on the road, which is very frightening. The tipms in these vehicle are faulty, no matter what dodge says. Check the complaints on the carcomplaints website.

Filed Dec 13, 2018 · Transmission · DE

Check engine light is not resetting due to p0740 code even after changing valve body and related solenoids on transmission. Van does not have any issues while driving. No gas mileage issues. Currently it is ~93k. Dealer is also not sure. He says need to overhaul the torque converter (cost $1100) then he will know if anything else is damaged. In that case he has to rebuild the transmission (cost $2800). 2nd option to put a remanufactured transmission (cost $3100). I have read online there is a ongoing issue with dodge transmissions (2011 to 2014 models) which is not being recalled. Many a times changing transmission did not solve the issue. My personal mechanic also said he got this issue in many of the dodge vans. Would request the federal safety agency to seriously consider this investigation.