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Dodge Grand Caravan won't start problems

335 of the 13,443 owner complaints about the Dodge Grand Caravan describe won't start, most of them for the 2011 model year.

owner complaints
335
worst model year
2011
typical repair cost reported
$1,037
typical mileage
93,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

Often reported together

Stalling 83Fuel pump 77Wipers 24Loss of power 19Check engine light 19Warning lights 17Power steering loss 15Key fob 15

Trouble codes mentioned

U1197 1P0520 1P0441 1P0344 1P0339 1P0128 1

What owners say

Filed Apr 14, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · CA

We purchased our 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan 1/2026. Only 85000 miles on it. After about a week or 2, when husband tried go start van to go to work early cold, morning, van wouldn't start easily. Sometimes he would wait up to a few hours and keep trying to start, eventually it would. But last 3 days, its gotten harder to start van.at all. Not cool. Why isn't this recalled, it seems ALOT of people have same issue..

Filed Dec 6, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · CA

My 2016 dodge grand caravan has all of a sudden lost power on half the fuse box making it so the key (fob) says iuyts A bad key a total of 3 times so far as well as this time will not turn over at all, also the last time I went to put fuel in it half the gas was on the ground due to a faulty gas line on the fuel neck. It also has a fluctuateing rpm at stop lights. And might turn off and be hard to restart in the middle of an intersection.I would hope to have these things fixed in a recall soon.

Filed Feb 12, 2025 · Electrical · 140,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that on several occasions while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle did not start as intended. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, and the vehicle vibrated abnormally and then stalled. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts. The contact stated that electrical tape was placed on the tip of the key fob to allow the extra space where the key fob and key fob ignition were not touching. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Nov 26, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · AR

While stopped at red lights, stopped in traffic or drive-thru services the vehicle to stall out and must be restarted to drive again. I took the vehicle to the auto repair shop, The KAR Shop in Rogers, AR. The board certified mechanic tried to diagnose the reason for the stall and stop and could not find a reason for the problem. The mechanic informed me of a recall on the make, model and year of the same I own. When I called the Dodge dealership they ran my VIN and informed me my particular Caravan is not part of the Electrical System:Wiring: Front Underhood recall that may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or no start condition. Even though my specific vehicle is not part of the recall, the same description of defect is happening to mine.

Filed Jul 5, 2024 · Electrical · WI · fire

Vehicle started on fire while parked. It was a total loss. The auto shop reported that the fire started due to faulty wiring under the driver side seat. Specifically, related to the harness wiring. Thankfully this didn't start while I was driving. I have seen other reports on this website for similar fires on the Dodge Grand Caravan AND an actual recall for the Crysler Town and Country for similar fires related to faulty wiring. That vehicle is almost identical to the dodge grand caravan. Something need to be done before a loss of life incident...I reached out to Dodge to notify them, and an investigator sent me a same day email that Dodge is not responsible. I only had 65,000 miles on this 2014 DGC and took great care of it.

Filed Apr 16, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · IL

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.

Filed Sep 4, 2023 · Engine · TX

Ignition problems the vehicle would not start I had to have roadside come jump my vehicle off. After letting the vehicle run for about 30 minutes I shut it off and waited a minute and it started up fine. After about 3 hours of sitting I went out to the vehicle and it wouldn't start. I had to put It in neutral and it tried starting until it ran out. After turning the wheel and playing with the key it finally cranked over. I know there have been recalls regarding the tpim. It is available for inspection upon request.

Filed Jul 17, 2023 · Engine · IA

Ignition module failed, causing van to stall while driving. The stall forced the vehicle to lose power steering and it had to coast over to the shoulder to get out of traffic, this could’ve resulted in a crash or blocking traffic. This happened twice, once during a very hot day. The van was able to restart after about 30 minutes and finished the short distance to the destination. The second time was at night when temps had cooled 20 degrees and it stalled at approximately the same distance it had traveled the first time. That time it was not able to be restarted and had to be towed to a repair shop, where they tested and replaced the ignition module. No warning lights or indicators went off either time prior to the engine stall. The check engine light did not come on until the second time when it would not start again.

Filed Mar 14, 2023 · Electrical, Fuel system · KY

It started out as the van would not start almost everytime I got ready to leave and would have someone jump my battery, and it would start right back up. after a few weeks of having to do this, i had help jumping my battery once again but this time my wind shield wipers wouldnt shut off resulting in me having to take the fuse out and back in when it rains. when this happened the what i believe is called the "multi functional shift " (the stick on the left side of steering wheel that controls my wipers, wiper fluid, turn signals, bright lights, etc.) completely stopped working with no sign of it having problems previously. Along with that the stereo keeps flickering and switching channels on its own. Lastly, when i am pumping gas, i can barely pull up the trigger without the pump shutting off like as if my tank was full. This has all happened in the last 6 or 7 months or so and has not yet been investigated.

Filed Feb 11, 2023 · Electrical · MD

While driving power would shut off, everything shuts down for 2 seconds, and then goes back on. Does this sometimes 10 times within 15 minutes of driving. Then twice already after buying new battery (I thought it needed one because it would not even crank, had all lights, etc. But wouldn't start) it would not start till after 8 attempts, would start right up and drive with no issues. I searched online with people having same exact issues. I called Dodge and they said my van did not have a recall. I don't understand why if my van is having same issues.

Related recalls

Engine and engine coolingReported September 29, 2011 · 667 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 chrysler vehicles, including 200 and town and country models, dodge vehicles, including charger, durango, grand caravan and journey models and jeep grand cherokee vehicles manufactured from august 31, 2011, through september 13, 2011, that are equipped with 3.6l engines. These engines may experience connecting rod bearing failure due to debris inside the engine block.
Risk
Connecting rod failure may lead to engine seizure which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners and replace the engine free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about november 18, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 11V487000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasolineReported January 11, 1996 · 40,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
In certain vehicles, the engine cylinder head oil galley plug does not seal properly and engine cylinder head oil is not adequately retained.
Risk
Inadequate sealing and retention of the plug can result in oil leakage which could cause a fire in the engine compartment.
Remedy
Dealers will install an expansion plug and retaining bracket over the cylinder head oil galley plug.

Recall number 96V006000 · Recall details

Questions about the Dodge Grand Caravan won't start

Which Dodge Grand Caravan years have won't start problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2011 (100 complaints), 2012 (54 complaints) and 2010 (37 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix won't start on the Dodge Grand Caravan?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,037 (median of 47 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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