Is sliding door lock and actuator failure a known issue with the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan?

8 NHTSA complaints have been filed about sliding door lock and actuator failure on the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan (2018-08 → 2020-05). Reported component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11317196): "SLIDING PASSENGER DOORS ON BOTH SIDES OF VAN REFUSE TO OPEN OR UNLOCK. DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED MANUALLY, WITH KEY FOB OR WITH THE BUTTON ON THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR" Source: NHTSA.

Is tipm/fuel pump relay stall and no-start a known issue with the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan?

136 NHTSA complaints have been filed about tipm/fuel pump relay stall and no-start on the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan (2017-12 → 2024-06). Reported component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11491408): "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)" Source: NHTSA.

Is service brake failure and premature wear a known issue with the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan?

7 NHTSA complaints have been filed about service brake failure and premature wear on the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan (2018-03 → 2023-09). Reported component: SERVICE BRAKES. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11255094): "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND APPROPRIATELY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED" Source: NHTSA.

Is camshaft, lifter, and oil filter housing failure a known issue with the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan?

6 NHTSA complaints have been filed about camshaft, lifter, and oil filter housing failure on the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan (2018-01 → 2020-07). Reported component: ENGINE. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11338855): "WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER/SPEED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS LOSING COMPRESSION IN THE CYLINDER DUE TO A DEFECTIVE LIFTER THAT CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE CAM" Source: NHTSA.

Is vehicle fire while parked or driving a known issue with the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan?

6 NHTSA complaints have been filed about vehicle fire while parked or driving on the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan (2018-01 → 2026-04). Reported component: ENGINE. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11733269): "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" Source: NHTSA.

2011 Dodge Grand Caravan Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan carries 4 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering frontal and electrical system. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Sliding door lock and actuator failure.” Dodge uses Stellantis' Oil Change Indicator — it watches engine load and duty cycle and messages when to change oil, capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months. Know your engine: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 goes 100,000 miles on plugs, while HEMI V8s carry sixteen plugs (two per cylinder) on a roughly 30,000-mile interval — that's a real cost difference at the service counter. HEMI models with MDS cylinder deactivation are especially sensitive to overdue oil.

4 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Campaign #17V376000 · Jun 13, 2017

Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may unexpectedly deploy if the air bag wiring harness gets chafed within the steering wheel and short circuits.

Risk: Unexpected deployment of the driver's frontal air bag increases the risk of a crash or driver injury.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag wiring within the steering wheel, replacing it if necessary. A protective cover will also be installed. These repairs will be made free of charge. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T33.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Campaign #14V234000 · Jul 5, 2014

Issue: Chrysler Group, LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured August 25, 2010, through October 31, 2013. The affected vehicles may experience overheating of the vent window switch in the driver's door armrest.

Risk: An overheated switch may result in a vehicle fire.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vent window switch with a newer version, free of charge. The owner notification letter was issued and the remedy campaign launched on on December 31, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P25.

STEERING:COLUMN

Campaign #11V315000 · Aug 6, 2011

Issue: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP WRANGLER, CHRYSLER 200, CHRYSLER 200 CONVERTIBLE, DODGE AVENGER, DODGE NITRO, JEEP LIBERTY, DODGE CALIBER, JEEP COMPASS, JEEP PATRIOT, DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED STEERING COLUMN PIVOT RIVET.

Risk: A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED RIVET COULD COMPROMISE THE ABILITY OF THE STEERING COLUMN TO SUPPORT THE OCCUPANT LOADS IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, DECREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FRONTAL IMPACT SAFETY SYSTEM. AS A RESULT, THE CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR RIVET PRESENCE AND ALIGNMENT AND REPAIR THE STEERING COLUMN PIVOT AS REQUIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY:WHEELCHAIR RESTRAINTS/SECUREMENT:LATCH/ANCHOR:

Campaign #25V876000 · Dec 17, 2025

Issue: Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.

Risk: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan.

Reported to NHTSA

Sliding door lock and actuator failure

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

8 NHTSA complaints · 2018-08 → 2020-05

“SLIDING PASSENGER DOORS ON BOTH SIDES OF VAN REFUSE TO OPEN OR UNLOCK. DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED MANUALLY, WITH KEY FOB OR WITH THE BUTTON ON THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11317196

“THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE LOCKED SHUT. WE ARRIVED HOME FROM AN OUTING ON THE EVENING OF 8-23-2018 AND COULD NOT OPEN DOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11122693

“DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK MANUALLY, WITH BUTTON, OR WITH KEY FOB. I HAVE TRIED UNLOCKING THE DOOR WHILE DRIVING, IN PARK, AND WHEN TURNED OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11301712

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

TIPM/fuel pump relay stall and no-start

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

136 NHTSA complaints · 2017-12 → 2024-06

“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)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11491408

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11525717

“FUEL PUMP RELAY IN TIPM FAILING AND MAY CAUSE CAR NOT TO START OR MAY CAUSE CAR TO TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. HAS FAILED TO START MANY TIMES AND FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY ONCE WHILE IN MOTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11142366

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Service brake failure and premature wear

SERVICE BRAKES

7 NHTSA complaints · 2018-03 → 2023-09

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND APPROPRIATELY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11255094

“THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH PREMATURE BRAKE PAD WEAR. IN FACT, IN OCTOBER 2017, THE VEHICLE HAD THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS REPLACED: CALIPERS (BOTH FRONT AND BOTH REAR), ROTORS (BOTH FRONT AND BOTH REAR), BRAKE PADS (BOTH FRONT AND BOTH REAR)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11194816

“VAN LOSES BRAKES WHEN APPLIED OVER A POTHOLE OR OTHER ROUGH ROAD. IT TRAVELS FOR ABOUT 15 FEET THEN STOPS (REGARDLESS OF PUMPING THE BRAKE)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11362762

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Camshaft, lifter, and oil filter housing failure

ENGINE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2018-01 → 2020-07

“WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER/SPEED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS LOSING COMPRESSION IN THE CYLINDER DUE TO A DEFECTIVE LIFTER THAT CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE CAM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11338855

“FOUND A PUDDLE OF OIL IN MY DRIVEWAY, TOOK TO MECHANIC, INFORMED ME THE ENGINE OIL FILTER HOUSING WAS BROKEN, AND HE HAD 10 OF THESE RECENTLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11302748

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11278297

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Vehicle fire while parked or driving

ENGINE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2018-01 → 2026-04

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11733269

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11527347

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11064665

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 2 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the indicator says so — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L: 0W-20. HEMI 5.7L: 5W-20 (0W-40 for 6.4L SRT). MDS-equipped HEMIs punish stretched oil intervals with lifter and cam wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles. Charger/Challenger R/T and Scat Pack: staggered-width setups can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads and rotors at every oil change. Heavy Durangos used for towing and hard-driven Chargers both run through rear pads faster than the front-pad-first rule of thumb suggests.

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped (behind the glovebox on most models). Some earlier Journeys and Avengers shipped without one — check before buying a filter.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant is scheduled for 10 years / 150,000 miles; shops commonly refresh by 100,000. OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing chemistries gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Big-audio Chargers and tow-package Durangos lean on the battery hard; weak batteries surface as gremlins in the electronics before they fail to crank.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

56 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

complaints mentioning a crash

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan reflects Dodge's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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