There are very few old-school manufacturers around that still strap on big engines to their cars and Dodge is one of them. The 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan is the only minivan from the brand and beneath the practical look of this car lies a powerful engine and decent handling. However, reliability has not been as strong as soon as the car has reported 389 complaints along with 3 recalls this year alone. We must say that the common problems are Dodge Caravan fuel pump relay as well as electrical problems. With prices starting at an MSRP of $22,170, it goes head to head against the Chrysler Town and Country, the Honda Odyssey, and the Nissan Quest. Let us find out more about the Dodge Grand Caravan problems through this article.
2013 Dodge Grand Caravan User Complaints and Problems
Mechanical problems:
- One of the common complaints has been about the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan alternator problems that have affected many cars.
- Many cars have lost motive power and stalled on multiple occasions. The reasons are numerous including throttle body problems, faulty sensors, and so on.
- Power steering failures are reported they are not a very high number. In many cases, it is restricted to a warning message but several owners have faced a complete lack of power steering assistance. We also have to note that several instances of power steering failure are due to the electrical system of the car shutting down completely.
- The brake system produces loud screeching noises that are unnatural and result in a lot of wear and tear. Many of people have also faced complete brake failure in the car due to a vacuum booster issue.
- The starting system of this car is known to be quite cumbersome and can fail to start the car at times. The same could also be due to the alternator having problems.
- Many cars have reported the problem of excessive oil consumption. Dodge Grand Caravan engine problems are not as much as the electrical problems but they are also present.
- A few transmission system problems have been reported such as the car switching back to neutral when trying to shift to Park.
Electrical system problems:
- In another worrying aspect, many cars have caught fire and caused safety concerns for owners. The manufacturer wasn’t able to correctly identify the cause in many cases.
- Other areas that have produced warnings are HVAC, radio, backup camera, etc.
- A large number of people have faced issues with the infotainment system of the car shutting down and restarting while being driven.
- Many cars have also noted the issue of not recognizing the key fob. Manual unlocking would be the only way to get inside the car in the situation.
- Some owners have complained that the headlights are not bright enough to illuminate the road properly for safe driving.
- The electronic stability control is prone to failure as is the case for many cars from Dodge.
Interior problems:
- There have been instances of the sunroof spontaneously shattering and sending glass shards inside the cabin.
- The sliding door is a very common problem area in most cars equipped with one. It can get stuck due to dirt logging in the channels.
- Many interior trim pieces have broken and come apart in several cars. This represents severe quality issues.
Safety problems
- The airbag service warning light coming on is quite a common problem in these cars.
- In many accidents which involved these cars, Dodge Grand Caravan airbags failed to protect occupants.
- This year also sees many cars not being able to identify the correct airbag to be deployed and hence, deploying an airbag on the other side.
- The seatbelt indicator has also produced a lot of problems to owners. It does not detect the presence of passengers correctly.
2013 Dodge Grand Caravan Recalls
|
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA Campaign Number |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
May 7, 2014 |
14V234000 |
Vent window switch may overheat |
The vent window switch near the driver’s door may overheat |
Dealers will replace the vent window switch with the newer version |
|
2 |
July 2, 2013 |
13V291000 |
Airbag deployment software error |
Due to a software error, the occupant restraint control module may not function properly and hence, airbag deployment may be affected |
Dealers will replace the ORC module |
|
3 |
July 2, 2013 |
13V283000 |
Side airbags may deploy on the incorrect side |
A software error may cause the side airbags to deploy on the incorrect side |
Dealers will replace the ORC module |
Should you buy the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan?
The Dodge Grand Caravan is attractive considering the price it is offered and the space it brings. However, in terms of reliability, we feel that the car has not provided anything close to our expectations. We could also argue that the quality provided is subpar considering that many cars have reported quality control issues and this is unacceptable from a brand like Dodge. Although it does not quite serve as a replacement, the Nissan Quest has been a good pick in terms of reliability in the minivan segment. But if you still need something with the power, features, and the street credit of the Grand Caravan, you’ll have to put up with higher repair bills on a monthly basis.
