Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Dodge Grand Caravan electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan have filed 303 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 84,000 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
303
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Grand Caravan | 325 |
| 2010 Grand Caravan | 577 |
| 2011 Grand Caravan (this page) | 303 |
| 2012 Grand Caravan | 312 |
| 2013 Grand Caravan | 232 |
| 2014 Grand Caravan | 123 |
| 2015 Grand Caravan | 35 |
13fires
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 303 electrical complaints filed for the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Electrical accounts for 57% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 303 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin sent to all dealers to update the firmware in the affected vehicles VMI computer. This allows for more amperage to draw the Powerkneel up allowing the up-limit switch to be tripped consistently. If the up limit switch is not engaged, a vehicle may not come out of park or the conversion may not operate properly next time it is deployed
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin sent to all dealers to update the firmware in the affected vehicles VMI computer. This allows for more amperage to draw the Powerkneel up allowing the up-limit switch to be tripped consistently. If the up limit switch is not engaged, a vehicle may not come out of park or the conversion may not operate properly next time it is deployed
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Starting problems dominate these complaints. Most owners describe the engine cranking but not firing, requiring 5–45 key cycles to start. Some vehicles will not turn over at all; a few start then immediately stall. The pattern typically begins around 15,000–50,000 miles and worsens progressively. Cold weather aggravates the issue. Owners consistently traced the problem to the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM), specifically its fuel pump relay. The relay cannot be serviced separately; the entire $700–$1,400 module must be replaced.
Stalling while driving emerges frequently. Owners report sudden power loss at 40–60 mph on highways and at intersections, with complete loss of steering and brakes—a genuine hazard. Power returns after seconds or minutes, though some vehicles require restart. One owner blocked a highway lane for 45 minutes while waiting for a tow.
The fuel pump relay circuit malfunctions in two ways: it either fails to supply power to the pump (no start, multiple crank attempts) or supplies continuous power even after the engine shuts off, draining new batteries overnight. One owner had to disconnect the negative battery terminal every time he exited the vehicle to prevent fuel pump burnout.
Electrical gremlins follow. Windows roll down while parked, door locks cycle without input, wipers activate and ignore controls, HVAC turns on by itself, dashboard gauges flicker and go dark, and alarms sound randomly. These quirks often precede fuel pump failure and resolve only after TIPM replacement.
Owners also encountered misdiagnosis. Dealers replaced fuel pumps ($300–$950), camshaft sensors (three times in one month), batteries, alternators, starters, and ignition switches—none permanently fixed the no-start condition. The root cause—TIPM fuel relay failure—was not confirmed until the vehicle had exhausted its warranty. Chrysler and Dodge dealers acknowledged the issue on 2011 Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee but explicitly refused to recall the Grand Caravan, citing different model code despite identical symptoms and root cause. Several owners discovered active litigation and class-action lawsuits on the Durango and Cherokee, cementing the evidence that Dodge knew the TIPM was defective across its lineup.
Same Dodge Grand Caravan electrical reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
TIPM-related no-start / hard-start / stalling
Fuel pump relay within the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) fails intermittently or completely, causing the engine to crank but not fire, requiring multiple start attempts (sometimes 5–45 minutes of repeated key cycling), eventual complete no-start, or sudden stalling while driving at highway speeds. Loss of power steering and brakes during stall incidents creates a hazard. The relay cannot be replaced independently; the entire TIPM must be replaced.
When: Typically emerges around 15,000–70,000 miles; often worsens in cold weather or after the vehicle sits for hours. Reported as early as first winter of ownership and escalating thereafter.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cranks but does not start; multiple attempts needed; Hard start in cold weather; Sudden stalling while driving at highway speeds (40–60 mph); Loss of all electrical power, power steering, and brakes during stall; Engine stuttering or hesitating during acceleration; Vehicle requires key cycling (accessory–start–off) repeatedly to start; Fuel pump continues running after ignition off, draining battery overnight
Codes mentioned: P0300 (misfire, general), P0302 (cylinder 2 misfire), TIPM fuel relay failure
Repairs/costs cited: TIPM replacement: $700–$1,400 (part + labor varies). Some dealers offered bypass wiring using Mopar part CBWPR091AA (fuel pump relay bypass) for ~$176–$500 labor. Multiple owners had to pay out-of-pocket after warranty expiration.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler/Dodge recalled TIPM on 2011 Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee (NHTSA campaign 15V115000, electrical system), but not on 2011 Grand Caravan despite identical fuel pump relay defect. Owners report Dodge denies recalls for Caravan, cites warranty expiration, and refuses to extend coverage.
Fuel pump relay intermittent power / continuous running
The fuel pump relay circuit within the TIPM loses or supplies inconsistent power, causing the pump to either fail to prime (no fuel delivery) or run continuously even after the ignition is turned off. Continuous running drains the battery within hours; complete relay failure leaves the vehicle unable to start despite adequate fuel.
When: Intermittent and unpredictable; can occur after engine shutdown or during cold-weather startups.
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel pump does not prime when key turned on (no audible hum); Fuel pump runs continuously after engine shut off; battery drained by morning; Inconsistent fuel delivery while driving; hesitation or loss of power; Owner must disconnect negative battery terminal to prevent fuel pump burnout
Codes mentioned: M25 fuse (fuel pump fuse) shows no power despite relay output
Repairs/costs cited: Owners have bypassed the relay by running direct wiring from rear power accessory fuse (M7) or installing aftermarket relay harness; also replaced fuel pump unnecessarily ($300–$950) before TIPM diagnosis confirmed.
Electrical system overload / alternator and battery drain
TIPM malfunction causes the electrical system to draw excessive current, resulting in alternator failure (burned-out cells, melted internals), battery depletion even after replacement, and charring/melting of wiring harnesses. Vehicle may emit burning smell from vents or under hood. Multiple battery and alternator replacements fail to resolve the underlying drain.
When: Can occur within months of TIPM failure or appear suddenly during driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Battery dies repeatedly despite being new (15 months old or less); Alternator fails or 'completely fried' with blown cell; Charred, frayed wires at headlights and throughout harness; Burning smell from air vents or engine compartment; Smoke coming from under hood or exhaust area (described as 'copery' taste by one owner); Dash lights flicker or dim dramatically
Codes mentioned: Battery warning light illuminates, Alternator output insufficient
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replacement: $1,100–$1,600 (often replaced multiple times in same vehicle, 2–3 instances per owner). Battery replacement: multiple replacements at $50–$200 each. One owner replaced alternator three times in 18 months; another noted melted internal components and said shop had 'never seen' this pattern.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler invoked warranty expiration to deny coverage, stating alternator issue (defect number P60) does not apply to Grand Caravan even though it occurs in identical pattern.
Ignition switch / key stuck in start position
The ignition switch fails to return to the off or run position; the key locks in the start position even after engine starts, causing the starter to continue cranking. Owner must manually turn the key back to off. Related to a broader ignition defect affecting 2008–2010 models but occurring in 2011 Caravans.
When: Reported at ~36,000 miles (at warranty boundary).
Symptoms owners cite: Key stuck in start position; does not spring back to run; Starter continues to turn over and overheat; Requires manual key rotation to stop cranking
Repairs/costs cited: Dodge service cleaned ignition switch and updated system software at no charge under warranty, but problem persisted and worsened afterward. Estimated cost to replace switch: unknown.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer initially addressed via software update and cleaning; no permanent fix offered.
Random electrical faults / door locks, wipers, windows, HVAC, lights
The TIPM controls multiple vehicle subsystems. Its malfunction causes erratic, autonomous operation: windows rolling down while parked, door locks locking/unlocking without input, wipers activating and failing to respond to controls, HVAC turning on by itself, alarm/horn sounding randomly, dash lights and gauges flickering or extinguishing. These symptoms often precede or co-occur with fuel pump relay failure.
When: Intermittent and unpredictable; may occur during rain, at highway speeds, or while vehicle is parked with ignition off.
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield wipers activate on their own and cannot be turned off or controlled; speed cannot be adjusted; Rear wipers fail to activate despite control input; Dashboard lights, speedometer, fuel gauge, tachometer lighting flickers or goes dark mid-drive; Power windows roll down by themselves (especially during rain or overnight while parked); Door locks lock/unlock spontaneously while driving; Alarm horn sounds without activation; HVAC system turns on autonomously at random times; Radio/clock display cuts out intermittently; Odometer and instrument cluster flat-line or become unreadable
Repairs/costs cited: No direct repair; issues resolve only after TIPM replacement. One owner's dealer reset the electrical panel multiple times without permanent fix.
Engine limp mode / loss of power while driving
Vehicle enters limp mode (severely reduced power output) or loses all engine power at random times while accelerating or cruising, sometimes followed by power restoration. Dangerous at highway speeds and intersections; passenger ejection risk during violent power oscillation.
When: Reported at highway speeds and during acceleration.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of engine power while accelerating; Vehicle bogs down or 'sputters' on highway and city driving; Occupants thrown forward and back by power cycling; Vehicle cannot move out of intersection or merge into traffic; Power loss lasts seconds to minutes, then spontaneously returns
Codes mentioned: Limp mode trigger (fuel-pressure related)
Repairs/costs cited: Typically resolved after TIPM replacement; one owner reported recurring door and HVAC issues even post-replacement, suggesting possible defective replacement part.
Camshaft position sensor fault (secondary to TIPM)
Check Engine Light illuminates with camshaft position sensor codes (P0340, etc.). Owner replaces sensor multiple times in rapid succession (2–3 times within weeks), only to have the code return. Later diagnosis confirms TIPM is root cause; sensor replacements were unnecessary and mask the real problem.
When: Reported at 40,000–78,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Check Engine Light on with camshaft position sensor code; Misfire codes (P0300, P0302, etc.) appear repeatedly; Vehicle runs rough, sputters, hesitates; Codes return within days or weeks of sensor replacement
Codes mentioned: P0340 (camshaft position sensor), P0300 / P0302 (misfire, cylinder 2)
Repairs/costs cited: Camshaft sensor replacement: $150–$400 per replacement. One owner replaced sensor three times in one month (May) before TIPM diagnosis; another had multiple sensor replacements plus PCV hose, valve, lifters, rockers, tappers on right cylinder head (not part of recall) totaling hundreds of dollars.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer replaced camshaft sensors under warranty; later discovery that TIPM was root cause meant repair dollars were wasted.
Battery cable / connector corrosion or loose connections misdiagnosed as true fault
Vehicle does not start or has intermittent starting. Dealer or shop diagnoses loose battery connectors or corroded cables. After tightening or replacing connections, the problem recurs within days or hours. TIPM fuel relay failure is the actual cause; the cable issue is either a symptom or a coincidental minor fault that does not address the underlying electrical drain.
When: First no-start event; recurrence within 1 week.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start; no cranking sound; After jump or battery work, vehicle starts but fails again shortly after
Repairs/costs cited: Loose cable repair: negligible cost. Full vehicle diagnostic and TIPM replacement later required: $700–$1,400.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer tightened connectors and dismissed issue as resolved; true fault (TIPM) diagnosed only on second service visit after recurrence.
Synthesized from 303 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 12 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge grand caravan. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v234000 (electrical system) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
For 1 month the vehicle was difficult to start. It would crank just fine, but the engine would not 'ignite' (especially when cold.) the vehicle would finally start after 5-10 long attempts (turning the engine over and over and then turning the key to the off position before trying again.) this difficult startup issue lasted for 4 weeks. At that point the vehicle began to stall after running…
After driving at highway speeds for 2 hours, when returning home and shutting off the engine, I heard whirling noises coming from my fuel tank. Upon moving the vehicle, 30 minutes later, the van experienced a rough start. The following morning, the battery was dead. After jumping off the vehicle, it ran smoothly but I am concerned this will happen again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge grand caravan. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v234000 (electrical system) and stated that the part needed for the repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experience a failure.…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge grand caravan. Occasionally, after inserting the key fob in the ignition, the vehicle would not start due to a loose part inside the ignition switch. In addition, while driving, the vehicle suddenly shut off. The vehicle was taken to jacksonville Chrysler in jacksonville, florida where it was diagnosed that the tipm module was faulty and needed to be replaced.…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge grand caravan. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v234000 (electrical system). The contact stated that the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
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…
Our 2011 Dodge grand caravan started having major electrical issues, where the vehicle would run, but the blinkers, the dash lights, heater/ac, radio, and bluetooth would all not work at once. The win module had to be replaced. As soon as that was done, the vehicle would not start. Then, shortly afterwards, when the vehicle was parked in our enclosed garage we noticed a phantom noise coming from…
Wireless ignition node (win) module position fails compromising the ability to start the engine with key fob. This was repaired once for 122 dollars. Three months later, dealership wants 1200 to fix it. Vehicle was stationary and tow truck was required.
My tpim is bad found out after getting my alternator, battery, and starter replaced. It is not sending signal to my fuel pump.
Had electrical trouble with your 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan?
It's a meaningful issue. 303 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 196 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 65,000 and 100,700 miles, with the median around 84,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 65,000; a quarter make it past 100,700. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Dodge/Grand Caravan.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.