Water Quality When Mixed With Engine Coolant
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Dodge Grand Caravan engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan have filed 26 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 118,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Grand Caravan | 19 |
| 2010 Grand Caravan | 82 |
| 2011 Grand Caravan | 29 |
| 2012 Grand Caravan | 52 |
| 2013 Grand Caravan (this page) | 26 |
| 2014 Grand Caravan | 50 |
| 2015 Grand Caravan | 22 |
| 2016 Grand Caravan | 40 |
| 2017 Grand Caravan | 37 |
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 26 engine complaints filed for the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Owners have filed 26 engine 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.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA). For any other MY review and follow instructions from the latest STAR Online S1809000007 available on Dealer Connect. Also, consider the following: 1) Remove OFA 2) Replace only the oil inlet O-ring and gaskets (seals kit in SOL above). 3) Re-install the OFA. For 2023MY and beyond use black O-ring. For 2022MY and prior use red O-ring. Note: When replacing OFA, it may be necessary to transfer the Oil Temp/Pressure Sensor from the old OFA to the new OFA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA). For any other MY review and follow instructions from the latest STAR Online S1809000007 available on Dealer Connect. Also, consider the following: 1) Remove OFA 2) Replace only the oil inlet O-ring and gaskets (seals kit in SOL above). 3) Re-install the OFA. For 2023MY and beyond use black O-ring. For 2022MY and prior use red O-ring. Note: When replacing OFA, it may be necessary to transfer the Oil Temp/Pressure Sensor from the old OFA to the new OFA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA). For any other MY (with mileage above 30,000) review and follow instructions from STAR Online S1809000007 REV. C available on Dealer Connect. Also, consider the following: 1) Remove OFA 2) Replace only the oil inlet O-ring and gaskets (seals kit in SOL above). 3) Re-install the OFA. For 2023MY and beyond use black O-ring. For 2022MY and prior use red O-ring. Note: When replacing OFA, it may be necessary to transfer the Oil Temp/Pressure Sensor from the old OFA to the new OFA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2013 Dodge Grand Caravans describe a pattern of engine stalls with zero warning—no check engine light, no codes, just sudden shutdown while driving. These events recur over months or years, and the vehicle restarts only after 20 minutes to overnight. Dealers and independent shops cannot diagnose the problem because no fault codes are stored. One owner modified the cooling system with aftermarket brass connectors after factory plastic Y-connectors failed twice within 50,000 miles.
Cylinder head cracking is documented as early as 40,000 miles, triggering misfires, vibration, and check engine codes P0302, P0304, and P0306. Chrysler issued a technical service bulletin (TSB 09-002-14 REV) for 3.6L engines covering 2011–2013 models up to 100,000 miles, but warranty denials are common even when owners reference the TSB. Torque converter failure, TIPM (fuel relay) faults, and a documented engine fire round out the severe failures. One complaint describes the vehicle as unreliable and dangerous due to unpredictable stalling.
Most repairs were either not completed due to cost or warranty denial, or unsuccessful because the root cause remained undiagnosed. Manufacturers declined to assist in multiple cases despite documented safety hazards.
Same Dodge Grand Caravan engine reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Stalling without warning
Engine shuts off during driving with no prior warning lights or codes. Vehicle restarts after 20 minutes to several hours, or after sitting overnight. Some owners report it happens intermittently over extended ownership; others report multiple occurrences over months or years.
When: Occurs at various mileages (15K–163K), some cases as early as 80K miles; multiple incidents per vehicle reported over time spans of months to years
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine shutdown while driving at various speeds; No check engine light before stall; Vehicle restarts after delay (20 minutes to overnight); No fault codes retrieved by dealers or independent shops; Loss of power steering and brake assist when stalled
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs successful; owners report independent mechanics and dealers unable to diagnose the issue. One owner replaced fuel vapor detection pump and fuel pump relay without resolving the problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge confirmed no recalls on VINs. Manufacturer did not assist in several cases.
Cylinder head damage and cracking
Cylinder heads crack or fail, causing compression loss and misfires. Some owners report left and right cylinder head assemblies both requiring replacement. One case documented cylinder #4 cracked at 40K miles.
When: 40K–126K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated; Engine misfire and abnormal engine noise; Vehicle vibration and shuddering; Reduced power or loss of motive power
Codes mentioned: P0302, P0304, P0306
Repairs/costs cited: Left and right cylinder head assemblies replaced by dealer at 40K miles (one case). Other owners could not afford repairs or were denied warranty coverage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty (TSB 09-002-14 REV) covers some 2011–2013 models up to 100K miles, but coverage is inconsistent across VINs. Multiple owners reported warranty denial despite TSB reference.
Engine misfire and rough running
Cylinder misfires cause rough idle, hesitation under acceleration, and check engine light. Diagnostic codes indicate multi-cylinder misfires (cylinders 2, 4, 6). One owner noted rust particles in cylinder #2.
When: 40K–163K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idle and vibration; Hesitation when accelerating; Check engine light illuminated; Abnormal engine noise or ticking; Flashing check engine light in some cases
Codes mentioned: P0302, P0304, P0306, P0863, P0152, P0175
Repairs/costs cited: Coil packs and spark plugs replaced by independent mechanic (one case) without resolving underlying misfire. Cylinder head replacement recommended but not completed in several cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty up to 100K miles available for Pintastar 3.6L engines in some vehicles; one owner confirmed included in extended warranty at 85K miles.
Torque converter failure
Transmission torque converter fails, causing erratic transmission shifting, loss of power, and rough running. Vehicle becomes undrivable.
When: 163K miles (one reported case)
Symptoms owners cite: Erratic transmission shifting; Check engine light illuminated; Loss of motive power, particularly on inclines; Rough driving feel
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission previously replaced five months before torque converter failure; independent mechanic diagnosed the failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated no warranty coverage available; no codes retrieved despite symptoms.
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) failure
TIPM fails, causing engine stall. Fuel relay is integrated into the TIPM, making replacement necessary. Diagnosis difficult because no fault codes are stored.
When: 118K–125K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls while driving; ABS and traction control warning lights may illuminate; Check engine light in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: TIPM replacement required; one dealer estimated repair but vehicle remained unrepaired at time of complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer provided case number when contacted in one case; no recall information available.
Cooling system plastic connector failure
Plastic Y-connectors in the cooling system metal tubing near the firewall fail, causing coolant leaks. These connectors are made of very thin ABS plastic and are a single-piece assembly.
When: 125K–185K miles; failures recurring within 50K–60K mile intervals
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant leak near firewall where metal tubing connects to plastic connectors; Multiple failures over vehicle lifetime
Repairs/costs cited: OEM replacement part is $185 with no third-party alternatives available. One owner replaced the part twice within 50K miles and subsequently modified the system using brass tee connectors and heater hose for better durability.
Engine fire
Engine caught fire while vehicle was parking, causing wires, wire harness, and other engine components to burn. A bystander extinguished the fire with a water hose.
When: 150K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalled while parking; Smoke from engine compartment; Engine fire
Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired; vehicle not inspected by dealer or manufacturer.
Catalytic converter failure
Catalytic converter failure causes excessive white smoke from exhaust and requires replacement. May be secondary to transmission or misfire issues.
When: 155K–199K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive white smoke from exhaust; Check engine light illuminated; Vehicle jolting and hesitation under acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter replacement required (one case replaced at independent shop); another case left unrepaired.
Synthesized from 26 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while exiting a parking lot the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle was able to operate normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the spark plugs were replaced. On another occasion the failure reoccurred, and the check engine warning…
The engine turns off while driving with no warning. It cranks after that, but doesn't start until 20 minutes or so after the shutoff. It's happened 4 times so far: 4/18/2017 at 42,770 miles, 11/15/2017 at 49,000, 6/25/2018 at 53,200, and 8/8/2018 at 54,650. The 1st and 3rd times the car was making, or had just completed, an extended hill climb on city streets and the gas tank level was relatively…
Had engine trouble with your 2013 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 engine problem on the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 26 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 20 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 80,000 and 126,900 miles, with the median around 118,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 80,000; a quarter make it past 126,900. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2013/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.