Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Dodge Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
At 7:40 am, Thursday 3/5/ 15 I was driving my vehicle to go drop my son off at school the wiper blade started going on and off by themselves and then smoke started coming from underneath the horn on the steering wheel and then the airbag deployed hitting my hand and burning my left hand it filled my van full of smoked where we couldn't see I almost got into an accident I pulled the vehicle over roll the windows down clear it out all the smoke then I dropped my son off at school drove the vehicle to the closest dealership took pictures of the wiper blades, the airbag deploying, the time, the traffic in the background, to prove that I was not in an accident. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that the totally integrated power module failed to work. The contact mentioned that the vehicle would not start at times, loses power and drains the battery. There were no warning signs that illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the totally integrated power module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the problem recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage and VIN were unknown. Ma 10/2 the consumer stated the vehicle shut off, while driving down the road. The fuel pump stayed on when the was turned off, causing the battery to go die. Updated 10/08/15
We started having issues starting our car in October. Autozone said nothing was wrong. A couple weeks later the battery was dead. We replaced it and $179 later the problem is worse. The key has been stuck in the ignition twice. The mechanical doors stop working halfway through opening or closing every now and then. Googling issues brings up nothing but TIPM issues which Chrysler has known about for how long? Yet they continue to refuse to issue a recall for their mistake leaving the outrageous amount on us to pay to fix. Are we really waiting for people to start dying because of this faulty issue? The vehicle shuts down in the middle of the road! If you can get it started.
Vehicle started exhibiting problems in 2013. It would not start at random times for no reason. Towed to dealership where they diagnosed it as a battery problem and the battery was replaced. The problem persisted and we received replacement battery form the dealership. The car was it set warranty at the time. Now, 2015 the issues has aggravated. The car will start early in the morning but once turned off will not restart for hours at a time. Electrical is all working but car just won't start. Battery has been checked it is functional and working. We have expired our warranty and don't have the money to repair whatever the problem is.
I towed my car to my local garage & they ran a diagnostic and said I had a faulty TIPM. They could not fix it because it had to be programmed at a dealership. I took my car to summit Dodge and they said there were "updates" available to fix the TIPM for $207. That did not work and the next day my car would not start again. They then replaced the TIPM for an additional $1130. This part was recalled in the durangos and the Jeep grand cherokee, but not the Caravan. It's the same part!! There is also a class action lawsuit against Chrysler for faulty tipms and I feel my part should be covered under that recall/lawsuit.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge Caravan. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle shook and a grinding noise was heard. The contact smelled a burning rubber odor when attempting to apply the brakes. The vehicle suddenly stalled. The failure occurred several times. The contact took the vehicle to the carmax dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission, TIPM, alternator, and battery failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failures recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000.
The engine would only start after multiple attempts. I took it to the dealer and was advised that the TIPM would need to be replaced. The TIPM controls many of the systems -including the starting system and other safety systems. We were fortunate not to have the engine/power systems fail while the vehicle was being driven. This is a design/manufacturing issue that should be recalled. The vehicle no longer starts. We are waiting on the TIPM to be backordered. The part price is $647 with another $175 for labor and $105 for diagnostic at the dealer.
I have been sent several recall notices and have contacted dealer 4 times. They disconnected the rear quarter window but did not have part to repair. This last time I contacted they still do not have the (green light) part required to correct the problem. Seems to be a problem getting the part. They emailed an order to me for the part but they just did that. It has been months waiting on this part and I cannot recall the first time I received the first notification. I would really like to get this repaired so I can use the window. Thanx
The TIPM module was faulty, causing the fuel pump to either not engage when trying to start the vehicle, or cut out while the vehicle was in motion, other times the fuel pump would remain on after turning off the vehicle...pumping gasoline fumes into our garage for long periods of time. Dodge refused to acknowledge that this was a TIPM failure and instead tried to convince me to replace the fuel pump multiple times...we did replace the fuel pump once which had not affect on this issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge Caravan. While driving unknown speeds with the air conditioner and radio operating, the ABS and battery warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to covert Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (8107 research blvd, austin, tx 78758, [phone]), but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 280,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA investigations
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year.
Electrical complaints in other Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2011 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA has 54 complaints about the electrical system of the 2011 Dodge Caravan, 69% of the model year's 78 complaints. The component named most often is alternator/generator/regulator (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Dodge Caravan electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2011 Dodge Caravan. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Dodge Caravan electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.