2011 Dodge Grand Caravan

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2011 models.

Dodge Grand Caravan
Pictured: 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan Mainstreet -- 02-17-2011. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Minivan - 2WD
Body styles
4dr Van Cargo Van/Express/Mains, 4dr Van FWD Canada Value Pkg/Se
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
FFV
MPG (best)
20 combined · 17 city / 25 hwy
Length
202.4 in
Curb weight
4,321–4,511 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Many owner complaints441 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 114 for similar models — most often about the electrical system.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 7 similar 2011 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan is a minivan offered with a 3.6L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 202 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 121-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,511 lb (4dr Van Cargo Van/Express/Mains).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (17 city / 25 highway), 3% worse than the 2011 minivan average of 20.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,350 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 441 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2011

  • Engine added: 3.6L 6-cyl
  • Engines dropped: 4.0L 6-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl and 3.8L 6-cyl

Compared with 2010; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2010 Grand Caravan →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Van Cargo Van/Express/Mains202.4 in78.7 in67.7 in121.3 in65.7 / 65 in4,511 lb56/44
4dr Van FWD Canada Value Pkg/Se202.4 in78.7 in67.7 in121.3 in65.7 / 65 in4,321 lb56/44

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Grand Caravan FFV3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20-3%$3,350444
Spend $4,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
20.7 MPG2011 Minivan - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2011 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan.

Similar 2011 minivans

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2011 Dodge Grand Caravan (this car)20 MPGNot rated4
2011 Toyota Sienna21 MPGNot rated14
2011 Kia Sedona21 MPGNot rated6
2011 Honda Odyssey22 MPGNot rated5
2011 Chrysler Town and Country20 MPGNot rated3
2011 Nissan Quest21 MPGNot rated1
2011 Volkswagen Routan20 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (4)

Equipment Adaptive/Mobility › Wheelchair Restraints/Securement › Latch/Anchor › · Dec 17, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V876000 · 86 vehicles

Problem
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.
Air Bags › Frontal · Jun 13, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V376000 · 209,135 vehicles

Problem
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 · May 7, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V234000 · 644,757 vehicles

Problem
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 · Jun 8, 2011

NHTSA campaign 11V315000 · 11,096 vehicles

Problem
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

441Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
4Involved a crash
13Involved a fire
8Injuries reported
90,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System296
Fuel/Propulsion System119
Engine83
Unknown Or Other37
Power Train28
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)22
Service Brakes19
Steering13
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
21/06: 421/07: 321/08: 121/09: 221/11: 122/01: 122/02: 122/04: 122/05: 122/06: 122/08: 122/10: 122/11: 122/12: 123/03: 123/05: 123/06: 323/09: 224/04: 224/06: 325/02: 125/05: 125/10: 226/04: 121/0621/0922/0222/0622/1123/0524/0425/05max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 296 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Fuel/Propulsion System — 119 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  4. Engine — 83 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 90,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Grand Caravan years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2020 Grand Caravan20202.4 in★★★★★120
2019 Grand Caravan20202.4 in★★★★★4245
2018 Grand Caravan20202.4 in★★★★★4271
2017 Grand Caravan20202.4 inNot rated3414
2016 Grand Caravan20202.4 inNot rated61,002
2015 Grand Caravan20202.4 inNot rated4281
2014 Grand Caravan20202.4 inNot rated5334
2013 Grand Caravan20202.4 inNot rated4435
2012 Grand Caravan20202.4 inNot rated6527
2010 Grand Caravan20202.4 inNot rated6635

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Dodge. How we calculate this →