2010 Dodge Caravan Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about electrical problems, especially the van shutting off while driving, ignition key and starting trouble, and lighting or accessory failures. Many of these reports involve a loss of power steering and power assist for the brakes when the engine quits. Complaints span a wide mileage range, with the stalling and ignition reports tending to appear at higher miles and the brake reports at lower ones.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Engine shuts off while driving

   • 41 complaints (24%)
   • median 73,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (38 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $513 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2010–2019

   Complaints describe the engine quitting without warning at various speeds, sometimes shortly after a cold start and sometimes on the highway, with the instrument panel lighting up and power steering and power-assist braking going away. Owners say the van restarts after being shifted into park, and several report that dealers could not reproduce the problem or find a stored code. Some mention that the condition appeared or continued after an ignition-related recall repair. Reports range from a few thousand to over 130,000 miles, with many in the 50,000-130,000 mile range and several noting cold weather or the first minutes of a trip.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition-related recall work was completed and whether the van has ever stalled; a long test drive that includes slowing from highway speed and a cold start is worth doing. Have a scan tool check for stored codes rather than relying on the dash light alone.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My stx grand Caravan stalls while driving down the road without any warning. No trouble lights come on except the traction light. The light goes off as soon as you restart the van. Usually happens when I let off the gas pedal to slow down. No one knows how to fix it !! Has happened in the city but mostly while driving on the highway when I let off the gas.”

   NHTSA complaint #11235233, filed 2019-07, 125,175 miles

   “My 2010 Dodge grand Caravan stalls 5 to 10 times per week. It stalls at any speed and at any time (warm or cold). Since the Dodge dealership could not find the issue (hats off to their ineptitude), after further research, I learned the issue is due to failure of the totally integrated power module (tipm) and affects other Dodge/chrysler products . See NHTSA action number: dp14004. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10836413, filed 2016-02, 130,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Ignition key stuck or van won't start

   • 28 complaints (16%)
   • median 81,146 mi at 5.8 yrs old (23 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $900 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2011–2019

   Owners describe the key becoming stuck in the ignition, the van failing to start intermittently, and the ignition staying powered so the battery drains. Some say a dealer replaced the starter or starter-related parts, or checked the recall status, without resolving the problem. Several complaints note the vehicle was not covered by or still waiting on an ignition recall repair. Mostly reported between roughly 30,000 and 130,000 miles, with some occurring after a recall-related repair.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Try starting and shutting off the van several times and check that the key moves freely and releases cleanly. Ask for the recall repair history on the ignition system and whether the battery has been going flat when parked.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The key is stuck in the ignition nothing works and it is staying on when key is in ignition killing the battery even though nothing is now working. There was a recall on this for 2010 Dodge van but my VIN number didn't show up. I find it very strange when doing research that this is the same exact problem as the ones on recall. My van was parked in my driveway ran perfect one evening the next morning nothing and key got stuck.”

   NHTSA complaint #10992196, filed 2017-05, 91,000 miles

   “On july 22, 2015 vehicle wouldn't start. Tried jumping nothing. Then it finally started, told my wife to take vehicle home. When I got home tried again, this time it wouldn't start at all. Had vehicle towed to our local mechanic on 7-23-15. On 7-24-15 mechanic called and said the starter module was out and that this item was also on recall . I knew this and had already contacted a Dodge dealer to have replaced. Now here's the problem, I travel a lot and have my own vehicle. My wife needs this Caravan to go to doctor appointments. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10744013, filed 2015-07, 127,500 miles
3. 3
   Other or unknown

   Power sliding doors and window switches

   • 20 complaints (12%)
   • median 63,000 mi at 4.0 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2019

   Owners report power sliding doors that stop opening from the switches, run only in manual mode, open on their own, or fail to detect an obstruction when closing. Complaints also describe rear window switch overheating, with melted switches and, in some cases, smoke or fire at the door; separate reports mention doors that simply would not open. Reported from very low mileage (a few hundred miles) up to about 132,000 miles, with several reports on vans used in fleets.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Operate both sliding doors several times from the outside handle, the inside switch and the key fob, and check that they reverse when something blocks them. Ask whether the door module has been reprogrammed and inspect the rear window switches for discoloration or a burning smell.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My van, on at least 5 occasions has had the radio cut out, the windows not be able to open, and the worst no wipers, radio, lights in or outside, heat, defroster for the vehicle during a down pour. Getting off the road meant I had to open the window and stick my head out in the rain all while I try to cross a busy milwaukee intersection and pull the vehicle over, turn off the engine and then restart it. Nothing else will work.”

   NHTSA complaint #10703239, filed 2015-04, 94,000 miles

   “While driving in snow in st louis mo there was smoke started to come from the window switch for the rear windows we have 4 of the 2010 Dodge Caravan in our fleet and 2 of them have now have smoked or got on fire due to the switch for the window I have looked at the switch and the switch is melted and the wires are melted smoke pore out from all points on the door on one van and the or the van that was fixed a few months ago did it again and this time fire broke out on the door.”

   NHTSA complaint #10499766, filed 2013-02, 78,844 miles
4. 4
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights go out or flicker

   • 10 complaints (6%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2011–2018

   Complaints describe headlights cutting out while driving or after being switched on, sometimes coming back on their own and sometimes leaving only fog or running lights. Owners report bulb replacement, dealer visits, and in some cases a module replacement; several say the problem returned after repair. Spread from about 30,000 to 130,000 miles, with several reports during night driving or rain.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check both headlights, high beams and fog lights at night or in a dark garage, and watch for flicker when going over bumps. Ask whether the lighting or body-control module has been replaced or repaired.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving at night on a back road the headlights suddenly shut off ever thing else was fine luckly I had my fog lights on because it was a dark road . I could not get the high or low beams to work so drove home with just the fog lights .”

   NHTSA complaint #11124085, filed 2018-09, 92,090 miles

   “On 7/16/2013 it was raining but not hard and I had my headlights on and dropped off a passenger and as I went into the driveway my lights were shining on the garage door. As soon as I got to the end of the driveway which had a slight up grade the headlights flashed on and off 2 to 3 times and they would not stay on after that. I called the dealership and they advised me to replace both headlights which was done. This seemed to correct the problem and all day wednesday I drove the van with the headlights on and they seemed to work. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10525835, filed 2013-07, 67,232 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brakes wear fast, shake or feel soft

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe repeated brake jobs at short intervals, with pads, rotors and calipers replaced more than once. Some report the pedal going toward the floor before the van stops, and others describe pulling or shaking through the steering wheel when braking. Complaints also mention rear wheels running hot with a humming or growling noise after highway driving. Mostly reported under about 35,000 miles, including one at 10,000 miles, with some repeat repairs continuing past that.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for brake service records and how recently pads, rotors and calipers were replaced, then test the pedal feel and look for vibration when braking from highway speed. After a drive, feel the rear wheels for unusual heat.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have owned my Dodge Caravan since april 2016 and have needed 3 extensive brake jobs totaling over $3,000 which included new pads, rotors and calipers. I have read on other sights I am not the only one that has this problem with the same vehicle. I am about to take my vehicle in for the forth time and am very frustrated with this problem. I drive my four children around in this vehicle and need it to be safe. That is why I originally bought this vehicle. No brakes are not safe.”

   NHTSA complaint #11065246, filed 2018-01, 110,000 miles

   “Traveling at 55mph humming /growling noise from rear. Pulled over noise stopped both rear wheels very hot fronts warm but could touch drove car noise returned 5days later same issue with heat. Both times had been traveling for 1/2hour or more at speed.car would roll freely no warning lights.”

   NHTSA complaint #10523320, filed 2013-07, 33,850 miles

Buying note. These vans are widely used family vehicles, and the complaint pattern is concentrated in electrical behavior, so a thorough electrical check, a cold-start test drive and the recall and repair history matter more than cosmetics. Getting an independent pre-purchase inspection that includes a scan for stored codes is a reasonable step before deciding.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.