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BrakesPart report

2011 Dodge Caravan Brakes Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
8%of 78 total for the year
Median mileage
64,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 Dodge Caravan, 8% of the 78 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,500 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Driving and start smelling burning stop and my brakes are smoking to the point it's almost on fire and so hot can't touch or will be burnt. Worried for safety of my kids happened about 10 times now if not more. Got it checked out said nothing is wrong don't know why it's doing it. And have changed my rotors 3 times and brakes 5 times.”

NHTSA complaint #10649635, filed 2014-10, 18,000 miles

“I bought this minivan in 2011. I do not drive much so it currently has less than 35,000 miles on it. Nonetheless, I have had to replace the brakes and rotors 4 times (maybe 5) since I have owned it. I just had them replaced again in november, and yet 7 months later, I have to do it again. I have only put some 3,000 miles on it since the last replacement. Something is seriously wrong. The brakes began squeaking and very quickly (like a day or two without my hardly driving it) to the rotors being gone as my pedals are vibrating. …”

NHTSA complaint #11102675, filed 2018-06, 35,000 miles

“Driving home from work while stopping on the freeway my steering wheel is shaking. Ironically this is just south of the chrysler technical center, which I pass every day as I work just a few miles from it. This is only occurring when the brakes are applied so I already dreaded the thought, it must be the front brakes/rotors need replaced. I am also hearing a squealing/grinding noise from the rears when backing up.I just had the right rear brakes replaced this spring, which I have been reading online is a very common issue with this model of minivan. …”

NHTSA complaint #10644766, filed 2014-10, 70,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Caravan. While driving 40 MPH, the front end brakes and calipers seized. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front end brakes, calipers, and hoses needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10703467, filed 2015-04, 100,000 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11006096, filed 2017-07, 59,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201529%
2014210%
2012910%
201168%
20102313%
2009119%
20086221%
20071012%
2006127%
2005194%
2004812%
20033518%
2002167%
2001145%
20005512%
1999509%
1998488%
19977210%
199615311%
19956213%
19946310%
199333836%
199227130%
199121535%
1990166%
1989105%
198844%
198734%
198612%
1985510%
198416%

Other parts of the 2011 Dodge Caravan

Electrical system
54 complaintsEngine
14 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsElectronic stability control
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 Dodge Caravan

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology