Regarding the issue of "shudder" with the 2011 GC, I assumed one of our corp. lease vehicles from another employee. It had 12k miles approx six months ago. Within a few hundred miles I too noticed a marked shudder when backing into our driveway at home. For the past few months, I've noticed a "clunking" when shifting at driving speed. I believe, like my old 1949 DeSoto Custom, which had "fluid drive", the clunk occurs when "all the stars align", and I believe it's when I let up on the gas while in forward gears, and before the tranny reaching its' final gear. (?)

I recently called our local So.OC CA dealer, and the service writer mentioned two control devices that might be the culprit. I asked if this was a malfunction that he had noticed, and he didn't confirm that it was. After reading a few internet posts, I'm suspecting it might be more than a chance issue.

I've driven Caravans since they became an option with our corp. back in 1998. And I do remember a wind noise issue in the early 2000's that couldn't be ID'd by any dealer I went to, and ultimately ended with a fix after I call a factory engineer; a referal from one of my dealers. I ended up caulking the window frame of the windshield. That was the fix. So yes, if a dealer has no bulletins, no notices or codes with which to refer, the best thing they can do is offer to move your complaint to corporate, and maybe in my case, to the very engineer working to solve the problem, which may not have been verified nationally.

I'd greatly appreciate anyone who's resolved this shudder issue to share their success story/resolution. I'll certainly do the same when I get mine back to the dealer. OK to email me directly, which would be appreciated: (alsterling@earthlink.net)

 

If the dealer had done a star case/ search they would have come up with this reply.

STAR Case
Case Number: S1121000009
Release Date: 08/17/2011
Symptom/Vehicle Issue:
Light throttle reverse shudder
Discussion:
Certain drivetrain combinations may experience a condition where at low vehicle speeds, the transmission fluid flowing from the impeller to the stator can be momentarily interrupted. This interruption cause’s torque to be briefly interrupted causing the perceived shudder. Once the vehicle moves above 2-3 mph, the shudder gradually disappears as the torque interruptions become less noticeable. Unfortunately there is no repair for this issue and is a common characteristic of most torque converters under high slip/low speed conditions but is most noticeable on these specific applications due to the low reverse gear ratio. If you compare to another similar vehicle, you'll most likely have the same condition.

 

Well my 2011 GC has 22,000 miles, and the shifting is getting worse. Everytime I take it in for service or oil change, they tell me it's low on tranny fluid!! Can't find a leak, so I am assuming it is burning it up. I can't check the fluid, as there is no dip stick. I am so dissapointed in this vehicle. I have owned 7 caravans and by far this is the worst one. I have contacted corporate, they offered me an extended warranty, still doesn't solve the problem. I hope I don't get rear ended some day when it decides to buck and shudder. I just can't believe I am the only one with this problem. They gave me a loaner 2012 GC and it did the same thing. What's up DODGE?

 

Well you can check the fluid level, but you would need to buy the miller dip stick tool thru miller tools or thru ebay. Or you can go to a wrecking year and pull a transmission dip stick out of a 4 speed automatic. Then have the transmission serviced at the dealer, this way you know its full. Then mark your dip stick, this way you know you know the fluid level is correct.

 

In reading all these posts, I was wondering if anyone has switched over to synthetic. If so, did it help?

 

I am also having the issue of it clunking/banging when going from reverse into drive. It doesn't happen every time but often enough that I am concerned by it and I cringe every time I put it into gear that it is going to clunk and then not engage and leave me stranded.

Also, the shifting is really poor in ECO-Mode. I was told by the dealer to not use the button as they are aware of the poor shifting. I bought the caravan partially because of the great fuel mileage and then get told not to use the ECO function. Wonder if that is true on all there vehicles with the 3.6L V6 Pentastar.

I am going to call Chrysler Canada and register a report. The more reports the better chance they will put together a team to actually fix this.

 

I'm also suffering from the reverse shudder issue, although mine is not too bad. Granted, I don't tow anything heavy and I'd bet that would be an issue if I did. But I'll be interested to see if Dodge produces a fix for this. I'm approaching 36K on my 11 and I have a list of issues that I want addressed before my bumper to bumper runs out. This tranny, although it's apart of the powertrain was on that list. However I might wait and not have them monkey with it until a tech bulliten or something I can refenece with the techs is released.

As for the Eco mode, I thought I read this in the owner's manual, but I may have read it on Allpar, that the van when in Eco mode will skip 2nd gear. My old 4th gen Firebird(with 6 speed man) would have what they call CAGS(Computer Aided Gear Selector) that would engage a blocker plate to slide you from 1st to 4th. It was annoying, but a way for GM to get the desired fuel efficiency out of the vehicle. I really think this is done for advertising purposes more than anything. Luckily the old LS1 in that car had rediculous low end torque, and while annoying, it could skip from 1st to 4th without much fuss.

The GC's Eco mode is doing the same thing. Staying in gear a tad longer and shifting from 1st to 3rd. Albeit I agree it is a hard shift. They most likely have no plans to fix this, you'll just have to live with it. Eco mode also locks up the torque converter longer in a lower gear to, again, save gas. I myself only use eco mode on the highway. The TC lockup does help a bit.

IMHO you can achieve much better gas mileage with technique and relaxed driving over eco mode. I generally shoot for 19/28.

BTW, I am not a tech, but after reading about what eco mode does, much of the odd driving behavior all made better sense to me.

Best of luck all!

 

i too times am worried about the tranny in mine. although its been good with those few issues aswell. i think we should start a petition on them to improve there design and reliability on these trannys

 

Already spent $25,000 on this vehicle, and not spending another dime on a defect from the company, no dipstick. Maybe they shouldn't have dipsticks working for them.

 

I am so sure Dodge is aware of this problem, they are just avoiding the issue until a class action law suit is filed. When these transmissions start failing on the road and accidents occur maybe they will listen. I was backing up a very steep driveway and the van shuddered, shaked and hesitated. I had to go down the driveway to get a rolling start and floor it up the incline. Nice design on the tranny. It seems like the fluid isn't getting to where it needs to go. Everytime I bring it in for service, I get the same BS story, that Dodge is working on it. ya right. I wish I could run my business that way. Sorry, I am still working on the problem a year and half later.