2011 Grand Caravan Trans issues begin!!!
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2011
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I'm new to this but was quite shocked to hear that a few people were having problems with these. I had an 09 with no problems and traded it for an 11 when they came out. I got the Town & Country, same thing though, and now have 20,000 miles with no problems. Just had the brake rotors replaced under the extended warranty that Chrysler just notified me of, but otherwise have changed the oil and enjoyed it very much. Sorry to hear that you guys are not enjoying your vans. They did tell me that there were three open "campaigns" on it, which they said were not recalls but instead it was a reprogramming of the PCM. They told me I probably wouldn't notice any difference.
Cheers!
Cheers!
All Star
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 818
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From: Red Lion, PA (USA)
Based on what I am reading - the problem is when running in ECON mode. Personally, I have never hit the button and don't plan on based on the comments here... I wonder how many of you have had the problem in normal mode vs ECON mode?
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2011
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I have never had the shudder or rough shifting problem with my '11. It shifts velvety smooth in econ or not. The problem I do have is every once in a while, it will not shift out of 1st gear. You have to shift to park, shut the engine off, restart and then it is ok. 
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2011
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I've had the same problem in ECON mode with the bucking tranny. Really upsetting quite frankly and I too sometimes wish I just paid more for the Toyota. ChryCo needs to come up with a TSB to fix the problem and pronto!
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2011
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I have never had the shudder or rough shifting problem with my '10 but I do have a high RPM before it shifts into the next speed. Under normal acceleration it revs to 3500 to 4500 and heavy exceleration it may hit 5500 RPM. The dealer says this is normal for this transmission. I appreciate any input on this problem.
All Star
Joined: Feb 2010
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mine 2010 does the same shifts high 3500-4000rpm. i find it like delaying it a bit but i figuire its normal.
I have never had the shudder or rough shifting problem with my '10 but I do have a high RPM before it shifts into the next speed. Under normal acceleration it revs to 3500 to 4500 and heavy exceleration it may hit 5500 RPM. The dealer says this is normal for this transmission. I appreciate any input on this problem.
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Joined: Sep 2011
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Update, 2011 dodge grand caravan going back for tranny issues. Since the last repair, and the dealership telling me not to drive it in Economy mode, my mpg has gone down to 17 mpg around town and maybe 19 or 20 on the highway. I pulled out the sticker invoice and it was advertised to be 18 and 25mpg on the highway, maybe with a working overdrive tranny! Very discouraged and frankly I don't have the time to be dealing with all these repairs. They keep promising me they will correct the problem, but this will be the 5th time for service on the same issue. Thanks Dodge. Never Again, Toyota or Honda will be my next purchase.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 20
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Update, 2011 dodge grand caravan going back for tranny issues. Since the last repair, and the dealership telling me not to drive it in Economy mode, my mpg has gone down to 17 mpg around town and maybe 19 or 20 on the highway. I pulled out the sticker invoice and it was advertised to be 18 and 25mpg on the highway, maybe with a working overdrive tranny! Very discouraged and frankly I don't have the time to be dealing with all these repairs. They keep promising me they will correct the problem, but this will be the 5th time for service on the same issue. Thanks Dodge. Never Again, Toyota or Honda will be my next purchase.
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 63
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From: Mesa
I just purchased a used 2011 GC Crew with 17K miles (built in Feb 2011) 2 weeks ago. I too have noticed the jerky transmission in Econ mode, but smooth in normal mode. So it seems mine is the same as many others mentioned here.
But regarding fuel economy, I tested it on the drive back from California yesterday. After filling up in LA I reset the MPG gauge. Drove back to Phoenix and got right at 25mpg in normal mode all the way, average speed was 75-80mph, using cruise control most of the way.
The only other issue I seem to have right now is the dash and interior lights started flashing intermittantly last night. Our 2005 Town & Country did this, and soldering the battery cables to the connectors seem to fix the problem. It's going back to the dealer next week to fix a bumper alignment issue, and I'll have them look at the lights at the same time.
But regarding fuel economy, I tested it on the drive back from California yesterday. After filling up in LA I reset the MPG gauge. Drove back to Phoenix and got right at 25mpg in normal mode all the way, average speed was 75-80mph, using cruise control most of the way.
The only other issue I seem to have right now is the dash and interior lights started flashing intermittantly last night. Our 2005 Town & Country did this, and soldering the battery cables to the connectors seem to fix the problem. It's going back to the dealer next week to fix a bumper alignment issue, and I'll have them look at the lights at the same time.
New Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1
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Well thought i had gotten away from it from my 2008. Seems I was wrong. Brand new 2011 just hit 800 miles on the odo and bam...Was backing up and i felt what seemed to be a shudder, I ignored it, i thought i may be over doing it. Drove for 180 miles, when i was getting out of a parking lot bam....shudder on reverse, my brother who works at a ford dealership also noticed it, whe thought well maybe the traction control as it was muddy, so i drove on. 1hr later backing out from the hotel parking lot there it goes again....definately transmission shudder on reverse.....will only doing when there is a slight load towards the front of the vehicle then the transmission will shudder a couple times when going into reverse....Such a nice van and the problems still there, also starting to notice a slight missfire and rough running at idle.....now to look for a good dealership to take it to to get it fixed. Beware seems 2011 has same tranny issues that still have not been resolved.....