I don't know much about the design-manufacturing processes of such a large and complicated machine, such as a car, van, truck, etc.. but I know that several different factions have to be satisfied with something this grand. The dollar is probably the biggest factor, they have to keep costs down, not just in the materials but the engineers/designers that come up with these things such as the antenna. There is also safety and emissions considerations that dictate structure peices that then have to be worked around in the design. I'm not trying to say that you shouldn't be allowed to bitch and complain about things like this but I always have faith that someone that makes a hell of a lot more than I do had to make difficult decisions on a lot of issues and I'm glad to not be in there shoes. I'm sure that you did a lot of research and spent a lot of time before buying your caravan and realized a lot of these issues and decided to buy it anyways.

 

Great article. thanks for sharing...

I have an '11 Crew and I'm tracking Transmission sounds too... I've noticed and almost turbo-like whine when speeding up or slowing down. No noticeable effect on performance from what I can tell so I'm chalking it up to nearly new trans.

I'll have to look into that gas door rod, don't think I have that...

Amen on the whip antenna and auto-lights... it's freakin' 2011+ and that stuff isn't standard yet??? WTF???

 

me too on the tranny sounds, agree with the "turbo-like" whine - like being the operative word. I'm unlucky enough to have the reverse shudder also... ya me, but I swear I feel slight shudder under minimal load in about 3rd at 50kph. I agree with the rough shifting also, it could be improved that is for sure

 

For Ruler 2012 (original post). Regarding my 2011 Caravan -
I am 5' 9" and found that the location of the mirror (Item #3 above) was a problem with me, too, as it blocks my forward view right where I might want to see.
What I did was an easy fix - I spun the mirror around 180 degrees (so that the bottom night-dimmer lever was at the top) - this combined with moving the mirror arm assembly to its highest position, raised the mirror, and made the front view wide open, and I can still see out the rear excellent. Simple fix!

 

One other item I would add to your (excellent, interesting) list is the glare coming from the chrome of the dash - speedometer and RPM gauges have chrome around them that catches the sun - I figure it was a "Whoops" from the designers - whoever put that in there should NOT get any Christmas bonus, LOL.

Generally I am delighted with the versatility of the 2011/2012 Dodge Caravan; love especially the holes in the floor for storage. Mine has the permanent rear folding seats (seats 3) and the removable (not stow-and-go) 2-seat bench in the middle. I hardly ever put the middle bench in.

All this depends on how you use your van, of course; in my opinion, the versatility tops any other van I reviewed. Well, OK, the price was amazing too!

I also love the key FOB (great distance), hidden roof rack. And the "dislikes" are the rough-shifting tranny, the minuscule cruise indicator, and the distance between my seated body and the door arm-rest (coming from owning a 1997 Caravan).

Anyway, thanks for writing such an interesting article, hopefully the designers are listening.