Is the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan a bad year?
472 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Grand Caravan years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan are in line with other Grand Caravan years. Electrical system, seats and fuel system stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2013 Grand Caravan owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 90,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 256 (54%) | 50k–130k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| SeatsSTANDS OUT | 44 (9%) | 78k–118k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 41 (9%) | 85k–133k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Engine | 71 (15%) | 69k–125k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 36 (8%) | 50k–100k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Air bags | 35 (7%) | 46k–119k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 26 (6%) | 52k–99k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 18 (4%) | 68k–138k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Brakes | 20 (4%) | 21k–71k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 14 (3%) | 13k–68k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 11 (2%) | 12k–61k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 90,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 472 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 18 report an injury · 18 say the car was towed.
9 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Catalytic converter went out less than a month after I brought this vehicle at only 98k miles. Check engine light on couldn't get van inspected.
The vehicle has been regularly maintained. There's a huge electrical issue, has been ever sense I've owned it.
The cooling system started a leak near the firewall where are the metal tubing connects 2 each y plastic connectors.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 90,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan: 4
The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured. An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
The affected vehicles may experience overheating of the vent window switch in the driver's door armrest. An overheated switch may result in a vehicle fire.
The occupant restraint control module (ORC) has incorrect software installed which may adversely affect air bag deployments in collisions. An air bag that does not deploy, or deploys improperly, may increase the risk of injury.
A software error may result in the opposite side airbags deploying from the collision point (a left side impact would deploy the right side airbags and vice versa). In the event of a crash, the wrong side airbags could deploy leaving the occupant with no airbag protection at the point of impact, increasing the risk of injury.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 75
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
WiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA)
Gear Ratio DTC's, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
Oil Pump Assembly If error code P06DD present on any Pentastar V6 application, please inspect oil pump for relief valve failure
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
Neighbouring years
2012 Grand Caravan: 584 complaints, keep it · 2014 Grand Caravan: 358 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Dodge Grand Caravan year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · All Grand Caravan years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Journey · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan a bad year?
472 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Grand Caravan years. At 90,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (256), seats (44), fuel system (41), engine (71), transmission and drivetrain (36).
How many recalls does the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Adaptive equipment (NHTSA 25V-876), Electrical system (NHTSA 14V-234), Air bags (NHTSA 13V-291), Electrical system (NHTSA 13V-283). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.