Used 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan Minivan Consumer Reviews
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Experienced Driver of Grand Caravan
I enjoy driving the Dodge Caravan so I bought one. There have been concerns about the six speed transmission. I have specifically rented a SXT model to haul film lighting.The rental was quite less than SUVs. The transmission is sensitive and needs understanding. The six speed transmission allows one to save on fuel costs whether driving through hilly country or flat lands at highway speeds. Carrying 1 ton of cargo, it drives well granted, you understand how to shift. There is a reason why the shifter is located next to the speedometer. 10, 500 ft above sea level it performed well on hairpin turns. Height, stow n go, 12V inputs, width, wheel size 5stars.
Maybe Mine Was A Lemon?
I owned the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan SE model(flex fuel). Equipped with the 3.6 V6 (Pentastar). I got the van with 122,000 miles and thought it was great when I first got it. About a week into ownership, the check engine light comes on for a thermostat code. I thought to myself, it's a used car so no big deal if I have to stick a few bucks into it right off the bat. Replaced the thermostat and was fine for another 2 months. Then the check engine light pops on again for cam position sensor/crank position sensor correlation. So take it to the shop. They say it needs new cam position sensors. Replaced those and was fine for a month. Then one day I come to a stop sign and the van dies. I go to restart it and starts right up. So I take it to the shop again and has a pending code for cam position/crank position and a random multiple cylinder misfire. So they concluded that it needs either a new timing chain or cam phasers. So I take it to the dealership for a second opinion. In the mix of all of this, the van starts to shutter coming to stops. So dealership looks at it and tells me the transmission has metal shavings in it so it needs to be replaced. And the timing chains are bad. So I thought well I'll take the transmission pan off to see if there really is metal shavings in the transmission. Sure enough there was. So at that point I just ended up selling the van back to where I got it from. Maybe my van was just a lemon? I'll never know, because I would never buy another one. The styling is awesome along with the sto n go seats. But if you want reliability, this isn't your van.
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- SXT Passenger MinivanMSRP: $4,64811 mi away
- SE Passenger MinivanMSRP: $5,49521 mi away
- R/T Passenger MinivanMSRP: $6,98821 mi away
It's been very good for 10 years.
I've owned most makes of vehicles including Toyota's & Honda's for 60 years & our 2013 Dodge Caravan van is our first Chrysler vehicle. We bought the 'Crew' Canadian model new in 2013 for $27K & it has had no problems in 10 years. The excellent 283 HP V-6 still gets 35 MPG at 55 MPH (that translates to 28 MPG on the 20% smaller USA gallon). This van was $10,000 less than Toyota & Honda's with the same options & it's built in Windsor Ontario thus it's quality is good including an excellent paint job. This model still looked the same in 2020 so my 2013 that I wax every year still looks new. Supportive comfortable seats & with the Stow & Go seats I can get a 4X8 plywood sheet in the back. Original brakes & tires lasted approx. 40,000 miles then I upgraded to better tires. I change the oil & filter every 4,000 miles (7000 KM) & the engine burns 1/4 qt. in that distance. Suspension is stiff thus it gives a rougher ride vs. Toyota & Honda vans. The older generation Dodge/Chrysler vans (pre 2012) had weak transmissions & A/C but this van has had no problems at all. In Canada this van outsells all other van makes combined & a well maintained one like ours would be a good used van buy. *The Grand Caravan was discontinued in 2021 & replaced with the Pacifica van that has the same excellent engine but costs $15+K more! I'm surprised at how good this van still is & it's dark blue color with alloy wheels & chrome side trim & roof rack still gets good comments.
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Traded After Fourteen Months
Purchased the van because of its flexibility and usefulness. Disappointment came soon after I purchased it. The Caravan was my second consecutive new Dodge purchase. It will be my last. The six-speed transmission almost caused a very serious accident on two occasions. After pulling out from a dead stop, the transmission suddenly upshifted from first to fourth or fifth gear immediately. It began to shudder and took several seconds to downshift to a more appropriate gear. I normally would have had plenty of room. I contacted two dealerships and was informed that there were no issues with the transmission. This was AFTER the first corrective update. This vehicle can be dangerous.
Gets up and goes
Ours now has just over 116,000 miles. We have replaced the battery, tires and transmission cooler lines - that's all, except the A/C needed a re-charge for the first time today.. It has plenty of zip, great in freeway traffic. It handles well. It's a bit noisy on some pavements -- don't know if that's inherent in the vehicle or the tires. On trips we may get 28 mpg but at home less than 20. I'm 5'10" but find that I have the driver's seat back at its max. We've driven Chrysler Corp minivans since 1993. 200,000 miles or more has been the norm. I track the cost/mile (excluding fuel and insurance) and when there begins a continuing upward trend or I lose trust in the vehicle, it's time for another. We don't seem to be close to that.
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