Dodge common faults and how to fix them
Faults that are well known on Dodge models we hold manuals for: what the owner notices, what causes it, and the pages in our manuals that cover the repair.
- Dodge P0456: EVAP small leak code on the Caravan, Dakota, Durango, Ram and Caliber
- Dodge death wobble: Ram 2500 and 3500 4x4 front-end shimmy (2003–2009)
- 41TE transmission: delayed engagement, harsh downshifts and shudder in the Caravan
Dodge P0456: EVAP small leak code on the Caravan, Dakota, Durango, Ram and Caliber
Symptoms
The check engine light comes on with code P0456: the evaporative emissions system has found a very small leak. The car drives normally, and the code often returns after being cleared. A loose or worn fuel cap is the first thing to check, but on several Dodges the cause is a known fault.
Cause
Chrysler bulletins give different causes by model. On 2001–2003 Caravans and 2002 Dakotas and Durangos, the engine computer detected a leak that wasn't there. On early 2007 Calibers, a small cut in the rubber elbow at the purge solenoid caused a real but hard-to-find leak. On 2007 Ram trucks and Durangos built between 26 January and 18 June 2007, loose charcoal from the EVAP canister caused the leak.
Fix
Check the fuel cap and its seal, then smoke-test the system. For a 2002 Dakota or Durango, the Dodge P0456 bulletin reprograms the engine computer. On a 2001–2003 Caravan the computer may need replacing. The Caliber bulletin replaces the purge hose harness, and for a 2007 truck the Ram P0456 bulletin replaces the EVAP parts contaminated with charcoal. Clear the code and let the leak monitor run again to confirm.
Repair instructions on this site
- Chrysler bulletin 18-002-03: erroneous P0456, PCM reprogramming (Dakota 3.9, 2002)
- Chrysler bulletin 18-028-03: erroneous P0456 (Caravan 3.8, 2003)
- Chrysler bulletin 25-002-06: P0456, purge hose elbow (Caliber 2.0, 2007)
- Chrysler bulletin 25-003-07: P0456, loose charcoal from canister (Durango 5.7, 2007)
Sources: Chrysler technical service bulletins 18-002-03, 18-028-03, 25-002-06 and 25-003-07.
Dodge death wobble: Ram 2500 and 3500 4x4 front-end shimmy (2003–2009)
Symptoms
After hitting a bump or pothole at speed, the front end starts a violent, self-sustaining shake through the steering wheel that carries on until the truck slows down. It affects the solid-front-axle Ram 2500 and 3500 4x4.
Cause
Chrysler bulletin 22-005-06 covers this shimmy on 2003–2007 Ram 2500 and 3500 4x4 trucks. Worn or loose steering and suspension parts let the axle oscillate, and a failed steering damper or wrong front tyre pressures make it worse. On 2008–2009 trucks built between 19 February and 30 October 2008, safety recall H36 found that the steering drag link inner joint could fracture and the steering damper bracket could loosen.
Fix
Check whether recall H36 applies. Then inspect the front steering and suspension as the Ram 2500 death wobble bulletin describes, including the track bar, tie rod ends, drag link and ball joints. Unbolt the steering damper at the axle and work it by hand; replace it if there is no resistance. Set the front tyre pressures to the bulletin's figure regardless of load. The Dodge drag link recall gives the 2008–2009 repair.
Repair instructions on this site
- Chrysler bulletin 22-005-06: front end shimmy on rough roads (Ram 2500 4WD 5.9 Cummins, 2004)
- Safety recall H36: drag link and steering damper bracket (Ram 2500 4WD 6.7 Cummins, 2008)
- All Ram 3500 4WD manuals
Sources: Chrysler technical service bulletin 22-005-06; Chrysler safety recall H36.
41TE transmission: delayed engagement, harsh downshifts and shudder in the Caravan
Symptoms
A delay before the gearbox engages drive or reverse after starting, sometimes with fault codes; a harsh downshift from fourth to third; or a shudder as the torque converter clutch locks up at cruising speed. It affects the 41TE four-speed automatic in the Caravan and Grand Caravan, and in other Chrysler front-drive cars of the period.
Cause
Chrysler bulletins give a cause for each symptom. Bulletin 21-004-05 traces delayed engagement on 2002–2003 Caravans to the transmission front pump. Bulletin 21-006-03A traces the harsh 4–3 downshift on 2003 Caravans to the transmission control software. An earlier bulletin covers shudder during converter clutch engagement on 1989–1995 Caravans and other models with the 41TE.
Fix
Check the fluid level and condition first, using only ATF+4. For delayed engagement, the 41TE transmission bulletin replaces the front pump and checks the control module software. For harsh downshifts, the Caravan transmission bulletin reprograms the control module. After any repair or software update, run the quick-learn procedure so the gearbox relearns its clutch volumes.
Repair instructions on this site
- Chrysler bulletin 21-004-05: delayed engagement, front pump replacement (Caravan 3.8, 2003)
- Chrysler bulletin 21-006-03A: harsh 4–3 downshift (Caravan 3.8, 2003)
- Chrysler bulletin: 41TE/42LE shudder during converter clutch shift (Grand Caravan 3.3, 1992)
Sources: Chrysler technical service bulletins 21-004-05, 21-006-03A and 41TE/42LE EMCC shudder bulletin.