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2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
Buyable, but go in with open eyes: this car has specific known issues to check before money changes hands.
1,153 owner complaints · 6 recalls · data verified July 20, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Buy-rated alternatives from this era
Other 2014–2018 cars in the same rough price bracket with a clean, matured Buy verdict — worth cross-shopping before you commit to the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan.
Why caution?
Electrical system problems dominate (31% of complaints, typically reported near 53k miles).
Complaint reports have faded. Early issues appear resolved or aged out.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#415 of 462Among the 2016 models with a matured record, the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan ranks #415, scoring higher than 10% of them. See the 2016 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
4/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan VAN FWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 16%
3 open NHTSA defect investigations on file, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Fuel system (30)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Electrical system
31%354 complaints · typically near 53k mi · 19 in the last 2 years
“It was dark, wife and I were driving, suddenly the begin dash began to go blank, more like a flicker. As I kept driving the flickering began to be more often and more …”
Transmission & drivetrain
22%248 complaints · typically near 76k mi · 30 in the last 2 years
“The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that on multiple occasions, the vehicle experienced hard shifting while changing gears with no warning …”
Body & structure
20%233 complaints · typically near 46k mi · 5 in the last 2 years
“The driverside manually operated sliding door will not open. If person's riding in the rear or middle seats they would only have on egress door in an emergency situati…”
Engine
8%97 complaints · typically near 71k mi · 8 in the last 2 years
“while driving the engine light came on within 10 minutes the car started jumping in place and then within 5 minutes completely would not go in any direction forward re…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
We can place 4 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 1,153 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 54 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (6)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Equipment Adaptive/mobility · 25V876000
Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Risk: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.
Fuel System, Gasoline · 20V278000
Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain Vantage-modified 2016-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles. The fuel pump gasket may deteriorate, allowing fuel to leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Vantage will notify owners, and will provide parts and reimbursement to owners for repair facilities to replace the fuel tank gasket, free of charge. The recall began May 19, 2020. Owners may contact Vantage customer service at 1-800-488-9082.
Equipment · 17V824000
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
Power Train · 16V461000
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured July 31, 2015, to April 18, 2016, 2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured August 17, 2015, to January 29, 2016, and 2016 RAM ProMaster vehicles manufactured August 15, 2016, to April 15, 2016. The transmission pump may seize causing a loss of hydraulic pressure.
Risk: If the transmission loses hydraulic pressure, the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission pump, free of charge. The recall began on August 18, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S44.
Seats · 16V300000
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured March 16, 2016, to March 17, 2016. The nuts on the third row seatbacks were incorrectly torqued and may become loose.
Risk: If the third row seatback becomes loose, it may separate from the seat frame, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will re-torque the third row seatback nuts, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S37.
Latches/locks/linkages · 15V595000
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured August 19, 2015 to August 27, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that attach the hood striker may loosen and, as a result, the hood may open unexpectedly while driving.
Risk: If the hood opens while driving, the driver's vision may be obstructed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install new hood striker bolts with the proper torque, free of charge. The recall began on October 22, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler's customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is R53.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Dodge before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Owners of this model report electrical system problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 53k miles). Has this car shown any electrical system symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report transmission & drivetrain problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 76k miles). Has this car shown any transmission & drivetrain symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2016 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2016? See how every Grand Caravan model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.