Home · 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan · Complaints

What 1,153 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (1,153)Crash / fire / injury (54)Electrical system (354)Transmission & drivetrain (248)Body & structure (233)Engine (97)Lights (56)Fuel system (30)Airbags (28)Seats (26)Speed control (26)Latches & locks (25)

97 of 1,153 complaints match · Engine · clear filters · page 1 of 4

Mar 25, 2026Transmission & drivetrainSeatsEngine

1) At D/S Stow and Go seat malfunctioned and was repaired by CarMax Service Center Jan 2023 - 2) Around 97,000 so - Engine started ticking on or about JUL/SEP 2023, enstate Lloyds Automotive in Spokane Valley replaced out engine due to manufacture defect in Oct 2023. 3) At 103,672mi - P/S stow and Go seat was repaired for same issues as D/S stow & Go Seat by Lloyds Automotive Oct 2023 when engine was replaced out. 4) Around 116,000mi the Transmission was flushed when I got the oil changed because I noticed jerking shifting at times, this was Aug 2024 there was no check engine or diag faults. 5) Around 132,720 Fell under CXLHX982 / CXLHX981 Actuator Sliding Door D/S & P both repaired and Transmissioned serviced again because my van started stalling out at stops and the jerking happened again no check engine or diag faults 6) Around 138,000 - D/S Sliding door hatch pin repair by Coos Bay Area Dodge. On 24Mar2026 - Around 142,000mi my transmission overheat warning came on and my van would not go any faster than 45 to 50mi, the RPMs went from 1.5 to 4 to 5 then 7 and back down, I immediately pulled over and sat for about 40min turned my van back on there was no overheat warning so I drove around 50mi per hour in the emergency lane to the next exit which was Hood River, Or and trailer towed my van from Hood River, Or to AAMCO, North Spokane Wa for transmission service. - I believe my vehicle 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan R/T model - transmission was built with some underlying transmission serious safety defects and should have been recalled and a part of Part 573 Safety Recall Report 16V-461. My vehicle malfunctioning could have caused an accident if not for my quick thinking that day and keeping my vehicle maintained at a high standard. I do keep all my service records.

NHTSA ODI 11727028

Oct 28, 2025Speed controlEngine

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 reverse or neutral and just revved the torque locked up the transmission quit completely did not even give me time to pull over and access the issue was 7 min from home when completely quit

NHTSA ODI 11696156

Oct 24, 2025Engine

Head gasket and head failure at 86000

NHTSA ODI 11695506

Oct 7, 2025EngineFuel system

Today, I was driving my van to work, and I stopped at a stop sign, went to go, and the van made a horrible clunk noise and wouldn't drive. I shifted through the gears, and each one made the van shake hard. I purchased this van 2 weeks ago from a used car lot. Earlier today, the check engine light came on, which I planned on going check it when I got off work. I had a mobile diagnostic worker come check it out, and he told me it was my transmission. I contacted the lot where I bought it, and am waiting to get it towed back there. This was dangerous because it stopped driving at a stop sign, and I didn't know what to do. I had to flag traffic to go around and wait for people to come help me push it out of the way of traffic. I am a single mother with a three year old.

NHTSA ODI 11691921

Jun 7, 2025Electrical systemEngineFuel system

My wife was stopped at a drive through window in DRIVE when the engine stalled. It wouldn’t crank over and needed to be pushed out of the way and towed. The TIPM failed and needed to be replaced. The repair was done at a Chrysler dealer and they took the faulty part after repair. Safety was at risk because if this had happened in the middle of the road it could have caused an accident. My wife was lucky it happened at the drive through. Vehicle not inspected by police or insurance. No warning lights or other symptoms, just engine stalled

NHTSA ODI 11665496

May 19, 2025Transmission & drivetrainEngine

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, and the vehicle failed to shift into gear properly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact became aware there was oil leaking from the front end of the vehicle near the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 225,419.

NHTSA ODI 11661897

Feb 6, 2025EngineFuel system

The oil filter housing for Jeep Dodge Chrysler 3.6 is originally made with plastic. Now its made with metal. My van is leaking oil. I went to get an oil change and was told from the shop that I had a oil leak. Oil is all over the engine. They were telling me that they see this so often, and that it should be recalled. Jeep has the exact same issue and has a recall. I can actually smell it inside the car. This is the second time I was told this. The leak is getting worst. Times are super hard out here. I would love if someone could look into this.

NHTSA ODI 11641021

Sep 23, 2024Traction Control SystemEngine

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The traction control and two other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an open circuit and two other unknown DTC codes were retrieved. The contact was unaware of what needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

NHTSA ODI 11615923

May 13, 2024Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

I was driving my van which I have had nothing but trouble with this dodge caravan, go to turn at the intersection and it just shuts off started right back up but starting to turn and it just shut off. Happened twice now, had the battery checked and every thing else seemed good just didn’t know why this happened but it almost got us hot the first time. There are a lot of dodge vans that aren’t included in the S44 recall and our VIN numbers don’t pop up. I mean the air bags are killing people in these dodges now, I’ve had nothing but a hard time with this vehicle. They are unsafe, if I wasn’t poor and could afford a good van and not bottom of the barrel I wouldn’t be dealing with this it seems. But the poor are expendable. I’d rather take my kids in my beat up ford than in my new van. That’s crazy. It’s going to get someone killed if it hasn’t already happened.

NHTSA ODI 11588457

Mar 5, 2024Engine

Transmission. Available for inspection No it has not been reproduced or confirmed by anyone No it has not been inspected Check engine around 8 months ago

NHTSA ODI 11575645

Feb 19, 2024Engine

Was told today the oil filter cooler has a small leak. Appears to be a prolific issue on Caravans that Dodge is ignoring. Presents a safety hazard if the leak gets too bad and an environmental hazard if they go unrepaired.

NHTSA ODI 11572726

Feb 14, 2024Engine

Code P0302 - undiagnosed as of 2/14/24 mileage - 51833miles 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan with Braun Mobility Conversion for wheelchair June 2023, had transmission freeze up and replace by Dodge dealer. Later that day after picking up from dealer, "Engine" light came back on. Called and left message with dealer asking if they neglected to re-set codes and or reset check engine light. Called twice and left messages, no return call. Van functioning fine. I had no problems for months until I needed it SMOG tested this month. SMOG repair station said it won't pass SMOG and it's likely cylinder 2 misfire, which can be observed sporadically, although I have never had any issues driving at all. Engine light never flashes. The SMOG mechanic researched Dodge issues and said I may likely need to replace the engine, but that even the replaced engine is not guaranteed to not have the same problem, due to it appears to be a problem in the engine itself. There are countless reports online by Dodge Caravan owners reporting same code, but almost all of them report driving and/or idling issues. There seems to be enough consensus that there is something inherently wrong with certain year Dodge engines but there is still no recall or dealer support. I don't know who to believe. I need to get it to pass SMOG but don't want to replace the engine to do it if it has been driving fine.

NHTSA ODI 11571894

Jan 24, 2024EngineFuel system

The van has shut off without warning while driving

NHTSA ODI 11567530

Jan 15, 2024Engine

MILEAGE 73,487 FAILURE OF LEFT CYLINDER BANK CAUSES ENGINE TO STUMBLE OR STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE. REPAIR BY DODGE DEALER COST $4621.78. 2 COMPLAINTS (1/11/2022 & 1/09/2023) FILED TO FCA CUSTOMER CARE WERE IGNORED.

NHTSA ODI 11565534

Dec 6, 2023Transmission & drivetrainEngine

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact's wife noticed white smoke coming from under the hood with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's wife drove the vehicle to a safe location and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle restarted; however, the vehicle would not move. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed hydraulic pump. The contact was informed that the hydraulic pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11558713

Nov 29, 2023Electrical systemEngine

Vehicle is going into park while driving, when it does that I have to come to a stop and restart the vehicle. I almost got into an accident and I’m scared for my life driving this. The dealership charged me to change the alternator, the batteries and I still have the same issue.

NHTSA ODI 11557409

Oct 5, 2023Transmission & drivetrainEngine

Van started fine and as I was driving the engine started revering hard and felt like it was having a hard time sifting lucky I was near my mechanic and they did that plug in and test it because the engine light came on right when I pulled in and said the transmission is gone they where able to find a rebuilt engine for my van and replaced old with a compatible engine now when this happened I had 60,000 miles. He did tell me that unfortunately they have seen this issue alot with the dodge caravan transmission just cuts out like this with no warning at all and I Googled this issue and it seems to happened to alot of other van owners. There is another issue going on that every time I get in my van before putting the key in the ignition there's a humming sound and when I park and pull out my key after car is off it makes a humming noise I have no clue what is going on but when I Google this issue it seems to be a escalator I don't know why there's not a recall on what is causing this to go on but it seems to be a dodge grand van issue.

NHTSA ODI 11548524

Sep 22, 2023Transmission & drivetrainEngine

Transmission failed at 85000 miles for a 2016 model dodge grand caravan. Vehicle taken to dealer for inspection and repaired. Vehicle will stalled then suddenly stopped when driving putting myself and family at risk of injury or death.There were no warning light or indicator prior to this issue. There are numerous reports on these type of vehicles failure.

NHTSA ODI 11545943

Jul 14, 2023Engine

Vehicle park on a flooded street on July 2 2023. Water lever getting to a certain level that decided to moved . Once vehicle was start the water got to the throttle and water inside motor.

NHTSA ODI 11532349

Jul 12, 2023Engine

My vehicle has the Pentastar engine tick indicative of a rocker arm issue. I’ve been having performance issues with the vehicle at only 124,000 miles and less. It’s escalating to the point in afraid of complete engine failure while I’m driving. This is a known issue with these vehicles and needs to be repaired by Dodge as it’s a manufacturing defect.

NHTSA ODI 11531880

Jun 23, 2023Engine

Oil leak from top of the engine, Vehicle has being well maintained barely has 61,000 miles, well taken care of, oil leak from top of the engine, theres more people having this issue, possible cause: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdKLx_INOAY or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm5yuuv5KeI theres alot of issues with this leaks and is expensive repair. i was doing my monthly check up and i found this oil leak. did some research and theres other vehicles with the same Engine size 3.6 wit the same issue.

NHTSA ODI 11528618

Jun 1, 2023Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

My vehicle began shutting completely off while in drive and approaching a stop. This has endangered myself as well as my family due to the current condition and unpredictability of the engine turning off while approaching a stop light or stop sign. The vehicle has been inspected by a dodge service location and the check engine light does come on. Also included is a mopar warranty bulletin addressing the same issue with the same engine but on previous years (2011-2013) of the grand caravan and multiple models. I am experiencing the same conditions on a 2016 dodge grand caravan.

NHTSA ODI 11524766

May 18, 2023Electrical systemEngine

VEHICLE TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE IGNITION BUTTON GOES TO ACC. THE CLUSTER BOARD THEN SAYS TO PRESS BRAKE AND PUT VEHICLE IN PARK. THIS IS HAPPENING EVERY COUPLE TRIPS

NHTSA ODI 11522749

May 9, 2023Transmission & drivetrainEngine

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made abnormal whining sounds. Additionally, the contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop, the vehicle jerked and revved significantly. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving and coming to a complete stop. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V461000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11521244

Apr 30, 2023Engine

Ticking in engine, engine seized

NHTSA ODI 11519689

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Working with the data? Download all 1,153 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 20, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan verdict →