What 410 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan

specifics unknown check engine light came on cpl seconds before it started overheating / leaking coolant and or transmission fluid and overheating. and I'm not sure what. started last year but I don't drive very often so the issue just started last year

NHTSA ODI 11729672

I am filing this complaint regarding the service department at Vaden Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram. My complaint concerns a failure to properly diagnose a mechanical issue with my vehicle, misleading statements about the condition of the vehicle after repairs, and poor communication during the repair process. The vehicle is a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. Before bringing it to the dealership, the vehicle was jerking when slowing or coming to a stop. On February 19, 2026, a diagnostic scan showed code P0420 – Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1). At that time the vehicle was still drivable. On March 2, 2026, I brought the vehicle to the dealership and reported the jerking issue. I also asked that the throttle body and transmission be inspected. The dealership stated that the technician could not determine the cause of the problem but recommended maintenance repairs including tires, brakes, and rotor service. Based on their professional recommendation, I approved the repairs. On March 6, 2026, I picked up the vehicle and paid 1,416.21. I was told the vehicle passed inspection and a safety test drive. However, within approximately thirty minutes of leaving the dealership, the vehicle began jerking violently and shut off while I was driving. The vehicle had to be returned to the dealership. After the vehicle was returned, I was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. This was concerning because I had asked the dealership to check that component during the initial inspection. I was originally quoted about 2,800, and after discussions with management including Jim Fife, I paid 2,165 on March 14, 2026 for the catalytic converter repair. Despite paying a total of 3,581.21, the vehicle continued to show drivability problems. A new diagnostic scan showed codes P0420 and P219B (air-fuel ratio imbalance), suggesting the underlying issue may not have been properly diagnosed before replacing the catalytic converter. I attempted to resolve the issue.

NHTSA ODI 11724542

I am writing to formally request that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration review and consider an investigation into a potential safety-related defect affecting 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles. My vehicle recently experienced a failure of the engine oil filter housing, which cracked and leaked oil and required an expensive repair. According to the repair facility, Pro Auto Service, this failure is not isolated. I was advised that the shop has repaired a significant number of identical failures over the past year, to the extent that replacement parts have at times been difficult to obtain. The repair facility also indicated that many similar failures have occurred in recent weeks, coinciding with extreme cold weather conditions. The oil filter housing is a critical engine component responsible for maintaining proper oil circulation and pressure. Failure of this component can lead to oil loss, reduced lubrication, engine damage, or potential engine shutdown if not immediately addressed. Because this defect directly impacts engine operation, it presents a powertrain-related safety concern. Based on the frequency of reported failures, the consistency across the same model year, and the apparent correlation with cold weather conditions, this issue appears to be the result of a design or material defect rather than normal wear and tear. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this matter for possible investigation and recall consideration to protect vehicle owners from unexpected engine failure and costly repairs. Thank you for your attention to this concern and for your continued commitment to vehicle safety.

NHTSA ODI 11714179

My engine has begun the "Pentastar tick", which is surprisingly well-known, but not recalled. This is a serious safety issue because it can cause engine failure, which would cause an accident. Dodge has known about this problem for years, but refuses to fix it. I cannot afford to replace the engine and my van is sitting at the dealership, as of today. Please make them fix this! Why is there not a recall on these engines!?! Thankfully, there was no accident and I had the vehicle towed to the dealership, only to be told they are aware of it and I'm looking at $3,000-5,000 to "fix" it. However, the replacement parts would be the same as the original parts, so it's just going to keep happening. They are willfully and knowingly endangering families by not fixing this!

NHTSA ODI 11703478

Check engine light codes match possible recall for vehicle now I'm having the same issues

NHTSA ODI 11702466

The Flex Plate comes loose and rattles really loud. Needs to get repaired so that it doesnt break loose and starter falls out. This is a well known issue with this type of vehicle and costs a couple thousand to get fixed. Dodge dealership said this happens a lot with their vans.

NHTSA ODI 11696379

The engine began stalling and reving while driving. It is at the shop with an estimate of 2500.00 to 4000.00 to repair due to faulty cylinder #2. Researching this, we are not the first to have issues. As stated by my repair place, it’s a ticking time bomb waiting for it to cause a serious major incident and possible injuries. Vehicle is less than 8 years old and less than 100,000 miles

NHTSA ODI 11685161

The vehicle has cut off twice since purchased two days ago while turning. No warning signs I almost hit a sign and another car. There's no way to control the car once the power stops.

NHTSA ODI 11660631

I noticed some shifting issues, and some power loss along with an oil leak and the vehicle is not getting enough lubrication. The vehicle is only at 114010 miles and according to the dealership a new engine is needed. A new engine oil cooler was replaced however not the hoses and the problem still exists.

NHTSA ODI 11657782

While stopped at red lights, stopped in traffic or drive-thru services the vehicle to stall out and must be restarted to drive again. I took the vehicle to the auto repair shop, The KAR Shop in Rogers, AR. The board certified mechanic tried to diagnose the reason for the stall and stop and could not find a reason for the problem. The mechanic informed me of a recall on the make, model and year of the same I own. When I called the Dodge dealership they ran my VIN and informed me my particular Caravan is not part of the Electrical System:Wiring: Front Underhood recall that may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or no start condition. Even though my specific vehicle is not part of the recall, the same description of defect is happening to mine.

NHTSA ODI 11627603

I bought my 2017 dodge grand caravan in 2019 with 20,000 miles on it. Shortly after I had problems with the key not doing the automatic start. Then the wipers no longer sprayed fluid, then I noticed the van used some radiator fluid when we went drivingg any distance. Then the door locks stopped working.then the passenger slide door stopped shutting and locking or would close on the kids getting in the van. Now when I took it to the dodge dealership about a month th ago to fix the front seat trim that fell off, they said I had a leaky transmission hose. They fixed it a d charged for the flush and hose. One month later I'm getting an error code for the tranny. Had it flushed and paid again. They said they don't know maybe I need a new transmission. I ha e always done the up keep on this van oil changes and such. I looked up recalls a d everything happening to my van happened to the 2016 models. They were recalled for the same transmission problems. It only has 90000 miles. Now the dealership wa ts me to buy a transmission. Please help.

NHTSA ODI 11623339

originally coding a cylinder 2 misfire, I had spark plugs and coil packs replaced but the engine light continues to stay on. Have done multiple compression tests and it looks like the cylinder needs to be replaced and maybe the engine rebuilt. It wont pass inspection with the light on and the light is permanently on. already paid almost 1,000 to get spark plugs and coil packs replaced and diagnostics.

NHTSA ODI 11619131

It started off as the can stalling occasionally when I came to a stop. Then it became more and more frequent. Video is available to see the RPM move and then drop to 0. I then have to restart the vehicle which causes a delay which other drivers are not patient about. They immediately want to go and I have to flash my hazards and restart the van. Mechanical issue is unknown by the mechanic and dealer service department.

NHTSA ODI 11579910

Travelling at the speed of 55 miles per hour the vehicle seemed to completely shut off on its own, thus causing immediate loss of power steering and power brakes. I was able to very carefully bring the vehicle to a complete stop after a half a mile or so. Fortunately, I was travelling on a long straight county road without any surrounding traffic. Once I turned the ignition totally off and back on again at the side of the road, everything seems to operate as normal. No check engine light, no other warnings came on thereafter. After doing some research online I found customer complaints experiencing the very same issues with certain Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles, however Dodge doesn’t seem to have any sort of recall for this extremely hazardous issue. It seems like it may be a faulty ignition switch problem!

NHTSA ODI 11577390

2017 Grand Caravan - check engine light came on at about 90000 miles. Confirmed that it is a cylinder 2 misfire. Repair shop indicates that the cylinder needs to be re-machined (or the entire engine replaced) and also indicated that the cylinder 2 issue is well-known with the Chrysler/Dodge engines and was part of a recall for earlier models. Estimated repair cost is $4K - $5K.

NHTSA ODI 11559121

Cylinder 2 misfire and breaking

NHTSA ODI 11557017

Cylinder 2 Random mis-fire. Began fall 2022. Multiple attempts to repair failed. Cylinder head replaced in Feb/Mar 2023. September 10, 2023 same issue reoccurred. Engine began to mis-fire violently, needed to be towed back to Dodge dealership where original repair was completed. Mileage at the time of the head replacement 91205. Mileage when problem reoccurred 97108.

NHTSA ODI 11543650

Transmission Went out Last year I just found out I could report it this seems to be a common issue with these Vans and would be nice to get some help with repair costs as I was told around 6k to repair. Also the flywheel has a crack in it I ordered a new oem replacement hoping the transmission shop can replace that while they do the repairs.

NHTSA ODI 11536461

I bought my car in 2022 and am about to have to fix the transmission for the SECOND time for 3,000 dollars and am also being told the motor is going out. My neighbor had my same car and had the same issues. Transmission and motor failure.

NHTSA ODI 11525901

We own a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan with 72k miles on it. In February of 2023 we started to notice it did not seem as responsive on acceleration; it was especially noticeable on highway entrances ramps. Shortly after, the check engine light came on. We took it in to a local repair shop and were advised we needed spark plugs and coils replaced, but that did not solve the issue, and said we would need to take it to a dealer. We took the vehicle to our local Dodge dealership, and after ~$900 in diagnostics, they advised we would need an entire new cylinder, as the old one had been warped. A vehicle with only 72k miles should not need a new cylinder, the folks at the dealership even admitted as much. The total repair ended up costing ~$4k. I did some research and found the 2011-2013 Grand Caravans had a recall for the exact same issue, and after searching through the various complaints on the NHTSA website for the 2017 model, it seems clear this is still an issue. This is clearly an issue with the manufacturing process that has existed since 2011, and a new recall should be issued for Grand Caravans through at least 2017.

NHTSA ODI 11512232

I have 2017 Dodge Caravan, I loves this van I recently went to the shop to do routine repairs. Also get the engine light checked, the mechanic stated I need a tune up. A few days later after getting the tune up check engine light came back on, and van begin to ride rough and shake. The van was struggling to keep up with city speed limit and engine light came back on so I took the van back to the shop they checked engine light and it read cylinder 2 is back firing and get a tune up. That did't seemed right so the mechanic checked previous work, there was no problems with the parts they used for the tune up, the mechanic looked a little further to find out why the engine light still on. The mechanic said I need a cylinder, they told me to go to the dealer because they don't have that special tools to fix the cylinder. I said how much to replace the cylinder the mechanic said about 2,000 dollars or depending on the damages to the engine because of bad cylinder. They also said there were some coolant and other substance leaking onto the coil, wires causing damage to the engine, also in a short time the spark plugs and coils will be effected again. The mechanic said this can be very expensive to repair and I can't use my remote starter while the engine light is on this is so inconvenience. I am so upset I worked hard at keeping up repairs, keeping van nice and clean inside and out, I was just to the point of paying off my car loan off finally owning the van. Now this situation forcing me to make a decision keep my investment or trade it off, get back into debt and having a large car note, I don't want that I am so heart broken over this situation and not having the money to fix the van it's just to much. I was blind sided never, I would never thought this would happen to me and my family of six. OMG!

NHTSA ODI 11499292

The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was stalling despite depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that he replaced the coils and spark plugs; however, the failure recurred, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and after performing a compression test, the contact was made aware of a misfire in cylinder #2. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic and the previous diagnosis was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11493814

The passenger sliding door open and closes with no warning, hatch opens and closes with no warning, dogs were closed in and died due to this malfunction because they thought we were going somewhere. Horn goes off and on for no reason, ac in rear does comes on and off. Drivers side sliding door does not operate at this point. Now transmission is malfunction.

NHTSA ODI 11481474

1. The engine failed, and the engine light came on. It is available for inspection upon request. 2. It started shaking, slowing down, and it felt like it was going to stall, therefore, putting myself and others at risk. To this day, once in awhile I continue to feel it shake. 3. I've spoken to a mechanic about it, and he knew of this issue. He gave me information about it and referred me to the manufacturer. No others have inspected it. 4. The Dept of Motor Vehicles, and it failed inspection today on 7/2/22. 5. Check engine light appeared when the problem first started. They first appeared back around November 2021. Note: The spark plugs and coils were replaced 3 times in an effort to resolve this issue, and after that I found out that there was an issue reported with this back in 2011-2013 and is still occurring even though the company has stated that they fixed the problem according to my research.

NHTSA ODI 11472093

Two days after getting the vehicle inspected prior to a long road trip; the check engine light came on. Apparently, Dodge Vans commonly have a cylinder two misfire.My online research indicates this is an expensive repair and isn’t covered under warranty. We have 89k miles.

NHTSA ODI 11468813