What 410 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan

The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled in the middle of the roadway an dfailed to restart. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the engine bay. There was not warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to AAMCO Transmissions, where it was diagnosed that the water pump housing had split in half. The water pump was replaced. The contact stated that shortly after the repair, the thermostat gauge started fluctuating and the vehicle overheated. The vehicle was taken to JJ Auto Repair and Collisions, where it was diagnosed with catastrophic engine block failure. A new engine was purchased and installed on the vehicle; however, the vehicle suddenly stalled while driving 40 MPH. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with alternator failure. The alternator and the battery were replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where the battery was replaced. Additionally, AutoZone tested the newly installed alternator and determined that the alternator was faulty; however, several mechanics determined that the alternator was in good condition. The contact related the failures to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V278000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) and 18V524000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but denied reimbursement for the expenses. The failure mileage was approximately 90,489.

NHTSA ODI 11742088

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

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

NHTSA ODI 11702466

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

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

IN DEC, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR WOULD DO LIKE GOING OVER SPEED TACKS, SHAKE, WHEN IT WAS BETWEEN 45 TO 60 MPH. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP FOR READING, THEY COULDN'T GET A GOOD READING, IT STOPPED. THEN I PAID EXTRA FOR THEM TO TAKE TRANSMISSION PAN OFF. TOLD I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS VEHICLE IS A 2017. THIS WAS DEC 2020. HAD TRANSMISSION DONE. ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. WHEN I CAME BACK , 180 MILES TO VISIT FAMILY, I HAD IT LOOKED AT AGAIN. SHOWING 6 COIL, MISFIRE. THE CAR HAD 85000 MILES. HAD THE 6 COIL REPLACED, ALL PLUGS AND WIRES. LEFT, DROVE 180 MILES , NEXT DAY LIGHT CAME ON. I WASN'T DRIVING THE CAR MUCH AND WAS COMING BACK , ENGINE LIGHT ON, CAR RAN FIND. NEXT DAY, WAS AT A RED LIGHT, GAVE GAS AND THE CAR SPUTTER LIKE IT WASN'T GETTING GAS AND WANTED TO DIED. I PUSH ON THE GAS PADDLE AND HURRIED TO GET TO MY DAD'S. HAD A READING SAYING IT WAS CATALYTIC CONVERTED. AFTER THE WEEKEND I TOOK IT TO MUFFLER SHOP. SAID IT WASN'T GIVING THEM THAT READING, BUT MISFIRE AND 6 COIL. TOOK TO A MECHANIC, HE REPLACE 6 COIL AND SAID PLUGS WHERE GOOD, THAT THEY WERE NEW. BUT, I DID NEED AN AIR FILTER. GOT CAR. FEW HOURS LATER, ENGINE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. READING SHOWED COIL AND MISFIRE. GOING BACK TO MECHANIC, AGAIN. AFTER A RED LIGHT STOP, IT FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIED AS IF IT WASN'T GETTING GAS. I GAVE IT MORE GAS. THEY CHANGE EVERYTHING AGAIN, EVEN CROSS PARTS TO MAKE SURE. IT IDLES HARD IN PARK OR SITTING IN DRIVE. MORE GAS IT SEEMS TO DO OK. ALSO, ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER BUYING IT, HAD TO REPLACE BATTERY. 2013 WAS IN IT. SO, MUCH FOR WANTING TO RETIRE, THIS CAR HAS PUT ME INTO DEBT. I WISH I HAD STAYED WITH A TOYOTA. OWN 6 AND NEVER , COST ME MORE THAN REGULAR SERVICE. AND AGAIN, MISFIRE READING, COIL 6. WITHIN A MONTH ,TWICE ITS BEEN REPLACED AND PLUGS AND STILL BACK LIKE IT WAS. SINCE END OF DEC, BEEN IN SHOP 4 XS, SAME READING,SAME CRAP.

NHTSA ODI 11395661

THE RPM IS INESTABLE, THE TRANSMISSION HARD SHIFT, COOLANT SISTEM OF ENGINE HAVE PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI 11389343

SMELL OF GAS EMITTING FROM UNDER VEHICLE. WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND WINDOWS UP, IT CAN BE SMELLED, WHEN PARKED AFTER DRIVING CAN SMELL GAS ALL THE WAY AROUND THE VEHICLE, WHEN IDLE TO COOL OFF INTERIOR. FUEL CAN BE SMELLED ON FIRST APPROACH. MY WIFE AND KIDS HAVE ALL SMELLED IT IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS OF VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI 11338849

ESTABA CORRIENDO NORMALMENTE Y DE MOMENTO LE DI GASOLINA Y NO RESPONDI AL CAMBIO Y COMO QUE SE ACELERO(HIZO UN RUIDO FUERTE) Y DIO UN CANTAZO COGI EL CAMBIO Y ARRANCO DE MOMENTO. LUEGO SE LE PEGO UN RUIDO COMO SI UNA MANGA ESTUVIESE RASPANDO ALGO Y LA PARE. NO LA HE USADO MAS, PRIMERO POR MIEDO QUE ME PASE ALGO CON MIS HIJOS Y LUEGO POR LA CUARENTENA DEL COVID19. AGRADECER ME INFORMEN QUE PUEDE HACER, DONDE PUEDO LLAMAR O QUE PUEDO HACER. NO PUEDO LLAMAR A NINGN LUGAR YA QUE TODO ESTA CERRADO. LA GUAGUA TIENE GARANTA. GRACIAS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11320640

'CHRYSLER'S TIPM IS A COMPUTER RUN AMUCK ' OWNERS REPORT THAT THEIR VEHICLES ACT AS IF POSSESSED AND LEAVE THEM IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS ' STALLED VEHICLES STRANDED WITHOUT WARNING ON THE HIGHWAY, FUEL PUMPS THAT WON'T SHUT OFF, WINDOWS THAT OPEN AND SHUT, AIRBAGS THAT WON'T DEPLOY. ' CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY DIRECTOR, CLARENCE DITLOW' THE FUEL PUMP NOT TURNING OFF AND BURNING OUT THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING OR DEPLOYING RANDOMLY THE ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING THE STARTER CRANKS BUT WON'T START THE HORN GOING OFF AT RANDOM TIMES POWER WINDOWS NOT WORKING DOORS LOCKING OR UNLOCKING THEMSELVES AS I WAS DRIVING WITH MY 3 CHILDREN THE VAN STARTED ACTING UP. I WAS NEARLY IN AN ACCIDENT . MY LIGHTS DIDN'T WORK, NO TURN SIGNALS, WIPERS DIDN'T TURN OFF AND DOORS LOCKED AND COULDN'T UNLOCK THEM. IF WE WOULD OF BEEN HIT, WE COULD NOT HAVE GOTTEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY WHILE WE WERE MOVING.

NHTSA ODI 11309686

WHILE ENTERING FREEWAY ONRAMP ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND VEHICLE FOLLOWING HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID COLLISION. BELIEVE ENGINE OUTPUT LESSENED BY CYLINDER 2 MISFIRE ISSUE COMMON WITH DODGE ENGINES CREATING FAILURES AND LOSS OF COMPRESSION AND REDUCED POWER WITH SPORADIC LOSS OF ACCELERATION WHEN NEEDED.

NHTSA ODI 11283116

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SHOOK AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GWINNETT CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (5054 US-78, STONE MOUNTAIN, GA 30087, (678) 384-4774) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE WAS SHORTING OUT THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ODI 11151249

I WAS SITTING IN TRAFFIC WAITING FOR THE RED LIGHT TO TURN GREEN. MY RIGHT FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE AND THE VAN IMMEDIATELY LUNGED FORWARD. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE ASAP, BUT THE CAR SITTING IN FRONT OF ME WAS HIT IN THE REAR. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THIS RENTAL VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD QUICKLY FOR NO REASON. I RESEARCHED OTHER INCIDENTS WITH THIS SAME MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE AND FOUND LOTS OF INCIDENTS THAT WERE VERY SIMILAR. SOME SURGED IN SPEED FOR NO REASON AND SOME LUNGED FORWARD FOR NO REASON; AS WELL AS MANY OTHER SCENARIO'S THAT WERE SIMILAR. SOME SAY IT RELATES TO A PROBLEM WITH THE TIPM AND FUEL PUMP AND OTHER REASONS WERE CITED.

NHTSA ODI 11063549