Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Dodge Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Transmission stopped shifting, and a grinding noise was heard from the l front side under the van. Van had to be towed to dealership for evluation. Dealer identified damaged differential and transmission and advised replacement. Cost $2159.56. I contacted Dodge on 3 occasions and they refused to acknowledge that transmission was defective. They claim that van was out of warranty and would not assist with repair. They provided no explanation as to why transmission failed. This van had been maintained per manufacturer's recommendation but not at the dealership. Low use and impeccable condition of van could be confirmed by dealership staff.
Transmission failed at 65-70mph. There was no pressure or warning before vehicle acted without gears. Motor was running with no overdrive/ brake lights, and no engagement of gears. Also, there was a sudden loss of speed on a busy turnpike. Transmission was rebuild in March of 2000 . Transmission came with an under sized/ overdiver/ reverse clutch piston small size, causing it to be knocked around, and making some debris which got into area. Original transmission failed at 79665 miles when the original owner was in possession of the vehicle, the replacement failed at 79665, resulting in sudden loss of speed with no warning.
Problem occurs after two or more hours of sustained freeway driving. Car jerks, slows slightly with engine racing and little or no power at gas pedal. After 2-3 seconds, engine "shifts back in gear" stops racing, and power is restored to gas pedal. Repeats this cycle seven to ten times in space of ten minutes. If gas pedal is pressed to floor and burst of fuel sent through system, the problem does not reccur for the remainder of trip (up to six hours). On the next long drive, it will happen again. I do not want to be driving when the transmission gives out entirely (see article consumer reports oct '99, pp20-23). Please help.
4-speed automatic transmission continues to display severe shuttering at highway speeds. Additionally, power will suddenly decrease and the vehicle slow down, then rapidly accelerate. There have been repeated repair attempts. Problem does not always present itself, so it is difficult for dealer to troubleshoot. Most recently, because the dealer technician could not get the problem to present itself, the Chrysler field office refused repair efforts - despite my claims and evidence.
Defective transmission - when vehicle was in "d" it would slip operating in a netural position when driving ESP when stopped. Sometimes shifting back in to "d" position causing vechilce to sudden move forward with little warning. Or if vehicle was stop on an incline (hill) the vechilce would roll back which sometimes came close to hitting the vechicle behind. Feeling is that the tranmission is faulty. Cost of repair was $1708.25 to repair.
Cost $2400. Transmission shop keeps them on the shelf, since failure is so common!!! One technician thinks he's done 13 of them. After doing a little research, I feel like a schmuck for buying the vehicle. I had no idea Chrysler sold such a piece of crap. I hope daimler fires all their butts.
I noticed rough shifting then it became worse the transmission would hunt arround 40 MPH I notified the dealer they found other problems but the trans checked out now four months later , my transmission is totally gone along with the housing unit pieces of metal were found underneath the van
Intermittently when accelerating the vehicle would jump. After a while the vehicle would not exceed speeds of 55mph. The dealer has inspected the vehicle and disassembled the transmission and discovered that the clutch was burned out. Owner contacted that manufacturer.
Transmission seals is leaking fluid, resulting in transmission failure, transmission does not shift into gear when driving. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer states the transmission needs replacing. Please provide any further details.
This problem has happened twice, both times at highway speeds on crowded roads. The second time almost caused a major traffic accident. The first time was on rt 29 just ouside charlottesville on 4 April 1999. After almost 2 hours of driving (speed 55 cruise control on), the car transmission jerked a bit and then went (seemingly) into neutral. Took cruise control off and tried to accelerate, no response. Without any acceleration the car slowed quickly. Fortunately we were in the right hand lane, and were able to coast off the road into a parking lot. The transmission was not engaged (although in drive). The motor sputtered and died and would not restart. We had the car towed back to the dealerhip (lustine) in woodbridge. After the tow truck dropped off the vehicile, I was able to start it, put it in drive, and park it. …
Transmission complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1995 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1995 Dodge Grand Caravan, 22% of the model year's 108 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Dodge Grand Caravan transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1995 Dodge Grand Caravan, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.