Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My 10 year old daughter accidentally knocked the shifting lever out of park with out her foot on the brake. The van went in to neutral and came down our drive way and hit a snowbank coming close to a foot from hitting my home. The door hit my husband's truck and crushed the drivers side door on the van into the fender. The lift gate on the back caved in. Luckily my daughter was able to get out from between the door and the van before it rolled. It never should have shifted with out the brake being pressed.
I own a 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan sport. The transmission has failed with less than 66,000 miles on the vehicle. From my research, daimlerchrysler has known about the premature transmission failure for over 15 years but have refused to remedy the situation while continuing to install the same transmissions in all Dodge, Chrysler and Plymouth vans. In 1992, Chrysler renamed the a604 ultradrive as the 41te transmission to escape bad publicity! Why is the government letting this continue? Do we have to wait until someone gets killed?
Without warning vehicle "lunged forward" and lost speed and speedometer went to "0mph". Veh would not shift out of 1st or 2d gear. We are military stationed in Germany and this is our own veh. Veh taken to a local shop that honors U.S. Warranty and we were told that 27 other vans had the same problem at this time and were also waiting for a new transmission. It took 6 weeks for a transmission to become available...obviously a problem if that many other vehicles had the same problem and took that long to get a tranmission.
Approximatel;y an hour after mva (damage to front drivers side), I left to accident scene. Transmission would not shift, so pulled over at first avaliable area. The engine caught on fire. Insurance estimates in excess of $6000 of structural damage form accident in addition to fire. Vehicle is total loss. I don't believe the crumble zones properly protected to frame. I don't think the vehicle should have caught on fire. Investigation of NHTSA web site produced NHTSA action number ea99013 which prompted contact.
At approximately 80,000 miles axle pin come loose and breaks through the transmission case. Need new transmission. Have to replace transmission but this is a common problem with these transmissions. I think it should be under warranty no matter what the miles because it is a common problem. They do not sell the vehicle as a 80,000 mile then replace vehicle and if it is common, I think they should replace the transmission and repay everyone who has had to get there transmission replaced.
I have a 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan, VIN # [redacted] with 47,300 miles. Here lately it will shift rough sometimes and I would like to know if there is a service bullitten concerning this situation or if it needs to be serviced and what I should advise the service department to check. I am not sure they service the transmission at 25,000 miles. As a service and training manager for york I know the value of correct service. Thanks. Updated 07/24/2012
The transmission failed in my 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan sport with less than 66,000 miles on it. I was able to get it to the dealership where I bought it using the "limp home" mode! I contacted daimlerchrysler and asked them to pay for the repairs and they declined. I was aware of this problem when I bought it four years ago but was told that it had been resolved!
The fuel line is not secured to the undercarriage. It came out of its open u shaped hanger and fell against the driveline. The drive line then wore a hole in the gas line shutting down the vehicle and spewing fuel all over. Stranding everyone. Luckily it did not start a fire from the muffler. It has been repaired and tied to the hanger so that it will not come out again.
While driving on the highway at 65 MPH there was a sudden grinding noise. A technician inspected the vehicle and determined that the transmission was falling apart and that the vehicle shouldn't be driven. The consumer spoke to the dealership who indicated that these transmissions have a high failure rate, but they didn't indicated what is causing the failure.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the wheels locked up. The vehicle slid off of the road into a snow bank and was towed to an independent repair shop. The repair shop determined a pin in the transmission came out, causing the wheels to lock up. The pin in the transmission was replaced. Updated 03/15/06.
Transmission complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 72 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan, 17% of the model year's 432 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (50 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan, though it has 3 recalls 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.
At what mileage do 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries and 1 death to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.