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 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My minivan was in park with the engine running while I delivered a package to a neighbor during a thunder, lightning, rain storm. The van jumped into gear, raced forward and pinned me to the neighbor's door for more than an hour before being rescued. I spent several days in the intensive care unit of a hospital with a severe crush injury and hip sprain to my right leg. When the car was examined by my dealer/mechanic, nothing registered on the computer. I have located at least 2 other instances of this make, model, year jumping into or out of gear, with injuries.
Dodge gc 2001 stalled while in motion with no warning during a very heavily traveled area in a school zone with many potential hazards. Luckily I was only going about 10 mphs and coming to a stop. I interrupted flow of traffic at time of failure and when the tow truck came. A police officer helped direct traffic. Mechanic said leak detection pump went out which caused the PCM (power train control module) to short out. This PCM controls many electrical elements. The engine light is on, the speedometer and passenger window doesnt work and I am told that several systems could fail but it is driveable. I have searched many dealerships in many states with all the same answer. The part I need, the PCM, is on national back order. There are none available in the us. This is the only vehicle I have to transport my children. …
1. There were no warning signs, according to the mechanic it wasn't going bad it just went. 2. I was pulling out of a parking lot into traffic when suddenly the vehicle just stopped moving. I was merging into traffic and instead of getting out and going I got out and almost got hit. The car coming towards me slammed on the breaks and was able to swerve around me. 3. The rear planitary gear weld failed, this failure was described as a sudden catastrophic failor. The vehicle could not be put into park. It was towed into the dealership they said the fluid was bad and the filter clogged. The vehicle has 55,000 miles they say the 7/70 warrenty didnt apply to my model. The second mechanic said there was nothing wrong with the filter or the fluid that they have to replace a lot of these part the welds fail alot. …
I purchased a 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan in August of 2005 with 73K miles. Vehicle smelled musty (stagnant water). Three trips to shop to diagnose and fix sway bar link, bushing, strut and strut mount problem to cure a clunking sound on front end. Transmission slips out of gear to neutral at whim. Also, shifts through first 3 gears (automatic) at whim causing vehicle to lurch. However, shop cannot duplicate these problems or the problem with my non working cruise control. At this point, I have spent a lot of money for non-diagnosis. The dealership charges everytime for not being able to find the problem. They say it is fine. I tell them that it is not fine that they just can't find it. I am disturbed by the number of posts re: to sway bar problems and transmission problems and the fact that no one is holding Chrysler/Dodge accountable. …
My wife was driving normally less than .2 miles from the house. The speed limit is 40 MPH. The roads were dry. My wife heard and "explosion" and pulled off the road believing that she had a blow out. The car stalled. Not knowing what the problem was, all the tires were inflated, she returned home. By the time she returned to the house there was no transmission fluid in the vehicle. I had it towed to a repair shop (buddies automotive [phone]) the repair shop indicated that the pin that Dodge uses in the differential is undersized and hollow, and that it had sheared off sending parts through the casing of the transmission. The transmission is being replaced. The replacement is built by a company who has performed studies on the transmission and has modified this section of the transmission to make them safe and reliable. If you have any further questions, please feel free to call me. …
At approx. 59,000 miles, the transmission on our 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan started lurching and slamming when you put it in gear. After only 1 1/2 days of minor occurrences, before we could have the car looked at, the transmission completely locked up. Fortunately, my husband was able to get it into gear to get it out of the street, but it would not get into gear at all after that. We had to tow it. We are now having to pay $2000 to rebuild the transmission. This is our only car for carrying our twin toddlers, and this is the second Chrysler vehicle we have owned that has had transmission failure before 70,000 miles. My best friend also had to get rid of a Chrysler lebaron with the exact same issue. There is a systematic problem with Chrysler transmissions, and it is a known defect that is sold to consumers. …
At about 32,000 miles I had taken my van in for an oil change and asked the Dodge dealer to look at the transmission. It had been shifting rough occasionally, and they looked at it, and said it was fine. Last week I was driving down the 10 freeway at about 70 MPH when the transmission seized for about 2-3 seconds, the van's front wheels locked up, and the van slid sideways, then the transmission broke loose, and I was able to regain control and get the van to the slow lane and proceed to exit. I then had the van towed to Dodge were they seemed surprised that the transmission failed. And now I read about on the internet that its notrious for this. I had a co worker with me and we were both physically shaken. I believe this is a major deffect in the vehicle and should be investigated! Please help do something.
Dt: 2001 Grand Caravan sport, consumer says headlights flickered unpredictably. Engine ran rough, and battery light came on. This happened at night at least once a month. Took vehicle to dealer, who checked the van but could not duplicate the problem, no fault codes found in computer, updated PCM. Vehicle was serviced regularly. Problem began not more than a month after purchasing van. The problem still persists periodically.
The check engine light came on. I had it checked and was told that it is a computer failure. (PCM has failure.) the van only has 59,000 miles on it. The Dodge dealership says PCM is not covered under warranty and there is a $900 charge for replacement. The van has been serviced regularly and I feel that something this essential and expensive should not go out on a van this age with this mileage.
During normal driving the transmission torque converter failed which tehn resulted in a transmission pump failure. Vehicle became undriveable. Transmission required total build. Vehicle had only 56K miles and was never used to tow anything. Per dealer, Chrysler denied any responsibility and refused to offer financial assistance.
Transmission complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan, 10% of the model year's 298 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2001 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 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries 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.