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 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the roadway. The contact waited for the engine to cool down and then restarted the vehicle. The vehicle then started operating normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the contact was unsure what was replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed at the dealer. The failure mileage was 140,000.
The distance was about 35 miles from our home, bout 45 minutes drive. Driver didn't notice anything wrong with the engine or see any warning lights. The car was swaying like on a windy day, another car honked at us, then we heard loud road noise. We pulled over and turned off the engine. Saw the rear passenger tire was flat to the rim. Noticed a smoky smell. Saw little puffs of white smoke coming from under the hood. To be safe we removed children from the car; two 4 yr old children were in the backseat buckled in their car-seats. Infant was in the middle drivers side seat buckled in his car seat. Driver and car owner were in the front. Keys were removed from the ignition. We walked away from the vehicle, waited at the fence-line away from the vehicle while calling for a tow. Smoke appeared to have stopped for about 5 minutes. …
Car stalls while I am driving it. Took it to car dealer and it doesn't pop up with codes, so they say they can't figure out what is wrong. Head over mechanics drove it and he was driving it at 30 miles an hour and it turned off and he said he almost wrecked my car. Mechanic also duplicated it, but no codes, so they are saying they don't know what to fix. It is the only transportation I have, but is very dangerous to drive as when it stalls I have no power steering or brakes. I am at my wits end, because I have tried to reach Chrysler itself and all I get is customer service and they have a case open, but getting no results. I also have clunking in my transmission, but again no codes. I am at my wits end and don't know where to go from here. I can't afford to keep putting money in this car and it not get fixed. I still owe 5 years on this car also. …
The 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan left hand side wiring loom wears on an aluminum obtrusion beneath where it lies. This causes the wire's shielding to be worn off and causes shorting. The engine will die when the wire contacts metal or each other during travel. This problem will cause the engine to die at road speeds leaving the vehicle without steering, brakes, and other safety related equipment. I believe this to be common and undetected because the wear point is on the underside of the wiring loom near the engine. The harness is hard to lift and inspect because of the location and lack of slack at the point of the obtrusion. Vibration causes the short, the vehicle will normally start after coming to a stop when there is no friction between the worn wires. …
'Takata recall' when driving at speeds of 55-60 . Then applying the brake quickly to stop the transmission jumps forward at times. Also on occasions the when driving the vehicle for a hour or so , if you apply the brake when at a light or stop sign the vehicles r.p.m will idle at 2-2.5 as opposed to 1-1.5 . Feeling as though it's lungin you forward.. I have a warranty on this vehicle which is up on 2-26-18 . This vehicle only has 83,000 miles on it . Hopefully this time they fix the issue. I have owned two other Dodge vans and they all have had the same issue. But due to the fact , there are no check engine lights on they never catch the issue. So it's not until my warranty runs out and I have to pay out of pocket that they find the issue. Im frustrated due to the fact , after you ad the cost of ownership and the place that sold you the car , says they can't duplicate problem. …
The vehicle has unexpectedly shut off (I.e. Gone dead) 30-40 times in the past 9 months. I previously took the vehicle to Dodge dealership and they did not find any problem with the ignition. There were no error codes in the vehicle computer. Dearlership suggested removing all extra keys/key rings...so did so. When it shuts off, the engine stops running, loss of power steering, loss of power brakes, and im guessing the air bags. Although the van predominantly shuts off at low speeds (10-15 MPH) shortly after starting the car, it now occurs more frequently at highway speeds (60 MPH) and after the car has been running for 2 hours. The shut down has got to be electronic as the engine does not sputter (the engine and all electronics go dead). Also we use only the key in the ignition (no key ring or extra key weight) and the key does not move out of the on position. …
Was entering a parking place. Right foot on top of brake. While my car was moving at idol speed-the engine RPM's speed surges causing no control in steering, brake . The surgeing over rides the brake. Steering, everything.. Hit parked car. You have no control in situation. Had another "2010" van & same thing happened going thru garage door -2nd time almost hit building at my dentist building. Dealership made deal & switched to present van. Now this one has done it. Chrysler has inspected van for two weeks. They found nothing wrong . Case number at Chrysler is #23859956. Can't drive this van again. Next time May injure or kill someone. Found many with same trouble on internet. How do we get Chrysler to notice before someone is badly hurt. They are waiting for me to pick up my van?????. Don't know if I can do it. Also have to fix bumper for $800.00 .
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving 20-60 MPH, the vehicle shut down, and lost power steering and power braking ability. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over and restarted. The vehicle was taken to don miller Dodge Chrysler Jeep (5802 odana rd, madison, wi 53719-1212, [phone]) where a diagnostic test was recommended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred ten times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000. Consumer took vehicle to a local autozone for a computer check. Consumer was told that the problem would not show up because the check engine light was not on. Consumer says that issue is similar to manufacturer recall lo2 (win module).
Two things happening occasionally...1st is that sometimes I attempt to start the van and when I turn the key nothing happens as if I didn't even try to turn the key. One time just before this happened I could not use the key fab to unlock the door to the van, almost like the battery to the van or fab was dead, however both were new or fine. After pulling fab out of ignition and trying a second time van has always started without incident. 2nd issue is that on a few spread out occasions the van will quit shifting gears while excellerating causing the RPM's to rev dangerously. So far after getting to a safe place and turning the van off and restarting has cleared the issue...however is unclear what is causing and is very dangerous when you are on the highway before you realize whats happening.
While driving at 35-40mph on a rural zone the steering wheel suddenly felt 'locked' and was extremely difficult to steer. At the same time the brakes were hard to press and the traction control dash light came on. My wife was driving and frightened her very much. The road has a slight curve in it and has oncoming traffic in the opposite lane. She had to forcibly steer the van as best she could against the sidewalk curb to help slow down the van. If she had made it to the freeway when this happened I don't think the results would be the same as far as her safety. I looked up the symptoms and found it to be a common problem and that even a recall might be in place for this issue. Please forward me any info that will help me correct this problem.
Transmission complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan, 5% of the model year's 870 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan, though it has 6 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 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury 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.