Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
When drive over 60mph I smell burn from front hood. I took to Dodge dealership. They said oil leaking so paid $950 , 3 weeks later car broke down like can't go over 30mph, Aqcell won't go up , I took to dealership again , he said transmission I paid $4600( October) it used transmission. After change transmission drive was uncomfortable, not smoothly like before. I took dealership he said It because differen transmission, so need takes a while to get use to it. (Idk it true or not) And engine light on over 7 times and still burning smell if drive over 60mph. Dealership kepts 3 days but they said car is fine. Im like how heck fine? If I drive 60mph now I can smell burn . Feel very uncomfortable to drive i have 3 kids always with me but can't sell car with this conditions . Any advice appreciate
The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle revved up but, failed to shift into gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the transmission had failed and needed to be repaired or replaced. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V461000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The contact stated while stopped at a stop light, the vehicle intermittently stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact made the dealer aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the thermostat and spark plugs; however, the check engine warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
- Check engine light - code: P0302 (Misfire Cylinder) - This is a converted wheelchair mini-van and I am in a wheelchair. Break-down on freeway would leave me stranded. - Apparently this #2 cylinder problem was part of a recall for 2011-13 Pentar 3.6L engines and from what I have read online the problem still persist and in 01/2022 a class action lawsuit has been filed against FCA for this exact problem (See attached). - I have taken the van into both the dealer and independent service center - Heads need replacing due to known bad cylinder head problem with these engines. - Check engine light came on in 03/2022 and I paid to have plugs and head gasket replaced only for the P0302 light to come immediately back on. Took back in and 2nd experienced tech confirmed head problem and instructed me to go to dealer; dealer confirmed head problem but said no recall available as of yet. …
Check engine light came on and took to local mechanic. P0302 code, car has 113,000 miles so new plugs and coils. Drove car for two days and light came back on with same code. Mechanic was confused as to why it was occurring and we did some research to see this seems to be a somewhat common occurrence. Cylinder head needs to be replaced. These seems to be the same issue that was covered under service bulletin 09-002-14 REV. B but was not extended to include newer models that are experiencing the same issue. Apparently Chrysler did not fix the original issue it seems and will not update the service bulletin. Contacted the dealer from which we purchased the vehicle, Len Stoler Inc. 1001 Baltimore Boulevard, Westminster MD 21157. …
Premature failure of valve lifters and damage to exhaust and intake camshafts. Engine had 59074 miles on it and used appropriate Valvoline synthetic blend oil since approx 15,000 miles. Valve train started ticking and got progressively louder in less than a two week period. Engine oil system was flushed and reserviced with appropriate Valvoline synthetic blend oil once again. Valve ticking got progressively louder and the vehicle went in for repairs. Valve Lifters had premature bearing failure on multiple Lifters causing excessive wear on both the Exhaust and Intake Camshafts as well as the Valve Lash Adjusters. The vehicle was outside of the warranty window. Cost for repairs was $2,272.34. I was informed by the garage who did the repairs that this is a ongoing problem with the Pentar 3.6L
The transmission on this van and pretty much after replacing it the hydraulic lifters are going out. I started to hear a noise and when the guy did my brakes and rotors he left me know that this is a very common issues with the Dodge vans and I feel like Dodge is making these vehicles unsafe as it can cause the engine to just stop and you can be on the highway and as I have kids in the car sometimes. Hydraulic lifters in all years of the dodge caravan causes major issues please have them fix this and they should have to do a recall on these and fix the lifters because they definitely are doing it on these vans. If people are driving and they don't hear the noise it can be so unsafe.
Light came on (not flashing) took to Auto Zone for a diagnostic which the ASE Certified Technician said the error code was PO301 cylinder 1 misfire was detected and it was the #1 spark plug and it needed new one. However the spark plugs are not scheduled for maintenance until 100 k miles and my van is just over 60 k and I had my dealership do the 60k maintenance in March but didn't include the spark plugs. We had a mechanic from out of town look at it per our dealership as we were out of town. He reset the code on 6-1-2021and it came back on after 7 days for two weeks it went off and came back on again on 6-11 and went off on the 14th. Today is the 15th of June, 2021.
I drove over a pot whole that hit the transmission. The transmission was replaced but 3 different times each one contuines to fail. Before the transmission incident. My car would lose power while driving. There was knocking noise from the engine. The transmission shifted slow before as well. But after the transmission being changed out there's been leakes power lost again and more knocking. The car been through insurance already.
Engine complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan, 14% of the model year's 281 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan, though it has 4 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 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.