Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and coming to a complete stop, the vehicle would shut off. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle would restart, however, the vehicle would stall when driving from the complete stop at higher speed. The contact stated that he would shift into neutral (N) while at a complete stop and would then drive at approximately 15 MPH to prevent the vehicle from stalling. The vehicle was taken to two different independent mechanics who diagnosed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
On December 29, 2025, my wife put her van in park, turned off the vehicle and proceeded to exit the vehicle. The drive is on an incline after exiting the vehicle it began to roll backwards. She was caught in the door and attempted to press the brake to no effect. She was drug about fifty feet before separating from the vehicle. The vehicle then rolled down a steep embankment and continued another hundred feet or so where it struck a building. Upon entering the vehicle, the gear shift was in the park position and the engine was turned off. The vehicle sustained over $5,000 in body damage from the impact to the building. And an unknown amount of damage to the steering and exhaust system from rolling down the embankment.
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at various highway speeds, the vehicle intermittently shifted into neutral(N) without warning. In addition, the contact stated that the instrument panel failed to provide correct gear selection. The contact stated that the gear indicator would show that the transmission was in reverse(R) while the transmission was in drive(D). The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road and shift the vehicle into park(P); however, the vehicle was stuck in reverse(R), and failed to shift to neutral(N). The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and DTC: P1602 (PCM not Programmed) and P0606 (Error with PCM) were retrieved. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to properly shift gear. The vehicle started to shift gear at approximately 50 MPH. There was an abnormal winding sound detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the third and fourth gear were inoperable. There were no shavings in the engine. The dealer recommended that the transmission be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.
As I was driving home on a city street, the entire car locked. I had no steering control. My brakes didn't work the Entire vehicle locked. In the middle of the street. I turned the ignition off, put it in park and restarted the car only then did it work properly. This is the second time this vehicle has locked. This is very dangerous as I had a child in the car with me and I was in traffic. My brakes didn't work, I had to use two feet really hard then I was able to stop the vehicle. The steering wheel didn't work. Nothing worked. I don't know What's the problem. The very first time this happened, while dropping the child off at school, I put the car in park, I was not able to get the shifter out of park. The car locked. …
I bought my 2017 dodge grand caravan in 2019 with 20,000 miles on it. Shortly after I had problems with the key not doing the automatic start. Then the wipers no longer sprayed fluid, then I noticed the van used some radiator fluid when we went drivingg any distance. Then the door locks stopped working.then the passenger slide door stopped shutting and locking or would close on the kids getting in the van. Now when I took it to the dodge dealership about a month th ago to fix the front seat trim that fell off, they said I had a leaky transmission hose. They fixed it a d charged for the flush and hose. One month later I'm getting an error code for the tranny. Had it flushed and paid again. They said they don't know maybe I need a new transmission. I ha e always done the up keep on this van oil changes and such. …
Engine/Transmission: Transmission was replaced by Manufacture. P/T Not shifting into gear properly. Hard shifting into gear. Slow start climbing incline in hills, speeds up drastically when the car is starting to decline, knocking noise. Dash lights, odometer, and warning lights come on and off without warning. The car has to be turned on and off to make the odometer, dash lights and warning lights rest and work. Safety: 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan will suddenly stop while driving at 65--70 mph in traffic without notice. The vehicle is unable to be physically moved out of the drive gear or any gear. The vehicle has been inspected by Doge dealership and found nothing wrong several times. Transmission light is on. No warning lamps, or messages to tell the driver the vehicle will suddenly stop at a high rate of speed or any speed. …
We purchased this car in 2019 at 55k miles. We had a transmission failed at 92k miles. My wife was left at a light and had to baby it home. It was replaced by a Mopar remanufactued unit that was supposed to be reinforced and have fixed parts from design flaws. A local dealership fixed it after several weeks and getting a loaned car. Next failure was 2 years later in 2023 at around 130k miles. This part was under Mopar 3 year 100k mile warranty and left my wife stranded on the road. The transmission was replaced by the local dealership this time cars were scarce and they didn't have a loaner. We had to get a rental and we're reimbursed. At 177k?miles it's happening again. I can't do this anymore. This transmission is defective and should be recalled. Timeline 92,000 miles - original transmission failed 130,000 miles - Mopar reman failed 180,000 miles - slipping, hard shifts, high RPM
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V524000 (Electrical System) which she linked to the failure. The contact also stated that an abnormal whining sound was coming from the vehicle while the vehicle was stationary. Additionally, the contact stated that the air bag warning light was intermittently flashing on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that an air bag sensor needed to be replaced; however, the parts for the repair were on backorder. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Transmission complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan, 9% of the model year's 414 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2017 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 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires 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.