Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My report is to hopefully get a recall started on the transmission of my vehicle. I do not yet have 100,000 miles on my vehicle and need a new transmission. I realize now every time that it accelerated strangely or delayed in acceleration that my transmission was defective all along since I purchased the vehicle. I assumed it was me getting used to the vehicle but I now realize since I had my vehicle inspected by 3 different mechanics, 2 of them specialized in transmissions, that it is defective. The two specialists mechanics told me that this is a known problem for this type of vehicle and I beg of you to investigate this matter immediately. Further, the design of my vehicle's transmission is completely enclosed, which doesn't allow it to be repaired without removal and rebuilding. I still owe quite a bit of money on this vehicle, and I cannot even drive it more than a few blocks. …
I had bought my van in August 2022 used from a dealership and was never offered an extended warranty or anything. In January 2023 my 2018 Grand Caravan started making a noise and I thought it was the pulley. Took it to the mechanic and come to find out it was the flex plate inside the transmission. I had that fixed in January 2023 which cost $1000. There was no warning for the flex plate. Then October 18, 2023 my van again started making a noise and driving properly. I had someone look at it and was told it was low on transmission fluid. I checked it fluid on the next day and it was full. Went to drive it on October 20, 2023 and it didn't want to shift and when I was able to go the transmission didn't engage and didn't catch a gear. I was able to get around the corner and I had to pull off the side of the road. As I pulled over the transmission light ha come on. …
I have a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan I bought used from a CDJR dealer. I went on a 2,500-mile road trip in July 2021. The engine began running rough for about the last 500 miles. When we got home there was about 63,000 miles on the vehicle. I took it to a local mechanic at home in August and he said I had bad fuel so he put in a fuel treatment and had me fill up with premium fuel one to two times. This seemed to help only marginally. A month later I took the van to another mechanic and he determined that there was a misfire in cylinder #2. He performed a relative compression test and said the engine will need to be disassembled and inspected. He called a local dealer and found the warranty was 5 years/60,000 miles. He suggested I call my dealer because this shouldn't be happening even outside of the warranty. I did. They offered no solutions. Very frustrating.
Check engine light came on. Vehicle would shake and have trouble accelerating when I put my foot on the gas pedal, it was worse if gone above 45 MPH. Vehicle was sent to mechanic for diagnosis and repair. P0302 code was read for #2 fuel cylinder misfire. PCV valve, Coil pack, All spark plugs, & Fuel injector were replaced. Check engine light is still on. Vehicle cannot be operated under mechanics safety recommendation. There is still a cylinder 2 misfire. Car can stall at anytime if operated. Dodge dealership have been notified and said there are no recalls. Warranty only covers up to 60,000 for power train issues. I've called another shop as well for a 3rd opinion, the engine has been failing in many vehicles with the same code.
The vehicle began to shake and sputter on the highway. We were lucky enough to be able to pull over safely. This could have caused a major accident on a very busy highway. The check engine light came on. Called roadside assistance and had car towed to a mechanic. The mechanic shop said there was a recall on the vehicle and I needed to take it to the dealership. The car was towed to the dealership and the dealership said while there is a "general" recall, the recall was vin number specific and my vin number was not included. The recall number is 18v-524 related to the PCM Voltage. This is a KNOWN defect but Dodge did not include all vin numbers. The recall needs to be expanded to include this vehicle.
My POWERTRAIN/TRANSMISSION failed. I have 91,000 miles on this vehicle. the vehicle began to accelerate on its own while in traffic. I had just dropped my children off at school luckily. I was able to get the vehicle out of traffic safely. As I tried to turn around and go home it accelerated again. There were no warning signs, lights, or malfunctions prior to this happening. I called roadside to come get the vehicle. I am waiting for a diagnosis now. I have spoken to dodge and they are aware this happened. I accidentally misquoted the mileage at 97,000. It has 91,121.
We have a 2018 dodge caravan with 69,000 miles on it - the check engine light showed a misfire on cylinder 5, after taking it to multiple mechanics they all have told us its an issue with the head gasket or possibly needs a new engine. This should not be happening with such a new vehicle with so few miles on it. after doing some research I have learned this is a common problem with this year, make and model.
The van started to make a loud whining sound while going down the highway around 60 miles an hour. When we slowed down and turned onto a smaller road and tried to accelerate the rpm's went to around 5,000 and it was barely moving. Had to stop for a long time and was able to drive it the last couple of miles home very slowly. Several children in the car were at risk if someone had hit us at hwy speed
Vehicle requires repair for Transmission part failure at 69,000 miles. Multiple mechanics and online complaint records show transmission issues as a common problem for this make and model. Owners should not be facing a major engine repair of over $3500 when the vehicle is 5 years old and just past the power train warranty period.
My Transmission failed. My odometer reading is 92901. Dealership said not manufactured coverage. No message on dash. Happened while driving with children. Mechanic said needed to be replaced. This is a expensive repair. I believe manufacture should have told drivers about problems with transmission.
Transmission complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan, 8% of the model year's 271 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2018 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 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 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.