Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 10% | 84,000 miles |
| 2019 | 44 | 18% | 49,000 miles |
| 2018 | 35 | 13% | 65,000 miles |
| 2017 | 60 | 14% | 70,000 miles |
| 2016 | 86 | 9% | 80,000 miles |
| 2015 | 38 | 14% | 102,000 miles |
| 2014 | 81 | 23% | 78,000 miles |
| 2013 | 73 | 15% | 98,000 miles |
| 2012 | 121 | 21% | 107,000 miles |
| 2011 | 97 | 18% | 87,000 miles |
| 2010 | 161 | 19% | 80,000 miles |
| 2009 | 51 | 9% | 79,000 miles |
| 2008 | 145 | 11% | 81,000 miles |
| 2007 | 41 | 23% | 77,000 miles |
| 2006 | 32 | 11% | 80,000 miles |
| 2005 | 49 | 5% | 70,000 miles |
| 2004 | 20 | 17% | 85,000 miles |
| 2003 | 17 | 8% | 63,000 miles |
| 2002 | 19 | 7% | 120,000 miles |
| 2001 | 19 | 6% | 90,000 miles |
| 2000 | 88 | 20% | 85,000 miles |
| 1999 | 60 | 14% | 89,000 miles |
| 1998 | 134 | 24% | 87,000 miles |
| 1997 | 106 | 18% | 100,000 miles |
| 1996 | 179 | 15% | 100,000 miles |
| 1995 | 14 | 13% | 160,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The vehicle was running on idle parked after being driven and on for less than 20 minutes. I started the van at 8:35. Drove away at 8:41, let it run on idle for 5 minutes, drove away, let it idle for 2 minutes at 9:04, drove away, let it idle at 9:06 and was smoking and had flames by 9:23 when we noticed it. The heat gauge didn't change, there was no indication that my engine was on fire or there was any issue. It drove fine, no smell, nothing. We have zero idea what happened other than it started in the engine compartment. Is it currently still sitting in the parking lot that it was pushed to away from the building as to not cause more damage to the building. It was sitting outside a building, so everyone inside and outside were in the area of smoke and flames. There is not a police report, but there is a fire report. I can email that over if needed. …
The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle slid to the left. The contact described the move to the left, as if she was turning the steering wheel, but she was not. Additionally, while driving from a standing stop, the rear tires was spinning as if she had applied the brakes before the vehicle jolted forward. The contact stated that the engine was making abnormal sounds and the vehicle was vibrating. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to several independent mechanics who could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was restarted; however, the failure reoccurred within an hour. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact was informed that there was no fault code retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contacted stated that he disconnected and reconnected the battery cable. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed that the cylinder head needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while coming to a complete stop on an incline or on a leveled roadway, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle jerked intermittently while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to Triple A, where the radiator was replaced; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the message "Oil Change" was displayed while there was sufficient oil in the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,500.
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was stalling despite depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that he replaced the coils and spark plugs; however, the failure recurred, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and after performing a compression test, the contact was made aware of a misfire in cylinder #2. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic and the previous diagnosis was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate, and the RPM was at zero. The contact mentioned that there was a high pitch whining sound. The vehicle coasted and failed to shift gears. Additionally, once the vehicle was restarted, the vehicle jerked forward and was able to operate. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated continuously. The vehicle was seen by an independent mechanic where the contact was informed to reverse the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to reverse. The contact mentioned that the vehicle needed to be shifted into neutral and the mechanic pushed the vehicle back to check the vehicle. In addition, the contact mentioned that the vehicle failed to exceed 25 MPH a few hours later. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated and jerked slightly before accelerating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, and the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission pump failure. The contact was informed that transmission pump needed to be replaced. The mechanic declined to repair the vehicle after discovering NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V461000 (Power Train) for the issue. The mechanic referred the contact to the manufacturer, who was informed of the issue and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
Related recalls (2)
Engine and engine cooling
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 Chrysler vehicles, including 200 and town and country models, Dodge vehicles, including charger, durango, grand caravan and journey models and Jeep grand cherokee vehicles manufactured from August 31, 2011, through September 13, 2011, that are equipped with 3.6l engines.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and replace the engine free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about November 18, 2011. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
In certain vehicles, the engine cylinder head oil galley plug does not seal properly and engine cylinder head oil is not adequately retained.
Remedy: Dealers will install an expansion plug and retaining bracket over the cylinder head oil galley plug.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel leakeage from rollover valve
There is no summary currently available
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Grand Caravan years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1996 (179), 2010 (161), 2008 (145), 1998 (134) and 2012 (121) model years. Engine complaints make up 15% of all complaints for the 1996.
Is there a recall for Dodge Grand Caravan engine problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 11V-487 (engine and engine cooling, Sep 29, 2011); 96V-006 (gasoline, Jan 11, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Grand Caravan engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles; 21% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine › gasoline (192 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline › belts and associated pulleys (188).
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.