Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 85 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 85, in the owner's own words
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, with the check engine warning light remaining illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
1) At D/S Stow and Go seat malfunctioned and was repaired by CarMax Service Center Jan 2023 - 2) Around 97,000 so - Engine started ticking on or about JUL/SEP 2023, enstate Lloyds Automotive in Spokane Valley replaced out engine due to manufacture defect in Oct 2023. 3) At 103,672mi - P/S stow and Go seat was repaired for same issues as D/S stow & Go Seat by Lloyds Automotive Oct 2023 when engine was replaced out. 4) Around 116,000mi the Transmission was flushed when I got the oil changed because I noticed jerking shifting at times, this was Aug 2024 there was no check engine or diag faults. 5) Around 132,720 Fell under CXLHX982 / CXLHX981 Actuator Sliding Door D/S & P both repaired and Transmissioned serviced again because my van started stalling out at stops and the jerking happened again no check engine or diag faults 6) Around 138,000 - D/S Sliding door hatch pin repair by Coos Bay Area Dodge. On 24Mar2026 - Around 142,000mi my transmission overheat warning came on and my van would not go any faster than 45 to 50mi, the RPMs went from 1.5 to 4 to 5 then 7 and back down, I immediately pulled over and sat for about 40min turned my van back on there was no overheat warning so I drove around 50mi per hour in the emergency lane to the next exit which was Hood River, Or and trailer towed my van from Hood River, Or to AAMCO, North Spokane Wa for transmission service. - I believe my vehicle 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan R/T model - transmission was built with some underlying transmission serious safety defects and should have been recalled and a part of Part 573 Safety Recall Report 16V-461. My vehicle malfunctioning could have caused an accident if not for my quick thinking that day and keeping my vehicle maintained at a high standard. I do keep all my service records.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the contact's husband smelled an abnormal burning odor coming from the front of the vehicle. Upon inspection, both the contact and her husband noticed that there was an oil leak. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the oil filter housing had melted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was 85,000.
while driving the engine light came on within 10 minutes the car started jumping in place and then within 5 minutes completely would not go in any direction forward reverse or neutral and just revved the torque locked up the transmission quit completely did not even give me time to pull over and access the issue was 7 min from home when completely quit
Head gasket and head failure at 86000
Today, I was driving my van to work, and I stopped at a stop sign, went to go, and the van made a horrible clunk noise and wouldn't drive. I shifted through the gears, and each one made the van shake hard. I purchased this van 2 weeks ago from a used car lot. Earlier today, the check engine light came on, which I planned on going check it when I got off work. I had a mobile diagnostic worker come check it out, and he told me it was my transmission. I contacted the lot where I bought it, and am waiting to get it towed back there. This was dangerous because it stopped driving at a stop sign, and I didn't know what to do. I had to flag traffic to go around and wait for people to come help me push it out of the way of traffic. I am a single mother with a three year old.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while the vehicle was at the independent mechanic for a service appointment, the contact was informed that the oil pump housing had melted and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the oil pump housing was made of plastic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
My wife was stopped at a drive through window in DRIVE when the engine stalled. It wouldn’t crank over and needed to be pushed out of the way and towed. The TIPM failed and needed to be replaced. The repair was done at a Chrysler dealer and they took the faulty part after repair. Safety was at risk because if this had happened in the middle of the road it could have caused an accident. My wife was lucky it happened at the drive through. Vehicle not inspected by police or insurance. No warning lights or other symptoms, just engine stalled
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, and the vehicle failed to shift into gear properly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact became aware there was oil leaking from the front end of the vehicle near the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 225,419.
The oil filter housing for Jeep Dodge Chrysler 3.6 is originally made with plastic. Now its made with metal. My van is leaking oil. I went to get an oil change and was told from the shop that I had a oil leak. Oil is all over the engine. They were telling me that they see this so often, and that it should be recalled. Jeep has the exact same issue and has a recall. I can actually smell it inside the car. This is the second time I was told this. The leak is getting worst. Times are super hard out here. I would love if someone could look into this.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The traction control and two other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an open circuit and two other unknown DTC codes were retrieved. The contact was unaware of what needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
I was driving my van which I have had nothing but trouble with this dodge caravan, go to turn at the intersection and it just shuts off started right back up but starting to turn and it just shut off. Happened twice now, had the battery checked and every thing else seemed good just didn’t know why this happened but it almost got us hot the first time. There are a lot of dodge vans that aren’t included in the S44 recall and our VIN numbers don’t pop up. I mean the air bags are killing people in these dodges now, I’ve had nothing but a hard time with this vehicle. They are unsafe, if I wasn’t poor and could afford a good van and not bottom of the barrel I wouldn’t be dealing with this it seems. But the poor are expendable. I’d rather take my kids in my beat up ford than in my new van. That’s crazy. It’s going to get someone killed if it hasn’t already happened.
Transmission. Available for inspection No it has not been reproduced or confirmed by anyone No it has not been inspected Check engine around 8 months ago
Was told today the oil filter cooler has a small leak. Appears to be a prolific issue on Caravans that Dodge is ignoring. Presents a safety hazard if the leak gets too bad and an environmental hazard if they go unrepaired.
Code P0302 - undiagnosed as of 2/14/24 mileage - 51833miles 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan with Braun Mobility Conversion for wheelchair June 2023, had transmission freeze up and replace by Dodge dealer. Later that day after picking up from dealer, "Engine" light came back on. Called and left message with dealer asking if they neglected to re-set codes and or reset check engine light. Called twice and left messages, no return call. Van functioning fine. I had no problems for months until I needed it SMOG tested this month. SMOG repair station said it won't pass SMOG and it's likely cylinder 2 misfire, which can be observed sporadically, although I have never had any issues driving at all. Engine light never flashes. The SMOG mechanic researched Dodge issues and said I may likely need to replace the engine, but that even the replaced engine is not guaranteed to not have the same problem, due to it appears to be a problem in the engine itself. There are countless reports online by Dodge Caravan owners reporting same code, but almost all of them report driving and/or idling issues. There seems to be enough consensus that there is something inherently wrong with certain year Dodge engines but there is still no recall or dealer support. I don't know who to believe. I need to get it to pass SMOG but don't want to replace the engine to do it if it has been driving fine.
The van has shut off without warning while driving
MILEAGE 73,487 FAILURE OF LEFT CYLINDER BANK CAUSES ENGINE TO STUMBLE OR STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE. REPAIR BY DODGE DEALER COST $4621.78. 2 COMPLAINTS (1/11/2022 & 1/09/2023) FILED TO FCA CUSTOMER CARE WERE IGNORED.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact's wife noticed white smoke coming from under the hood with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's wife drove the vehicle to a safe location and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle restarted; however, the vehicle would not move. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed hydraulic pump. The contact was informed that the hydraulic pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Van started fine and as I was driving the engine started revering hard and felt like it was having a hard time sifting lucky I was near my mechanic and they did that plug in and test it because the engine light came on right when I pulled in and said the transmission is gone they where able to find a rebuilt engine for my van and replaced old with a compatible engine now when this happened I had 60,000 miles. He did tell me that unfortunately they have seen this issue alot with the dodge caravan transmission just cuts out like this with no warning at all and I Googled this issue and it seems to happened to alot of other van owners. There is another issue going on that every time I get in my van before putting the key in the ignition there's a humming sound and when I park and pull out my key after car is off it makes a humming noise I have no clue what is going on but when I Google this issue it seems to be a escalator I don't know why there's not a recall on what is causing this to go on but it seems to be a dodge grand van issue.
Transmission failed at 85000 miles for a 2016 model dodge grand caravan. Vehicle taken to dealer for inspection and repaired. Vehicle will stalled then suddenly stopped when driving putting myself and family at risk of injury or death.There were no warning light or indicator prior to this issue. There are numerous reports on these type of vehicles failure.
Vehicle park on a flooded street on July 2 2023. Water lever getting to a certain level that decided to moved . Once vehicle was start the water got to the throttle and water inside motor.
My vehicle has the Pentastar engine tick indicative of a rocker arm issue. I’ve been having performance issues with the vehicle at only 124,000 miles and less. It’s escalating to the point in afraid of complete engine failure while I’m driving. This is a known issue with these vehicles and needs to be repaired by Dodge as it’s a manufacturing defect.
My vehicle began shutting completely off while in drive and approaching a stop. This has endangered myself as well as my family due to the current condition and unpredictability of the engine turning off while approaching a stop light or stop sign. The vehicle has been inspected by a dodge service location and the check engine light does come on. Also included is a mopar warranty bulletin addressing the same issue with the same engine but on previous years (2011-2013) of the grand caravan and multiple models. I am experiencing the same conditions on a 2016 dodge grand caravan.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made abnormal whining sounds. Additionally, the contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop, the vehicle jerked and revved significantly. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving and coming to a complete stop. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V461000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Ticking in engine, engine seized
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
Data on this page last refreshed .