2017 Dodge Grand Caravan Powertrain (other) Problems

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

NHTSA ID

11723600

Incident

Mar 10, 2026

I am writing to formally request that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration review and consider an investigation into a potential safety-related defect affecting 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles. My vehicle recently experienced a failure of the engine oil filter housing, which cracked and leaked oil and required an expensive repair. According to the repair facility, Pro Auto Service, this failure is not isolated. I was advised that the shop has repaired a significant number of identical failures over the past year, to the extent that replacement parts have at times been difficult to obtain. The repair facility also indicated that many similar failures have occurred in recent weeks, coinciding with extreme cold weather conditions. The oil filter housing is a critical engine component responsible for maintaining proper oil circulation and pressure. Failure of this component can lead to oil loss, reduced lubrication, engine damage, or potential engine shutdown if not immediately addressed. Because this defect directly impacts engine operation, it presents a powertrain-related safety concern. Based on the frequency of reported failures, the consistency across the same model year, and the apparent correlation with cold weather conditions, this issue appears to be the result of a design or material defect rather than normal wear and tear. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this matter for possible investigation and recall consideration to protect vehicle owners from unexpected engine failure and costly repairs. Thank you for your attention to this concern and for your continued commitment to vehicle safety.

NHTSA ID

11714179

Incident

Jan 28, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11710920

Incident

Dec 29, 2025

Transmission

NHTSA ID

11676443

Incident

Jul 21, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11670992

Incident

Jun 29, 2025

Mileage

150,000 mi

I noticed some shifting issues, and some power loss along with an oil leak and the vehicle is not getting enough lubrication. The vehicle is only at 114010 miles and according to the dealership a new engine is needed. A new engine oil cooler was replaced however not the hoses and the problem still exists.

NHTSA ID

11657782

Incident

Feb 27, 2025

My car is stalling. There is a recall for the same year as my car. I called and check if my car was a part of the recall and it wasn’t. Clearly I am having the same issue. They should put all 2017 dodge grand caravan in this recall.

NHTSA ID

11644835

Incident

Feb 1, 2025

Van started to studder and not wanting to go while driving and starting the van. A current U87 Chrysler recall is in effect for my year of van. I called and they said that my vin is not currently affected even though I am having the same issues as this recall.

NHTSA ID

11629105

Incident

Nov 22, 2024

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. I looked up recalls a d everything happening to my van happened to the 2016 models. They were recalled for the same transmission problems. It only has 90000 miles. Now the dealership wa ts me to buy a transmission. Please help.

NHTSA ID

11623339

Incident

Aug 19, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID

11608313

Incident

Jun 1, 2024

Mileage

112,000 mi

Sudden total transmission failure while in traffic. Took a while to coax it through intersection. After a while able to coax it the mile home at about 10 mph with transmission screaming. Towed to dealer and full transmission replacement at 50,000 miles. 07

NHTSA ID

11608116

Incident

Jul 13, 2024

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 sat in my car, wondering what to do decided to go on the web and check out problems with this particular vehicle, then I noticed there is a little door leading to the shifter to change it manually. But when you are in traffic, there is no time to look for a screwdriver to open the door to do anything manually. This is a safety hazard and I really don’t know why there is not a recall on this vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11601844

Incident

Jul 13, 2024

It started off as the can stalling occasionally when I came to a stop. Then it became more and more frequent. Video is available to see the RPM move and then drop to 0. I then have to restart the vehicle which causes a delay which other drivers are not patient about. They immediately want to go and I have to flash my hazards and restart the van. Mechanical issue is unknown by the mechanic and dealer service department.

NHTSA ID

11579910

Incident

Jan 8, 2024

Transmission Went out Last year I just found out I could report it this seems to be a common issue with these Vans and would be nice to get some help with repair costs as I was told around 6k to repair. Also the flywheel has a crack in it I ordered a new oem replacement hoping the transmission shop can replace that while they do the repairs.

NHTSA ID

11536461

Incident

Aug 4, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11522789

Incident

Mar 6, 2023

Mileage

131,000 mi

The van slid backwards then accelerated at a higher speed going from a stop to slowly with a light tap on the gas pedal. The speed does not go higher than 15mph with the rmp too high when this occurs. It jerks back when trying to drive it forward. Has not left the dealership parking lot. Drove out 3mile out with this occuring. 3 attempts to fix. Still not driving well and can't leave the dealership lot.

NHTSA ID

11490429

Incident

Oct 10, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11488059

Incident

Jul 5, 2022

Mileage

93,000 mi

I came to a stop sign and my 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan was making a whining noise. When I pressed the gas the van hesitated to go then it jumped . It kept skipping . Then-it accelerated while I was driving. I came to a four way stop and when it was my turn to go my van hesitated before it would go.

NHTSA ID

11475599

Incident

Jul 23, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11472687

Incident

May 1, 2018

While coming out of a curve I stepped on the throttle but the car didn’t respond. It acted like the transmission had failed. I then swerved to the shoulder so we wouldn’t be rear ended but a semi which was following us. I put the vehicle in park and turned it off. When I restarted the vehicle it wouldn’t come out of 1st gear. I have since had the vehicle inspected and was told the tans axle pump was bad which is a known recall for the previous 2 years. But can’t find out if the 2017 is part of the recall. The vehicle on has 88,000 miles on it so the transmission shouldn’t have any issue.

NHTSA ID

11438325

Incident

Oct 19, 2021

While driving the car will not shift through the gears. No warning lights came on and all fluids are at proper levels. Vehicle is making a whining noise.

NHTSA ID

11437475

Incident

Oct 19, 2021

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. All of the gauges including lights will turn off without any warning while driving at any speed. There is a burning smell. Started from 2019 to present date.

NHTSA ID

11430472

Incident

Jan 15, 2020

VEHICLE MAKES LOUD WINDING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING.

NHTSA ID

11398947

Incident

Mar 1, 2021

Mileage

86,000 mi

TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AT 85000 MILES NOW ON THE DATE OF 02-27-2021 I'M SITTING BROKE DOWN BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 86,858 MILES

NHTSA ID

11398154

Incident

Feb 27, 2021

Mileage

86,858 mi

83000 MILES AND TORQUE CONVERTER IS GOING OUT I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY TRANSMISSION GUY COMMON ISSUE WILL REQUIRE A REBUILD DUE TO PARTICLES INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. THEY ARE REPAIRING 2-3 A WEEK WITH THIS ISSUE , AND I LIVE IN SMALL TOWN,.WITH AS FEW AS 70000 MILES UP TO 120000 MILES ON REPAIRED VANS . THIS HAPPENED ON MY WAY HOME ON MAIN ROAD DRIVING UP HILL ON ALMOST DIDN'T MAKE IT TO TOP.

NHTSA ID

11394706

Incident

Jan 28, 2021

Mileage

83,000 mi