Dodge Grand Caravan transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2020
337 of the 1,947 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Dodge Grand Caravan 2016–2020 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2016 (220), 2019 (49), 2017 (37). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Dodge Grand Caravan transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 8 | 40% | — | 4 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 49 | 20% | 67k | 8 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 | 23 | 9% | — | 6 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 | 37 | 9% | 72k | 6 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 in depth | 220 | 22% | 88k | 9 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 3 · 2017: 3 · 2018: 15 · 2019: 41 · 2020: 50 · 2021: 42 · 2022: 35 · 2023: 45 · 2024: 44 · 2025: 40 · 2026: 19
Across the model years, half of the 171 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 64,000 and 105,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the transmission failed while taking off after, stopping at a drive thru restaurant. The contact would turn off and restart the vehicle but it made a grinding noise.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Caravan. While driving approximately 19 MPH, the transmission failed and the rpms rapidly increased from 2 to 6 rpms intermittently. In addition, the manual transmission was shifted into first gear and returned to the drive position without warning. The vehicle was not repaired.
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the vehicle inadvertently downshifted and hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal without warning. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer and the torque converter was replaced twice and the transmission software was updated; however, the failure persisted.
While driving vehicle it began to made a horrible noise and then stalled in the middle of the road while driving. Was able to restart and move out of the way but stalled again. Car would no longer move into drive. No warning lights came on until after the car stalled for the second time. Then the check engine light came on.
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
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 16V461000 HighJun 24, 2016 · 26,298 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured July 31, 2015, to April 18, 2016, 2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured August 17, 2015, to January 29, 2016, and 2016 RAM ProMaster vehicles manufactured August 15, 2016, to April 15, 2016. The transmission pump may seize causing a loss of hydraulic pressure.
Other systems with a record on the Dodge Grand Caravan
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Dodge Grand Caravan problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Dodge Grand Caravan years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2016, 220; 2019, 49; 2017, 37. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2020 (40%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Dodge Grand Caravan?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 16V461000 (2016). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Dodge Grand Caravan?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 85,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 64,000 and 105,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.