Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Dodge grand caravan. While driving approximately 45 MPH, there was an abnormal sound emitting from the transmission. While making a right turn with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle failed to respond. In addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle failed to shift into gear. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where…
2016 Dodge Grand Caravan powertrain problems
moderate 205 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
205
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 205 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 12 model years of Dodge Grand Caravan we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 205.
Owners have filed 205 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2016 Dodge Grand Caravans describe powertrain failures that strike without warning and create serious safety hazards. The most common complaint is sudden transmission pump failure causing complete loss of motive power at highway speeds—owners report RPMs surging to 6,000–7,000 while traveling 35–65 MPH, followed by vehicle stalling or becoming undrivable. Many describe nearly being hit by following traffic or losing control mid-merge because the van simply stopped accelerating.
A second pattern is transmission slipping and jerking that occurs without diagnostic codes or check engine lights, making dealer diagnosis impossible. Owners report mechanics stating they cannot fix what they cannot code, even though the symptoms are severe—rough engagement, violent jolting in reverse, or the vehicle shifting into neutral unexpectedly.
What makes this worse: the NHTSA Recall 16V461000 (S44) exists for exactly these failures in 2015–2016 Grand Caravans built between July 31, 2015 and April 18, 2016. Yet dozens of owners report their VINs fall squarely within that manufacturing window and share identical symptoms but are not on the recall list. When new transmissions are installed to fix pump failures, some fail again within a week. One owner had the van replaced, then the replacement failed, then failed again—all without warning lights to alert the driver or codes for mechanics to work with. Owners describe being stuck for weeks without their vehicle while dealers declare they cannot diagnose the problem. The unpredictability and complete absence of warning create genuine danger: a family van suddenly losing power on an interstate or bridge is a collision waiting to happen.
Same Dodge Grand Caravan powertrain reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission Pump Failure
The transmission hydraulic pump loses pressure or ceases operation, causing loss of motive power, inability to accelerate, and vehicle stalling without warning. Owners report the vehicle either becomes undrivable or goes into limp mode (limiting speed to 25-50 MPH). The failure often occurs suddenly at highway speeds and requires towing.
When: Mileage ranges from 50,000 to 145,000 miles; no clear pattern tied to vehicle age or service intervals
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of motive power while driving; Vehicle fails to accelerate when depressing pedal; Vehicle stalls or shuts off mid-drive; RPMs surge or race without driver input; Abnormal whining, grinding, or winding sounds from transmission; Vehicle enters limp mode, capping speed at 25-50 MPH; Check engine light may or may not illuminate; Burning odor from vehicle after failure; Metal shavings or debris found in transmission fluid or pan
Codes mentioned: P0944, P083B, P0868, P084B, P076A, U0141
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement or rebuild required. Owners cite repair costs of $4,884 to $6,102. One owner received new transmission under extended warranty; others paid out-of-pocket after factory warranty expired. Metal contamination in transmission fluid suggests internal damage from pump failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V461000 (Recall S44) issued for transmission pump defect in 2015-2016 Grand Caravans manufactured between July 31, 2015 and April 18, 2016. However, many owners report their VINs fall within the affected manufacturing date range but are not included on the recall list. Dodge dealer responses typically state VIN is not covered; manufacturer offers no assistance for out-of-warranty vehicles. Some owners report Dodge offered extended warranty coverage on new transmissions installed under recall.
Transmission Slipping and Jerking
Transmission slips out of gear, hesitates to engage, or jerks violently during shifts. Vehicle experiences rough or delayed engagement from park to drive or reverse, and unpredictable transmission behavior during acceleration or merging. No consistent diagnostic codes appear for many occurrences.
When: Reported at various mileages; some owners describe ongoing intermittent issues lasting months or years
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slips, feels like shifting into neutral unexpectedly; Jerking or violent jolting during gear engagement, especially in reverse with passengers; Delayed or sluggish response when depressing accelerator from complete stop; Rough downshift with abnormal clunking sound; RPMs fluctuate abnormally during shifts; Vehicle nearly causes accident during merges or highway acceleration; No check engine light or diagnostic codes retrieved despite symptoms
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission flush performed at 116,000 miles with no codes found; transmission serviced again at 132,000 miles. Some owners had transmission replaced; others report mechanics unable to diagnose or fix due to lack of stored codes. One owner had transmission replaced multiple times but failure persisted.
Transmission Overheat Warning and Speed Limitation
Transmission overheat warning illuminates while driving, forcing vehicle into severe limp mode where speed is capped at 45-50 MPH. RPMs fluctuate erratically (jumping from 1.5 to 7) even at low speeds. Vehicle becomes unsafe to operate at highway speeds.
When: Reported at 142,000 miles in one case; may occur in conjunction with other transmission failures
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission overheat warning light illuminates; Vehicle speed limited to 45-50 MPH despite input; RPMs fluctuate wildly (1.5 to 4 to 5 to 7, then back down); Vehicle must be driven slowly in emergency lane
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to AAMCO transmission shop for service. Owner kept detailed service records and believed overheat condition was separate safety defect from pump failure.
No Transmission Warning Lights Despite Failure
Transmission fails catastrophically while no check engine light or warning indicators illuminate. Owners report dealer service departments state they cannot perform repairs without diagnostic codes or warning lights, leaving vehicles in a dangerous undrivable state. This pattern appears across multiple complaints.
When: Occurs at various mileages during active driving
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slipping or stalling without any warning light; Vehicle loses power mid-drive with no diagnostic indication; Check engine light appears only after vehicle has failed and stopped; Dealer states they cannot diagnose or fix problem without codes or lights
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable or unwilling to perform repairs without stored fault codes. One owner stranded for month with vehicle in dealer shop while they attempted to recreate issue; another nearly caused accident when vehicle lost power after new transmission installation with no warning.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge dealers repeatedly inform owners that without check engine light or diagnostic codes, they cannot identify root cause or perform repairs under warranty. Warranty coverage denied due to lack of stored codes.
Repeated Transmission Failures After Replacement
New or rebuilt transmissions fail again within days to months of installation. Owners report replacing transmission, picking up vehicle, and experiencing identical failures within 4 days to 1 week. Suggests replacement parts may also be defective or root cause not properly addressed.
When: Within 4 days to several months after transmission replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to accelerate after repair; Transmission slipping after new installation; Same symptoms as original failure recur within days; New transmission sensors fail; Rebuilt transmission seizes again after 4 years in service
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had transmission replaced, then failed within 4 days; second replacement failed within 4 days of that. Another owner received rebuilt transmission in 2018, which then failed in January 2023 after only 4 years. Owner questioned whether remanufactured part (R890720AI) suffered same defect as original.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Transmission warranty honored for initial failure; repeated failures denied as out-of-warranty or defective replacement part responsibility left to owner.
Gear Shifter Malfunction and Stuck Shifter
Transmission shifter becomes inoperable, vehicle becomes stuck in gear, or shifter locks with key stuck in ignition. Vehicle unable to be moved or driven.
When: Reported at 3 years of ownership in one case; timing unclear in others
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter inoperable or stuck in drive; Vehicle will not move out of park or drive gear; Key stuck in ignition when shifter locked; Engine revs but vehicle does not move
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles required towing to dealer; family of six stranded in one case. Owner paid for rental car out-of-pocket as insurance does not cover non-accident situations.
Engine Stalling and Loss of Power During Driving
Engine shuts off abruptly while driving at various speeds, often in traffic or on highways. Owners describe this as losing all power mid-drive with no warning. Dash lights may flicker briefly. Vehicle can usually be restarted but the intermittent failure pattern persists over months or years with no diagnostic codes found.
When: Intermittent, occurring over extended periods; some owners report pattern continuing for years
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts out while driving at any speed; All dash indicators light up briefly before power loss; Vehicle loses all power, no response to accelerator; Vehicle can be restarted but stalls again soon after; No check engine light illuminates despite failure; No diagnostic codes retrieved by mechanics
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanics unable to diagnose due to lack of stored codes. One owner found hundreds of similar complaints online for same vehicle. Multiple shop visits yield no answers. Vehicles remain unsafe and undrivable.
Electrical Issues and Dashboard Power Loss
Dashboard loses power intermittently while driving; gauges flash or go dark; vehicle becomes unresponsive to key fobs. Electrical gremlins leave vehicle stranded for hours at a time. Related diagnostic code U0141 (communication error) retrieved in one case.
When: Intermittent over extended ownership period
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard loses all power and ignition while driving; Gauges flash erratically; Vehicle unresponsive to key fob for extended periods (up to 1 hour); Vehicle may or may not respond to attempted restart; Radio, headlights, and other systems may remain operational
Codes mentioned: U0141
Transmission Fluid Leak and Debris
Transmission develops leaks or internal debris is found in transmission fluid or pan. One owner reports dealer identified leak that only manifests during driving, not when parked. Metal contamination in transmission fluid indicates internal wear or failure.
When: First noticed at various mileages during service intervals or after transmission problems
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission fluid leak visible or detected during service; Metal shavings or debris present in transmission pan or fluid; Leak occurs only during operation, not when parked
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported leak was discovered after RPM surge event; dealer claimed leak would not be detectable at home and only manifests during driving. Owner questioned how driver could detect such a defect.
Parking Pawl Failure
Vehicle rolls despite being in park; parking pawl fails to properly engage. Debris preventing pawl from locking discovered by independent mechanic during inspection.
When: Occurred after vehicle shut off and placed in park
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls while in park; Parking brake must be engaged to prevent movement
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic removed debris that prevented parking pawl engagement. Owner deeply concerned about risk of vehicle rolling and injuring children.
Solenoid Pack and Pressure Switch Failures
Transmission solenoid pack or hydraulic pressure switches malfunction, causing transmission control issues. Diagnostic code P084B (Pressure Switch Rationality) indicates abnormal hydraulic pressure in transmission circuits.
When: Reported at 80,950 miles in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to accelerate as intended; Vehicle stalls; Abnormal sound from engine compartment; Failure recurs after multiple repair attempts
Codes mentioned: P084B, P0868
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle diagnosed with solenoid pack failure by independent mechanic. Not repaired. Another case involved failed LC pressure switch.
Synthesized from 205 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Our 2016 Dodge grand caravan stalls while driving. There is no indication when it will happen. When it does happen, the dash indicators light up briefly and the engine loses all power. This has happened numerous times while driving in traffic on the road. I have seen hundreds of similar complaints online for this vehicle. We are able to restart the vehicle after coming to a complete stop, but the…
Transmission loss of power driving down interstate now slips while driving locally
Had powertrain trouble with your 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 205 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 122 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 69,000 and 108,000 miles, with the median around 88,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 69,000; a quarter make it past 108,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Dodge/Grand Caravan.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.