2017 Dodge Grand Caravan problems
The 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan has 410 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan has 410 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 135 complaints, typically surfacing around 63,301 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 Grand Caravan | 356 | 1 |
| 2015 Grand Caravan | 277 | 0 |
| 2016 Grand Caravan | 996 | 2 |
| 2017 Grand Caravan (this page) | 410 | 0 |
| 2018 Grand Caravan | 267 | 0 |
| 2019 Grand Caravan | 40 | 2 |
| 2020 Grand Caravan | 19 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Powertrain: 33 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 52,000–93,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan VAN FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- electrical — 135 owner reports · tends to show around 63,301 mi · ~$850 to fix
- body — 70 owner reports · tends to show around 67,520 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
- engine — 37 owner reports · tends to show around 66,697 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- powertrain — 33 owner reports · tends to show around 78,811 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 78,811 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~62,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~63,111 miengine~$3,100
- ~66,000 mibody~$1,500
- ~83,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The driver side passenger door is stuck on lock, it will not open from outside or inside or with the fob, this creates a safety issue for removing my children in case of an accident or being able to get to them in case of an emergency.
I have 2017 Dodge Caravan, I loves this van I recently went to the shop to do routine repairs. Also get the engine light checked, the mechanic stated I need a tune up. A few days later after getting the tune up check engine light came back on, and van begin to ride rough and…
Passenger side sliding door will not open. It is stuck in the lock position and will not unlock even after attempting both manual and electronic unlocking. Faulty lock actuator likely cause.
The drivers side door remained locked when all other door are set to unlock. The drivers side door will not come unlocked whether by remote or manually pushing unlock. This happened on its own. A mechanic looked at it and said he would not mess with it because he was scared he…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 410 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan?
The 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Powertrain: 33 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 52,000–93,000 mi; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 135 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 63,301 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 410 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 63,301 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 135 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 63,301 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 63,301 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Dodge Grand Caravan has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 410 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.