Suspected engine coolant leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Dodge Grand Caravan engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan have filed 22 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Grand Caravan | 50 |
| 2015 Grand Caravan | 22 |
| 2016 Grand Caravan | 40 |
| 2017 Grand Caravan | 37 |
| 2018 Grand Caravan (this page) | 22 |
| 2019 Grand Caravan | 3 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Water Quality When Mixed With Engine Coolant
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA). For any other MY review and follow instructions from the latest STAR Online S1809000007 available on Dealer Connect. Also, consider the following: 1) Remove OFA 2) Replace only the oil inlet O-ring and gaskets (seals kit in SOL above). 3) Re-install the OFA. For 2023MY and beyond use black O-ring. For 2022MY and prior use red O-ring. Note: When replacing OFA, it may be necessary to transfer the Oil Temp/Pressure Sensor from the old OFA to the new OFA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA). For any other MY review and follow instructions from the latest STAR Online S1809000007 available on Dealer Connect. Also, consider the following: 1) Remove OFA 2) Replace only the oil inlet O-ring and gaskets (seals kit in SOL above). 3) Re-install the OFA. For 2023MY and beyond use black O-ring. For 2022MY and prior use red O-ring. Note: When replacing OFA, it may be necessary to transfer the Oil Temp/Pressure Sensor from the old OFA to the new OFA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2018 Dodge Grand Caravans report a cylinder misfire fault—primarily cylinder 2, though cylinder 4 and multiple random misfires also appear—that emerges typically between 45,000 and 80,000 miles. The check engine light illuminates with P0302 or related misfire codes. Initial owner repairs (spark plugs, spark plug housing, coil packs) fail to resolve the problem. Subsequent dealer diagnosis identifies low compression, valve guide defects, loose exhaust valve tolerances, head gasket leaks, and failing cylinder heads as root causes. Owners describe rough idle, power loss on acceleration, shuddering, and in several cases complete engine stalling at highway and city speeds—creating unsafe situations. One owner was stranded overnight in subzero temperatures; another had power steering and brakes become inoperable during stall. Repair estimates range from $3,000 to $5,000+, typically involving cylinder head replacement or rebuild. Many owners cite internet research revealing hundreds of similar complaints across 2013–2018 Grand Caravan model years and report that Dodge dealers acknowledge this as a "common issue." Owners outside the 60,000-mile powertrain warranty window receive no manufacturer support, though some dealers mention potential future recall reimbursement eligibility if the defect becomes formally recalled.
Same Dodge Grand Caravan engine reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Cylinder misfire with low compression and valve defects
Engine cylinder (most commonly cylinder 2, also cylinder 4 and multiple cylinders reported) develops low compression caused by valve guide defects, loose exhaust valve tolerances, or compromised cylinder head integrity, triggering misfire fault codes.
When: Typically 45,000–80,000 miles; one report at 105,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; P0302 (cylinder 2 misfire) or related misfire codes; Rough idle; Power loss on acceleration; Engine shuddering and vibration; Complete engine stall at speed
Codes mentioned: P0302, Low compression in cylinder, Multiple random misfire codes
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report cylinder head replacement or rebuild at $3,000–$5,000+; some required complete head replacement with valve work. One owner paid $1,000 for spark plugs only to have failure persist, then received $4,049.50+ estimate for head replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge dealers acknowledge this as a common issue and have advised owners that similar engines carried recalls with warranty extensions on earlier model years. Owners report being ineligible for warranty coverage beyond 60,000 miles (powertrain warranty limit), though some dealers mention potential future recall reimbursement if defect becomes formally recalled. No recall issued for 2018 model year as of complaint dates.
Unintended engine stall and loss of motive power at speed
Engine stalls unexpectedly during normal driving (city and highway speeds), sometimes with shuddering preceding stall. Vehicle may restart but failure recurs. No check engine light or fault codes retrieved in some cases.
When: Mileage varies: 40–70 MPH driving reported at unknown miles; 45 MPH at 105,000 miles; 30 MPH at 55,000 miles; one case at 835,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abrupt engine stall without warning light in some cases; Vehicle shuddering before stall; Power steering and brake failure during stall; Hesitation on restart; Failure recurs within hours to weeks
Codes mentioned: No fault code retrieved in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: In one case, thermostat replacement and tune-up were advised but failure persisted. Independent mechanics unable to identify cause in multiple cases. One case referred for transmission replacement diagnosis (unconfirmed root cause).
Persistent misfire code after spark plug and coil replacement
Check engine light and misfire codes return within 500–600 miles after owner or dealer replacement of spark plugs and coil packs, indicating the misfire root cause is not ignition-related.
When: 46,000–75,000 miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light recurrence; Misfire code returns shortly after parts replacement; Rough idle persistence
Codes mentioned: P0302, Cylinder misfire codes
Repairs/costs cited: Owners and mechanics cite this as evidence of manufacturing defect in cylinder head, valve train, or compression system rather than consumable parts failure. One owner spent twice on spark plug and housing unit replacement with no resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge dealers advised further diagnosis and acknowledged the issue as a known problem with these motors.
Synthesized from 22 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while at a red light, the vehicle stalled and shuddered. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to get a diagnosis however, the independent mechanic stated that the failure cause was unidentifiable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to a…
The engine components have failed, there is compression issue from cylinders, rings, and valve issues. Same as 2017 recall, seems to be still affecting my 2018 model. mileage is only 73,000.
Check engine light keeps coming on. Motor has a miss. Cylinder 2 misfire. Parts changed and it keeps happening.
Had engine trouble with your 2018 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 engine problem on the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 22 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 22 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 77,460 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2018/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.