No Start, After Flash And Or PCM Replace, DTC P0513 Invalid Skim Key Setting
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Dodge Grand Caravan powertrain problems
severe 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 12 powertrain complaints filed for the 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Powertrain accounts for 35% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 3 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
PLATE, TORQUE CONVERTER DRIVE For 3.6L with 62TE NOTE: FOR ALL PROMASTER VF 3.6L/62TE EQUIPPED VEHICLES: IF THE TRANSMISSION BRACKET TO THE TRANSMISSION CASE FASTENERS ARE REMOVED DURING SERVICING, THE FASTENERS Part Number 06511385A$ ARE ONE TIME USEAGE & MUST BE REPLACED & PROPERLY TORQUED TO 105NM Replace the eight bolts 8 06503465 drive plate to crank shaft and the four TC bolts 06504383 as they have sealants Vehicle miles < 30K: Mandatory replacement of transmission and driveplate Vehicle miles > 30K: Replace driveplate only shot peened
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗PLATE, TORQUE CONVERTER DRIVE For 3.6L with 62TE NOTE: FOR ALL PROMASTER (VF) 3.6L/62TE EQUIPPED VEHICLES: IF THE TRANSMISSION BRACKET TO THE TRANSMISSION CASE FASTENERS ARE REMOVED DURING SERVICING, THE FASTENERS (Part Number 06511385A$) ARE ONE TIME USEAGE & MUST BE REPLACED & PROPERLY TORQUED TO 105NM Replace the eight bolts (8) 06503465 drive plate to crank shaft and the four TC bolts 06504383 as they have sealants Vehicle miles < 30K: Mandatory replacement of transmission and driveplate Vehicle miles > 30K: Replace driveplate only (shot peened)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Gear Ratio DTC?s, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) are one-time usage. Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA Vehicles built after on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. All 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the vehicle you are repairing has a crack in the flex plate or failed pump bushing inspect and confirm that both (2) dowel pins
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Transmission failure dominates complaints on this generation Grand Caravan. Nine of 11 narratives center on the transmission failing completely or developing serious problems well before you'd expect. Failure points cluster between 47,000 and 99,500 miles—some vehicles need replacement twice or three times within 107,000 miles of owner use. One owner had a remanufactured transmission replaced under Mopar warranty fail again just 26,000 miles later.
The failure mode varies: sudden loss of power while driving, jerking at stops, grinding noise, or the transmission simply stopping. A few owners describe hard shifting especially above 40 mph or when cold, though transmission fluid checks come back normal and the scanner pulls no codes. One owner's transmission contained no fluid when inspected. Another's fluid was burnt and contaminated with metal shavings after a dealer fluid service.
When vehicles do fail, shops quote $6,000–$6,700 for replacement or rebuild. Warranty coverage is inconsistent: one owner had a three-year Mopar warranty honored on a remanufactured unit; others faced denial or learned their warranty was void because the dealer reset the computer before selling them the van.
Same Dodge Grand Caravan powertrain reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission failure and repeated replacement
Complete transmission failure requiring replacement, often repeatedly within the vehicle's ownership. Some vehicles required transmission replacement multiple times in as little as 107,000 miles of ownership. Owners report the transmission fails suddenly with no warning lights or minimal warning.
When: Between 47,000 and 99,500 miles; several instances of repeat failure within 26,000-36,000 miles of previous replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Lurching forward at stops; Complete stalling; Vehicle jerking and bucking abnormally; Transmission racing/slipping; Vehicle entering limp mode; Hard shifting especially when cold or at speeds above 40 mph; Grinding sounds; Transmission with no fluid inside
Codes mentioned: P0755 (2-4 solenoid circuit), C212A (system voltage below threshold)
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement with remanufactured OEM or factory units; one owner cited $6,000+ parts cost with $100 labor on service plan; another paid $6,316.23 for factory transmission install; one owner faced $6,700 rebuild cost after transmission shop found burnt fluid and internal damage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Three Year Mopar Warranty on remanufactured transmission in one case (warranty honored after initial 86,000-mile failure); another owner's warranty denied as not covered; one manufacturer case filed but buy-back request denied; one owner advised to report to NHTSA
Hard shifting and transmission hesitation
Transmission exhibits hard or delayed shifting, particularly noticeable after fluid service or at certain speeds. One owner reports hard shifting initiated immediately following dealer transmission fluid and filter exchange. Another reports hard shifting from 40 mph and up with no diagnostic codes appearing.
When: Starting within months of transmission fluid service in one case; ongoing at 98,800 miles in another
Symptoms owners cite: Hard shifting from 40 mph and up; Delayed shifting/hesitation in 2-3 gears; Slipping in 2-3 gears; Loud clunk noise during shifting with vehicle shake
Codes mentioned: P0755 (2-4 solenoid circuit)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner received transmission fluid and filter exchange at dealership before problem onset; mechanic suggested cold-weather hard shifting (owner disputed as transmission was warmed up); no successful repair reported; another owner reset power module without success
Transmission fluid loss and metal contamination
Transmission loses fluid or becomes contaminated with metal shavings, blocking fluid flow and causing failure. One owner's transmission contained no fluid when inspected; another's burnt fluid was found during inspection.
When: At 99,500 miles in one case; between 86,000-92,000 miles in others
Symptoms owners cite: No transmission fluid present in transmission; Burnt transmission fluid; Metal shavings in transmission obstructing filter; Grinding sounds from transmission
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement required; one owner's independent mechanic replaced transmission after finding no fluid inside; another transmission shop found burnt fluid requiring $1,500 diagnostic and $6,700 total rebuild
Loss of power and acceleration failure
Vehicle loses power or fails to accelerate when throttle is applied, with jerking and bucking during attempted recovery. No warning lights illuminate in reported cases.
When: One incident at 59,000 miles; timing unclear in another
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator pedal unresponsive at 55 mph; Vehicle coasting and unable to accelerate; Jerking and bucking during coasting/parking
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired in either reported case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware in one case but provided no assistance; repair not covered under warranty
Transmission shift-to-park failure with vehicle rollaway
Vehicle with transmission in park mode rolled backward on incline, failing to hold position. Contact was unable to engage park and vehicle rolled downhill causing injury.
When: At approximately 97,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolling backward while in park; Inability to shift to park while rolling; Vehicle veering uncontrollably during rollaway
Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired; vehicle driven away from incident scene by owner
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not informed of failure
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
09/26/2024 Transmission had to be replaced at 47,000 miles. Without warning, the van began lurching forward at a stop light almost causing a collision and then completely stalled having to be towed to the shop. Luckily, I bought a service plan and only had to pay $100, but the parts list was $6,000+. Sliding rear doors have the electric assist option. On several occasions myself and my children…
I have the oil changed regularly and keep all records and receipts. I've had the coolant and transmission fluid flushed, the thermostat changed twice, the coolant temperature sensor changed, the oil cooler changed and i checkmy transmission fluid regularly. My van was over heating frequently and no one could figure out why. I changed the coolant our and the temp. Sensor. It doesn't overheat…
2019 Dodge Van GT when driving in about 2/3 gears(automatic trans.) was slipping and hesitating around August 2025. In July 2025 I decided to have the trans. Fluid and filter exchanged. The dealership was said it was on the schedule for it to be done. After that is when the problem started. Took back to dealership and they ran some tests and noticed the problem. The tech told me to drive it for a…
The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and independently stopped. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with rear transmission seal failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be…
At 99500 the transmission went Kaputt! Repair man says metal shavings obstructed flow of fluid, through the filter, into the transmission, not allowing for running the car forward or backward. Very dangerous as we were driving down a highway when it just stopped working. Vehicle is only 6 years old. Why would this happen so soon?
Transmission had a complete failure on July 24, 2025. There were no warning signs it was operating fine until that moment. Odometer 86,948. Had van towed to my mechanics shop where he diagnosed the problem. A new factory trans was ordered and installed at a cost of $6,316.23.
The torque converter(automatic transmission) began failing causing the vehicle to stall when at a traffic light in heavy city traffic allowing for the possibility of being struck by other vehicles because of a restart delay. The only way to bypass the issue we learned was to put the vehicle in neutral when stopping. This reduced the stalling incidents but created other issues in heavy stop and go…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2019 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 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 85,803 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 $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/2019/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.