FaultScore

Dodge Caravan transmission problems

1,467 of the 14,200 complaints filed about the Dodge Caravan are about the transmission — 10% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1996.

1,467

Complaints

10%

Share of all complaints

64

Crashes

6

Fires

Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year

1984 Caravan 3 0.2%
1985 Caravan 8 0.5%
1986 Caravan 1 0.1%
1987 Caravan 7 0.5%
1988 Caravan 4 0.3%
1989 Caravan 50 3.4%
1990 Caravan 79 5.4%

Median failure at 113,767 miles

1991 Caravan 58 4.0%

Median failure at 97,500 miles

1992 Caravan 118 8.0%

Median failure at 84,000 miles

1993 Caravan 108 7.4%

Median failure at 106,500 miles

1994 Caravan 118 8.0%

Median failure at 105,000 miles

1995 Caravan 100 6.8%

Median failure at 90,000 miles

1996 Caravan 200 13.6%

Median failure at 85,312 miles

1997 Caravan 142 9.7%

Median failure at 70,502 miles

1998 Caravan 118 8.0%

Median failure at 73,000 miles

1999 Caravan 105 7.2%

Median failure at 64,308 miles

2000 Caravan 91 6.2%

Median failure at 57,899 miles

2001 Caravan 19 1.3%

Median failure at 49,605 miles

2002 Caravan 28 1.9%

Median failure at 56,352 miles

2003 Caravan 22 1.5%

Median failure at 18,067 miles

2004 Caravan 4 0.3%

Median failure at 32,000 miles

2005 Caravan 15 1.0%

Median failure at 32,500 miles

2006 Caravan 14 1.0%

Median failure at 56,632 miles

2007 Caravan 9 0.6%

Median failure at 56,156 miles

2008 Caravan 11 0.7%

Median failure at 78,000 miles

2009 Caravan 2 0.1%

Median failure at 42,962 miles

2010 Caravan 14 1.0%

Median failure at 35,814 miles

2011 Caravan 5 0.3%

Median failure at 63,050 miles

2012 Caravan 3 0.2%

Median failure at 3,154 miles

2013 Caravan 2 0.1%

Median failure at 475,500 miles

2014 Caravan 2 0.1%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

2015 Caravan 6 0.4%

Median failure at 85,000 miles

2017 Caravan 1 0.1%

Median failure at 3,000 miles

What owners said

1999 Dodge Caravan at 202,335 miles Grass Valley, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:CVT:BELT

The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the serpentine belt failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the serpentine belt needed to be replaced. The serpentine belt was replaced however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer a third time where the serpentine belt was replaced again however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not notified the third time. Additionally, The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V268000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that a friend had jumped his vehicle due to the battery had failed when gasoline started to spill onto the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure multiple times but the contact stated that the service rep disconnected and the call would be redirected. The failure mileage was approximately 202,335.

NHTSA complaint #11479845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Dodge Caravan Kensington, MN

POWER TRAIN

I know it's my solenoid my vehicle won't go out of 2 gear. My name is [XXX].[XXX] my number is [XXX]. I'm not sure if anything can be done being the vehicle is so old but I thought I'd give it a try. Email is [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11476683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Dodge Caravan at 890,000 miles Corpus Christi, TX

POWER TRAIN

FOOT GAS PEDAL IS LOCKED IN ONE SPEED.AT ENGINE RPM OF 1200. RPM DROPS TO 500 WHEN STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL. I .HAD TO PULL OVER AND HAVE IT TOWED.. NO RESPONSE USING GAS PEDAL.

NHTSA complaint #11207977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Dodge Caravan at 110,000 miles Joppa, MD

POWER TRAIN

BOUGHT THE VAN FROM COOKS VOLKSWAGEN ON MAY 7TH, 2018. IN THE FIRST 3 MTHS OF ME OWNING IT I HAD TO GET 2 MOTOR MOUNTS AND A STARTER PUT IN. THEN FROM THAT POINT IT WAS ALL DOWN HILL! IT HAS HAD 3 TRANSMISSIONS(COOKS HAS DONE 2 AND I TOOK THE VAN TO THOMPSON FOR THEM TO DO THE THIRD), HUB ASSEMBLY, WELDED THE CORE SUPPORT, POWER STEERING PULLEY AND BARING, STRUTS FOR THE TRUCK HATCH, I HAD TO PAY FOR OUT OF POCKET FOR POWER STEERING PULLEY AND BARING AND ONE DAY OF RENTAL FOR A RENTAL CAR! I HAVE ALREADY CALLED MY LAWYER AND TO HAVE CHRYSLER/DODGE SUED FOR SELLING AN UNINSPECTED VEHICLE AND FILING A CIVIL SUIT AGAINST YOUR COMPANY!!!! AS OF MAY 13,2019 IT IS IN THE SHOP AGAIN AND HAVE ANOTHER RENTAL VAN AFTER GETTING IT BACK ON FRIDAY MAY 10, 2019 AFTER IT'S 3RD TRANSMISSION BEING INSTALLED AND TRIED TO DRIVE IT DOWN 95 NORTH ON MAY 11,2019 AND I GOT TO 6TH GEAR AND IT WENT STRAIGHT INTO LIMP MODE AND HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THOMPSON'S TO FIX IT!

NHTSA complaint #11207268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Dodge Caravan at 85,000 miles Louisville, KY

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED AND WOULD NOT SWITCH GEARS PROPERLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LEAK FROM THE TRANSMISSION WAS DISCOVERED AT THAT TIME. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11181163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Dodge Caravan at 110,000 miles Spring Hill, FL

POWER TRAIN

TAKATA INFLATORS. I WAS DRIVING DOWN US 41 AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN MY VAN SUDDENLY REVVED VERY LOUDLY AND ALL SYSTEMS SEEMED TO BEGIN SHUTTING DOWN. I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE GAS AND IT CONTINUED TO CLIMB IN RPM'S AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I WAS ALMOST DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF A CAR REPAIR SHOP SO I BASICALLY COASTED IN THERE AND WAS TOLD I HAD TO BE TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. I DID AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND TRANSMISSION PUMP HAD LIKELY FAILED AND THAT THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION WAS OPENED UP BUT THAT IT WOULD LIKELY REQUIRE A NEW TRANSMISSION. I HAD A SECOND OPINION AT A DIFFERENT SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. THE SHOP OWNER ADVISED ME OF RECALL S44. UPON CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAY MY VIN DOES NOT APPEAR HOWEVER THE ISSUE IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH MY VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND I AM SEEKING LEGAL COUNSEL.

NHTSA complaint #11164831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Dodge Caravan at 102,002 miles Eastover, SC

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DESCRIBED A JERKING MOTION THAT OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PLACED THE VEHICLE IN THE REVERSE POSITION; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO JT'S CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT (4838 SUNSET BLVD, LEXINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA 29072, (803) 220-3725) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY COVERAGE EXPIRED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,002.

NHTSA complaint #11149906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Dodge Caravan at 25,000 miles Belsair, WA

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH GOING UPHILL, THE TRANSMISSION MADE A CLUNKING NOISE AND HESITATED TO SHIFT INTO THE CORRECT GEAR. ALSO, THE VEHICLE MADE A HIGH PITCHED NOISE WHEN THE ENGINE WAS REVVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WEST HILLS CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (900 W HILLS BLVD, BREMERTON, WA 98312, (360) 377-4418) AND THEY REBOOTED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM, WHICH TEMPORARILY CORRECTED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD OVER 36,000 MILES AND WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE IS NOW WORKING DUE TO POWERTRAIN/ TRANSMISSION FAILURE. UPDATED 11/28/18

NHTSA complaint #11130938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Dodge Caravan at 157,238 miles Chickasha, OK

POWER TRAIN

VEHICLE DIES WHEN GOING DOWN ROAD OTHER SOURCES SHOW A RECALL FOR THE 2010 CARAVAN

NHTSA complaint #11120210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Dodge Caravan at 80,000 miles Fennimore, WI

POWER TRAIN

ENGINE IS LEAKING OIL WITH A POTENTIAL FOR FIRE. VEHICLE DIES WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL WITH A CRASH AND INJURY HAZARD. NO START ISSUES. TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY.

NHTSA complaint #11076857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Dodge Caravan at 36,000 miles Tacoma, WA

POWER TRAIN

I HAD ALREADY SENT INFO TO DOL (BELOW) ON 03 CARAVAN I FROM UNLICENSED DEALER MICHAEL RANKIN. PLEASE SEE COMPLAINT FORM INATTACHMENT -IT'S TOO LONG TO ADD. THEY'RE IN PROCESS OF CHARGING MICHAEL RANKIN ON 12 COUNTS FOR DIFFERENT VEHICLES SOLD,AND ASESSING MONETARY FINES. I HAVE DONE TRANSMISSION REPAIRS TO THIS POSTAL FLEET VEHICLE.ACCORDING TO EXPERIENCED MECHANISS AT 32,300 MILES THE TRANSMISSION HAD ALREADY BEEN REBUILT -IMPROPERLY. I'M COMPLAINING BECAUSE I WAS STUCK ON FAST MOVING ARTERIAL WITH LEAKING TRANSMISSION (UNSAFE CONDITION) BECAUSE OF IMPROPER REPAIRS ,AND COULD NOT MOVE THE VEHICLE IN CONJESTED TRAFFIC 1621-72ND ST EAST,TACOMA,WA 98404. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THAT MOMENT AND AT ANOTHER DIFFERENT TIME WHEN DRIVING.THIS IS THE UNSAFE PART. THE MECHANIC CHARGED ME APPROXIMATELY $1500 AND ALSO TOLD ME IT HAD TRANSMISSION ALREADY REBUILT AND (4) LOOSE BOLTS ON PUMP SEAL, ALSO HAD A "PRE OWNED" USED? WRECKING YARD TORQUE CONVERTER WHICH WAS PAINTED BLACK INDICATING THE REBUILD OCURRED. HE ALSO STATED HOW THE 2 FRONT HALF SHAFTS (AXELS) WERE WORN OUT AND I HAD TO REPLACE THOSE, ABOUT $250. IT HAS BAD POWER STEERING PUMP-AND GROANING NOISES CURRENTLY (UNSAFE CONDITION) JUST LIKE WHEN I GOT IT (32.3K MILES) VEHICLE HAS A BAD AIR CONDITIONER NOT UNSAFE. *I HAVE JPEG PHOTOS AND RECEIPS FOR PARTS,AXELS, TRANSMISSION REPAIR AND FLUID I HAD TO BUY TO KEEP FLUID IN TRANSMISSION. PLEASE SEE ATTACHMENT FOR COMPLAINT SENT TO WASHINGTON DOL , JOSH IS THE CONTACT.

NHTSA complaint #11063819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Dodge Caravan Dewitt, AR

POWER TRAIN

HARD SHIFTING

NHTSA complaint #11063496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge Caravan Marion, AR

POWER TRAIN

THE VAN IS HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING UP IT'S LIKE THE STARTER IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUEL AND MY THERMOMETER JUST WENT OUT ONE DAY MY VAN WOULD NOT WORK. I GOT HOME FROM WORK WENT IN THE HOUSE CAM E BACK OUT TO GO TO OTHER STORE AND THE REMOTE WOULDN'T WORK THE VEHICLE I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND IT STILL DIDN'T WORK SO MESSED AROUND WITH THE FUSE BOX AND AND AFTER I DONE THAT IT STARTED RIGHT UP I ALSO HAD TO BYPASS THE TIPM SO THAT THE VAN WOULD START PROPERLY AND NOT MAKE MY STARTER STICK

NHTSA complaint #11057094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge Caravan at 92,000 miles Lynbrook, NY

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (GARDEN CITY JEEP CHRYSLER DODGE RAM, 283 N. FRANKLIN STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE WIN MODULE AND POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE WERE DETERMINED TO BE THE FAILED COMPONENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IT WAS THEN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIPM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT UPDATED 8/16/18

NHTSA complaint #11053502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Dodge Caravan at 3,000 miles Redland, FL Crash

POWER TRAIN

2017 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AT A LIGHT. MY FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE FOR A SECOND AND THE VEHICLE JUMPED FORWARD QUICKLY, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE REAR END OF AN ACURA SITTING ABOUT 10 FEET IN FRONT OF ME.

NHTSA complaint #11048555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Dodge Caravan Grafton, OH

POWER TRAIN

2015 DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 11/24/2017

NHTSA complaint #11046753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Dodge Caravan at 61,000 miles Curwensville, PA

POWER TRAIN

WHILE IN MOTION THE TRANSMISSION GIVES A GRINDING NOISE. IT HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DID A $1600 REPAIR, WHEN THE TRANS SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY, AND A $500 REPAIR, NOW IT IS DOING IT AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #11023835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Dodge Caravan at 18,000 miles Cape Girardeau, MO Crash

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:SHIFT PATTERN INDICATOR

CAR WAS SITTING IN PARK AND STATIONARY WITH ENGINE ON IN OUR HOME FLAT DRIVEWAY AND DRIVER GOT OUT OF CAR TO RETURN TO HOUSE WHILE CAR WAS IN PARK. THE DRIVER WAS GONE FOR 20 SECONDS AND AS DRIVER WAS RETURNING TO CAR THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS IN DRIVEWAY FOR 150 FEET UNTIL IT HIT TREE AND STOPPED. WHEN DRIVER RETURNED TO DRIVER SEAT THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN REVERSE.

NHTSA complaint #11011514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge Caravan at 59,000 miles Memphis, TN

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING RUBBER ODOR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE CARMAX DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION, TIPM, ALTERNATOR, AND BATTERY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

NHTSA complaint #11006096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Dodge Caravan at 135,000 miles Estero, FL

POWER TRAIN

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOSES POWER. BEFORE COMING TO A STOP, POWER RETURNS. THIS HAS HAPPENED DURING CITY DRIVING, AT A VARIETY OF SPEEDS.

NHTSA complaint #10985579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Dodge Caravan problems