Is the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan a bad year?
1,002 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 221, 10× a quiet Grand Caravan year.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan were filed between 70k and 108k miles. You're at 88,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 Grand Caravan owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 88,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 221 (22%) | 70k–108k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 86 (9%) | 66k–101k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Seats | 25 (2%) | 52k–91k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 22 (2%) | 52k–93k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 17 (2%) | 36k–95k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 314 (31%) | 41k–75k miles · mostly behind | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 228 (23%) | 40k–70k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Latches and locks | 24 (2%) | 50k–72k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 13 (1%) | 21k–80k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Stability control | 11 (1%) | 27k–67k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 26 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 11 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 7 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 5 (0%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 88,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,002 complaints: 14 mention a crash · 7 mention a fire · 11 report an injury · 47 say the car was towed.
29 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Sep 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Started the car and it was making a sound like an electrical car would. Thought maybe it was just warming up and I was imagining it.
While driving this vehicle it began to lose power and would not accelerate when I pushed the gas and then the vehicle would jump from 1 to 5 rpms.
I bought my 2016 Dodge grand caravan in february of 2018 with 98000 miles on it. Here I am 1 year and 5 months later having to replace the transmission at 108000 miles.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 88,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan: 6
The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured. An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
The fuel pump gasket may deteriorate, allowing fuel to leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
The transmission pump may seize causing a loss of hydraulic pressure. If the transmission loses hydraulic pressure, the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The nuts on the third row seatbacks were incorrectly torqued and may become loose. If the third row seatback becomes loose, it may separate from the seat frame, increasing the risk of injury.
In the affected vehicles, the bolts that attach the hood striker may loosen and, as a result, the hood may open unexpectedly while driving. If the hood opens while driving, the driver's vision may be obstructed, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 73
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Suspected engine coolant leak
WiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA)
Gear Ratio DTC's, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Sliding Doors Inoperative
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Neighbouring years
2015 Grand Caravan: 281 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2017 Grand Caravan: 415 complaints, keep it.
Every Dodge Grand Caravan year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · All Grand Caravan years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Journey · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan a bad year?
1,002 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 221, 10× a quiet Grand Caravan year. At 88,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan were filed between 70k and 108k miles. You're at 88,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (221), engine (86), seats (25), air bags (22), speed control (17). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 70k–108k miles.
How many recalls does the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Adaptive equipment (NHTSA 25V-876), Fuel system (NHTSA 20V-278), Equipment (NHTSA 17V-824), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 16V-461) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.