Is the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan a bad year?
415 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Grand Caravan years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan are in line with other Grand Caravan years. Electrical system and body structure stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2017 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 65,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 144 (35%) | 48k–85k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 95 (23%) | 58k–85k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 60 (14%) | 48k–80k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Latches and locks | 28 (7%) | 62k–110k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 21 (5%) | 46k–74k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seats | 16 (4%) | 56k–93k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 7 (2%) | 34k–78k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 37 (9%) | 67k–106k miles · ahead | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Fuel system | 14 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 5 (1%) | 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 65,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 415 complaints: 6 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 4 report an injury · 9 say the car was towed.
20 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The engine stops for no reason and does not show a check engine light. The engine can be re-started, but can then stop again for no reason.
While coming to a stop the vehicle will shut down. There is a ding like the a seatbelt isn't buckled, the lights flash and the vehicle just shuts down like someone turned the key off.
While entering freeway onramp engine power reduced and vehicle following had to swerve to avoid collision.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 65,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan: 3
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.
The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition. A vehicle stall can increase 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: 64
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2017 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: 1
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Neighbouring years
2016 Grand Caravan: 1,002 complaints, consider selling · 2018 Grand Caravan: 272 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 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan a bad year?
415 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Grand Caravan years. At 65,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (144), body structure (95), engine (60), latches and locks (28), air bags (21).
How many recalls does the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Adaptive equipment (NHTSA 25V-876), Fuel system (NHTSA 20V-278), Electrical system (NHTSA 18V-524). 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.