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2016 Dodge Grand Caravan Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,002 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan, most often about the electrical (31% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Grand Caravan model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan problems
Electrical
314 complaints · 31%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, horn, instrument panel.
Driver side sliding door is stuck in the lock position. It wont unlock with the remote, button inside or manually. Keeps showing error messafe if you try to open it that the door needs to be unkocked but will not unlock. Very unsafe since minivans are for family's and bow in the case of emergency I cant open that…
Bought the car used a year ago. It has 57,578 miles on speedometer. Driver side sliding door locked shut, will not open from inside, outside or remotely. Just drove in driveway and parked and it will not open. Five minutes before it opened and closed fine as we had been shopping.
Other or unspecified
240 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles.
The passenger side sliding door automatically locked while I was driving as it should. However once the lock engaged, it would not unlock and the door became inoperable from both the inside and the outside. This is incredibly dangerous, because if there was an emergency I or first responders could not quickly get to…
When the car is in park, ignition on or off, the driver's side sliding door is locked and closed and will not open using the keyfob, the door button on the ceiling console, the door button on the door wall, the inside or outside door handles. The lock will not manually lock or unlock. You cannot exit the van on that…
Body and structure
228 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
My vehicles (2016 Dodge Grand Caravan)driver's side sliding door fails to open. It appears to be stuck in the lock position. The automatic door will not respond to the interior switch or the key fob and will not move from the lock position when trying to open manually. The vehicle was in a parked position when…
June 14, 2019, while parked in my driveway, the right sliding door would not unlock . I tried both manually and electronically. The door is hopelessly locked. I went through this with the left sliding door in january, 2019.
Transmission
221 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The vehicle was in motion but wouldnt shift would just take the rpms to 7000. The transmission was getting so hot it was making my temperatures gauge for my engine rise. I pulled off on exit 92 on 81 southbound by the time the vehicle came to a stop I was seeing flames coming out from the floorboard. I bought the…
I was in motion on a county road when I believe the transmission began messing up. Upon research I found there was a recall regarding the transmission in 2016 Dodge caravans. I placed the vehicle in "drive" and while it shifted from 1st to 2nd it revved up to 3500 RPM before shifting. When shifting from 2nd to 3rd the…
Engine
86 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the contact detected an abnormal winding sound from either the transmission or the engine. After the vehicle warmed up, the sound diminished. The contact called the local dealer who recommended an engine replacement. The…
Transmission fluid pump failed, resulting in transmission failure. Vehicle began to show signs of slippage, then became inoperable after being parked. This is my fourth Dodge caravan to have this problem. Failures of the transmission pump all happened without warning at around 55,000 - 80,000 miles. The caravan also…
Fuel system
26 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 59,500 miles.
Van stopped going in and out of gear in the middle of traffic and almost caused a severe accident. Van was in motion on a city street and moving.
Vehicle pulses while shifting through gears, google shows a recall s44, for transaxle oil pump. I called Dodge customer service and was told by operator that it does show up in the service notification. So I called dealership to schedule appointment, and was told it's not a recall. So I called customer service again…
Seats
25 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 65,500 miles. Parts named most often: front assembly.
I have 2 seperate issues. The first issue is like many other caravan owners, the rear sliding door locks are both malfunctioning. The rear drivers door started with the loud buzzing when it would lock at around 60,000 miles. At around 92,000 miles the rear passenger doorlock broke in the locked position. The door will…
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while her spouse was driving 55 MPH, the driver's side headrest deployed without warning. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnosis or repairs however, paul sherry chrysler jeep Dodge ram (8645 n co rd 25a, piqua, oh 45356, ([phone]) was…
Doors and locks
24 complaints · 2%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: doors, electronic lock/latch actuator.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the driver's side sliding door failed to unlock. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the driver's side electronic sliding door had locked and could no be re-opened. The vehicle was taken to straub chrysler Dodge (1502 wheeling ave, glendale, wv) where it was diagnosed that the locking mechanism was faulty and needed to be replaced.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Dodge Grand Caravan recalls
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Risk: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Rollx will work with q'straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed february 5, 2026. Owners may contact rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.
Full defect summary
Rollx vans (rollx) is recalling certain gmc yukon, sierra, chevrolet express 2500, ford transit, e-250, toyota sienna, sienna hybrid, honda odyssey, chrysler town and country, voyager, pacifica, dodge grand caravan, and ram promaster vehicles equipped with qrt-deluxe and qrt-max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Vantage will notify owners, and will provide parts and reimbursement to owners for repair facilities to replace the fuel tank gasket, free of charge. The recall began may 19, 2020. Owners may contact vantage customer service at 1-800-488-9082.
Full defect summary
Vantage mobility international, llc (vantage) is recalling certain vantage-modified 2016-2019 dodge grand caravan vehicles. The fuel pump gasket may deteriorate, allowing fuel to leak.
Equipment
Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began february 14, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "product safety recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is t82.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling various dodge, chrysler, and ram vehicles equipped with kidde plastic-handle or push button 'pindicator' fire extinguishers. 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. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.NHTSA.gov/odi/rcl/2017/rmisc-17e062-5427.pdf
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: If the transmission loses hydraulic pressure, the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission pump, free of charge. The recall began on august 18, 2016. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is s44.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 chrysler town & country, dodge grand caravan vehicles manufactured july 31, 2015, to april 18, 2016, 2016 dodge journey vehicles manufactured august 17, 2015, to january 29, 2016, and 2016 ram promaster vehicles manufactured august 15, 2016, to april 15, 2016. The transmission pump may seize causing a loss of hydraulic pressure.
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Risk: If the third row seatback becomes loose, it may separate from the seat frame, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will re-torque the third row seatback nuts, free of charge. The recall began on july 1, 2016. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is s37.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2016 dodge grand caravan and chrysler town and country vehicles manufactured march 16, 2016, to march 17, 2016. The nuts on the third row seatbacks were incorrectly torqued and may become loose.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: If the hood opens while driving, the driver's vision may be obstructed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install new hood striker bolts with the proper torque, free of charge. The recall began on october 22, 2015. Owners may contact chrysler's customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is r53.
Full defect summary
Chrysler group llc (chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 chrysler town and country and dodge grand caravan vehicles manufactured august 19, 2015 to august 27, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that attach the hood striker may loosen and, as a result, the hood may open unexpectedly while driving.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Sliding doors inoperative
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe21-016 on july 7, 2021, to investigate 364 complaints alleging that one or both sliding doors on 2016 model year (my) grand caravan or town and country vehicles could not be opened. The door(s) could not be opened using the mechanical handle or electronic remote switches. Many of the complaints described having to remove passengers seated in the rear of vehicles through the front doors, the second sliding door (if it was operational), the window, or the car?s rear hatch. The complainants have expressed concerns that if the sliding door(s) cannot be opened in the event of an emergency or crash, it could trap passengers or delay their egress.o
Active head rest inadvertent deployment
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe19014 on september 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the active head rest (ahr) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (my) 2014 jeep grand cherokee and dodge durango vehicles.when odi opened the investigation, odi was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.a small number of early warning reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat ahr inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.reported safety consequences resulting from the ahr deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of
Questions about the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (314 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); other or unspecified (240 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); body and structure (228 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 17, 2025 (equipment Adaptive/Mobility). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Dodge Grand Caravan?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Grand Caravan model year since 2000, with 1,002 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.