2016 Dodge Grand Caravan Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year center on two things: the power sliding door locks, which seize or buzz and leave a door that will not open from inside or out, and transmission failures in which the van loses drive or revs without pulling. Both are reported across a wide mileage range, with the door-lock complaints often showing up earlier than the transmission ones. Owners also describe electrical and body issues, including warning lights and hood corrosion.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Sliding door lock stuck or buzzing (actuator failure)

   • 546 complaints (54%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 4.0 yrs old (327 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 45 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe a rear sliding door that suddenly will not unlock, either with the key fob, the power lock switch or the manual lock, and stays shut from both inside and outside. Many mention a loud buzzing noise from the door when locking or unlocking just before it stops working, and some report one door failing and the other following later. Complaints say dealers diagnosed a failed door lock actuator and quoted repairs in the hundreds to about a thousand dollars; some owners report the same fault returning after repair. A service bulletin covers power sliding door lock actuators on this model year as a warranty extension. Reported from roughly 25,000 to 140,000 miles, with many under 80,000 miles and some failing with no warning while the van sat parked.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Operate both sliding doors several times with the fob, the dash button and the manual lock, and listen for buzzing or a lock that will not release. Ask whether the door lock actuators have been replaced or covered under the warranty extension.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “All of a sudden the driver side sliding door is frozen locked and will not open. I have tried everything to be able to open the door - from outside and inside and it does not unlock or open. This is a serious safety issue - if my grandchildren are sitting in the middle and back seats - how will they get out in an emergency?”

   NHTSA complaint #11377495, filed 2020-12, 62,395 miles

   “My drivers side passenger door will not open or unlock. After some research it seems its the actuator. Which is costly to repair and a safety hazard. I read lots of complaints about the door being stuck and all of a sudden coming open while driving. This is a safety hazard especially with kids in the car. Or what if theres an accident and we cant get the door opened to get everyone out safetly.”

   NHTSA complaint #11408078, filed 2021-04, 127,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission loss of drive or pump failure

   • 245 complaints (24%)
   • median 83,000 mi at 4.8 yrs old (153 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $4,350 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Complaints describe the van suddenly losing power to the wheels, revving high without accelerating, refusing to shift, or stalling, sometimes with a whining noise and a check engine light. Several owners say a shop or dealer diagnosed a failed transmission pump or hydraulic pressure loss and recommended a rebuild or replacement, and some note their vehicle was not covered by the transmission pump recall. Others report harsh downshifts or jerking before the failure. Mostly reported between about 50,000 and 110,000 miles, often during normal driving with no prior warning.

   Recall 16V4610001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test drive at highway speed and check for delayed engagement, flare between gears, whining or harsh downshifts. Ask whether the vehicle falls under the transmission pump recall and whether any transmission work has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving, vehicle broke down without warning or any prior issue. No power to engine and RPM racing to red levels. I have taken it to two dealers who have informed me that transmission needs to be rebuilt or replaced. Vehicle is less than 6 yr. Old and has approx. 63,000 miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #11412928, filed 2021-04, 63,000 miles

   “Was sitting in a dri e thru line at the pharmacy. When I took my foot off the break to hit the gas the van would not move and after about 2 seconds van jumped forward. After that I heard a loud whinning sound from the engine. That just got louder. Now van not shifting.”

   NHTSA complaint #11329659, filed 2020-06, 67,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Electrical shutdowns and warning lights

   • 110 complaints (11%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 3.9 yrs old (68 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $950 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners report warning lights coming on without a clear cause, including air bag and charging or battery messages, and in a few cases the whole van shutting off while driving so that steering, brakes and engine all stopped. Complaints describe dealers attempting repairs on separate visits without resolving the problem, and some note battery charging warnings tied to the battery sensor. Doors that no longer lock or unlock with the power locks are also reported under this component. Spread from about 35,000 to 100,000 miles, with no single mileage pattern.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check that all warning lamps go out after start-up and ask for any stored diagnostic codes to be read. Ask whether the battery sensor or charging software updates described in service bulletins have been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Side sliding door lock is stuck and the door can not be opened electronically or manually. Passengers can become trapped and unable to exit the vehicle. Luckily this happened in a non-emergency situation and the children were able to slowly climb out a different door.”

   NHTSA complaint #11328552, filed 2020-06, 100,500 miles

   “While driving the entire vehicle including all functional systems simply shuts off. This has happened 2 times in the last 2 months. All systems are lost. Brakes, steering, engine, etc. There is no advanced waring or indications. There are no engine warning lights. The vehicle has been taken into the dealership twice to fix this malfunction with no success/progress. This is catastrophic failure because all vehicle controls are lost. Both times the vehicle was being driven. Once in the city and the other while on the highway.”

   NHTSA complaint #11385584, filed 2020-12, 70,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine ticking and coolant or oil filter adapter leaks

   • 62 complaints (6%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 4.9 yrs old (37 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners report a loud tapping or ticking from the top of the engine at idle and light acceleration, suspected to involve the valvetrain. Other complaints describe coolant loss and overheating-related repairs, and service bulletins address the engine oil filter adapter and coolant leak diagnosis for this engine family. Mostly reported above 80,000 miles, though some complaints fall in the 50,000 to 80,000 mile range.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for ticking at cold start and idle, check coolant level and look for residue around the oil filter adapter housing; ask whether the adapter has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The engine makes a very loud tapping/ticking noise when idling and slight acceleration. It appears to be coming from the top of the engine, possible a rocker arm or lifter. I hope there is a recall on this issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #11327533, filed 2020-06, 140,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate, and the RPM was at zero. The contact mentioned that there was a high pitch whining sound. The vehicle coasted and failed to shift gears. Additionally, once the vehicle was restarted, the vehicle jerked forward and was able to operate. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated continuously. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11440521, filed 2021-11, 97,099 miles

Buying note. Given the sample, the sliding door locks and the transmission are the two areas worth checking most carefully on a used example, and both are reported at moderate mileage. A test drive that includes highway speeds plus a full cycle of both sliding doors, locks and warning lights will tell you more than service records alone.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.