2015 Dodge Grand Caravan: jerking or lurching

Filed Aug 1, 2025 · Transmission · 92,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and attempting to change gear, the transmission started slipping. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, where it was determined that the transmission solenoid might be defective. The transmission solenoid was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact decelerated and then accelerated, and the transmission slipped and made an abnormal winding sound. Additionally, while the vehicle was idling and the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle slightly jerked for several minutes. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle towed to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the transmission pump displayed low pressure; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V461000 (Power Train), and the mechanic referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called the manufacturer but was unable to speak to a live representative. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

Filed Jul 27, 2022 · Transmission · MO

My 2015 Dodge Dodge Grand Caravan was traveling home to St. Louis from Michigan. The car began to make a whining noise. My wife, who was driving, pulled off the interstate in Indianapolis. As she started driving on the local surface streets, the van began to lurch and behave erratically. She stopped completely and found an auto service center nearby to take it to. As she tried to get there, the engine would spin and the rpms would rise but the van would barely move. The service center did not work on transmissions so we had it towed to a transmission specialist. They determined that the transmission pump failed causing a loss of hydraulic pressure. The loss of pressure burned out the clutches which deteriorated and are present in the transmission fluid. Those issues created a number of waterfall issues with the gears in the transmission including gear ratio errors, skipping over 2nd gear, flare shifting into 3rd gear, and the transmission losing all engagement when it reaches operating temperature. In contacting Dodge/Chrysler, they informed me that there isn't an open recall for them to cover the $4,500 repair under despite the fact that this completely aligns with a prior recall on the 2015/2016 year Grand Caravans. Recall No. 16V461000, Automatic Transmission, where the transmission pump seizes, causing a lack of hydraulic pressure, and the vehicle loses motive power.

Filed Jul 10, 2021 · Transmission · PA

Transmission pump failed while driving the vehicle causing me and my handicapped daughter to be stuck on highway. Was able to get vehicle off the road. Vehicle started to make a whining sound then when I had to stop for road construction it started to jerk forward while I was stopped with my foot in the brake. Then when I went to accelerate I had no power to move forward. Rpms would go to 4000 but vehicle would barely move. Once I was able to safely get off highway I had to call for a ride home. I hate to think if this would of happened while I was actually driving the vehicle on the busy highway and not stopped for road construction what might of happened to me and my daughter if someone would of rear ended us while my vehicle stopped moving in fast traffic! Got home and I searched for any recalls for my type of vehicle and I seen there was a recall for this problem and the recall number was s44. But when I put my vin number in it says my vehicle wasn’t covered for this recall. Well obviously it should be covered because of the faulty transmission pump stranding me on the highway. This recall should be extended to more vehicles like mine. I have called Chrysler and I am awaiting any info from them wether they are going to pay for this. The vehicle is a 2015 but only has 56000 miles on it! No way this part should fail with that amount of low miles on it. It should be covered under the recall s44! Please let me know what I can do about this if they fail to cover me under this recall. While I’m only assuming this is the problem with the vehicle due to recalls being issued for it I will be taking it to a garage to be fixed but would like to be reimbursed if this is the problem with my vehicle! Obviously the recall should of been extended to cover more vehicles than what it did. Once I have proper confirmation for the problem I will be refilling a complaint with all paper work to prove my claim if Chrysler doesn’t pay to fix this!

Filed Nov 18, 2020 · Transmission · 157,000 miles · AK

While driving to highway the RPM was going to hire an engine start making whining sound and in the city while reaching to mechanic at the intersection it was giving huge jerk and sometimes get doesn't shift at all the cars stand still at intersections I have to turn off the car and turn it back on in order to move which was very dangerousafter consult to a mechanic he says oil pump is gone for the transmission dodge caravan is a family car I got four kids and it's very dangerous while driving on the road I have seen a lot of forms in which people complain about this issue kindly assist in this regards

Filed Nov 2, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 102,000 miles · IL

While driving the vehicle with no warning the engine light came on and started to blink then the vehicle started to jerk and it was loosing power and would not go over 20 on the city street.

Filed Jun 30, 2020 · Transmission · 113,000 miles · OH

When driving in a construction zone on I-71 north a loud whining noise came from the front left of the vehicle it then had difficulty accelerating. I had my foot pressing hard on the gas just to get to 60 MPH. The RPM was all the way to 6. The vehicle would slow and speed up with a jerk. Once I arrived to work I parked the car. When I turned the van back on my check engine light came on. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who then had it towed to another location that was able to repair the transmission. I am currently awaiting the full diagnostic. I religiously maintain my vehicle to avoid catastrophic failures such as the one I am having now. So disappointed in the performance of this vehicle as it has been in the shop several time since I have owned it with problems from electrical issues, the side doors unable to open, and oil pain cracking.

Filed Jan 8, 2020 · Transmission · 96,450 miles · TX

The problem started when I would idle the vehicle in drive and it acted like it didn't want to go. The engine would just rev up like it wasn't in gear. Then while the vehicle was in motion the rpms would rev up super high on its own and then there would be a sudden jerk. Now the vehicle won't even go above 30 miles per hour. It's almost like the transmission pump isn't working right.

Filed Aug 8, 2019 · Engine · 110,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 dodge grand caravan. While driving, the contact stated that the vehicle jerked, lunged forward, and lost power when the accelerator pedal was released. Also, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed a tune up. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic for a second diagnostic test, which determined that the head gasket failed and needed to be repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v139897 (engine and engine cooling) p0302- cylinder 2 misfire as a possible solution; however, the tsb was not included in the 2015 extended warranties. The vehicle was then taken to bill harris chrysler dodge jeep (2100 s baney rd, ashland, oh 44805, (419) 951-0292) where it was determined that the head gasket was blown and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 594-45294. The contact was awaiting a phone call from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Filed Sep 22, 2015 · Transmission · 20,000 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 dodge grand caravan. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the gears jerked and the rpms fluctuated when driving at a steady speed. The vehicle was taken to two different dealers who were unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure recurred several times. The failure mileage was 20,000. The VIN was not provided.