2016 Dodge Grand Caravan: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Dec 31, 2024 · Suspension, Transmission · MO

Was driving home from work (on city streets) and noticed that the engine seemed to be idling higher than normal RPMs. Van would not shift from first gear and would not accelerate beyond about 30 MPH, very sluggish, while RPMs rose above 3K and engine made a grinding/whining sound. No warning lights of any kind came on while driving or while stopped. While stopped at a traffic light, heard several loud clunks from under the hood and van had difficulty accelerating from stop. Was able to get it to the shop where they diagnosed transmission failure - the mechanics couldn't get it out of first gear by the time they were done looking at it and had to push it off the lift. Total cost of a remanufactured transmission plus new hubs and axles because they couldn't get the old ones removed without damaging them to remove/replace the transmission was $5600. Van has 128,000 miles.

Filed Nov 11, 2024 · Transmission · TX

My family was in the vehicle driving on the hwy in town and suddenly the car revved all the way up to 5000 rpms and would not shift out of first gear. When my husband shifted the car from drive to reverse to park the transmission made a loud clunking noise and hard jerking motion, the check engine light came on. There were no warning signs or lamps. this happened all within 30 seconds of driving down the highway. Since the vehicle would not shift out of first gear our safety was put at risk being we were on a major hwy and unable to gain speed or move out of way of traffic.

Filed Mar 25, 2024 · Transmission · 101,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact attempted to accelerate; however, the vehicle would not accelerate above 35 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and a diagnostic test was performed. The mechanic stated that the torque converter cultch circuit and the transmission fluid pressure sensor switch had malfunctioned. The contact also stated several months ago the vehicle was taken to the mechanic for an oil change and the mechanic found metal fragments in the oil. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V461000 (Power Train) as a possible solution; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

Filed Jan 2, 2024 · Transmission · 83,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle responded sluggishly and the transmission was stuck in first gear, nearly causing a crash. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact checked the dipstick and verified that there was transmission fluid in the vehicle. Additionally, the contact added transmission fluid to the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission pump had failed and there were metal shavings in the transmission pan. The mechanic related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V461000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

Filed Nov 27, 2021 · Transmission · TX

While I was driving, down the road from the grocery store, my vehicles rpm's jump high but the vehicle was not going any faster and was actually slowing down. I pulled over as i could not get the vehicle to move. I turned the engine off and back on and put it in gear and it started to go but then it started acting up again. It started giving a whinning noise from the engine compartment so I believe that it is the transmission pump because it will not shift in any gear and when I trottle high enough the whinning noise gets louder.

Filed Apr 28, 2021 · Transmission · 88,000 miles · GA

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. Drove to town and it started shifting hard. By the time I tried to go home it wouldn't shift into higher gears, had really high RPM. I got it into a parking lot and it wouldn't drive at all!

Filed Nov 15, 2020 · Transmission · 126,000 miles · TN

The transmission pump has failed while driving and now the transmission will not shift smoothly it jerks and sometimes won't shift at all making the RPM's go very high before it shift with a hard jerk. Makes a whining noise and is unstable.

Filed Nov 13, 2020 · Transmission · 96,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 dodge grand caravan. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle loss motive power and failed to accelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle went into limp mode. The contact stated the vehicle failed to shift gears correctly with the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact disconnected the battery to have the computer was reset however, the gear shifted into first gear then back into neutral. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not yet taken to a dealer. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v461000 (power train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

Filed Nov 8, 2020 · Transmission · 88,000 miles · NY

Vehicle will not shift gears. Will rev up and slow down on it's own but barely moves. Stepping on gas paddle does not help problem as it will not shift

Filed Aug 3, 2020 · Body, Transmission · 78,000 miles · NC

The sliding door on the driver side just quit opening about 6 months ago, last week the transmission has went completely out. I was getting ready to leave home and when I put the van in drive it pulled off and when I got up to the speed limit and the RPM's was going up the van wouldn't shift. I sent it to the shop and they just called me saying that the transmission is completely gone and I need a new transmission or a re-build. This van is a 2016 with 78,000 miles. I am still paying on this vehicle and I am having all these problems. I would like to know if there is any recalls or complaints about this vehicle.

Filed Jul 28, 2020 · Transmission · 73,000 miles · PA

I was driving our automatic 2016 dodge caravan when it suddenly lost power and wouldn't accelerate. It felt like I was about to run out of gas. The mechanic has spent the last 3 weeks doing extensive (and expensive) testing to find out what is wrong. He said that it is going into 'limp mode' and is stuck in second gear. It is undrivable and unsafe in the current condition. The mechanic said it is a 'shift solenoid' issue and that we need a brand new transmission, which will cost $4000. We bought the vehicle brand new and have only put 73,000 miles on it. Seems early to need a new transmission so I am wondering if some of the power train components used by the manufacturer were faulty.

Filed Jun 5, 2020 · Transmission · 110,250 miles · SC

Had a whining noise coming from the engine compartment. After about 1 or 2 miles the check engine light came on and the whining got real loud and the transmission wouldn't shift into the next gear. I let off of the accelerator and it never down shifted or upshifted. It just coasted. Went to accelerate and the engine just revved the rpms high. Eventually coasted to a spot to get off the road. Can smell transmission fluid. Have no leaks. Now it won't do anything transmission wise. The van will start up and idle fine. Just nothing from the transmission.