2016 Dodge Grand Caravan: whining or grinding noise

Filed Aug 3, 2026 · Transmission · WI

The transmission on this vehicle has started to make a whining noise from the transmission which is consistent with the symptoms of a failing transmission pump cover under recall S44. If this were to fail while driving it can lead to a serious or fatal accident. I have not yet taken the vehicle in to be serviced as I am trying to work with the manufacturer first. There were no indicators prior to the noise coming from the transmission. This van was manufactured in July, only 3 months outside the recall window. I have contacted Dodge to report the issue and have gotten nowhere.

Filed Feb 12, 2025 · Transmission · 106,222 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal to merge onto the highway and heard an abnormal whining sound from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact stopped, turned off, and restarted the vehicle however, when the transmission was shifted into drive(D), the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission pump had failed and damaged the transmission. The contact was advised that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V461000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,222.

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 Aug 16, 2023 · Transmission · CA

I noticed the transmission was hard going from reverse to drive. While driving with my daughter down the boulevard today the van transmission started whining and struggling. The car slowed down. Thank goodness I wasn't on the freeway. I got it home. While researching transmission problems with the Grand Caravan is read there is a recall on the transmission pump of the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravans. My VIN is not included? How can this be? It is dangerous. All vans should be included if they have this problem. My minivan only has 70,000 miles on it. This year minivan has some major safety issues. I just had the minivan sliding door lock actuator replaced. Which they replaced because of a service bulletin on it.

Filed May 9, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · 90,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made abnormal whining sounds. Additionally, the contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop, the vehicle jerked and revved significantly. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving and coming to a complete stop. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V461000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed May 3, 2023 · Transmission · WV

Vehicle started making whining sound on acceleration. Took in to dealer and they diagnosed the transmission pump had failed. Recommended transmission replacement due to damage from failed pump. Pump was recalled in campaign 16V461000 but my VIN is not included.

Filed Mar 15, 2023 · Transmission · PA

Transmission started whining and lost power getting stuck in a high rev. Car had no power to wheels and then engaged while still at high rev almost causing accident. Chrysler has recall s44 for this issue but claims does not apply to my van. Damaged transmission pump.

Filed Jan 27, 2023 · Transmission · ME

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle was making an abnormal whining sound underneath the floorboard. The contact stated that the RPM’s increased and the front tires locked up. The contact lost control of the vehicle and the vehicle skidded across the road into oncoming traffic. The vehicle came to a stop on the left side of the roadway. The contact stated that the check engine warning was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the transmission pump had failed, which caused the transmission to seize. The mechanic related the transmission pump failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V461000 (Power Train). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Sep 29, 2022 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's wife also stated that the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed him that the front fuel pump in the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer and the manufacturer had been notified of the failure and informed him that his vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V461000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Sep 11, 2022 · Transmission · NC

Experienced a loss of acceleration and a shuttering/shaking when accelerating. Slight whining noise as well. The check engine light came on and continues to flash.

Filed Apr 19, 2022 · Transmission · PA

Loud whining sound from the front engine area when accelerating. Vehicle started to sputter. I pulled over and when trying to reposition the vehicle, it did not want to move in the drive or reverse gears.

Filed Nov 15, 2021 · Acceleration, Engine · 97,099 miles · VA

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. The vehicle was seen by an independent mechanic where the contact was informed to reverse the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to reverse. The contact mentioned that the vehicle needed to be shifted into neutral and the mechanic pushed the vehicle back to check the vehicle. In addition, the contact mentioned that the vehicle failed to exceed 25 MPH a few hours later. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97,099.