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Dodge Grand Caravan won't shift problems

133 of the 13,443 owner complaints about the Dodge Grand Caravan describe stuck in gear or won't shift, most of them for the 2016 model year.

owner complaints
133
worst model year
2016
typical repair cost reported
$2,475
typical mileage
73,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Apr 20, 2026 · Transmission · MD

We purchased our 2019 Dodge Caravan July 31, 2022. We really like this Caravan and find it quite comfortable on long drives. Our transmission had a problem at 86,000 miles with a catastrophic transmission failure and we had the vehicle towed back to where it came from at IG Burton in Milford. Your repair shop replaced the old transmission with an OEM remanufactured transmission and provided a Three Year Mopar Warranty on Work order DTCS818344 Jan 21, 2024. It worked well for the next 26,000 miles. February 4, 2026 we experienced a problem after we made a right hand turn off Highway 404 onto Route 309. The transmission started racing and slowed down and it ran into limp mode. We brought it home 5 miles and got it into our driveway. We shifted it to neutral and then back to drive and it made a loud clunk noise and the whole car shook. The same thing happened in reverse when we pulled the car around to aim it out for the tow truck driver and at that point we turned the car off. When decided to try restarting it, the powertrain sounded normal. It shifted correctly, no problems and it was the same thing when the tow truck driver put it on his towing rig. The vehicle was towed to Fred Frederick Chrysler thinking it was a repeated transmission failure. The vehicle sat for two months and it was driven for 125mi and the mechanic said it could not repeat the same code it showed upon arrival. The initial code found was DTC PO755 2-4 solenoid circuit stored and not active. They released it to us on Thursday March 20, 2026. The put it in writing they could not find anything wrong with it. Tested the car for 125mi claimed could not duplicate the DTC. They did say hard shifting may occur when the vehicle is cold and fluids are not warmed up and this issue won’t occur when it’s hot; What? Transmission was already well warmed up leaving DE home to our MD home. Millsboro Preston Hyundai car code C212A system voltage below threshold.

Filed Dec 10, 2025 · Transmission · TX

Drove down the highway, took an exit, came to a red-light, turns green, press the gas car won't move for about 2-4 seconds then jumps into gear and stays stuck in first...look up the problem see there was a recall for the Transmission on the year and model but only some of them.

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 Jul 14, 2024 · Electrical, Fuel system · MI

I bought the car 2 weeks ago with 105k miles on it. The car has died approximately 20 times in the last 2 weeks while I am driving it. It is so insanely dangerous, you will be going down a busy street and the car completely dies without warning. There is no dash lights on, no warning. The power steering goes. It's an accident waiting to happen, it’s unacceptable. After spending 2k at the mechanic and still the same problem. They have now told me I need the TIPM replaced at the dealership. Which also affects the lights, which are erratic, they come on or come off when they want, along with the horn. It’s also pushes the motors into limp mode so it runs really hard over 20 miles an hour even while idle. The car will also die while in idle/park or when you shift gears. The car is basically an all day event to start and if you get it to stay on, if you are able to get it, don’t touch the key or it will automatically the car off. The TIPM system will also stay on, even while car is off causing your battery to drain.

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 Feb 18, 2024 · MA · crash

I am a paraplegic. I drive an adapted van with hand controls that include a Sure-Grip A600 spinner knob. This is equipment purchased from and installed by my mobility vehicle dealer, and is intended to allow operating the steering wheel with one hand so that the other can operate the throttle and brake, as well as other controls. Today while driving and making a hard turn, the plastic knob pulled off the shaft of the mount, causing me to lose control of the van and have a serious accident. This appears to be a clear case of defective product design as the plastic knob was merely pressed onto the shaft. The shaft and mount for it did not shift or move, but the knob pulled off. There were no features on the shaft to aid in retaining the knob beyond a friction fit.

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 Dec 14, 2022 · Engine · 151,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that she was able to maneuver the vehicle off the roadway. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ECM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that an unknown recall repair was previously performed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

Filed Nov 11, 2022 · Acceleration, Transmission · IL

While driving the van, the van started making a whining noise. Then it would hesitated to shift gears. Upon accelerating in traffic, the engine would rev up, then the transmission would grab gear sharply. At every stop light the van does not shift forward. It sits there and the engine revs up, but does not shift gears. The van has to be turned off then restarted in order to drive out of first gear. Warning light came on eventually. After scanning at a local auto parts store, the code was P083B. P083B Code: Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor / Switch “G” Circuit Range / Performance. My family's safety and the safety of others put at risk because we were in traffic at a stop light where we were not able to accelerate and leave the intersection and were in danger of getting rear ended by traffic coming at us once the light was green.

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmissionReported June 24, 2016 · 26,298 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
If the transmission loses hydraulic pressure, the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 16V461000 · Recall details

Questions about the Dodge Grand Caravan won't shift

Which Dodge Grand Caravan years have stuck in gear or won't shift problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2016 (20 complaints), 1996 (17 complaints) and 2008 (13 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix stuck in gear or won't shift on the Dodge Grand Caravan?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,475 (median of 17 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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