8.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,560
Average Mileage:
85,900 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
  2. replace cylinder head (3 reports)
  3. cylinder head repair (1 reports)
2016 Dodge Grand Caravan engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Dodge Grand Caravan Owner Comments

problem #8

Mar 142023

Grand Caravan RT 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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ENGINE CODE P0302 = BAD EXHAUST VALVE IN #2 CYLINDER. 2016 DODGE CARAVAN0 106,000 MILES. CODE FIRST SHOWED @ 82,000 MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF FOR A WHILE AND THEN COME BACK ON. HAD BEEN ON CONSTANTLY FOR THE LAST 800 MILES.

HAVING REPAIR DONE @ COLE DODGE IN SAN LUIS OBISPO. COST OF REPAIR OVER $4,600

- Gene A., Los Osos, CA, US

problem #7

Sep 012021

Grand Caravan RT 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

We replaced the transmission on this vehicle and 2 months later the engine light came back on and now the engine isn't performing. We have replaced the coils and spark plugs but that didn't help. Now we have spent money on the transmission which is usless because now the engine is toast. It will go but it starts shaking and trembling.and is very sluggish. The mechanic said this is a KNOWN problem with these engines. Shame on Chrysler for not making this right.

- Julie M., Big Stone Gap, US

problem #6

Jun 222020

Grand Caravan SXT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,200 miles

At only 70,000, engine light came on. Code indicates cylinder six misfire. Took the van to my mechanic who says the valve is burned out, and repair will cost $3,000-$4,000. Why on earth hasn't Dodge recalled for these valve issues??? Recently owned a Honda, gave it to my mom, and its running fine at 130k. My son is driving my old Jeep, and its still fine at 200k.

What is wrong with Dodge that they won't make this right?

- M. LIZ S., Independence, MO, US

problem #5

Sep 182020

Grand Caravan SXT 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,225 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am the second owner of this van and I bought it used from a dealership. I have regularly maintained the vehicle since I have had it. I even had the 60,000 mile service completed at the dodge dealership so I could get one last look at it before the warranty expired. Of course it was only a couple thousand miles later when my problems all started with a solid check engine light.

The van seemed to run fine and no issues were obvious. The code was P0302 (cylinder 2 misfire). I took it in to a local mechanic and they had a hard time diagnosing the specifics of the problem, but the misfires were counting up while idling only. As soon as you applied the gas, the misfires stopped. They advised me to start by replacing the spark plug, ignition coil, fuel injector, and intake plenum seal on cylinder 2 (with no guarantee that the problem would be fixed). They checked and the misfires seemed to have stopped...until about a month later the check engine light came on with the same problem.

My first instinct was to get upset about the fact that the problem had not been corrected and now I likely wasted $600. After going back to the mechanic, they went to the next level which is to get further into the engine and look at the rockers, lifters, and cam. After replacing all of the rockers and lifters on the left side of the engine and verifying that the cams are in good shape, misfires are still happening.

Now onto phase 3, where they vacuum tested the intake and exhaust and finally found a leak in the exhaust valve. Next they sent the cylinder head to the machine shop where they found an extremely bad leak on cylinder 2 and a smaller leak on cylinder 6. The machine shop had to grind the valves, replace the seals, and do a bunch of stuff I don't understand at all. Wait, it gets better... the machine shop HIGHLY recommended we do the same to the right side of the engine now before it has the same problems. Long story short, I had them pull the cylinder head on the right side of the engine to have them repair and prevent future problems at a lower cost than if I had to bring it in later after problems began again.

I could get pissed at my mechanic, but in reality, I am PISSED that Dodge still hasn't fixed their biggest problem from the 2011-2013 years. The problem is clearly a manufacturing issue that effects at least some of the Pentastar 3.6L V6 engines. This is a well documented issue with this particular engine even though they claim that they made the cylinder heads more "robust" in models after 2013. When you have this significant of issues at only 60,000 miles, it is absurd to think that it is anything other than poorly manufactured materials where the strain puts excess wear on the engine. Yeah, maybe this only happens on some of these engines, but clearly the manufacturer needs to tighten up those acceptable margins of error when designing these things. I am guessing there will be plenty of these problems in vehicles from Dodge in the near future. The sad part is that I am past warranty, and I am just crossing my fingers that this issue will get to the top of the chain someday down the road... or maybe a class action lawsuit that can bury these idiots. I knew I shouldn't stray from Toyota and I have learned my lesson. Back to the reliable Toyota is my future.

- Jason S., Camas, WA, US

problem #4

May 132020

Grand Caravan SE 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles

Bought this vehicle in 2016, 1st owner. Have had minor issues that dodge said was not covered under warranty, one was back air only blows hot no matter what setting it’s on. Worst issue is while driving approximately a month ago, a noise occurred and the check engine light came on. I immediately took my vehicle to the local dealer. The did a diagnostic and said it was a cylinder misfire and the engine was irreparable. Bottom line they wanted 9grand to replace the engine because even though the vehicle is only 3 yrs old it was no longer under warranty. I took it to another mechanic who did another diagnostic and said that the misfire caused a blockage and a backflow of oil, seizing the engine. Seems like Chrysler should take some responsibility since I had regular oil changes and am a safe driver that does not run my engine hard. I am at a loss and still owe for another 3 years.

- Amy C., Rockwood, MI, US

problem #3

Dec 092019

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,700 miles

We are the second owner of this 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. We had a Dodge Grand Caravan before that we used for years and well over 200,000 miles without much problem at all. This time at around 83K miles, we experienced a very rough misfire at speeds around 50 mph and when my local garage checked it out they reported it as a #6 misfire and suggested I take it to the dealer as this was a known issue and maybe they would resolve it. I took to the dealer, they confirmed the diagnosis and quoted about $2400 for the repair, and when I mentioned hearing this was a known issue they suggested i call Customer Care and request a refund.

After 3 months of failed promises of return calls, cases dropped, then reopened, etc. we get a reply stating "denied". My first car was a Dodge and I've owned another four since along with other auto brands. This customer experience I think just validated this is my last one.

- Tony O., Queenstown, MD, US

problem #2

Jun 062019

Grand Caravan Limited 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles

I had purchased an extended warranty that expired at 80,000 miles. At 83000 miles the engine started missing out terribly. P0306 a known issue in earlier models and I have heard that Chrysler has extended the warranty to 150000 miles for that issue. But "oh not on the 2016" That will be $3000 more dollars to fix.

At 81,000 miles the transmission started making a horrible noise. At first it would at least move but then started violently jerking. I was in heavy traffic so it took me about 10 minutes to get off the road. Had it towed to the dealership and they said "oh yeah, you need a new transmission" like it was no big deal. They wanted $9000 to do it and even though only 1000 miles out of warranty they wouldn't do anything at all. I took it somewhere else and had it fixed for $4000

I've had 5 Chrysler vans over the past 20 years and have loved them, but never more.

- David D., Los Angeles, US

problem #1

Apr 082019

Grand Caravan V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

THIS IS CURRENTLY A WIDE KNOWN ISSUE REGARDING DODGES FAULTY ENGINE DESIGN. MY CAR ROLLED OVER TO 80K AND ALL OF A SUDDEN CYLINDER 2 MISFIRE FROM A CYLINDER HEAD DEFAULT. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFAULT FROM METAL THAT CANNOT WITHSTAND THE TEMPS OF THE ENGINE AND DOOMED TO FAIL. BUT DODGE CONVENIENTLY OVER COVERS UP TO 60K MILES KNOWING THIS ISSUE STARTS AROUND THE 75K MARK. I WOULD HOPE DODGE WOULD WANT TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT BUT THAT'S NOT BEEN THE CASE YET. SO I'M UNABLE TO AFFORD THE $3K FIX AND HAVE NO OTHER VEHICLE. THANKS DODGE!

- Cassie W., Oswego, IL, US

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