Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 1,156 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 200 | 17% |
| Electrical system | 199 | 17% |
| Unknown or other | 174 | 15% |
| Structure | 162 | 14% |
| Electrical system | 46 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 42 | 4% |
| Engine | 36 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 36 | 3% |
| Air bags | 17 | 1% |
| Seats | 16 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Passenger seat headrest popped open and hit the passenger in the head. She said it hurt, but didn't seem severely injured. Plastic inside headrest had broken away from a metal bar. It doesn't seem to be repairable.
NHTSA complaint: Seats
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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, with the check engine warning light remaining ill
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The break calipers keep sticking and need to be replaced at least once per year. The stick and cause an awful black smoke. The last time they were replaced was almost a year ago to date.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the passenger's sliding door had failed to lock as intended, and the driver's side sliding door had failed to open as intended. The dealer was notified
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
It was dark, wife and I were driving, suddenly the begin dash began to go blank, more like a flicker. As I kept driving the flickering began to be more often and more pronounce. At some point we were worried that we wo
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The driver's window was left unrolled last night and it rained. When I got in the car, the electrical window control for the driver's window wouldn't roll up. But the others appeared to work normally. This was annoying,
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that on multiple occasions, the vehicle experienced hard shifting while changing gears with no warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers ma
Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at
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,
Risk: If the transmission loses hydraulic pressure, the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Chr
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured March 16, 2016, to March 17, 2016. The nuts on the third row seatbacks were incorrectly torqued and may become loose.
Risk: If the third row seatback becomes loose, it may separate from the seat frame, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will re-torque the third row seatback nuts, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured August 19, 2015 to August 27, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that attach the hood striker may loosen and, as a result, the hood may open unexpectedly
Risk: If the hood opens while driving, the driver's vision may be obstructed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install new hood striker bolts with the proper torque, free of charge. The recall began on October 22, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler's customer serv
| Reliability raw | 61 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 68 | good |
| Maintenance | 74 | good |
| Depreciation | 80 | excellent |
| Performance | 58 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
| Safety | 80 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 1,156 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 200 of them (17%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 61/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 68/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2016 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.