Sliding doors that won't open
The 2016 Grand Caravan has about 925 complaints per 100,000 sold, three times the average. Sliding doors that stay locked and buzz are the top complaint, followed by transmission faults.
Updated November 2026 · based on 1,159 owner complaints and 6 recalls
924 2.9x the Grand Caravan average
6 free to fix at a dealer
Every Grand Caravan year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2016 Grand Caravan
Top problems and what they cost
Sliding door lock failure
Doors stay locked and buzz when the lock button is pressed.
Fix: Lock actuator $250 to $500 per door
Electrical
Transmission faults
Harsh shifting and limp mode.
Fix: Diagnosis $100 to $200; transmission $3,000 to $4,500
Transmission and drivetrain
Recalls
If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
If the transmission loses hydraulic pressure, the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
If the third row seatback becomes loose, it may separate from the seat frame, increasing the risk of injury.
If the hood opens while driving, the driver's vision may be obstructed, increasing the risk of a crash.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
- Open, close and lock both sliding doors several times.Doors, liftgates and tailgates use motors, latches and switches that wear. A door that will not latch or shows as open can drain the battery or open while driving.Owners filed 448 complaints about sliding door problems on the 2016 Grand Caravan, one of the worst years for it.
- Feel for harsh shifts during the drive.Rough, delayed or slipping gear changes are early signs of transmission trouble. A rebuilt or replacement transmission often costs $3,000 to $6,000.251 of the 1,159 owner complaints about the 2016 Grand Caravan involve the transmission and drivetrain (22%).
- Check the VIN for open recalls.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2016 Grand Caravan has 6 recalls on record, listed below.
Questions
Is the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?
Sliding doors that won't open. The 2016 Grand Caravan has about 925 complaints per 100,000 sold, three times the average. Sliding doors that stay locked and buzz are the top complaint, followed by transmission faults.
How many recalls does the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
6 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Dodge dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan problems?
Sliding door lock failure; Transmission faults.
Crash rating shown for the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan VAN FWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.