2016 Dodge Grand Caravan Safety Report
2016 Dodge Grand Caravan Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (6) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (1111) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 44 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Electrical System | Compare electrical system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2020 | Compare against the 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan with 15 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan before buying across this generation. |
Dodge Grand Caravan Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Dodge Grand Caravan years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan | 396 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan | 271 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan | 259 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan | 27 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan | 15 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Dodge Grand Caravan Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Electrical System
193 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Dodge onlyPower Train
190 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Dodge onlyUnknown Or Other
167 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Dodge onlyStructure
154 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Dodge onlyElectrical System,Unknown Or Other
45 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Unknown Or Other issues Dodge onlyExterior Lighting
42 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Dodge onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
Reliability Score
The 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System Stow and go seat malfunctions and electrical malfunctions in slider doors and back/trunk hatch are reported. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Power Train Automatic transmission failures and engine ticking are common issues. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Seats Mid/rear seat assembly recalls due to safety concerns. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Transmission Transmission pump failures and recalls are reported. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan:
Issues with stow and go seats and electrical malfunctions in slider doors and back/trunk hatch are frequent.
Automatic transmission failures and engine ticking are common.
Mid/rear seat assembly recalls due to safety concerns.
Transmission pump failures and recalls are reported.
Recall Details for the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
The following 6 recalls have been issued for the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan by NHTSA:
Summary: Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Consequence: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.
Summary: Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain Vantage-modified 2016-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles. The fuel pump gasket may deteriorate, allowing fuel to leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Vantage will notify owners, and will provide parts and reimbursement to owners for repair facilities to replace the fuel tank gasket, free of charge. The recall began May 19, 2020. Owners may contact Vantage customer service at 1-800-488-9082.
Summary: 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 may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the v...
Consequence: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Remedy: 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 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall i...
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: If the third row seatback becomes loose, it may separate from the seat frame, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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's number for this recall is S37.
Summary: 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 while driving.
Consequence: If the hood opens while driving, the driver's vision may be obstructed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is R53.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
1) At D/S Stow and Go seat malfunctioned and was repaired by CarMax Service Center Jan 2023 - 2) Around 97,000 so - Engine started ticking on or about JUL/SEP 2023, enstate Lloyds Automotive in Spokane Valley replaced out engine due to manufacture defect in Oct 2023. 3) At 103,672mi - P/S stow and Go seat was repaired for same issues as D/S stow & Go Seat by Lloyds Automotive Oct 2023 when engine ...
The driverside manually operated sliding door will not open. If person's riding in the rear or middle seats they would only have on egress door in an emergency situation. This vehicle has not been involved in any type of wreck and there were/are no warning lights. This happened about 1 week ago and I found out it is not covered under my extended warranty
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road and drove into the gas station parking lot. The mechanic was able to restart the...
The slider doors and back/trunk hatch have many electrical malfunctions. -Driver-side sliding door: After we press the button to open the door, the door often begins closing on our kids as soon as it has fully opened. When I press the button to open it again, it will start closing again immediately. Sometimes this process repeats 2-3 times before it stays open and our children can exit th...
The front door panel that sits between the front window and back sliding door flew off the vehicle while driving down the road. This happened on both the driver and passenger side at different times/days. The drivers side was fixed by the dealer (eide) under warranty prior to the passenger side flying off. The passenger side panel is still missing/not fixed. You can possibly inspect it, depending ...
See Attached Documents: 1.) NHTSA- Questions Answered 2.) Service 2016 Dodge Grand caravan Note: The Dodge Dealership is not compliying with the mandated repairs. The diagnostic summary provided by [XXX] on December 17, 2025, significantly mischaracterizes my complaints and omits the relevant factory campaigns. It has been over 30 days and it is apparent that they have no intention of complying ...
Vehicle only has 93,000 miles and has been well maintained. I was was working and the transmission pump failed. It kicked out of gear going 55mph down a road. Could have caused me to have a major accident. Why are these not part of the 2015-2016 transmission recall?
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that on several occasions, while inserting the key into the ignition, the vehicle failed to start. Additionally, on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that during each failure, the key was wiggled in the ignition for approximately 20-30 minutes each time, and the vehicle was able...
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that there was an unusually loud buzzing sound coming from the front driver's side door. The contact stated that the failure occurred while the key was in the ignition switch. In addition, the rear door failed to latch and to close securely. The contact stated that the failure ini...
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was approximately 116,000. The contact stated that a month after the vehicle was purchased, the transmission failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for repair, and it was discovered that...
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the contact's husband smelled an abnormal burning odor coming from the front of the vehicle. Upon inspection, both the contact and her husband noticed that there was an oil leak. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the oil filter housing had melted and needed to be r...
The transmission failed- according to the NTSB there was a recall for 2016 Dodge Caravans for auto transmission pump failures. I was told my vin # didn't match the recalled Vin numbers yet that's what failed on my vehicle costing about 4 thousand for repair work.
Driving down Hwy 95 South without warning my transmission went out going at about 65 mph 5 hours from home.
My 2016 dodge grand caravan has all of a sudden lost power on half the fuse box making it so the key (fob) says iuyts A bad key a total of 3 times so far as well as this time will not turn over at all, also the last time I went to put fuel in it half the gas was on the ground due to a faulty gas line on the fuel neck. It also has a fluctuateing rpm at stop lights. And might turn off and be hard t...
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that soon after purchasing the vehicle, it was discovered that the second-row passenger’s side seat belt failed to latch as needed. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was referred to the NTHSA Hotline to report the fai...
Transmission started shifting hard at 98K miles. It died at red lights on occasion. Took to shop and they replaced the transmission solenoid. That fixed it from dying at red lights but vehicle transmission is about to fully go out right at 100K miles. I will never buy another Dodge vehicle.
We had an issue with an error message in the middle of driving that stopped the acceleration of the vehicle, this seems to be common, looking at forums online. The inspection request is acceptable. The message we receive is "Shift to P before changing gears". The vehicle will stop in the middle of traffic and sometimes require a complete restart before being able to shift to drive. This has pu...
while driving the engine light came on within 10 minutes the car started jumping in place and then within 5 minutes completely would not go in any direction forward reverse or neutral and just revved the torque locked up the transmission quit completely did not even give me time to pull over and access the issue was 7 min from home when completely quit
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front driver's side headrest stem fractured. The contact stated that the vehicle was not occupied when the failure occurred. The contact zip-tied the headrest to keep it secured. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle remained at the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufactu...
Head gasket and head failure at 86000
Showing 20 of 1111 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Lock
Opened 2021-07-09 · Closed 2022-07-22
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-016 on July 7, 2021, to investigate 364 complaints alleging that one or both sliding doors on 2016 Model Year (MY) Grand Caravan or Town and Country vehicles could not be opened. The door(s) could not be opened using the mechanical handle or electronic remote switches. Many of the complaints described having to remove passengers seated in the rear of vehicles through the front doors, the second sliding door (if it was operational), the window...
Component: Seats
Opened 2019-09-09 · Closed 2026-02-25
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deploy...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
Has the 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN has 6 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN have?
The 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN has 1,111 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 36 involved crashes. 22 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN?
The 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN involve electrical system (193 complaints), power train (190 complaints), unknown or other (167 complaints). Other affected components include structure, electrical system,unknown or other, exterior lighting.
How many crash reports does the 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN have?
There are 36 crash reports associated with the 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN out of 1,111 total complaints (3.2% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN have?
There are 8 fire reports for the 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN out of 1,111 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN?
22 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN is proceed with caution. It has 1,111 complaints, 6 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN are: 1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (193 complaints), 2. POWER TRAIN (190 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (167 complaints), 4. STRUCTURE (154 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER (45 complaints). ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 193 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN?
Be cautious of electrical system and power train issues, especially around 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Check for recalls and maintenance history. The 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN has 1,111 NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN?
The 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 1,111 owner complaints, 6 recalls, and 44 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Electrical System and Power Train.
What are the known issues with the 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN?
Known issues with the 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN include: Electrical System, Power Train, Seats, Transmission. These are based on patterns found across 1,111 NHTSA complaints. 6 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan?
Yes, there are recalls for electrical system, power train, and seat issues.
What are the most common electrical system issues?
Stow and go seat malfunctions and electrical malfunctions in slider doors and back/trunk hatch are common.
Are there any known transmission problems?
Yes, transmission pump failures and recalls are reported.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of electrical system and power train issues, especially around 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Check for recalls and maintenance history.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The data includes 1111 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 6 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 36 reported crashes, 8 fire incidents, 22 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-14