Last updated: 2026-10-10
Dodge Grand Caravan Reliability by Year
Dodge Grand-Caravan rates above average among minivans, but door locks that jam shut and failing transmissions are the repairs to check before buying.
Dodge Grand Caravan Reliability Overview
Reliability is good overall and above average for minivans, and 2020 is the year to favor. The most common complaint is sliding door locks that jam shut with the fob, button, and handles all dead. Transmissions that lose acceleration or refuse to shift come next. The 2018 and 2019 years carry far more complaints and recalls.
Current generation: 5th gen (2008–2023), facelifted 2011.
Best & Worst Dodge Grand Caravan Years
Best Dodge Grand Caravan Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2020 has the strongest reliability standing of the three years, with one recall and 15 owner complaints. The 2018 year has 258 complaints and 2019 has 247, with four and five recalls, and 2019 adds three fire reports. A newer year has had less time to collect complaints, and 2020 still shows transmission problems.
Dodge Grand Caravan Years to Avoid
No Dodge Grand Caravan years are statistical outliers in our data.
Scores stay between 76 and 83 across 3 scored model years.
Dodge Grand Caravan Reliability Score Trend
Dodge Grand Caravan reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 78/100.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 83/100 | Excellent |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2020 Dodge Grand Caravan
1 recalls · 15 complaints
Best-rated of the three scored years, with far fewer complaints and recalls than 2019, though transmission failures are the main concern.
2019 Dodge Grand Caravan
5 recalls · 247 complaints
Weakest of the three scored years, with sudden transmission failures and cylinder 2 misfires, though it still rates well above other 2019 minivans.
2018 Dodge Grand Caravan
4 recalls · 258 complaints
Sits in the middle of three scored years, with sliding door failures the top complaint and cylinder 2 engine misfires also reported.
Found Your Dodge Grand Caravan? Check Its History
Power train (7) problems come up most in Dodge Grand Caravan owner complaints, and 10 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Dodge Grand Caravan Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
4/5
Annual Repair Cost
$673
Repair Frequency
0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk
11%
$26 above the minivans average of $647/yr.
Ranked #2 of 8 among minivans.
Dodge Grand Caravan Resale Value
The Dodge Grand Caravan is estimated to retain about 52.3% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
- Value Retained
- 52.3%
- Depreciation
- 47.7%
- Listings Analyzed
- 307
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.
Explore Dodge Grand Caravan depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comDodge Grand Caravan Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
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Compare all Dodge models by reliability
Compare Dodge Grand Caravan With Similar Minivans
The Dodge Grand Caravan competes with other midsize minivans such as Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler Voyager, and Ford Transit Connect Wagon.
Grand Caravan vs Chrysler Pacifica
9 years tracked · 2387 complaints
Grand Caravan vs Chrysler Voyager
7 years tracked · 30 complaints
Grand Caravan vs Ford Transit Connect Wagon
6 years tracked · 103 complaints
Grand Caravan vs Kia Carnival
4 years tracked · 317 complaints
Grand Caravan vs Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van
5 years tracked · 25 complaints
More Dodge Grand Caravan comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best year for the Dodge Grand-Caravan?
- 2020 is the best year among those tracked. It has an excellent reliability standing, one recall, and only 15 owner complaints. Its main complaints involve the transmission, so a pre-purchase inspection still matters. The 2018 and 2019 years both rate good but draw far more complaints.
- Is the Dodge Grand-Caravan reliable?
- Yes, overall standing is good and above average for minivans. The weak spots are specific: sliding and side door locks, transmissions, and cylinder 2 misfires. Data covers only 2018 to 2020, so it says little about how these vans age beyond the mileages owners report.
- What are the most common Dodge Grand-Caravan problems?
- Electrical complaints lead, mostly sliding doors that jam locked and will not open by fob, button, or handle. Power train comes next, with transmissions that whine, rev high, or refuse to shift. Structure complaints repeat the door latch problem, and engine complaints center on a cylinder 2 misfire.
- How much does it cost to repair a Dodge Grand-Caravan?
- Independent repair-cost data puts the estimated annual repair cost at $673, slightly above the $647 minivan average. Single repairs can run much higher. Owners report dealer quotes up to $1,700 per door for locks, and $3,700 to over $5,000 for cylinder head work.
- When do Dodge Grand-Caravan transmissions fail?
- Owners report transmission failures between roughly 69,000 and 91,000 miles. Early signs include delayed acceleration, whining, high revs while barely moving, and a refusal to shift. Warning lights do not always come on, and many repairs end in a full transmission replacement.
How we score the Dodge Grand Caravan
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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