Last updated: 2026-03-14
Dodge Grand-Caravan vs Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon: Reliability Compared
Dodge Grand-Caravan
Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon
Choosing between the Dodge Grand-Caravan and the Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize minivans.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Dodge Grand-Caravan currently leads with an average score of 78/100 compared to 70/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Dodge Grand-Caravan and Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Dodge Grand-Caravan is more reliable than the Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon, scoring 78/100 vs 70/100.
The Dodge Grand-Caravan demonstrates better reliability with an average score of 78/100 compared to the Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon's 70/100. While both vehicles have significant recall histories, the Grand-Caravan's lower owner complaint rate of 7.1 per 10,000 sold is notably higher than the Transit-Connect-Wagon's 2 per 10,000 sold. The Grand-Caravan also has an estimated annual repair cost of $673, which provides a clearer picture of potential maintenance expenses, whereas the Transit-Connect-Wagon lacks this data. Despite more recalls, the Grand-Caravan's higher reliability score and defined repair costs make it a more predictable choice for reliability.
Key Differences
- 1Dodge Grand-Caravan has 17 fewer total recalls
- 2Dodge Grand-Caravan scores 8 points higher in reliability
- 3Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon has 5.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Dodge Grand-Caravan vs Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Dodge Grand-Caravan | Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 78/100 | 70/100 |
| Years Tracked | 3 | 6 |
| Total Recalls | 10 | 27 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 7.1 | 2 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2020 NHTSA | 2023 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 3 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Dodge Grand-Caravan and Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon?
The Dodge Grand-Caravan exhibits a higher frequency of complaints with a total of 520, prominently in the electrical system (132 complaints) and power train (70 complaints), with the latter linked to 4 crashes. The Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon, with a significantly lower total of 103 complaints, most frequently encounters issues with the power train (37 complaints), though only 1 is crash-linked. Notably, the Grand-Caravan faces more safety-related concerns, including air bags with 4 crash-linked complaints, a category not present in the Ford model. While both vehicles have power train issues, the Grand-Caravan's broader range of problems, especially in critical safety components, suggests more extensive reliability challenges.
| Component | Dodge Grand-Caravan | Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.8Low | 0.1Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.9Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE | 0.6Very Low | —None |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.1Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| SEATS | 0.4Very Low | —None |
| AIR BAGS | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Dodge Grand-Caravan or Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon?
How Does Dodge Grand-Caravan vs Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Dodge Grand-Caravan | Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 83/1001R / 15C | 67/1008R / 27C | Dodge Grand-Caravan |
| 2019 | 76/1005R / 247C | 65/1008R / 46C | Dodge Grand-Caravan |
| 2018 | 76/1004R / 258C | 68/1006R / 21C | Dodge Grand-Caravan |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Dodge Grand-Caravan scored 83/100 and the 2018 Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon scored 68/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Dodge Grand-Caravan vs the Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon?
Dodge Grand-Caravan vs Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon: Common Questions
- Is the Dodge Grand-Caravan more reliable than the Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon?
- Based on our data, the Dodge Grand-Caravan is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 70/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Dodge Grand-Caravan or the Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon?
- The Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon has more recalls (27) compared to the Dodge Grand-Caravan (10). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Dodge Grand-Caravan or the Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon has a lower complaint rate at 2 per 10,000 sold versus 7.1 for the Dodge Grand-Caravan. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Dodge Grand-Caravan or Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon safer?
- Both the Dodge Grand-Caravan and Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 4/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Dodge Grand-Caravan comparisons
More Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon comparisons
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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