The 2017 Grand Caravan with the 3.6L Pentastar V6 is a proven workhorse, but the 62TE transmission and its cooling system are the Achilles' heel, alongside some surprisingly catastrophic engine failures tied to rocker arm defects causing cylinder deactivation problems.
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure Leading to Transmission Contamination
Common · high severityTypical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission slipping or harsh shifting, Milky or strawberry-colored transmission fluid, Check engine light with transmission codes, Sudden transmission failure after cooler breach
Fix: The internal transmission cooler in the radiator fails, allowing coolant and ATF to mix. This contaminates the entire transmission. Best practice is to replace the radiator, flush all cooling and transmission systems multiple times, and often replace the transmission itself if contamination was severe. 8-12 hours labor for full job with transmission replacement, 4-6 hours if caught early with just cooler/radiator and flushes.
Estimated cost: $3,500-6,500
Left-Side Rocker Arm Failure Causing Cylinder 1/3/5 Dropout and Catastrophic Engine Damage
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Ticking or tapping noise from left cylinder head, Check engine light with cylinder misfire codes (P0300, P0301, P0303, P0305), Severe loss of power, Metal shavings in oil, Complete engine seizure in worst cases
Fix: The left-bank rocker arms (especially on cylinders with multi-displacement system) can fail, dropping valves or destroying cam lobes. If caught early, cylinder head work with new rockers and cam costs 10-14 hours. If metal circulated through the engine, you're looking at short block or complete engine replacement at 18-25 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $2,800-8,500
Transmission Mounts Collapsing
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive, Excessive vibration at idle, Visible engine/trans movement when revving in Park, Harsh acceleration from stop
Fix: The front and rear transmission mounts fail from age and heat. This is especially common on the lower front mount. Replace all mounts as a set for best results. 2-3 hours labor for both.
Estimated cost: $350-600
EVAP System Fuel Tank Filler Neck Corrosion
Occasional · medium severitySymptoms: Check engine light with EVAP leak codes (P0442, P0456), Fuel smell near rear of vehicle, Difficulty filling tank (pump clicks off repeatedly), Visible rust or holes in filler neck
Fix: The metal filler neck rusts through in salt-belt states, creating EVAP leaks. There was a recall for fuel tank replacement in some cases, but filler neck corrosion itself often isn't covered. Requires dropping exhaust and fuel tank for access. 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $450-750
Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) Electrical Gremlins
Occasional · medium severitySymptoms: Fuel pump not priming, Wipers running on their own, Horn honking randomly, ABS light with no codes, Multiple electrical accessories failing intermittently
Fix: The TIPM (central fuse/relay box under the hood) develops internal relay failures. Sometimes you can replace individual relays if you're skilled with a soldering iron, but most shops replace the entire module. 1.5-2 hours labor plus expensive module.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Suspension Ball Joint and Control Arm Bushing Wear
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps, Wandering steering, Uneven tire wear, Vehicle pulls to one side, Play in steering wheel
Fix: Lower control arm ball joints and bushings wear out, especially with heavy cargo loads. Most techs replace the entire control arm assembly rather than pressing bushings. Front suspension refresh of both sides: 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000
A practical used buy under 80,000 miles if the transmission has been serviced and no engine tick is present, but budget $1,500-2,000 for deferred maintenance and consider a pre-purchase inspection mandatory to check for the catastrophic issues lurking in this platform.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.