The 2016 Grand Caravan with the 3.6L Pentastar V6 is a budget workhorse that suffers from serious transmission cooling defects and catastrophic engine failures tied to the dual-cam phaser oiling issues—problems severe enough to total the vehicle if ignored.
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure / Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Pink milkshake in coolant overflow (transmission fluid mixing with coolant), Transmission slipping or delayed engagement after engine reaches operating temp, Overheating transmission, burnt ATF smell, Check engine light with transmission temp codes
Fix: Factory cooler design allows coolant to enter the transmission when the internal seal fails. Requires complete transmission flush (often multiple times), new cooler, all coolant system service, and sometimes full transmission rebuild if contamination sat too long. 6-10 hours labor depending on damage extent.
Estimated cost: $1,200-$4,500
Rocker Arm / Cam Phaser Failure Leading to Engine Destruction
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Cold-start rattle that lasts 3-10 seconds (early warning sign), Check engine light with cam/crank correlation codes (P0016, P0017), Sudden catastrophic failure: severe knocking, loss of power, metal shavings in oil, Valvetrain noise that doesn't go away when warm
Fix: The 3.6L Pentastar's left-bank cam phaser and rocker arms starve for oil due to design flaw. Once the rocker fails, it drops a valve or punches through a piston. Repair requires either cylinder head work (both heads, 14-18 hours) if caught early, or complete engine replacement/rebuild (24-32 hours) if it grenades. Updated phasers and rocker arms must be used.
Estimated cost: $3,500-$8,500
Transmission Mount Collapse
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Excessive vibration at idle in gear, Visible engine/trans movement when revving in park, Harsh engagement into gear
Fix: The front transmission mount fails due to the 62TE transmission's weight and torque. Rubber separates from metal bracket. Straightforward replacement but requires supporting the drivetrain. 1.5-2.5 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $250-$450
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) Relay Failures
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: Fuel pump not priming (no start, crank but no fire), Wipers running on their own or not working, Horn honking randomly or not functioning, ABS light with no wheel speed sensor codes, Power windows working intermittently
Fix: The TIPM (fuse/relay box under the hood) has internal relay solder joint failures. Chrysler issued TSB but no recall. Requires TIPM replacement AND programming to VIN. Some independent shops offer relay repair service. 1.5-2 hours labor for replacement.
Estimated cost: $800-$1,400
Stow 'n Go Seat Latch Mechanism Breakage
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 50,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Seats won't latch upright, fall forward unexpectedly, Plastic tabs visibly broken on seat base, Rattling from seat area over bumps, Difficulty folding seats into floor
Fix: Plastic latch mechanisms on the Stow 'n Go seats crack and break. Typically only one side fails at a time. Parts are cheap but labor involves removing seat trim and working in tight floor compartments. 1-2 hours per seat.
Estimated cost: $150-$350
Water Pump Failure with Timing Chain Risk
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant leak from front of engine, passenger side low, Squealing or grinding noise from serpentine belt area, Overheating at idle or low speeds, Coolant weeping from weep hole on pump body
Fix: The 3.6L water pump is buried behind the timing cover and driven by the timing chain. When it fails, coolant can leak into the engine or the pump can seize and damage the chain. This is NOT a quick job—requires timing cover removal, chain inspection, and proper chain timing procedure. 6-8 hours labor minimum.
Estimated cost: $1,200-$1,800
Owner tips
Change transmission fluid every 50,000 miles and inspect cooler lines for seepage—this can prevent the catastrophic cooler failure
Use only Mopar-spec 5W-20 oil and change every 5,000 miles MAX to minimize cam phaser issues; synthetic is mandatory
Listen for ANY cold-start rattle longer than 2 seconds and address immediately—waiting will cost you an engine
If buying used, pull the dipstick and check for milkshake/pink discoloration, and inspect oil cap for sludge or varnish
Buy only if under 60k miles with documented religious oil changes and zero cold-start rattle—otherwise the engine/trans time bombs make this a hard pass at typical used prices.
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.
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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.
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.
EQUIPMENT · 17V824000
2017-12-21
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 valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
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 is T82.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · 16V461000
2016-06-24
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.
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY · 16V300000
2016-05-16
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.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH · 15V595000
2015-09-24
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.
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