Common Problems with the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan

Powertrain, Transmission Problems:

“The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to properly shift gear. The vehicle started to shift gear at approximately 50 MPH. There was an abnormal winding sound detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the third and fourth gear were inoperable. There were no shavings in the engine. The dealer recommended that the transmission be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.”

“The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and coming to a complete stop, the vehicle would shut off. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle would restart, however, the vehicle would stall when driving from the complete stop at higher speed. The contact stated that he would shift into neutral (N) while at a complete stop and would then drive at approximately 15 MPH to prevent the vehicle from stalling. The vehicle was taken to two different independent mechanics who diagnosed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.”

Electrical System Problems:

“The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated when she attempted to start the vehicle there was no sound of the starter motor and the instrument cluster remained black when she turned the ignition on. The contact had attempted to jump start the vehicle and had to have the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the TIPM panel had failed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.”

“The passenger sliding door starting making a squeaky noise and now won’t open or even unlock. The lock actuator is not working causing this to be a safety issue. I know it was a recall on certain caravan but mine was not. Trying to figure out how it can be added in the recall.”

“The driver rear sliding door locking mechanism failed in the locked position preventing the door from functioning. The passenger front door lock actuator has failed preventing normal functioning of the door lock causing the car to remain unlocked after pressing the door lock buttons as well as preventing the door from unlocking if the door lock was manually locked. The van is available upon request for inspection and has not been repaired due to high cost and repair time necessary. We’ve also been unable to find replacement parts locally. Malfunctioning of the locking mechanisms puts passengers of the vehicle at risk if there was to be an emergency or accident and the door is unable to be opened. We are concerned about experiencing further issues with locking mechanism failures in the unaffected doors. We have not had the issue inspected by the dealer as our vehicle is outside of the warranty period. There are no warning lights or indicators for this problem.”

Seats Problems:

“Passenger seat neck head rest exploded without any warning or no vehicle accident. I was at a stop light when this happens.”

“I had just finished a 45 minute drive to work without incident. The vehicle was in park and idling in a parking lot, while I sat in the driver's seat. All the sudden the headrest smacked me in the back of my head and made a loud popping noise. After getting out to see what happened, I discovered my headrest had deployed the safety feature of popping forward.”

Air Bags Problems:

“Was on vacation and when I returned from a 9 day trip my car, which had not been drove at all, the drivers side head rest had popped out. This is part of the air bag system. That happened July 2023. September 13, 2023 at 6:01 pm I was driving down the road and my passenger head rest popped out hitting my daughter in the back of the head. The noise it made scared me to death. I am no longer covered under any type of warranty and now expected to pay for something that is a manufactured defect.”

“Airbag light is constantly on. Took vehicle to a repair shop. They scanned code B1C27-13 and found that drivers side wiring harness needs to be replaced. They contacted Chrysler and was told part wouldn't be available for at least a year. Airbags will not deploy if an accident should occur. This is a definite safety issue that should be fixed immediately.”

Engine Problems:

“Cylinder 2 Random mis-fire. Began fall 2022. Multiple attempts to repair failed. Cylinder head replaced in Feb/Mar 2023. September 10, 2023 same issue reoccurred. Engine began to mis-fire violently, needed to be towed back to Dodge dealership where original repair was completed. Mileage at the time of the head replacement 91205. Mileage when problem reoccurred 97108.”

“We own a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan with 72k miles on it. In February of 2023 we started to notice it did not seem as responsive on acceleration; it was especially noticeable on highway entrances ramps. Shortly after, the check engine light came on. We took it in to a local repair shop and were advised we needed spark plugs and coils replaced, but that did not solve the issue, and said we would need to take it to a dealer. We took the vehicle to our local Dodge dealership, and after ~$900 in diagnostics, they advised we would need an entire new cylinder, as the old one had been warped. A vehicle with only 72k miles should not need a new cylinder, the folks at the dealership even admitted as much. The total repair ended up costing ~$4k. I did some research and found the 2011-2013 Grand Caravans had a recall for the exact same issue, and after searching through the various complaints on the NHTSA website for the 2017 model, it seems clear this is still an issue. This is clearly an issue with the manufacturing process that has existed since 2011, and a new recall should be issued for Grand Caravans through at least 2017.”

Sources: www.nhtsa.gov, carcomplaints.com

California Lemon Law and How Valero Law Can Assist

The California Lemon Law stands as a safeguard for consumers grappling with persistent and significant defects in their vehicles. If your 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan is facing issues that substantially hinder its safety, functionality, or value, you may be eligible for protection under this crucial legislation. Valero Law specializes in guiding clients through the intricate processes of the Lemon Law. We conduct a thorough assessment of your specific case, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of your unique situation. We skillfully engage in negotiations with the vehicle manufacturer on your behalf, aiming for a satisfactory resolution. If legal action becomes necessary, Valero Law is fully prepared to deliver expert representation. Our primary goal is to help you navigate the legal complexities while focusing on resolving your vehicle-related issues, with your satisfaction and peace of mind as our top priorities. If you believe your 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan may meet the Lemon Law criteria, don't hesitate to reach out to Valero Law for assistance. We are committed to helping you obtain the justice you rightfully deserve for your problematic vehicle.