Dodge Grand Caravan Best and Worst Years (2005–2020)
Avoid 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2016 Dodge Grand Caravans, which post complaint indexes of 100, 80, 87, and 93 with electrical system issues dominating. The 2018 and 2020 model years rate Best, with indexes of 20 and 0 and far fewer complaints.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 16
- 2005–2020
- NHTSA complaints
- 8,332
- Recall campaigns
- 35
- Crashes reported
- 194
- Fires reported
- 114
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Grand Caravan Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Dodge Grand Caravan problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Caution | 73 | 995 | 28 | 7 | 5 | Structure & Body | — | — |
| 2006 | Good | 13 | 284 | 12 | 3 | 3 | Steering | — | — |
| 2007 | Good | 7 | 182 | 14 | 7 | 2 | Fuel System | — | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 100 | 1,292 | 23 | 16 | 8 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2009 | Avoid | 80 | 543 | 11 | 6 | 7 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 87 | 869 | 20 | 13 | 6 | Electrical System | 19 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 60 | 530 | 9 | 17 | 4 | Electrical System | 20 | — |
| 2012 | Caution | 67 | 583 | 7 | 14 | 6 | Electrical System | 20 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Caution | 53 | 471 | 13 | 3 | 4 | Electrical System | 20 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Good | 47 | 357 | 11 | 13 | 5 | Electrical System | 20 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Good | 27 | 281 | 7 | 2 | 4 | Structure & Body | 20 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Avoid | 93 | 1,000 | 14 | 7 | 6 | Electrical System | 20 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Good | 40 | 414 | 6 | 3 | 3 | Electrical System | 20 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Best | 20 | 270 | 8 | 0 | 4 | Electrical System | 20 | 4★ |
| 2019 | Good | 33 | 241 | 6 | 3 | 4 | Structure & Body | 20 | 4★ |
| 2020 | Best | 0 | 20 | 5 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 20 | 4★ |
Grand Caravan years to avoid: what went wrong
2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Index 100 · 1,292 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2008 Grand Caravan has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, driven by 1,292 complaints. Electrical System problems make up 64% of those, with a median failure mileage of 85,000. Owners also reported Airbags issues (23%, median 95,000 miles) and Brakes problems (18%, median 29,000 miles). Sample complaints describe airbags failing to deploy in crashes and engine fires shortly after purchase. NHTSA recorded 8 recall campaigns for this year, including airbag control unit and ignition switch replacements.
2008 electrical system problems →2008 airbags problems →2008 brakes problems →
2016 Dodge Grand Caravan Index 93 · 1,000 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2016 model year has a complaint index of 93 from 1,000 complaints, the second-highest of any year covered. Electrical System issues make up 32% of complaints at a median 60,000 miles, and Structure & Body problems another 27% at the same median mileage. Owners described the TIPM module failing and causing starter smoke or fire, and brakes failing to stop the vehicle in traffic. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this year, including a fuel pump gasket leak recall and a fire extinguisher recall.
2016 electrical system problems →2016 structure & body problems →2016 transmission & powertrain problems →
2010 Dodge Grand Caravan Index 87 · 869 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2010 Grand Caravan shows a complaint index of 87 from 869 complaints. Electrical System problems represent 65% of complaints at a median 85,000 miles, with Engine issues at 20% (median 77,000 miles). Owners reported engines stalling or losing power while driving, sometimes followed by a crash, and vehicles catching fire while underway. NHTSA recorded 6 recall campaigns for this year, including an airbag emblem recall and a wheelchair-restraint retractor recall.
2010 electrical system problems →2010 engine problems →2010 airbags problems →
2009 Dodge Grand Caravan Index 80 · 543 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2009 model year carries a complaint index of 80 across 543 complaints. Electrical System issues account for 62% of complaints at a median 84,000 miles, followed by Airbags at 25% (median 83,500 miles). Owners described airbags that failed to deploy in collisions and an engine heater that fractured, leaking water into the engine compartment and producing smoke. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this year, including one covering the airbag control unit.
2009 electrical system problems →2009 airbags problems →2009 brakes problems →
Most common Dodge Grand Caravan problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System3,910 (47%)
- Structure & Body1,391 (17%)
- Engine1,263 (15%)
- Airbags963 (12%)
- Other908 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain744 (9%)
- Brakes714 (9%)
- Fuel System526 (6%)
- Steering369 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires276 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Dodge Grand Caravan should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2016 as Avoid years, with complaint indexes of 100, 80, 87, and 93. Electrical System problems are the top reported issue in all four years.
- What is the best year for the Dodge Grand Caravan?
- 2018 and 2020 rate Best, with complaint indexes of 20 and 0 and only 270 and 20 complaints logged, the lowest of any covered years.
- Are early Dodge Grand Caravans (2006-2007) reliable?
- 2006 and 2007 have low complaint indexes of 13 and 7, but their Good verdicts are capped because NHTSA complaint records for 2005-2009 are considered less complete.
- What is the most common problem across all Grand Caravan years?
- Electrical System complaints account for 47% of all 8,332 complaints across the 2005-2020 range, followed by Structure & Body at 17% and Engine at 15%.
- How many recalls does the Dodge Grand Caravan have?
- NHTSA lists 35 recall campaigns across the 2005-2020 Grand Caravan model years covered in this data.