A great van is a fantastic addition to any family. The Dodge Caravan makes it easy to haul your entire crew and carry a ton of other cargo as well. The Dodge Caravan, no matter how great it is, does have some transmission issues.
What are some common Dodge Caravan transmission problems?
- Transmission is delayed when it comes to shifting which makes it difficult to shift the van from one gear to another
- Loss of power when driving as the transmission loses power overall
- Vehicle cannot accelerate or does not accelerate over about 5 miles per hour after loss of power in the transmission
About the Dodge Caravan
This is an American classic for sure, the first Dodge Caravan rolled off the production line in the year 1984 and was marketed as a family van that allowed the entire family to have enough room to ride comfortably. It was marketed to families with multiple children that would need to get from place to place and that may have a great deal of cargo as well. The Caravan has been part of a class of American vehicles that have stood the test of time and only gotten better with age.
Common Transmission Issues with the Dodge Caravan
As a rule, the Caravan does not have a ton of issues that have been reported. One of the most common, however, is transmission issues. The transmission is a critical part of the internal combustion engine, and without it, the car is not going to go anywhere. These transmission problems are not super difficult to handle and are not necessarily something that is going to be a deal-breaker when it comes to buying a Caravan.
Delayed Gear Shifting
The most common reported problem was that the shift from one gear to another was delayed in the transmission. Drivers reported that it was hard to shift from one gear to another and that the delay was likely to cause the vehicle to shudder or to hesitate. It was found upon further investigation by Dodge that the problem was likely a result of a snap ring that was not properly fastened which led to extra weight on the drum which can then cause premature wear and tear.
The solution for this issue was to rebuild the transmission and to make sure that the ring on the drum was updated and that it was also fastened properly. This was not ever part of a recall and was not ever made into an official inquiry.
Loss of Power While Driving
Other drivers reported that their Dodge Caravan lost power while they were driving. They reported that that the vehicle would be driving as usual and would then lose power rapidly and the van would then either stop completely or would not allow the vehicle to accelerate back to normal driving speeds. The driver also stated that it felt like the vehicle had shifted into neutral and that they were then not able to get it back up to driving speeds which made them feel unsafe driving.
Vehicle Will not Accelerate
Still another reported issue was that the vehicle lost power and would not accelerate even after the car was shut off and allowed time to sit. Some drivers reported that the vehicle would start as usual and would rev but that it would then not shift into drive and would not drive at all. The driver also stated that when the car lost power, they were not able to drive at all and that they felt it was a huge safety issue. Some drivers found that the transmission pump was the issue and that it was not properly pumping transmission fluid through the transmission, while others found that it was a fundamental issue with the construction of the transmission itself.
What to do Before Buying
There are a few steps that you can do to help prepare you for buying a Dodge Caravan — or any vehicle for that matter. Taking the time to learn about possible issues that come with a Dodge Caravan and the potentially faulty transmission is a great place to start. Vehicle History is a wonderful resource when it comes to finding the right vehicle for you and learning about your current vehicle.
