Head-to-head reliability
Dodge Grand Caravan vs FORD F 150
How the Dodge Grand Caravan and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Dodge Grand Caravan averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Dodge Grand Caravan has 2,530 complaints and 27 recalls on record; FORD F 150 has 11,133 complaints and 144 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge Grand Caravan | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,530 Better | 11,133 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 27 Better | 144 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 74 Better | 319 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 253.0 Better | 1113.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 91 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Dodge Grand Caravan
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM764
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER510
- 03STRUCTURE433
- 04POWER TRAIN424
- 05ENGINE315
“Automatic sliding doors will not unlock or open at all- not manually, not with the inside door buttons, not with my key fob, and not with the automatic buttons on the front ceiling of the van. I have 3 young children all 5 and under. This is an EXTREMELY dang…”
“The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that on one occasion while driving at while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power. Additionally, the vehicle failed to steer as intended, with the front of the vehicle swaying. The ve…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,499
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,056
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,382
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,150
- 05ENGINE829
“The internal mechanical failure of the Ford 10r80 transmission due to design fault causes unsafe driving conditions as the transmission stalls (fails to power at request) or lunges (powers forward without driver input) causing unsafe conditions for vehicle oc…”
“The vehicle experienced intermittent transmission-related drivability issues before the recall remedy was available. The vehicle had delayed/hard shifting, an intermittent wrench warning light, and a reduced power/limp mode condition where the transmission wo…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Dodge Grand Caravan — 27 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles. The welds on the outboard rear seat strikers for the second row bench and second row bucket seats may fail during a front impact crash. The front outboard seat strikers for the third row bench seats may fail in the event…
The risk: If the seat strikers fail, the seat or seat belt may not adequately restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will weld in a striker reinforcement bracket on the second and third row outboard seat strikers, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-8…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan and Jeep Compass, 2018 Dodge Journey, and 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
The risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U86.
The defect: 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.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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 1-800-488-9…
The defect: 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 restrain…
The risk: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: 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.
FORD F 150 — 144 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Dodge Grand Caravan | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 0 | 1484 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3398 |
| 2021 | 0 | 5172 |
| 2020 | 19 | 26 |
| 2019 | 41 | 32 |
| 2018 | 268 | 40 |
| 2017 | 411 | 31 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Dodge Grand Caravan or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge Grand Caravan vs FORD F 150
- Dodge Grand Caravan total complaints
- 2,530
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,133
- Dodge Grand Caravan total recalls
- 27
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 144
- Dodge Grand Caravan avg complaints/year
- 253.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1113.3
- More reliable overall
- Dodge Grand Caravan
- Dodge Grand Caravan top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN