2002 Dodge Caravan Transmission May Fail Causing Slipping in First or Reverse Gear

If the transmission is slipping in first gear or Reverse—or if you experience delayed or loss of gear engagement after initial startup—the transmission may require removal and disassembly.

Affected Model Years

This issue affects Dodge Caravan model years 1991, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, .

33 people reported this problem

  • 2002 217,000 Miles
    The problem I had with my van, happened as I slowed down to make a turn off of one road onto another . As I made the turn I heard a noise and then the van slowed down as if it was stalling. I coasted down the road for about a mile before the van came to a completely quit pulling in forward in drive. After a day I went back to the van and it started up as normal and when it was put in drive it pulled forward about a half of a mile before stalling again. I had the van towed to my residence, and i move it about once a week around in the yard, by going around in a circle as the van will only move forward for a short distance. HELP- CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED AS I HAVE HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS GIVE ME DIFFERENT ANSWERS AND I NEED TO GET THE VAN FIXED AS IT IS IN GOOD CONDITION OTHER WISE. THE VAN HAS BEEN SERVICED AS REQUIRED, AND THE MOTOR HAS BEEN REBUILT.

  • 2002 223,000 Miles
    Transmission fails to engage when vehicle is cold. We wait a moment for the transmission fluid to build more pressure and then it seems okay. No official remedy yet... at 223k it may be sent to the boneyard rather than the shop. LOL. Great van!

  • 2002 163,000 Miles
    My van has problems engaging in first gear when starting from park. Once its been on the highway and warms up it does fine.

  • 2002 129,900 Miles
    all of a sudden van started slipping when cold forward and reverse

  • 2002 124,000 Miles
    None of the gears works wen i turn on the car..it makes a zip noise wen i put it n park drive nd reverse nd i have to put emergency brake to stop van

  • 2002 90,000 Miles
    Transmission fails to engage when vehicle is cold. We have yet to hear the reason this is happening!

  • 2002 128,940 Miles
    Intermittent shudder in first gear once trans is warmed up. It does not happen every time but maybe 2 out of 5 times when starting from dead stop. Like at a stop sign or light. Not sure if its solenoid pack or foward clutches, an electrical problem or sensor. I have codes p0731 and po736.

  • 2002 188,000 Miles
    tranny misfire 1st gear bad :(

  • 2002 190,000 Miles
    Van will not move when put into drive or reverse

  • 2002 114,000 Miles
    Slipping transmission in reverse 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan not fixed searching for answer

  • 2002 152,000 Miles
    Transmitting going out? Car jerks when slowing too quickly