2018 Dodge Grand Caravan

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2021· SEATS

  The headrest on the passenger seat popped out while the car was in the garage. I’m reading that this is a known issue that can cause great harm had someone been sitting in the car at the time.

• 12/27/2023· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  I went to the store and put my purchases in the trunk of the Grand Caravan. I pushed the button to close the rear door and turned to put my cart away. I then heard breaking glass and saw the glass in the rear door busting out. The door then lifted and came down again, this time busting more glass and ripping off the top panel that has the third brake light on it. When it was over, the back panel was hanging by the brake wiring. It looks like one of the pistons that hold the rear liftgate open detached from the inside of the car and hung there, busting the back out. I have had to tape plastic over the window and have been given a warning for a missing brake light. I can't have my vehicle inspected until this is fixed and I can't afford to get it fixed. This seems to be a design flaw. Can I get some assistance in having this repaired?

• 12/27/2021· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Driver side sliding door is stuck in the locked position. It will not unlock manually nor with the key fob. It is a safety hazard for any passengers in my car since the door cannot be opened.

• 12/26/2024· ENGINE

  The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while at a red light, the vehicle stalled and shuddered. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to get a diagnosis however, the independent mechanic stated that the failure cause was unidentifiable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to a different independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 835,000. 

• 12/23/2020· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT LOCK PROPERLY. WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED, LOCKING AND SETTING ALARM ON THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEY FOB THE SLIDING DOOR CAN STILL BE OPENED. THE DOOR WILL NOT LOCK. DEALER ADVISED THAT DOOR LOCKING ACTUATOR WAS BAD AND ESTIMATED $1,650 TO REPAIR. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.

• 12/23/2020· SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

  THE BRAKES DID NOT HOLD WHEN BACKING UP. I WAS DRIVING WHEN BRAKES WENT SOFT. I HAD VECH TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIS AND IT WAS DISECOVERED A GAS BUBBLE IN BRAKE LINE .I SEARCHED AND FOUND A RECALL NOTED THIS WAS FOUND AND WOULD REOCOUR. MAFRACTURE STATES IT COULD REACOUR AGANIN AT ANYTIME

• 12/21/2024· ENGINE

  The engine components have failed, there is compression issue from cylinders, rings, and valve issues. Same as 2017 recall, seems to be still affecting my 2018 model. mileage is only 73,000.

• 12/19/2024· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  Passenger sliding door lock actuator is buzzing and going bad when you lock doors. A known problem in the dodge caravan.

• 12/19/2019· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ON 9/19 THE POWER LOCKS ARE FAILING TO WORK. RIGHT NOW PASSENGER DOOR AND SLIDING DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING. SOMETIMES YOU CANT EVEN UNLOCK THE DOOR TO OPEN THEM. WHICH IS A BIG SAFETY PROBLEM. NOW 12/19 DRIVER SIDE LOCKS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS AND NOT LOCKING AND UNLOCKING. AND SOMETIME THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK SO THE DOOR IS STUCK MAKING IT A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR EXIT IF THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY

• 12/18/2023· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  The actuator in both rear sliding doors is not working. The drivers side is stuck locked and the passengers side is stuck unlocked. My children have to exit the van through the back lift gate and one of them has to sit in the seat next to the door that does not lock. We have not taken it to a dealer but have a mechanic in the family that has diagnosed this to be the issue. No one else has inspected the problem at this time. There were no warning lamps or indications of the problem prior to the drivers side rear door not working starting on December 17, 2023. It was after that that we realized the passenger side rear door has not been locking for somewhere close to a year prior to that date. We have been dealing with the security alarm going off when someone opens the rear passenger door while the doors are locked. We can open that door even when the doors are locked which in turn sets off the alarm. That’s when we realized the rear passenger door never locks not even while driving!!! It should also be noted that neither door can be manually locked or unlocked. They are stuck in one position!

• 12/16/2020· POWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  ON THE FILLER NECK, WHEN I PUT THE FUEL NOZZLE IN TO FILL UP MY VAN THE FILLER NECK IS LOOSE. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES AND HAVE NEVER RUN INTO THIS PROBLEM. ON THE POWER TRAIN ,WHEN CLIMBING A HILL IT SLOWS DOWN AND I GO TO GIVE IT GAS AND IT BOGGS DOWN, LIKE SPUTTERS. IT MAKES LIKE A CLUNCKING IN THE BACK OF THE VAN. ALSO THE HOOD HAS COME UP ON ME 3 TIMES. THIS LAST TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY DID NOT CHECK IT OUT. I WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE LATCH POPPED LOOSE AND MADE THE HOOD COME UP. I WAS GOING ABOUT 45 MILES AN HOUR.

• 12/16/2019· STRUCTURE

  MY DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR STOPPED WORKING. I BOUGHT MY VAN FROM A DEALER AT THE END OF JULY 2019 WITH AROUND 40,000 MILES ON IT. IN THE MIDDLE OF OCTOBER 2019 (AROUND 45,000 MILES) THE DOOR STOPPED WORKING. I USED THE KEY FOB BUTTON TO OPEN THE DOOR AND PUT MY GRANDSON IN HIS CARSEAT. I USED THE DOOR POWER BUTTON TO CLOSE THE DOOR. WHEN WE GOT TO OUR DESTINATION, I USED THE POWER BUTTON ON THE ROOF DASH TO OPEN THE DOOR, I GOT MY GRANDSON OUT AND USED THE DOOR POWER BUTTON THO CLOSE THE DOOR. EVERYTHING WORKED AS USUAL. WHEN WE CAME OUT, I TRIED TO USE THE KEY FOB BUTTON TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE LIGHTS BLINKED, BUT THE DOOR DID NOT OPEN. I TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR MANUALLY AND IT WOULD NOT OPEN. WHEN I GOT HOME I TRIED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. I TRIED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR, BUT IT WILL NOT UNLOCK. THE BUTTON WILL MOVE SOME MANUALLY BUT WILL NOT UNLOCK. I TRIED CALLING THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I CALLED DODGE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOT A RECALL AND THEY COULD DO NOTHING TO HELP ME. I WAS LOOKING ONLINE AND SAW THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND MOST OF THE VEHICLES WERE FAIRLY NEW LIKE MINE. THEY SUGGESTED COMING HERE TO FILE A COMPLAINT TO TRY AND GET A RECALL ON THESE DOORS.

• 12/14/2023· ENGINE

  Check engine light keeps coming on. Motor has a miss. Cylinder 2 misfire. Parts changed and it keeps happening.

• 12/09/2024· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  I was driving in town when the Active Head Restraint deployed. There was no accident. Just driving and I heard it pop

• 12/07/2020· STRUCTURE

  PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR NOT LOCKING/UNLOCKING WHEN THE KEY FOB LOCKS/UNLOCKS THE OTHER DOORS. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY, RUNNING OR TURNED OFF IN PARK.

• 12/07/2018· STEERING

  THE TIE ROD ON THE RIGHT, PASSENGER SIDE, TIRE OF THIS VEHICLE BROKE WHILE DRIVING. THIS WAS A RENTAL CAR.

• 12/06/2023· AIR BAGS

  The front airbags malfunctioned and deployed while parking the vehicle. The driver was injured with burn marks and bruised on legs due to the lower area airbag deploying rapidly. The van was towed to the nearest Dodge dealership for further inspection. The incident was documented with police and a case number was provided. The incident was also documented with manufacturer(Dodge) and have a pending case for further inspection. To my knowledge, there were no warning lights on .

• 12/05/2022· STRUCTURE

  Both of my sliding door actuators are seized and won't unlock/lock. Currently, my driver side sliding door is stuck in the lock position. This is a safety hazard because if my car were in an accident and my kids needed to exit the vehicle, this door not opening would be an issue. Also, my passenger side sliding door also doesn't lock. This is an issue because anyone could enter my vehicle without me knowing and either steal the vehicle or could try to harm my wife or kids by waiting inside without them knowing. I have tried to discuss this with the dealership and with Dodge, but they are unwilling to inspect the vehicle without a fee. I currently don't have enough money to get my vehicle inspected or to get the repair done. I have looked online and I do see that this issue has occurred with the same model for years 2013-2017. I have also read online of other vehicle owners having a similar problem.

• 12/04/2023· STRUCTURE

  Passenger sliding door makes a noise when unlocking door. Sometimes it will not lock at all. When we searched issue is states actuator has gone bad and needs to be replaced.

• 12/03/2020· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  DRIVER DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTION. WILL NOT LOCK

• 11/30/2022· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the passenger’s side electronic sliding door could no longer be opened manually or remotely. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the door actuator was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 56,000.

• 11/28/2021· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES

  Stalls out randomly rear caliper keeps failing and leaking break fluid transmission will not shift properly up or down shifting which makes had to stop everything the the recalls for USA model has this Canada model has going right with it

• 11/22/2022· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  Cranks but no fuel fix. Possible TIPM fuel pump relay issue.

• 11/21/2020· POWER TRAIN

  MOTOR KNOCKING, LIFTER FAILED CAUSING MAJOR MOTOR DAMAGE. NO WARNING LIGHTS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON MOTOR WITH REGULAR SERVICE.

• 11/18/2021· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  Passenger sliding door will not unlock from the inside or outside, will not open manually or electronically. This is a problem if I have to get my child out of the vehicle and help him with his carseat in an emergency. It has not been inspected by anyone yet.

• 11/17/2022· STRUCTURE

  The sliding door on the driver's side is locked closed and it cannot be unlocked or opened. The sliding door on the passenger's side can be opened and closed, but cannot be locked. As such, that door can be opened when the van is driven. The door locking failures occurred without any warning. According to the mechanic, both failures were due to worn door latches, which can be repaired/replaced for more $1,300 each in parts and labor. The van was purchased used more than 5 months ago with an odometer reading of 61,380 miles. The odometer read 71,173 miles when the van was dropped off today to have the door latches fixed. A request was made for all replaced components and parts to be retained for inspection, if warranted at a later date.

• 11/17/2019· SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  I WAS CROSSING AN INTERSECTION WHEN 2 CARS STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME MAKING A LEFT TURN I TRIED TO STOP SLAMMED MY BRAKES NO SKIDDING AT ALL AND RAN INTO THE BACK OF A CAR TOTALING MY VAN AS OF THE RESULT OF THE WRECK IN WICH L FELT LIKE THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES

• 11/15/2022· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  The rear driverside sliding door was stuck in the lock position for several months. It was inconvenient that the actuator stopped working on the door. After months of it being stuck it suddenly works, but everytime the door s lock the rear driverside sliding doors locking system makes a buzzer sound while locking. If this fails again and we need to leave the car quickly in an emergency not having both doors working properly could be very dangerous.

• 11/13/2020· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  1ST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE ACCELERATING TO PULL ON TO THE HIGHWAY. AFTER ACCELERATING AND REMOVING FOOT FROM PEDAL, THE PEDAL DID NOT RELEASE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RAPIDLY ACCELERATE. APPLYING THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE ENGINE ACCELERATION BUT DID ALLOW US TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AND TURN OFF THE CAR. RESTARTING THE CAR, ALL RETURNED TO NORMAL. HOWEVER A LITTLE WHILE LATER WHILE ACCELERATING TO PASS A VEHICLE THE GAS PEDAL ONCE AGAIN STUCK IN THE DOWNWARD POSITION AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. ONCE AGAIN BRAKE WAS APPLIED AND ONLY AFTER THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO AROUND 40 MPH DID THE THROTTLE DISENGAGE.*DT*DT*JB*JB

• 11/10/2021· STRUCTURE

  The left side sliding door will not open at all. Tried to unlock manually will not open have to use other side for kids to get out of van. I did some online research saying the the lock actuator on sliding door seized. To me this is major safety hazard. If anything should be able to open manually but cannot even with key fob will not open. Theo locking switch does not move at all stuck in middle.

• 11/08/2024· AIR BAGS

  BOTH FRONT HEADRESTS ACTIVATED WITHOUT REAR COLLESION WHICH POSED A DANGER TO THOSE OCCUPANTS LOACATED IN EITHER FRONT SEAT. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE HEADRESTS RESET, WAS NOT ABLE TO DO A RESET, WILL HAVE TO PURCHASE NEW HEADRESTS AND HAVE THEM INSTALLED AT A GREAT COST TO THE CUSTOMER.

• 11/05/2023· POWER TRAIN

  I had bought my van in August 2022 used from a dealership and was never offered an extended warranty or anything. In January 2023 my 2018 Grand Caravan started making a noise and I thought it was the pulley. Took it to the mechanic and come to find out it was the flex plate inside the transmission. I had that fixed in January 2023 which cost $1000. There was no warning for the flex plate. Then October 18, 2023 my van again started making a noise and driving properly. I had someone look at it and was told it was low on transmission fluid. I checked it fluid on the next day and it was full. Went to drive it on October 20, 2023 and it didn't want to shift and when I was able to go the transmission didn't engage and didn't catch a gear. I was able to get around the corner and I had to pull off the side of the road. As I pulled over the transmission light ha come on. I had it towed to the mechanic shop and he confirmed that the transmission is shot and needs to be replaced.

• 11/04/2024· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  The sliding door locks/actuators on the rear sliding doors do not engage allowing the doors to open even when the doors are locked leaving the risk of the doors opening while the vehicle is moving or allowing someone to break into the vehicle since the doors won't lock and can be opened, even when the rest of the doors on the vehicle are locked.

• 11/03/2025· AIR BAGS,SEATS

  The headrest airbag on the driver's side was deployed without any explanation.

• 11/01/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  SLIDING SIDE DOOR LOCK ISSUES. ONE DAY WORKS OTHER DAYS DON'T. SLIDING POWER DOOR DOES NOT LATCH ON IN OPEN POSITION THUS KEEP CLOSING AND HITTING A PERSON WHEN ITS AUTOMATICALLY CLOSING. MY SON AND MYSELF HAS SLAMMED BY DOOR MORE THAN I WOULD LIKE TO SAY.

• 10/27/2023· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  The passenger side power door actuator stopped functioning making it extremely difficult to access the seats on the passenger side. I was unable to easily get to a young child who was in a car seat on that side. If we were in an accident I would have been unable to get to them quickly.

• 10/26/2021· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Beginning about the time my regular warranty expired, about 40,000 miles, my rear sliding car door on the drivers side began making a loud buzzing sound when hitting the lock door button. It makes this sound every time the car door is locked. A month or so after it began making that noise, the door became stuck and would not open. It did not matter if the door was unlocked or not the door could not be opened at all. Then all of a sudden out of nowhere, the door became unstuck. A few weeks after that it became stuck again. This makes no sense, as I haven't done anything to warrant this issue. The right side sliding door also will not lock when the lock button is pressed. I have to manually open the door to lock or unlock the back sliding door on the right side. This is so frustrating. This issue is no longer "covered" by the warranty and it is incredibly annoying, not to mention expensive to have fixed. I bought this car new! It would seem to me the door being stuck and not being able to open is a major safety hazard. This should be a recall and customers should not have to pay 1,000$ or more to have this fixed. I cannot afford to have this fixed at this time so I am just having to live with it. I pray that if we are ever in a car accident that my children and I will be able to open the door and exit the vehicle safely and not be trapped inside.

• 10/24/2025· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  I am reporting an issue involving a Dodge recall repair and an improper charge related to that recall. My Dodge vehicle was serviced for a sliding door actuator recall. During the repair, the dealer informed me that the “sliding door applique” must be removed to access the actuator and that it cannot be reused once removed. They then charged me over $531.99 for the applique, even though the repair itself was covered under my extended warranty (XV1). The applique was not damaged or defective; it was removed only as part of the recall procedure. I believe this constitutes an unfair and deceptive repair practice — the part should have been replaced at no cost, since it was necessary to complete a recall repair. Dodge Customer Care (Case No. 94484317) denied reimbursement without offering any technical explanation or documentation. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether Dodge and its authorized service centers are charging customers for parts that are required to perform warranty or recall repairs, which could indicate a broader pattern of abuse.

• 10/24/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  AT POWER OUTLET THE WIRING HARNESS RUBS ON THE FRAME AND CAUSED THE CONNECTOR TO GET HOT AND MELT THE CONNECTOR, WIRING AND MELTS THE CARPET IT IS A FIRE HAZARD

• 10/24/2018· SUSPENSION

  REAR SUSPENSION RATTLES EVEN OVER LITTLE ROAD IMPERFECTIONS. BROUGHT TO DEALER ONLY FOR THEM TO TELL ME ALL NEW GRAND CARAVANS RATTLE OVER BUMPS. CONCERNED OVER PREMATURE SUSPENSION FAILURE MAYBE BY FAULTY OR DODGE NOT USING APPROPRIATE SHOCKS OR OTHER MEANS OF DAMPENING REAR SUSPENSION. ING BETTER NEW SHOCKS

• 10/23/2023· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Power sliding door makes buzzing sound when unlocking.

• 10/22/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THIS PROBLEM BEGAN ABOUT A MONTH AGO. WE HAD LOCKED THE DOOR AND WE HEARD A LOUD BUZZING SOUND COME FROM THE RIGHT SIDE SLIDING DOOR. NOW EVERY TIME WE OPEN ,LOCK OR UNLOCK THE CAR IT MAKES A LOUD BUZZING SOUND ON THAT SIDE.

• 10/22/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  JUST LIKE THE THOUSANDS OF OTHER MY REAR SLIDING DOOR IS LOCKED SHUT AND WILL NOT OPEN. IT STARTED AS A BUZZING SOUND THEN COMPLETELY FAILED. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND NOW MY ALMOST NEW VAN WITH ONLY 54,000 MILES IS WORTHLESS. THE WHOLE POINT OF BUYING IT IS TO HAVE THE TWO SLIDING DOORS. THE DEALER SAYS IT WILL BE $1,700 TO FIX. I PROMISE THIS MUCH. IF DODGE DOES NOT DO A RECALL ON THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE I WILL NEVER PURCHASE FROM THEM AGAIN. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ALREADY ON THE DOORS. I HAVE READ ALL THE FORUMS AND SUBMITTIONS AND THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD ISSUE. CHRYSTLER/DODGE IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAVE STEPPED UP LIKE AN HONEST COMPANY AND MADE IT RIGHT. BUYERS BEWARE.

• 10/19/2022· AIR BAGS

  The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving approximately 6 MPH and crossing a railroad track, the driver's side front and driver's side rear passenger’s side air bags deployed. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the police were on scene and filed a police report. The contact stated that the air bags deployed with force and damaged the side sliding door. The contact stated that the sliding door could not be opened. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that his insurance provider was sending an appraiser to inspect the vehicle. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

• 10/19/2021· STRUCTURE

  Drivers door lock latch motor failed, door would not lock. Replaced latch assembly. 3 months later, drivers rear slider door latch jammed, and would not open. Awaiting parts. Passengers rear slider door occasionally buzzes.

• 10/18/2021· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  About 2 weeks ago, the power rear driver door stoped working, it is stuck in the lock position and can not be opened by hand from the outside or the inside, by remote or with the button in overhead console the car. This is a safety issue as we need to be able to open it up when a passenger (in this instance our kid) needs to get out. After some research online, I found out that this is a known issue but dodge decided to do just nothing. Safety first...... This needs to be an immediate recall!

• 10/18/2021· ENGINE

  Check engine light came on, around 60000 miles, checked at AutoZone, cilynder 2 misfired. I fixed it with new coils and spark plugs. However, check engine light was still on. Dodge dealership said that there might be an electric problem, they replaced for $700 a. Able underneath the driver seat, this fixed an air an issue but not the check engine light. Now at around 75000 miles and after a trip to Wisconsin, the car starts to shake and rattle and after some research i found out that it most likely the head gasket and dodge knows about it but just don't do anything to the hundreds of people.with the same complaint............

• 10/17/2024· STRUCTURE

  Right sliding door does not lock when lock button is pushed and will swing open during driving and can be opened when parked while the lock system is still in place. Also the door when manually closed has trapped an arm and does not stop closing. Also have bubbles on front hood from unknown cause. Door problem started several weeks ago and was looked at then and also today at the dealer.

• 10/17/2022· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE

  Passenger door lock actuator stuck in the unlock position. When manually locked, actuator began buzzing when unlocking using electric methods. The van will not always unlock the doors via key fob since this has happened. I have small kids, and in the event of an emergency, it is important to be able to reliable unlock the rear doors if vehicle evacuation were necessary. I am in the processes of ordering a replacement actuator and will self install, but will keep the original on hand if the need arrises for it to be inspected. The vehicle has not been looked at by anybody other than myself as I do my own mechanic work.

• 10/16/2023· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  Passengers side back sliding door power locks will not lock the door . Driverside back sliding door will not unlock. Occasionally makes a buzzing g sound. Cannot manually unlock the door or open it.