2018 Dodge Grand Caravan Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts, with the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) warning light displayed on the instrument panel. The contact was forced to jumpstart the vehicle; however, the vehicle may not start after being jumpstarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and DTC: C212A (Anti-Lock Brake System - ABS). The contact called several dealers, and the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V524000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

NHTSA ID

11755853

Incident

Aug 3, 2026

Mileage

132,000 mi

My rear passenger slide door has recently started buzzing when you press the unlock button. The lock itself will not move so it is not locking. We tried to get this fixed at our local dealership, they told us that it was under the 10y/100k miles warranty, we have 66k on the van. They then told us that they would have to remove a trim piece and they would break it and we would have to pay for it. Then, they told us that we were actually lied to and its not under warranty because the warranty is 3y/30k miles.

NHTSA ID

11739348

Incident

May 10, 2026

The Component that keeps failing on these vehicles is the Actuator for the sliding doors. When it comes to safety, this could be a huge problem in case of an accident or any time there’s a “rush” to get out of the vehicle. Especially having 3+ kids having to climb in and out. The problem has been inspected by my local dealership. The cause is the actuator, no doubt. This was a “warrantied” part but being my vehicle is at 160K miles, the dealership wants me to pay 2500 out of pocket. When I believe this should be taken care of free of charge.

NHTSA ID

11730000

Incident

Dec 1, 2025

The drivers side sliding door will not open. The local dealership checked it and says it is the door lock actuator that needs to be replaced. There was a recall on this part, but we never got a recall notice. The vehicle messaging system never indicated a problem. The passenger side sliding door has also had problems, but it still opens. It just makes a lot of noise when opening sometimes, and will close unexpectedly before it fully opens. Both of these problems pose a safety hazard.

NHTSA ID

11727275

Incident

Feb 1, 2026

•vehicle stalls when slowing down in traffic and cut off on freeway •happens while driving at low speed •vehicle restarts immediately after stalling •0–10 mph (coming to stop) •slowing from traffic speed •check engine light appeared •code P0128 was detected Vehicle stalled while driving and could have caused a crash if it happened in heavier traffic.” •I reported the issue to the dealership I bought it and went to dodge dealership because I seen 4 recalls •they checked the vehicle •they stated no recalls were open •blind spot warning system not functioning •lane assist button not responding •115-volt power outlet not working happened multiple times •started recently after purchase •intermittent issue “When searching by VIN earlier, recall campaigns were displayed describing engine stall that could increase crash risk.”

NHTSA ID

11722389

Incident

Feb 23, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power and came to a stop in the middle of traffic. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a misfire and the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign: 18V524000 (Electrical System). However, the VIN was not included. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle occasionally failed to start immediately while using the key. The local dealer was contacted; however, the contact was advised that the vehicle was not the same as the vehicles listed in NHTSA Campaign: 18V524000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,817.

NHTSA ID

11720360

Incident

Feb 19, 2026

Mileage

98,817 mi

Am smells as if wires are burning and vehicle turns off whilst driving causing me to nearly hit a pole in one instance. Car will shut off also whilst parked or when reversing to park. Emergency Brake light come on at random times during driving as well. Or the seatbelt light will come on whilst seatbelt is engaged.

NHTSA ID

11716641

Incident

Jan 14, 2026

My sliding back doors do not open with the key fob AND they do not open using the handles on the INSIDE or OUTSIDE of the van. I was researching how to fix this, and this seems to be a pretty common issue. How has this put safety at risk - if there is an emergency, how do those people in the back seat get out? This is a HUGE issue! There are no other known failures with the vehicle - it has not been checked out by anyone other than myself.

NHTSA ID

11716214

Incident

Feb 4, 2026

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

NHTSA ID

11697143

Incident

Oct 23, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11695518

Incident

Oct 4, 2025

When I’m driving, especially when I come to a stop or when I try to accelerate from a stop, the car kind of chokes or hesitates. It feels like it’s about to stall, but it doesn’t fully turn off. It keeps doing this off and on when I stop or try to go again. It's very scary and dangerous.

NHTSA ID

11689562

Incident

Aug 6, 2025

Passenger side sliding door can't be unlocked manually or by the fob, will not open by the handle inside or out. Passengers are unable to exit vehicle through passenger sliding door.

NHTSA ID

11687214

Incident

Sep 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle, the contact became aware that the driver's side headrest had deployed without impact. The local dealer was not contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,600.

NHTSA ID

11686845

Incident

Aug 1, 2025

Mileage

59,600 mi

Voltage regulator malfunctioning inside ECM and having lights dim and electrical components bog down

NHTSA ID

11684324

Incident

Jul 1, 2024

Our driver side back sliding door door has seized and will not open. This looks to be a common issue with the grand caravan. The lock is stuck in an in between state and will not open automatically or manually. This is a safety hazard for back passengers.

NHTSA ID

11683760

Incident

Jun 8, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-70 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly slowed down and then abruptly stopped. The contact stated that it felt as if a part had fallen from the bottom of the vehicle. While attempting to drive off, the vehicle hesitated. While at a YIELD sign, the vehicle shut off and was restarted. The driver's side door failed to open. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called an undisclosed local dealer, who confirmed there were no recalls associated with the VIN. The vehicle was diagnosed, and a tune-up and thermostat replacement were advised. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11683065

Incident

Mar 1, 2025

Driving down hi way and headrest came apart.

NHTSA ID

11680175

Incident

Aug 12, 2025

Driver side door is not locking or unlocking with KEYFOB.

NHTSA ID

11678068

Incident

Jun 13, 2025

The lock mechanism on the passenger side sliding door has failed. It is stuck in the locked position. This is a known defect that has recurred in this vehicle for years. The door is not able to be unlocked which is a safety concern if the vehicle needs to be exited or accessed in an emergency. The sliding door lock had been making a loud buzzing noise upon locking and unlocking for weeks but only became stuck yesterday. The front drivers side door lock also does not respond to the unlocking mechanisms (button inside or remote) but can be unlocked with the key being inserted into the lock and manually turned. This has been happening on and off for a year.

NHTSA ID

11674912

Incident

Jul 19, 2025

Driver's side sliding door stays locked and will not open it also prevents me to lock the passenger side sliding door

NHTSA ID

11672130

Incident

Jul 6, 2023

I had recently decided to rotate my wheels and and I had gotten done I noticed that after a little while after I get down the road my speedometer, cruise control, abs, traction control stopped working and my parking brake light also came on now I do know the only thing that I done differently was kept my hub cap pieces off of the vehicle

NHTSA ID

11672128

Incident

Jul 1, 2025

Driver side sliding door locked. Fails to get unlocked. Tried unlocking with Key Fob, manually unlocking. Nothing works and this door now fails to get unlocked and open. Passenger side middle row bucket seat fails to fold down and get under the floor.

NHTSA ID

11670495

Incident

Jun 2, 2025

Went to open up driver side sliding door and it would not slide back. It is stuck due to the locking actuator. This can be dangerous. I have kids in my van and the door not sliding back can present different dangerous issues for different scenarios. The 2016-2017 dodge grand caravan I believe has a recall on this issue but not the 20q8, and I dont know why.

NHTSA ID

11670261

Incident

Jun 26, 2025

As is a known issue in Dodge Caravans - the sliding door components have failed resulting in a safety hazard. One of the doors will not open sometimes which is a serious concern in the case of an emergency.

NHTSA ID

11665921

Incident

Jun 2, 2025

The front door passenger lock is not working. I think it is the actuator and hence auto-lock is not available for the front passenger door. The passenger door may get opened by mistake while on the highway.

NHTSA ID

11665327

Incident

Jun 6, 2025