2018 Dodge Grand Caravan Interior & seats Problems

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

NHTSA ID

11697143

Incident

Oct 23, 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 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

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the rear passenger’s side door was inoperable. The contact stated that the door failed to function properly, and the contact had to manually close the rear passenger’s door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

NHTSA ID

11651258

Incident

Mar 28, 2025

Mileage

36,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the sliding door on the rear driver’s side had seized in the locked position, and the key fob was unable to unlock the sliding door. The door was unable to unlock manually or with the key fob. The contact learned that the failure was a common failure caused by the door actuators. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the lock rod had detach from the door latch, causing the door latch, rods, and retainers to all need to be replaced. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.

NHTSA ID

11594998

Incident

Jun 18, 2023

Mileage

78,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated when she went to open the passenger’s side sliding side door, the door remained locked. The contact stated that the key fob was not working, and she was also unable to open the sliding door manually. The contact stated that the driver's side sliding door failed to open several months later. The contact stated that the only entry and exit into the vehicle was through the driver's and passenger’s side front doors. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

NHTSA ID

11592325

Incident

Dec 8, 2023

Mileage

123,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side door failed to open. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and repaired. The contact stated that after the initial repair, the rear driver’s side door failed to open. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with the lock actuators failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

NHTSA ID

11590012

Incident

May 14, 2024

Mileage

74,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver's side sliding door latch failed to unlatch. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,700. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11586344

Incident

Apr 27, 2024

Mileage

49,700 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while attempting to enter the vehicle through the driver's side sliding door, she became aware that the door would not unlock or open. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 58,000.

NHTSA ID

11584741

Incident

Apr 23, 2024

Mileage

58,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that on several occasions while the vehicle was parked, the key fob was used to attempt to lock and unlock the vehicle however, the doors failed to open. Additionally, the contact stated that on several occasions while the vehicle was parked, the door would not open as needed; however, the rear passenger’s side door would occasionally open unintendedly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on three occasions where it was diagnosed that the door lock actuator on the rear doors, batteries in the key fobs, and the driver's side door module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11572122

Incident

Jun 1, 2022

the headrest on the passenger side front deployed for no reason as the car was sitting overnight. it cannot be reset

NHTSA ID

11569820

Incident

Feb 4, 2024

While driving the passenger headrest popped open hitting passenger in the head. Tried resetting the headrest but it would not latch.

NHTSA ID

11536738

Incident

May 16, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side sliding door failed to unlock as designed. The contact that stated that she attempted to unlock the door using the key fob and manually from the inside and outside the vehicle however, the door failed to unlock as designed. Additionally, the contact stated that prior to the door failing to unlock, she had heard a buzzing sound while operating the sliding door. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

NHTSA ID

11519142

Incident

Feb 15, 2023

Mileage

78,000 mi

While I was driving, I was hit in the back of the head causing me to get dizzy. I thought someone was in my van and punched me. I slammed on my brakes and jumped out. No one was in there. It was my headrest that deployed. I didn’t know that a headrest deploying was a thing. I noticed a small plastic piece on my seat. After looking at the headrest, it’s visibly broke. I have a migraine headache, left side neck pain, and have to drive with my seat back further as to not have my head tilted forward when driving. Had I been going faster this could have no doubt caused an accident.

NHTSA ID

11518359

Incident

Apr 21, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the driver's side rear passenger sliding door failed to unlock. The contact was unable to unlock the door. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the door lock actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, and the contact stated that both rear passenger’s side sliding doors failed to unlock as designed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

NHTSA ID

11510769

Incident

Sep 8, 2022

Mileage

90,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11495473

Incident

Jun 1, 2022

Mileage

56,000 mi

The front seat passenger headrest broke open (the back of the headrest separated from the front which should only happen in a rear end collision) without cause. It appears to be a known problem with this seat headrest as noted on other Dodge vehicles which have recalls. If somebody was sitting in the sit when this happened, it would have resulted in a head and neck injury. The 2018 Dodge Caravan should also be on the list of having AHR (Active Headrest Restraint) system that is malfunctioning. This happened on September 5, 2022.

NHTSA ID

11485297

Incident

Sep 5, 2022

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated his wife had locked the vehicle and while attempting to unlock the driver's side sliding door the next day, the door failed to unlock. The contact's wife attempted to unlock the door using the key fob and manually from the inside and the outside however, the door failed to unlock. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the door lock actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,700.

NHTSA ID

11466072

Incident

May 18, 2022

Mileage

59,700 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated while getting into the vehicle, the passenger’s side sliding door would not open. The door was unable to unlock completely. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11458057

Incident

Mar 15, 2022

Mileage

65,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11445580

Incident

Dec 30, 2021

The contact owns a 2018 Grand Caravan. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the driver’s side rear door failed to unlock. The contact stated that the safety feature activated and locked the doors while the vehicle was being refueled. The contact stated that the activation button to disable the feature failed to correct the failure. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The contact received an estimate for the inspection of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11427873

Incident

Apr 1, 2021

Mileage

100,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the driver's side sliding door locking mechanism had malfunctioned and the door was stuck in the locked position. The door was unable to be opened from inside or outside the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined by the local dealer however the dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 76,000.

NHTSA ID

11427560

Incident

Jul 19, 2021

Mileage

76,000 mi

WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT WITH OUR 2018 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WHERE A PERSON REAR ENDED US GOING AT LEAST 75 MPH WHILE I WAS GOING A MAXIMUM OF 20 MPH. WE WERE IN A CITY MAINTAINED ROAD, SILVERBELL RD AT THE INTERSECTION OF CORTARO RD. MY SISTER IN LAW WAS IN THE VERY BACK 3RD ROW PASSENGER SIDE CHAIR WHEN IT DISLODGED FROM THE METAL HOOKS ON IMPACT. THE SEAT FLUNG AROUND WITH HER IN IT AND THE HEAD REST HIT SO HARD AGAINST THE BACK WINDOW/DOOR THAT IT IS NOW PERMANENTLY BEND FORWARD. WE CANNOT GET THE SEAT TO STAY UP ANYMORE OR CLOSE DOWN INTO THE GROUND. THE CAR IS NOW TOTALLED. IN THE IMPACT, SHE SUSTAINED 2 BIG BUMPS ON THE TOP OF HER HEAD & LEFT SIDE BEHIND HER EAR. SHE ALSO HAS SEVERE WHIP LASH AND HIT THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER FACE, CAUSING A RED MARK & BRUISING ON THE CHEEK BONE RIGHT UNDER THE EYE. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN WITH MARANA POLICE DEPARTMENT.

NHTSA ID

11386162

Incident

Dec 13, 2020

Mileage

56,000 mi