2020 Dodge Grand Caravan Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Powertrain (other)832.0%
- Airbags520.0%
- Electrical416.0%
- Seat belts28.0%
- Engine28.0%
- Steering14.0%
- Fuel system14.0%
- Interior & seats14.0%
- Exterior lighting14.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The automatic transmission failed while driving, causing a loss of propulsion and leaving the vehicle stranded. This created a safety hazard because the vehicle could no longer accelerate or move out of traffic. This is the fourth Chrysler/Dodge vehicle I have owned that has experienced a substantially similar transmission failure.
3 year old 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan sxt had failed transmission pump and transmission. I was driving 30 mph and it lunged forward fast after not changing gears for 2 miles. My warranty company put the wrong replacement transmission that is a closed transmission. It was from a junk yard reject with crumbled gasket leaking everywhere. Then a year later December 2024 they replaced gasket with liquid gasket. Now it smells like burning metal. Please tell me which transmission is correct? Closed transmission? What kkbd comes from Mopar factory? I requested Mopar because it must work with ECU. AXIOM WARRANTY REFUSED. PLEASE HELP ME GET MOPAR CORRECT PART BECAUSE NO SERVICE DEPARTMENT WILL HELP ME CHANGE FLUID OR CHECK FLUID LEVEL. I can send copies of receipt. Most of all it should be a recall and a Mopar transmission should be installed free from Dodge.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving and all seat belts buckled the seat belt and air bag indicator chimes.
The transmission failed at just under 60k miles. Our air bag sensor light is now coming on and not sure why. I don’t have the money to continue to repair this vehicle plus make payments. We also have had issues with the front bolts on the driver side continuing to loosen.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the alternator had frozen, the serpentine belt was missing, and the tensioner needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. On another occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the EMC warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,749.
I AM GETTING A CODE FOR THE THORAX SQUIB SENSOR. THE DEALERSHIP STATES I NEED A DRIVER-SIDE SEAT WIRE HARNESS. WE WERE PUT AT RISK BY THE INTERMITTENT CONNECTION OF THE AIR BAG SENSOR. AS THE LINE BECAME FRAYED AND WIRES BROKE. THE AIRBAGS SYSTEM WAS COMPROMISED CAUSING THE SYSTEM TO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN I WAS MOVING MY SET BACK AND FORTH. THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON. THE LIGHT WOULD COME OFF AND ON. PUTTING MY FAMILY AT RISK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving and all seat belts buckled the seat belt and air bag indicator chimes.
seat belt incorrectly assembled making it impossible to fasten without twisting the belt
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the alternator had frozen, the serpentine belt was missing, and the tensioner needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. On another occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the EMC warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,749.
Engine oil filter housing leaking. Oil leaking and pooling on top of engine. Could cause fire. Technician at Dodge Dealer said this is a common problem on this engine. It affects other Dodge/Chrysler vehicles as well. Component was inspected by our insurer Car Shield. No warnings or messages prior to the failure. Technician found the issue during routine oil change.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the alternator had frozen, the serpentine belt was missing, and the tensioner needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. On another occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the EMC warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,749.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
catalytic convert failure No complaints from dealer ship No inspection was done warning light came on
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that after securing her infant child inside the vehicle, his wife started the vehicle and then exited the vehicle. After closing the door, it was discovered that all the doors had erroneously locked causing the child to become trapped inside the vehicle until her husband was able to open the door using a second key fob. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. Prior to the failure, the contact indicated that the key fob auto start feature had malfunctioned and failed to start the vehicle. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 13,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
The vehicle display lights on the interior dash board fail to fully shut off after driving and waiting an appropriate amount of time, causing a drain on the battery over time which results in a failure to start. There may be other drains on the battery, as this is not an isolated incidence and has been happening since May 2022 approximately every two weeks or less.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .