2018 Dodge Grand Caravan Problems & Owner Complaints

Electrical System 91 1 crash 1 injury

“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. CHRYSTLE…”
NHTSA complaint #11365686, 2020 · 1 injury(ies)

“9:45 PM I HAD JUST TAKEN THE EXIT FOR 781 OFF OFF I-81 IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, NY TO HEAD TO FORT DRUM. I WAS IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE. I SET THE CRUISE CONTROL TO 62, THE SPEED LIMIT IS 65. IT WAS ABOUT A MILE OR SO DOWN FROM THE ON RAMP WHEN THE VAN SHUT OFF BY ITSELF AT 62MPH. THERE WAS NO ELECTRICAL OR LIGHTS, NOT EVEN THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, THE BRAKE PEDAL LOCKED AND WOULD NOT WORK. I HAD NO CONTROL. THERE IS NO ROAD LIGHTING IN THAT AREA AND NO OTHER CARS WERE AROUND SO I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD OR ANYTHING AROUND ME. MY FIRST INSTINCT WAS THAT I NEEDED TO TRY…”
NHTSA complaint #11387413, 2021 · crash

“•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…”
NHTSA complaint #11722389, 2026

Unknown Or Other 65 1 injury

“THE SLIDING PASSANGER DOOR CLOSED ON MY CHILD'S HAND. THE DOOR DID RE-OPEN BUT NOT IMMEDIATELY. IT ENDED UP CAUSING A BREAK IN HER HAND.”
NHTSA complaint #11132682, 2018 · 1 injury(ies)

“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 complaint #11739348, 2026

“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 complaint #11727275, 2026

Structure 59 1 crash 1 death

“SMALL OVERLAP VEHICLE ACCIDENT. DRIVER UNRESTRAINED. FRONT AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER FATALITY.”
NHTSA complaint #11407951, 2020 · crash · 1 death(s)

“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 complaint #11687214, 2025

“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 complaint #11683760, 2025

Engine 34

“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 complaint #11689562, 2025

“Van is driven a few thousand miles per year since we purchased. Routine maintenance up kept and has just over 100K miles. Replaced coils, plugs as routine for maintenance but having a Cylinder 2 misfire, then it became #6 and now is "multiple random misfire" codes. vehicle shutters dangerously when driving and engine light comes on intermittently. EVERY person I know with this pentastar v6 has had identical problems!”
NHTSA complaint #11660593, 2025

“Vehicle has developed a misfire on cylinder #2. Causes driveability issues. Appears to be systemic for this engine, with the manufacturer aware of this since the 2011 model year at least. There should be a recall or warranty extension to cover a manufacturing fault such as this.”
NHTSA complaint #11654202, 2025

Power Train 23 1 crash 1 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, IT SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO REVERSE AND ROLLED AWAY ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT ANKLE, TWO TORN LIGAMENTS, PAIN IN THE LEFT LEG AND BACK, AND BRUISES ON THE TORSO AND RIGHT LEG. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AIRPORT AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD BE NOTIFIED…”
NHTSA complaint #11195805, 2019 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“The van started to make a loud whining sound while going down the highway around 60 miles an hour. When we slowed down and turned onto a smaller road and tried to accelerate the rpm’s went to around 5,000 and it was barely moving. Had to stop for a long time and was able to drive it the last couple of miles home very slowly. Several children in the car were at risk if someone had hit us at hwy speed”
NHTSA complaint #11663015, 2025

“My report is to hopefully get a recall started on the transmission of my vehicle. I do not yet have 100,000 miles on my vehicle and need a new transmission. I realize now every time that it accelerated strangely or delayed in acceleration that my transmission was defective all along since I purchased the vehicle. I assumed it was me getting used to the vehicle but I now realize since I had my vehicle inspected by 3 different mechanics, 2 of them specialized in transmissions, that it is defective. The two specialists mechanics told me that this is a known problem for this type of vehicle and I…”
NHTSA complaint #11645951, 2025

Latches/Locks/Linkages 15

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11683065, 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 complaint #11651258, 2025

“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 complaint #11590012, 2024

Seats 13 1 crash 8 injury

“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, SH…”
NHTSA complaint #11386162, 2020 · crash · 6 injury(ies)

“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 complaint #11518359, 2023 · 1 injury(ies)

“2018 DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SEAT WHICH RESULTED IN INJURY TO PASSENGER. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST THE SEAT TO AN UPRIGHT POSITION IT SLAMMED FORWARD AGAINST THE BACK OF THE HEAD. THIS CAUSED AND INJURY TO THE HEAD AND JAW. THE CONSUMER DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. *JS *TT *BF *TR”
NHTSA complaint #11111620, 2018 · 1 injury(ies)

Air Bags 12 1 crash 1 injury 1 death

“SMALL OVERLAP VEHICLE ACCIDENT. DRIVER UNRESTRAINED. FRONT AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER FATALITY.”
NHTSA complaint #11407951, 2020 · crash · 1 death(s)

“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 .”
NHTSA complaint #11558865, 2023 · 1 injury(ies)

“The headrest airbag on the driver's side was deployed without any explanation.”
NHTSA complaint #11697143, 2025

Service Brakes 11 4 crash 1 injury

“MY WIFE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER CAR. SHE CALLED ME AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE POLICE HAD BEEN CALLED. I ARRIVED AT THE SCENE SHORTLY AFTER THE POLICE. MY WIFE WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLENTY OF TIME TO STOP ACCORDING TO HER. SHE WAS NOT DISTRACTED AND FELT LIKE THE VAN SHE WAS DRIVING HAD AMPLE ROOM TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING UP AN INCLINE ON A HIGHWAY, TRAFFIC CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. THE VEHICLE MY WIFE HAD THE WRECK IN IS A RENTAL VEHICLE, HOWEVER; SHE HAD DRIVEN IT FOR THREE DAYS LEADING UP TO THE ACCIDENT. THE UNFAMILIARITY OF THE RE…”
NHTSA complaint #11210388, 2019 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“9:45 PM I HAD JUST TAKEN THE EXIT FOR 781 OFF OFF I-81 IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, NY TO HEAD TO FORT DRUM. I WAS IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE. I SET THE CRUISE CONTROL TO 62, THE SPEED LIMIT IS 65. IT WAS ABOUT A MILE OR SO DOWN FROM THE ON RAMP WHEN THE VAN SHUT OFF BY ITSELF AT 62MPH. THERE WAS NO ELECTRICAL OR LIGHTS, NOT EVEN THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, THE BRAKE PEDAL LOCKED AND WOULD NOT WORK. I HAD NO CONTROL. THERE IS NO ROAD LIGHTING IN THAT AREA AND NO OTHER CARS WERE AROUND SO I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD OR ANYTHING AROUND ME. MY FIRST INSTINCT WAS THAT I NEEDED TO TRY…”
NHTSA complaint #11387413, 2021 · crash

“WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE KEPT GOING IT WOULDN'T SROP THIS HAPPENED TO ME 3XS 2 TIMES I WAS IN A CRASH THE BRAKES FO LOW TO THE FLOOR BUT WHEN IT WAS CHECKED I WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THIS LAST SACCIDENT PEOPLE WHERE WITH ME THEY WITNESSED ME FRANTICALLY APPLYING BRAKES BUT CAR WOULDNT STOP.”
NHTSA complaint #11339308, 2020 · crash

Fuel/Propulsion System 8 1 crash

“CAR WAS STATIONARY. DECIDED TO GO INTO ANOTHER LANE SO WHILE TURNING INTO OTHER LANE, DEPRESSED GAS PEDAL FIRMLY AND IT STUCK TO THE FLOOR REVVING UP THE ENGINE TO WHERE II IMMEDIATELY SLAMMED THE BRAKES ON BUT STILL HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS HAPPENED BEFORE WHILE ENTERING THE FREEWAY FROM AN ONRAMP WHERE I "UNSTUCK" THE PEDAL BY WEDGING MY FOOT UNDER THE SIDE OF THE PEDAL AND PULLING OUT. I THOUGHT IT WAS A ONE TIME THING AND DISMISSED IT. THE FREEWAY WAS PRETTY EMPTY. THIS NEW CIRCUMSTANCE WAS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT AS I WAS AT A STOP IN TRAFFIC AND THIS HAPPENING IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS…”
NHTSA complaint #11253294, 2019 · crash

“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 complaint #11716641, 2026

“Van is driven a few thousand miles per year since we purchased. Routine maintenance up kept and has just over 100K miles. Replaced coils, plugs as routine for maintenance but having a Cylinder 2 misfire, then it became #6 and now is "multiple random misfire" codes. vehicle shutters dangerously when driving and engine light comes on intermittently. EVERY person I know with this pentastar v6 has had identical problems!”
NHTSA complaint #11660593, 2025

Steering 5 1 crash

“9:45 PM I HAD JUST TAKEN THE EXIT FOR 781 OFF OFF I-81 IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, NY TO HEAD TO FORT DRUM. I WAS IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE. I SET THE CRUISE CONTROL TO 62, THE SPEED LIMIT IS 65. IT WAS ABOUT A MILE OR SO DOWN FROM THE ON RAMP WHEN THE VAN SHUT OFF BY ITSELF AT 62MPH. THERE WAS NO ELECTRICAL OR LIGHTS, NOT EVEN THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, THE BRAKE PEDAL LOCKED AND WOULD NOT WORK. I HAD NO CONTROL. THERE IS NO ROAD LIGHTING IN THAT AREA AND NO OTHER CARS WERE AROUND SO I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD OR ANYTHING AROUND ME. MY FIRST INSTINCT WAS THAT I NEEDED TO TRY…”
NHTSA complaint #11387413, 2021 · crash

“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 complaint #11716641, 2026

“My Transmission failed. My odometer reading is 92901. Dealership said not manufactured coverage. No message on dash. Happened while driving with children. Mechanic said needed to be replaced. This is a expensive repair. I believe manufacture should have told drivers about problems with transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #11582257, 2024

Vehicle Speed Control 4

“Keep getting cylinder 2 missfire code I have changed everything it saids, I see this is a on going issue for years that people have reported yet its still not fixed and is costing us money because dodge don't want to take responsibility for thier mess up.”
NHTSA complaint #11606607, 2024

“My Transmission failed. My odometer reading is 92901. Dealership said not manufactured coverage. No message on dash. Happened while driving with children. Mechanic said needed to be replaced. This is a expensive repair. I believe manufacture should have told drivers about problems with transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #11582257, 2024

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT WENT TO APPLY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT WARNING. THE RPMS REVVED UP HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND CONTACTED HER HUSBAND. HER HUSBAND TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NYLE MAXWELL CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (14150 U.S. 79, TAYLOR, TX 76574 (512) 218-5300) TO BE DIAGNOSED, WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET DIAGNOSED…”
NHTSA complaint #11398932, 2021

Seat Belts 2

“The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the second-row driver’s side seat belt malfunctioned and failed to unlock, causing the child to become entrapped in the car seat. With help from a family member the contact was able to eventually maneuver the child out of the car seat. During the failure, the child had stomach pains. No medical treatment was required. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 83,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11511018, 2023

“The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, she depressed the brake pedal and noticed that the passenger in the front passenger’s seat was not restrained properly by the seat belt. The contact stated that the passenger moved forward and almost struck the windshield. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #11450205, 2021

Suspension 2

“AT 48,000 MILES RATTLES IN REAR END GETTING LOUDER. SOUNDS LIKE COMING FROM REAR SUSPENSION. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AFTER 36,000 MILES. HEAR RATTLING WHEN IN MOTION.”
NHTSA complaint #11307800, 2020

“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”
NHTSA complaint #11142389, 2018

Visibility/Wiper 2

“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 o…”
NHTSA complaint #11562093, 2023

“SPRAYER FOR THE WIPERS DOES NOT SPRAY CORRECTLY. LEFT SIDE IS VERY WEEK AND RIGHT SIDE DOES NOT SPRAY AT ALL.”
NHTSA complaint #11415342, 2021

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 1

“ALL THE EMERGENCY LIGHT GOING ON IN THE DASH BOARD, WIPERS WORKING BY THEM SELF, DOORS, RADIO, AC NOT WORKING. TOOK TO THE MECHANIC CENTER THEY CHANGE THE FUSE BOX BUT IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IS THEIR ANY EXPLANATION TO FIX THIS ISSUE??”
NHTSA complaint #11355691, 2020

Engine And Engine Cooling 1

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11683065, 2025

Forward Collision Avoidance 1

“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 complaint #11672128, 2025

Lane Departure 1

“•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…”
NHTSA complaint #11722389, 2026

Traction Control System 1

“WHEELS SPIN DURING ACCELERATION, POOR TRACTION ON ROAD. RENTAL CAR FROM PORTLAND, OREGON AIRPORT FROM THE ENTERPRISE. DON'T KNOW THE VIN. PERHAPS AN ISSUE WITH ALL DODGE GRAND CARAVANS. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #11100770, 2018