2018 Dodge Grand Caravan complaints

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.

Engine showing P0302 code for cylinder misfire which by a licensed mechanic has been traced back to an original manufacturers defect in the cylinder and rockers. In doing research into this issue, I found hundreds of other owners of this and similar model year dodge grand caravans having the same issue with incredibly expensive fixes. The issue can cause the vehicle to abruptly lose engine power, a major safety issue. The mechanics are indicating that the repair is over $5,000 and that it is a well known issue with these vehicles. The problem began when the vehicle only had around 60,000 miles.

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH and attempting to slow for a traffic signal, the vehicle was not slowing down as intended. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake lines needed to be flushed and the brake pads needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V523000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact called and made the dealer to aware of the failure but was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side seat headrest had exploded while the vehicle was turned off. On another occasion, while driving approximately 10 MPH, the contact heard a loud explosion and the driver's side seat headrest exploded. The contact stated that no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

The sliding door on the back passenger side will not unlock. A lot of times we carry grandchildren still in car seats and in case of an emergency, this can be a safety hazard.

The left sliding door of the van has an issue which started immediately after my last service more than a year ago (Around april 12, 2023) at Glendale CA Dodge. Initially the door wouldnt unlock and lock. I reported it to them but got no response. I had to manually unlock and lock to make it work and fixed the issue. Since then, it makes a lod buzzing noise whenever it's locked and unlocked. So, the issue now it just the loud buzzing noise and it's been that way since. I searched online and found forums with other users with the same problem who reported their issues here at NHTSA too. So, I'm reporting mine. Thank you.

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.

The lock mechanism to the sliding door failed and is stuck in the locked position. What the danger is, and an extreme safety concern, is that the door can not be opened manually. So neither the automatic function (both button on the car itself and key fob), nor the manual mechanism on the lock itself, is functional. The door is locked with no way to open it either from the inside or outside. This is a grave safety hazard and I am shocked that this has not already been made into a recall. I have researched this issue and it has been ongoing for many years now, specifically with the 2018 model and other models as well. Dodge needs to issue a recall and fix this problem.

Driver side sliding door lock failed, same as the 2016 model that has a recall.

The passenger sliding door on the driver's side is stuck in the lock position and cannot unlock the door. Other doors need to be utilized to exit the vehicle and this poses a safety concern. I read many forums where this seems to be an issue with Dodge Caravans and should be a recall as it is known to be faulty. Contacted dealership and they want to charge over $600 to fix but this should be covered by Dodge and should be recalled as this poses a safety concern.

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.

Transmission failure

Very shortly after purchasing the vehicle, the rear drivers side sliding door stopped opening. It cannot be opened manually or with the button. It seems to be stuck in the locked position. I was aggravated but let it go because I had the other side sliding door functioning. Yesterday 06/06/2024 the passenger side sliding door did the same thing. I have 4 children that had no way out of my vehicle other than to climb through the 2 front seats. In the event of an accident this would be an incredibly unsafe situation. I noticed that there was a recall for this issue for my model of vehicle that ended in 2017. Mine is a 2018 and therefore not covered by that particular recall.

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.

Sliding door lock actuator failure resulting in inability to exit the vehicle quickly in the case of emergency.

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.

There is a cyclinder 2 misfire which hundreds of people have been effected by. There is electrical issues causing the temperature to not read correctly, side door not working, and rear air vents do not work.

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.

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.

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.

Passenger sliding door stuck in locked position cannot unlock manually or with key fob .. same as 2017 recall same issue. Cannot unlock very unsafe issue in case of emergency or accident door will not open.

Sliding Passenger Door Lock Is Stuck in the locked position and the door cannot be unlocked or opened manually or electrically. Have been told its the lock actuator that has failed (similar to the 2017 and below models that was recalled)

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.

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

Car stalled and left entire family stranded on side of the road. After taking to mechanic was told it needed new spark plugs. After $1000 for new spark plugs the van immediately had the same issue after leaving mechanic and caused entire family to be stranded overnight in below 0 temperatures. 2nd quote reads as follows... FRONT CYLINDER HEAD EXHAUST VALVE IS LEAKING OR POSSABLY DAMAGED. CAUSING THE CYLINDER TO MISSFIRE, ROUGH IDLE, AND LOSS OF POWER. RECOMMEND NEW CYLINDER HEAD WITH VALVES. ESTIMATE: $4,049.50+tax This is a commonly reported issue and still no recall.

I had the same door lock actuator failure (door is stuck locked and can't be opened) that was flagged for Caravans through model year 2017 (the model year before). [XXX] Since little changed about these vehicles from 2017 to 2018, I'm guessing that might've just been an issue of insufficient data, so I wanted to document this failure that still may be occurring in later model years. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I had situations has stalling and poor performance I received a code p0302 cylinder 2 misfire. Replaced coil pack, spark plugs and wires. The p0302 code returns. The van has less than 46000 miles. Have not been able to resolve the issue. Researched the issue and found the the valve train and heads has problems and will require the head must be rebuilt. Researched the problem and found this is happening in of 40 entries on the internet with the same issues.

In November 2021 I repaired both sliding doors due to them being automatically locked and not being able to open at all. I have five kids and this year 2024 same thing happened. that is a safety issue, and the fact that I have to keep paying out of pocket because the cause the sliding doors keep getting lock and not able to do anything or open it and I have to take it to get repaired every time that is a hazard due to the fact that you can’t open the doors at all

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?

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!

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

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 .

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.

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.

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.

Power sliding door makes buzzing sound when unlocking.

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.

My 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan will not turn the starter when I turn the key intermittently, especially when the temperature is hot. The key has to be turned on and off many times before the starter engages and the engine starts. The engine will turn off while driving the van on the highway which causes the power steering to go away. The van must then be shifted to neutral and cruise to a stop so it can be re-started after many tries as explained above. This is very dangerous because if you are on interstate in fast lane with cars behind you, it causes vehicle to slow down because engine stops without brake lights being engaged that could cause rear end collision and makes steering very difficult. This usually happens at least three times in succession before going away for this individual trip. There is no warning when the engine cuts off while driving. I have taken the vehicle to Dodge for inspection and they told me it was the TIPM, but would not replace it without charge. My research on the internet seems to imply it could also be an ignition control module problem.

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contacted stated that he disconnected and reconnected the battery cable. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed that the cylinder head needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.

The drivers side passenger sliding door won't unlock or open. It is stuck at the lock position and you can not manually or using the van system unlock and open the door.

We are having power sliding door issues. The doors are trying to stay in the locked position causing you to not be able to get passengers and kids out of the car safely.

Sliding door lock actuator not working, sliding doors stuck in lock position, can trap children/passengers in the back of the vehicle. Huge safety issue, has happened with previous models, I see a lot of complaints on here with the same issue. Stop putting our kids in danger. Fix the lock actuators on the sliding doors!

Door locks fail When the door lock fails it locks the door without a way to manually unlock doors. This is on sliding doors. Children can lock themselves in the car and suffocate. remote nor manual door lock will operate. If lock fails in unlock position door may be opened while in motion I have not repaired the issue yet.

The transmission spontaneously went out and vehicle stopped accelerating on the highway. There were no indicators or warning signs that the transmission was bad or going out. The vehicle only has 90k miles and we need a brand new transmission

Received a p0302 code from trying to remote start the car have changed the spark plug and ignition coil for cylinder 2 and the code is still there.

Driver sliding door won't open, completely jam unsafe for anyone who needs to get out of the vehicle or parents like myself trying to get our children in and out can only use the other sliding door until that one jams and locks in all rear passengers to their deaths in case of an accident this should be recalled and buyers should not be charged for a faulty and really unsafe part, no way of opening the door manually inside or out and no way of opening it sliding on its own

Sliding passenger door staying in the unlock position

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

Right side sliding door actuator fails to lock and unlock. Manual and automatic commands fail to lock and unlock the door. No inspection necessary. No warning is issued.

The trunk has opened several times usually at night where we find it in the morning open and creating a serious security problem with access to the car available. The vehicle has remote key control to the trunk and doors opening. Since we live in Huber Heights , Ohio We are aware that there is a lot of Military Air Traffic at night since we are close to Wright Patterson Air Base and once in a while we find the TV on in the front room.