Owners have reported 6 crashes, 11 injuries and 1 death to NHTSA for the 2018 Dodge Grand-Caravan. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints81
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan frequently report issues with the sliding door lock actuators, which often result in the doors being stuck in the locked position, preventing both manual and electronic opening. These complaints highlight the safety risk of being unable to quickly access the vehicle's rear seats in emergencies. Additionally, some owners describe electrical system malfunctions, such as failures in the speedometer, cruise control, and various warning lights, sometimes linked to wiring issues. Problems with the sliding doors and electrical components often appear around or after significant use, with some reports mentioning mileage near 98,000. Safety implications include potential fire hazards due to wiring issues and the inability to evacuate the vehicle swiftly due to door malfunctions.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints44
STRUCTURE
Owners report frequent issues with the sliding doors of the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan, particularly with doors becoming stuck in the locked position and failing to open either manually or with the key fob. Complaints frequently mention problems with the door lock actuators, which often require replacement. Many of these issues are reported at mileage under 70,000, with some owners referencing similar problems in older models that had extended warranty coverage. The inability to open the sliding doors poses a significant safety risk, especially in emergencies where quick egress is necessary. Additionally, some owners describe incidents with exterior trim detaching at high speeds, further indicating potential safety hazards.
Owner complaints36
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report frequent issues with the sliding door locks on the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan, primarily involving the doors becoming stuck in either the locked or unlocked position. Typical symptoms include the inability to open the sliding doors manually or with the key fob, often accompanied by a buzzing noise when attempting to lock or unlock. Complaints highlight safety concerns, particularly in emergency situations where passengers, including children, may be unable to exit the vehicle quickly. Some owners note that these issues occur without prior warning and mention that the problem can arise shortly after purchasing the vehicle. Additionally, there are reports of the Active Head Restraint deploying unexpectedly while driving, although this is less common.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints21
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan frequently report transmission issues, with common symptoms including the vehicle failing to shift properly, stalling, and making loud noises. Many complaints describe the vehicle shaking, sputtering, or failing to accelerate, often accompanied by the check engine light. These issues are typically reported around 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Some owners experience sudden transmission failure on highways without warning, posing a potential safety risk due to loss of acceleration and control. Additionally, misfires in cylinders, particularly cylinder 2, are noted, often leading to significant engine repairs. This pattern of complaints suggests potential reliability concerns for prospective buyers considering this vehicle.
Owner complaints21
ENGINE
Owners report frequent issues with the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan's engine, particularly related to cylinder misfires, commonly in cylinder 2. Symptoms often include the vehicle stalling, shuddering, or losing power, with the check engine light illuminating. Many complaints indicate these problems tend to arise around 60,000 to 100,000 miles, with some reports of low compression and defective valve guides contributing to the misfires. Safety implications are noted as the vehicle can abruptly lose power, posing a potential hazard. Prospective buyers should be aware of the potential for costly repairs, as multiple owners mention repair estimates exceeding $3,000.
Owner complaints12
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan frequently report unintended airbag deployments, often without warning or collision, with incidents occurring at various mileages, including around 50,000 and 113,626 miles. Multiple complaints describe the deployment of headrest airbags while driving or stationary, causing discomfort or injury. Additionally, several owners mention persistent airbag warning lights, indicating potential malfunction or risk of airbags not deploying in a crash. One report involves a crash where the airbags failed to deploy, resulting in a fatality. These issues suggest potential safety risks, which prospective buyers should consider when evaluating this vehicle model.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints11
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Owners of the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan frequently report issues with the sliding door lock mechanisms, particularly with the rear passenger and driver's side doors. Symptoms often include doors failing to unlock or open, both manually and with the key fob, with some owners noting a buzzing sound prior to failure. These problems typically occur around mileages ranging from 36,000 to 123,000. Some complaints mention that the door lock actuators are identified as the faulty component, although repairs are not always completed. While no crashes or injuries are reported, the inability to open sliding doors may pose potential safety risks, particularly in emergency situations.
Owner complaints10
SEATS
Owners of the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan frequently report issues with the vehicle's headrests deploying unexpectedly. Complaints describe incidents where the headrests on both the driver and passenger sides either pop open or explode without impact, sometimes while the vehicle is stationary or being driven at low speeds. This issue is often accompanied by loud noises and has resulted in injuries, including head and neck pain. Most reports note the problem occurring around 59,000 to 60,000 miles. In one case, a rear-end collision at high speed caused a third-row seat to dislodge, leading to multiple injuries. The recurring nature of these headrest malfunctions suggests potential safety implications for occupants.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 8 injury reports
Owner complaints6
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan frequently report issues with the service brakes, often describing symptoms such as brakes failing to hold, a spongy or soft brake pedal, and the vehicle not stopping as intended. These issues are reported to occur at various mileages, with one owner noting a problem at approximately 130,000 miles. Two complaints involve crashes due to the inability to stop, indicating significant safety implications. Some owners mention that the problem recurs even after repairs like bleeding the brakes or replacing brake pads, and they note their vehicles are not included in existing recalls. Buyers considering this model should be aware of these reported brake issues and their potential for causing accidents.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints5
STEERING
Owners of the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan report several steering-related issues, with a notable pattern of power steering loss and stiff brakes, often accompanied by the vehicle shutting off unexpectedly. Symptoms typically include the inability to control the steering wheel and brake pedal, with some reports occurring at highway speeds and resulting in loss of control, as evidenced by a crash into a guard rail. Complaints also mention electrical malfunctions, such as burning smells and random warning lights, which may be linked to these steering issues. These problems are reported across varying mileages and timelines, suggesting potential safety risks, particularly in scenarios of total vehicle shutdown and steering lock while driving.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
