Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated the passenger's side sliding door failed to open properly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the passenger's side sliding door actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated on July 1, 2023, the driver's sliding door also experienced the failure and failed to open properly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,500.
In June 2022 the driver's side sliding door became stuck in the locked position. It was difficult to get my young children in/out of the vehicle safely. I took the van to the dealership where I was charged over $900 to have the actuator replaced (See attached). From doing research online, I see that there is a known issue with this specific part for vehicles produced in 2015-2017 and an extended warranty was given to those vehicles because it was found to be unsafe. (NO. D-21-15 see attached) Unfortunately, my vehicle was produced in November 2017 and the extended warranty only covers vehicles up to January 2017. From my understanding, this part is not supposed to break or have to be replaced. The problem with this piece of the vehicle is clearly still an issue with vehicles produced after January 2017. …
The passenger side sliding door on my 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan has had multiple lock/unlocking, automatic sliding, and door-ajar issues. I have had to have the automatic locks replaced on the door, but now the automatic sliding door won't close all the way when pushed, and even though it's ajar the van doesn't sense it and notify the driver with the warning light. I took the van to Billy Craft Chrysler on 1/27/22. They identified the issue as the door latch/actuator failing internally. Because it is failing, it cannot identify if the door is open or closed. I have four children that ride in the back and several times have driven with them, thinking the door is closed only to hear air once I start driving. It is a serious safety concern that the warning light doesn't come on when the door is ajar. …
Both of my sliding door actuators are seized and won't unlock/lock. Currently, my driver side sliding door is stuck in the lock position. This is a safety hazard because if my car were in an accident and my kids needed to exit the vehicle, this door not opening would be an issue. Also, my passenger side sliding door also doesn't lock. This is an issue because anyone could enter my vehicle without me knowing and either steal the vehicle or could try to harm my wife or kids by waiting inside without them knowing. I have tried to discuss this with the dealership and with Dodge, but they are unwilling to inspect the vehicle without a fee. I currently don't have enough money to get my vehicle inspected or to get the repair done. I have looked online and I do see that this issue has occurred with the same model for years 2013-2017. …
The trim located on the driver's side door (next to the window, on the side of the window closest to the rear of the vehicle) came off while we were driving 70 mph down a highway. It hit near the window of the passenger door (on the driver's side, where a child was seated), causing damage to our vehicle, and then continued to fly, thankfully not hitting any vehicles behind us. I report it because we have family who also have this same type of van and the exact same trim came off of the exact same spot. And I have seen multiple, multiple of the same type of vans since with the same exact missing trim. This is a safety risk to everyone else on the road, and it was a safety risk for my own family when it came off and barely missed a window.
The sliding door on the driver's side is locked closed and it cannot be unlocked or opened. The sliding door on the passenger's side can be opened and closed, but cannot be locked. As such, that door can be opened when the van is driven. The door locking failures occurred without any warning. According to the mechanic, both failures were due to worn door latches, which can be repaired/replaced for more $1,300 each in parts and labor. The van was purchased used more than 5 months ago with an odometer reading of 61,380 miles. The odometer read 71,173 miles when the van was dropped off today to have the door latches fixed. A request was made for all replaced components and parts to be retained for inspection, if warranted at a later date.
Neither of my rear passenger doors will open. The driver's side quit 2&1/2 months months after I bought the vehicle in 2019 at around 44000 miles. The passenger side quit at around 60,000 miles in 2021. The doors just suddenly stopped working without any indication there was something wrong. They will not open electronically or manually. The only way to access the rear of the van is through the cargo gate. It is a very expensive fix and very dangerous if we were in an accident to be able to get passengers out along with being extremely inconvenient. I have seen multiple reports of this online. I do not know why there is not a recall on the part that is malfunctioning so quickly with regular use.
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.
2018 Dodge Caravan (52,000 miles) Rear sliding passenger door will not open under any circumstances. Door is in locked position and cannot be opened manually from the outside or inside of vehicle. Door will not open electrically with the key fob or the overhead console button. Door actuator is frozen in the locked position. If passenger in rear seat on passenger side had to get out of vehicle in an emergency they would have to exit using another door. It is my understanding that Chrysler is aware of potential safety issues with this situation occurring and I have seen several class action lawsuits regarding this online.
Passenger door lock actuator stuck in the unlock position. When manually locked, actuator began buzzing when unlocking using electric methods. The van will not always unlock the doors via key fob since this has happened. I have small kids, and in the event of an emergency, it is important to be able to reliable unlock the rear doors if vehicle evacuation were necessary. I am in the processes of ordering a replacement actuator and will self install, but will keep the original on hand if the need arrises for it to be inspected. The vehicle has not been looked at by anybody other than myself as I do my own mechanic work.
Body complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 59 complaints about the body & structure of the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan, 22% of the model year's 271 complaints. The component named most often is body (56 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries and 1 death to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.