Dodge Grand Caravan Body Problems

Owners have filed 907 complaints about body & structure problems with the Dodge Grand Caravan — 7% of all Grand Caravan complaints. The worst model years are 2016 (228), 2017 (95) and 2005 (70). Problems typically start around 70,000 miles. One related recall has been issued.

907complaints
2016worst year
70ktypical miles
1related recalls
21crashes
13fires

Body complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20205918271633919144703614277181919261724228955929
Body complaints per model year, Dodge Grand Caravan.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
20192912%96,000 miles
20185922%50,000 miles
20179523%67,000 miles
201622823%58,000 miles
2015249%52,000 miles
2014175%67,000 miles
2013266%70,000 miles
2012193%60,000 miles
2011194%53,000 miles
2010182%83,000 miles
200971%107,000 miles
2008272%48,000 miles
2007148%87,000 miles
20063613%65,000 miles
2005707%75,000 miles
200443%86,000 miles
2003146%97,000 miles
2002197%90,000 miles
200193%75,000 miles
2000337%85,000 miles
1999164%114,000 miles
1998275%120,000 miles
1997183%150,000 miles
1996595%117,000 miles
19952019%103,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Body
    560
  • Body › Door
    230
  • Frame and members
    33
  • Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
    18
  • Frame and members › Underbody shields
    7
  • Body › Roof and pillars
    7
  • Body › Hatchback/liftgate
    4
  • Body › Trunk lid
    3

Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    6011%
  • 25k–50k
    11521%
  • 50k–75k
    14527%
  • 75k–100k
    10620%
  • 100k–150k
    7514%
  • 150k+
    407%

What owners report

The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while pulling into the top of a driveway on an incline in 8-degree weather, the contact became aware of an abnormal odor. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the rear bumper had melted significantly and was dripping big fragments of plastic onto the ground, causing the passenger's side taillight to be pulled 1/4 inch down. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a fee would be charged for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

2019 Grand Caravan · Body › Bumpers · 96,000 miles · Feb 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while detailing the vehicle, the front driver's side headrest exploded outward. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, and it was determined that the headrest needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with an unknown Technical Service Bulletin. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure via telephone. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

2019 Grand Caravan · 139,000 miles · Sep 2026

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.

2018 Grand Caravan · Body › Door · 73,000 miles · Jun 2023

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. …

2018 Grand Caravan · Body · Mar 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that after driving to her residence and parking the vehicle, she attempted to unlock the rear passenger's sliding doors however, the doors failed to unlock. The contact attempted to use the key fob as well as manually attempting to unlock the doors however, the doors failed to open. The contact stated that the rear seat passengers climbed into the front of the vehicle to exit the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

2017 Grand Caravan · Body › Door · 90,000 miles · Jan 2022

The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated there was an abnormal clicking noise detected from the driver's side rear sliding door. The sliding door had seized and failed to open. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer however, the vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

2017 Grand Caravan · Body · 59,000 miles · Aug 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the rear passenger's side door failed to open. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the rear passenger's side door actuator to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated a year later, the rear driver's side door failed to open. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the rear driver's side door actuator to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

2016 Grand Caravan · Body › Door · 30,000 miles · Jan 2017

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving 58 MPH, the spoiler deck lid on the liftgate fractured and detached from the vehicle. The contact also became aware that the brake light was missing from the liftgate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the spoiler deck lid had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 109,086.

2016 Grand Caravan · Body · 109,000 miles · Apr 2023

Related recalls (1)

Structure

NHTSA recall 03V-094 · Mar 7, 2003 · 3,674 vehicles

Certain pickup truck, van, and Mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by American technology components, inc. These units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness is exposed to excessive moisture and road salt.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. Owner notification began March 7, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…

Frequently asked questions

Which Dodge Grand Caravan years have body problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (228), 2017 (95), 2005 (70), 1996 (59) and 2018 (59) model years. Body complaints make up 23% of all complaints for the 2016.

Is there a recall for Dodge Grand Caravan body problems?

Yes — 1 recall, including 03V-094 (structure, Mar 7, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Dodge Grand Caravan body problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles; 32% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the body (560 mentions), followed by the body › door (230).

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.