Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% | 50,000 miles |
| 2016 | 3 | 0% | 60,000 miles |
| 2014 | 3 | 1% | 25,000 miles |
| 2013 | 5 | 1% | 98,000 miles |
| 2012 | 7 | 1% | 115,000 miles |
| 2011 | 6 | 1% | 65,000 miles |
| 2010 | 46 | 5% | 81,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 1% | 104,000 miles |
| 2008 | 48 | 4% | 84,000 miles |
| 2007 | 15 | 8% | 50,000 miles |
| 2006 | 28 | 10% | 78,000 miles |
| 2005 | 155 | 16% | 82,000 miles |
| 2004 | 4 | 3% | 121,000 miles |
| 2003 | 17 | 8% | 43,000 miles |
| 2002 | 21 | 7% | 77,000 miles |
| 2001 | 49 | 16% | 80,000 miles |
| 2000 | 15 | 3% | 95,000 miles |
| 1999 | 14 | 3% | 100,000 miles |
| 1998 | 13 | 2% | 60,000 miles |
| 1997 | 23 | 4% | 130,000 miles |
| 1996 | 31 | 3% | 98,000 miles |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the electronics would suddenly malfunction causing the windshield wipers to erroneously activate, the turn signals to become inoperable, the backup camera to fail, and the brakes to malfunction. The contact indicated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure and no service was performed. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
I just bought the car. My family was very excited to have powered doors, including the trunk. We tested the doors thoroughly. That night I push the button on the key fob to open the trunk and hear an awful metallic ripping noise. I inspected the door to figure out the cause. The spoiler, which has the brake light attached, was loose. It was still attached though and I needed to go somewhere. While driving the spoiler flew off and completely detached. Luckily no one else was on the road at the time. My husband found the part later and the clips to hold the piece on were broken.
I had someone run a redlight & hit my right side quarter panel behind the tire just before the door. My right headlight lense was cracked in the process. The body shop told me it's defective prior to your accident because it's not even sealed. I was told to check if there's a recall. Wether it is or not it's still the fault of Chrysler's & I have moisture inside it now. Is this something you will fix for me? Can't remember actuall mileage but fifty nine thousand something. Also can't remember exactly what date. November 2018
When the outside temperature is 85-90 degrees, our van has a computer glitch. It has occurred both when first starting the engine or going down the road. It has happened several times beginning July 2016. The wipers come on and cannot be turned off. There are no gages on the dash and the display reads "no bus." the turn signals and brake lights do not work. There is no radio, A/C or heater, and some of the windows won't work. We are not able to tell how fast we are going with no gages. This problem did happen one time as we were going 75 MPH down the interstate. It was truly an unsafe situation with no turn signals and brake lights and no way to know our actual speed. This lasted for about 40 miles until the outside temperature dropped. We have had the vehicle to the dealer 6 times for a total of over 40 days in the last three months. …
I pulled out of a well lighted gas station at night and my instrument panel lights come on automatically so I assumed my headlights were also on .as I proceeded to rt 50 and made the right turn, it was pitch black except for the dash lights which were fully lit .the problem was I couldn't find the switch to turn on the headlights because with the headlights off, the switch wasn't illuminated. I was now in a serious panic. I was moving slow but couldn't see the road or where I was in the road! I finally came to a complete stop. I was afraid someone was going to hit me from behind. My wife and I could have been killed! I finally found the switch after about a minute. This has also been a problem while driving at dusk and the dash lights come on automatically and as it gets darker you don't realize your headlights aren't on. …
I purchased the vehicle on 10-30-14 and took it to the dealer service dept. On 1-13-15 with the complaint the radio function / station /time display is so dim that it can not be readily be seen in daylight unless it happens to be shaded . On a bright sunny day, it is almost impossible to read it, even the time display is hard to read. I was surprised when the dealer told me it was normal. The safety issue is very clear to me. In order to even see the time, a driver has to take their eyes off the road and look at it for a longer than normal time. Same for seeing the radio function or station. Also a driver May shade the display with the right hand in order to see it. GM vehicles all have a bright clear display that can be seen in the strongest sunlight. …
Unknown what causes the issue. I've read it could be the tpim. I was driving down the highway when the insturment cluster stopped working, no speedometer, no gear indicator, gas gauge not working, no dash lights. the wipers turned on and would not turn off lose of both turn signals (I pulled over and checked) thankfully there was not traffic behind me when I was making a turn. Speedometer stopped working. No warning lights, insturments cluster was black. Not sure if my Brake lights were functional I couldn't check as I by myself. This has happened 3 times in the last month and a half. Not sure if the airbags are still functional. This is a major electrical issue.There are numerous forums of this same issue affecting different year/ models of Dodge and Chrysler vehicles.
1st time June 2020: while driving on highway, suddenly warning lights started going on and off and on, van lost electrical power, shutting down all lights, windows, etc. Engine would not switch gears. Luckily, made it off the highway before the engine died. Towed to mechanic, could not find an issue after it was jump started. They tested it for 5 straight days. 2nd time October 2020 pulled van out of garage to driveway, turned it off to load and put grandchildren in car seats. Van would not restart, towed, replaced battery. 3rd time 11/7/2020 while driving on suburban busy road at night, suddenly various warning lights came on and off and on, wipers turned on by themselves, then all electrical power went out. I guided van into the nearest parking lot as the engine died and would not restart. …
Related recalls (1)
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Vehicle description: Mini vans built for fleet sales only. The headlamp module does not identify the park lamp as "drl" as requirement of FMVSS 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Remedy: All fleet owners/operators will be mailed non-removable decals with the required "drl" letters.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Grand Caravan years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (155), 2001 (49), 2008 (48), 2010 (46) and 1996 (31) model years. Headlight complaints make up 16% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Dodge Grand Caravan headlight problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 99V-116 (headlights, May 6, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Grand Caravan headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles; 22% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (106 mentions), followed by the turn signal › switch (14).
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.