Door Lock & Latch complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 5% | 13,000 miles |
| 2019 | 9 | 4% | 94,000 miles |
| 2018 | 15 | 6% | 74,000 miles |
| 2017 | 28 | 7% | 80,000 miles |
| 2016 | 24 | 2% | 60,000 miles |
| 2015 | 3 | 1% | 126,000 miles |
| 2014 | 4 | 1% | 200,000 miles |
| 2013 | 4 | 1% | 59,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 0% | 101,000 miles |
| 2011 | 4 | 1% | 75,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 0% | 125,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 1% | 75,000 miles |
| 2008 | 16 | 1% | 44,000 miles |
| 2007 | 6 | 3% | 30,000 miles |
| 2006 | 22 | 8% | 59,000 miles |
| 2005 | 338 | 34% | 61,000 miles |
| 2004 | 9 | 8% | 85,000 miles |
| 2003 | 10 | 5% | 8,000 miles |
| 2002 | 13 | 4% | 77,000 miles |
| 2001 | 3 | 1% | 58,000 miles |
| 2000 | 3 | 1% | 90,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 0% | 101,000 miles |
| 1998 | 3 | 1% | 118,000 miles |
| 1997 | 14 | 2% | 152,000 miles |
| 1996 | 25 | 2% | 100,000 miles |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the driver's side sliding door made an abnormal clicking and buzzing sound while closing. Additionally, the passenger's side sliding door failed to open as intended and remained closed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the door actuators needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact later received notification of Warranty Extension Number: XV1 (Driver and Passenger Sliding Door Power Lock Actuators). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was advised that the repair was not covered because the vehicle had exceeded the required mileage. The current mileage was 130,234. …
The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle made an abnormal sound, hesitated while responding, and the transmission shifted hard. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving at various speeds, and the vehicle felt like it was going to stall. The contact stated that while coming to a complete stop, the vehicle jerked, the transmission shifted hard and made an abnormal clunking sound. Additionally, the contact stated that the passenger's side sliding door automatic locking mechanism was inoperable, requiring the contact to manually unlock and lock the door with the interior door lever. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the rear passenger's sliding door would not open as needed. Additionally, the front driver's side window would not roll up as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for the passenger's side sliding door and diagnosed that the door actuator was positioned upside down. The vehicle was repaired, however, there was an abnormal buzzing sound coming from the passenger's side door. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic, who diagnosed that the door actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic for the front driver's side window and diagnosed with a faulty window regulator. The window regulator was replaced. …
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated her children were able to open the passenger's side sliding door while the vehicle was locked, and the contact noticed that the door would not lock securely as designed. On another occasion, while trying to open the driver's side sliding door, the door would not unlock. The contact unlocked the vehicle with the key fob, but the door would not unlock. The contact also attempted to unlock the door manually, but the door failed to unlock. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under recall. No additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 110,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that there was an unusually loud buzzing sound coming from the front driver's side door. The contact stated that the failure occurred while the key was in the ignition switch. In addition, the rear door failed to latch and to close securely. The contact stated that the failure initially occurred intermittently but had become persistent. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that there were no open recalls associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
The contact's father owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the rear sliding doors unexpectedly opened while the vehicle was parked and idling, or while driving at various speeds. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and manually closed the door. The contact researched online and became aware of an extended warranty for the failure; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall or an extended warranty. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.
Related recalls (1)
Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured August 19, 2015 to August 27, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that attach the hood striker may loosen and, as a result, the hood may open unexpectedly while driving.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install new hood striker bolts with the proper torque, free of charge. The recall began on October 22, 2015.
NHTSA investigations
Power liftgate latch
This investigation was opened as pe04-054 regarding reports of alleged power liftgate (plg) opening while driving.the investigation was upgraded on November 22, 2004 based on information provided by daimlerchrysler corporation (dcc) in its September 17, 2004 response to pe04-054.
Power liftgate latch
This investigation was opened on July 30, 2004, based on odi consumer complaints alleging unwanted opening of the vehicle's power liftgate (plg) while driving.in daimlerchrysler corporation (dcc)'s September 17, 2004 response to odi' s information request letter, it provided additional consumer complaints and lawsuits.dcc states in part, ...the plg latch becomes stuck in a semi-closed state not allowing the plg…
Sliding Doors Inoperative
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-016 on July 7, 2021, to investigate 364 complaints alleging that one or both sliding doors on 2016 Model Year (MY) Grand Caravan or Town and Country vehicles could not be opened. The door(s) could not be opened using the mechanical handle or electronic remote switches.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Grand Caravan years have door lock & latch problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (338), 2017 (28), 1996 (25), 2016 (24) and 2006 (22) model years. Door Lock & Latch complaints make up 34% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Dodge Grand Caravan door lock & latch problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 15V-595 (latch, Sep 24, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Grand Caravan door lock & latch problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles; 30% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the doors › latch (130 mentions), followed by the hatchback/liftgate › lock (15).
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.