Seat complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 24 | 10% | 49,000 miles |
| 2018 | 14 | 5% | 60,000 miles |
| 2017 | 16 | 4% | 78,000 miles |
| 2016 | 25 | 2% | 71,000 miles |
| 2015 | 57 | 20% | 66,000 miles |
| 2014 | 61 | 17% | 82,000 miles |
| 2013 | 44 | 9% | 93,000 miles |
| 2012 | 9 | 2% | 84,000 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 1% | 60,000 miles |
| 2010 | 3 | 0% | 27,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 0% | 4,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 0% | 154,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 3% | 119,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2005 | 7 | 1% | 30,000 miles |
| 2004 | 2 | 2% | 200,000 miles |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% | 150,000 miles |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% | 96,000 miles |
| 2001 | 5 | 2% | — |
| 2000 | 9 | 2% | 160,000 miles |
| 1999 | 12 | 3% | 70,000 miles |
| 1998 | 13 | 2% | 124,000 miles |
| 1997 | 10 | 2% | 136,000 miles |
| 1996 | 10 | 1% | — |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact's husband owns a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 20 MPH, the front, passenger side headrest deployed without warning. The contact, who was an occupant in the front, passenger seat, was hit in the neck by the headrest. The force of the deployment propelled the contact forward as she was secured by her seatbelt. The contact suffered pain in her neck and went to an urgent care facility the next day for treatment. The facility took an X-ray of her cervical spine and advised to make an appointment with her primary care doctor. The primary care doctor scheduled the contact for a CT scan of her brain and an MRI of her cervical spine. The tests showed damage to the contact's spine, and the contact was referred to an orthopedic physician for additional care. …
The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated on one occasion while driving approximately 35 MPH, the second-row passenger's seat folded onto the contact's nine-year-old son. The child sustained neck soreness. Medical attention was not provided. On another occasion, while the vehicle was turned off, the second-row passenger seat folded inadvertently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage 75,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the driver's side headrest had deployed unexpectedly while opening and closing the door. This deployment caused a plastic part on the driver's side door to fracture, causing the window to lower and become inoperable. The window was later replaced by an independent mechanic. The contact stated that while sitting in the front passenger's seat with the engine off, the passenger's side headrest deployed. The contact's head was struck during the deployment, causing whiplash. The failure mileage was 56,472.
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the front passenger's side seat headrest had exploded while the vehicle was turned off. On another occasion, while driving approximately 10 MPH, the contact heard a loud explosion and the driver's side seat headrest exploded. The contact stated that no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger's side headrest unexpectedly deployed. The contact stated that there was no impact to the vehicle that caused the headrest to deploy. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,244.
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while her sister was driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger's side headrest restraint system activated, causing the front passenger's side headrest to deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the front driver-side seat headrest deployed. The contact heard an abnormal sound before the headset deployed. No warning lights illuminated. The contact drove to the residence. The contact inspected the headrest and noticed it had been pushed forward. The contact was able to push the headrest. The contact suffered minor injuries to the back of the head near the neck. The contact stated that the neck will feel stiff once in a while. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact found that other consumers had complained about a metal pin or plastic pin that detached from the head restraint. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,108.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the driver's side headrest air bag deployed without warning. The contact pulled over and the vehicle was towed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
Related recalls (6)
Seats
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles. The welds on the outboard rear seat strikers for the second row bench and second row bucket seats may fail during a front impact crash. The front outboard seat strikers for the third row bench seats may fail in the event of a rear impact crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will weld in a striker reinforcement bracket on the second and third row outboard seat strikers, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2019.
Seats › Mid/rear assembly
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured March 16, 2016, to March 17, 2016. The nuts on the third row seatbacks were incorrectly torqued and may become loose.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will re-torque the third row seatback nuts, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Seats
Driving specialties ltd is recalling 2 model year 2006 and 2007 conversion vans equipped with vmi/ricon 6-way power seat bases. There is a possibility of a defective weld at the joint between the pivoting plate and the pivoting plate pin.
Remedy: Driving specialties will notify owners and the vehicles will be repaired free of charge. The safety recall began on July 28, 2010. Owners May contact driving specialties at 1-707-553-1515.
Seats
Access options is recalling certain trucks and vans built on Ford e150, e350, Toyota sienna, and Dodge grand caravan chassis and equipped with vmi/ricon 6-way power seat bases. The six way power seat base May have a defective (cold) weld on the pivot pin which is welded to the swivel plate. The weld could fail.
Remedy: The swivel plate will be replaced free of charge if necessary. The recall began on June 8, 2010. Owners May contact access option at 831-722-6804.
Seats
Arizona mobility products (amp) is recalling one 2005 and one 2007 conversion vans built on Dodge grand caravan chassis equipped with vmi/ricon 6-way power seat bases. There is a possibility of a defective weld at the joint between the pivoting plate and the pivoting plate pin.
Remedy: Amp will notify owners and repair vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on June 10, 2010. Owners May contact amp at 1-602-385-5988.
Show 1 more recall
Seats
The bolts which secure the rear bench seats to the seat risers May be embrittled and fracture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear bench seat to riser bolts.
NHTSA investigations
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early…
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Grand Caravan years have seat problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2014 (61), 2015 (57), 2013 (44), 2016 (25) and 2019 (24) model years. Seat complaints make up 17% of all complaints for the 2014.
Is there a recall for Dodge Grand Caravan seat problems?
Yes — 6 recalls, including 19V-759 (seats, Oct 24, 2019); 16V-300 (mid/rear assembly, May 16, 2016); 10V-338 (seats, Jul 27, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Grand Caravan seat problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles; 20% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front assembly › head restraint (43 mentions), followed by the front assembly › recliner (25).
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.