Problems · NHTSA complaints

2018 Dodge Grand Caravan problems

Owners filed 270 complaints about the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan with NHTSA between Jun 2018 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (92).

Complaints
270
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
14
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system92
  2. Structure59
  3. Engine34
  4. Power train23
  5. Latches/locks/linkages15
  6. Seats14
  7. Air bags13
  8. Service brakes10
  9. Fuel/propulsion system8
  10. Steering5
  11. Vehicle speed control4
  12. Visibility/wiper2
  13. Seat belts2
  14. Suspension2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20186
201915
202037
202142
202239
202354
202434
202533
202610

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

92 reports1 crash1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts, with the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) warning light displayed on the instrument panel. The contact was forced to jumpstart the vehicle; however, the vehicle may not start after being jumpstarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and DTC: C212A (Anti-Lock Brake System - ABS). The contact called several dealers, and the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V524000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 10, 2026Electrical systemODI 11755853

Structure

59 reports1 crash
“Passenger side sliding door can't be unlocked manually or by the fob, will not open by the handle inside or out. Passengers are unable to exit vehicle through passenger sliding door.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 14, 2025StructureODI 11687214

Engine

34 reports
“When I’m driving, especially when I come to a stop or when I try to accelerate from a stop, the car kind of chokes or hesitates. It feels like it’s about to stall, but it doesn’t fully turn off. It keeps doing this off and on when I stop or try to go again. It's very scary and dangerous.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2025Electrical system, EngineODI 11689562

Power train

23 reports1 crash
“The van started to make a loud whining sound while going down the highway around 60 miles an hour. When we slowed down and turned onto a smaller road and tried to accelerate the rpm’s went to around 5,000 and it was barely moving. Had to stop for a long time and was able to drive it the last couple of miles home very slowly. Several children in the car were at risk if someone had hit us at hwy speed”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 25, 2025Power trainODI 11663015

Latches/locks/linkages

15 reports
“The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-70 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly slowed down and then abruptly stopped. The contact stated that it felt as if a part had fallen from the bottom of the vehicle. While attempting to drive off, the vehicle hesitated. While at a YIELD sign, the vehicle shut off and was restarted. The driver's side door failed to open. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called an undisclosed local dealer, who confirmed there were no recalls associated with the VIN. The vehicle was diagnosed, and a tune-up and thermostat replacement were advised. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 26, 2025Engine and engine cooling, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 11683065

Seats

14 reports1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2026SeatsODI 11768052
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.