2018 Dodge Grand Caravan Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe power sliding-door lock failures: one or both rear doors seize in the locked or unlocked position, sometimes after a buzzing noise, and the key fob, dash buttons and manual handles then stop working. Complaints also cover body corrosion around the hood and liftgate seams, occasional engine misfires and stalling, and soft or low brake pedals. Most reports in the sample fall between roughly 30,000 and 80,000 miles.

1. 1
   Latches, locks and linkages

   Sliding door lock/actuator failure

   • 157 complaints (58%)
   • median 54,000 mi at 3.1 yrs old (51 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,100 (median of 14 quotes)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners report that one or both rear sliding doors stop locking or unlocking, often sticking in the locked position so the door cannot be opened from inside or outside. Several describe a loud buzzing sound from the door before it stops working, and others say the door closes on its own or fails to latch. Complaints say dealers diagnosed a failed door lock actuator or latch assembly, and some quote repair estimates in the range of about $1,100 to $1,700. A service bulletin describes a warranty extension for inoperable sliding door locks. Mostly reported between about 30,000 and 75,000 miles, typically three to five years into ownership and without warning.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test every sliding door several times with the fob, the interior buttons and by hand, and listen for buzzing or slow operation. Ask whether the door lock actuators or latches have been replaced, and whether the XV1 warranty extension applies to the vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The left side passenger sliding door locking mechanism fails and sticks in the lock position. After doing some research on the internet it has been clear that this is a pretty common occurrence with Dodge grand caravans. If I would need to get my baby out quickly from this side of the van, the lock malfunctions and this is a high safety problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #11413107, filed 2021-04, 60,000 miles

   “The driver-side rear sliding door has locked and will not unlock manually, with door unlock button, or by key fob. When trying to unlock manually the mechanism rubber bands back to the lock position as if the locking mechanism in the door is stuck. This presents a safety hazard in case of emergencies. This luckily happened as I was going to put my son in the vehicle before leaving my home.”

   NHTSA complaint #11318026, filed 2020-03, 25,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine misfire and stalling

   • 33 complaints (12%)
   • median 65,700 mi at 3.3 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $3,000 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Complaints describe rough idling, a flashing check engine light and misfire codes on a single cylinder that return after spark plugs and coils are replaced. Some owners were told there was low compression or a valve/cylinder head problem, and others report the engine cutting out while driving, in one case at highway speed with the power steering and brakes affected. A few say the van stalls or refuses to accelerate when the fuel level gets low. Reports cluster from about 55,000 to 90,000 miles, with some misfires noted shortly after purchase from a used dealer.

   Recall 18V524000

   What to check: Ask for any history of misfire codes, compression or cylinder head work, and whether the powertrain control module software update from the underhood wiring recall was performed. On a test drive, listen for rough idle and check that the van accelerates smoothly when the tank is below a quarter full.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving up a busy intersection and my 2018 Dodge caravan stopped randomly in on going and on coming traffic and I couldn't start it. I have had the car for 8 months and I keep up with maintenance. My family was afraid because cars were driving up fast behind us in a narrow two way street.”

   NHTSA complaint #11403531, filed 2021-03, 79,000 miles

   “Bought the van in december of 2019. A few months ago I noticed that the van wasn't accelerating/shifting when going up hills. It delayed started one night and I had to shift if off and restart it. My front A/C stopped working and kicks on randomly. The doors don't automatically lock until a few minutes after being put into drive. Back right door doesn't lock. Recently took it to my mechanic and was informed that there is burnt wiring and possible plugged cad. Converter.”

   NHTSA complaint #11329307, filed 2020-06, 49,000 miles
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Soft or low brake pedal

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the brake pedal sinking toward the floor and the van not slowing as expected, sometimes shortly after a brake bleed or line flush. A few report repeated occurrences after repairs, and some say a mechanic found air or a gas pocket in the brake hydraulic system. One complaint notes that a rear brake caliper recall covers related braking hardware. Reported from roughly 40,000 to 155,000 miles, with several cases in the 40,000 to 60,000 mile range.

   Recall 18V523000

   What to check: Press the brake pedal firmly with the engine running and check that it stays high and firm rather than sinking. Ask for brake fluid service records and confirm whether the rear caliper recall has been completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I applied the brakes the vehicle kept going it wouldn't srop this happened to me 3xs 2 times I was in a crash the brakes fo low to the floor but when it was checked I was told everything was fine. This last saccident people where with me they witnessed me frantically applying brakes but car wouldnt stop.”

   NHTSA complaint #11339308, filed 2020-07, 155,000 miles

   “The brakes did not hold when backing up. I was driving when brakes went soft. I had vech towed to a local mechanis and it was disecovered a gas bubble in brake line .I searched and found a recall noted this was found and would reocour. Mafracture states it could reacour aganin at anytime”

   NHTSA complaint #11384710, filed 2020-12, 43,000 miles
4. 4
   Seats

   Headrest deploys without impact

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Several owners describe the active headrest on the front seats deploying on its own, sometimes while the van is parked and switched off, with a loud bang. One complaint says the deployment injured the occupant and broke window or door trim; others report no injuries. Complaints note the dealer or manufacturer was contacted but the cause was not determined. Reported mostly between about 55,000 and 60,000 miles, during normal use or while entering the vehicle.

   What to check: Check that both front headrests sit in their normal position and move freely, and ask whether either headrest mechanism has ever been replaced or repaired.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We were in an accident with our 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan where a person rear ended us going at least 75 MPH while I was going a maximum of 20 MPH. We were in a city maintained road, silverbell rd at the intersection of cortaro rd. My sister in law was in the very back 3rd row passenger side chair when it dislodged from the metal hooks on impact. The seat flung around with her in it and the head rest hit so hard against the back window/door that it is now permanently bend forward. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11386162, filed 2021-01, 56,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle, the contact became aware that the driver's side headrest had deployed without impact. The local dealer was not contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,600.”

   NHTSA complaint #11686845, filed 2025-09, 59,600 miles

Buying note. Check the sliding doors thoroughly and ask for the lock warranty extension and recall work history, since door lock failures are the most frequent complaint. Also have a mechanic check compression, brake pedal feel and body corrosion before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.