2016 Dodge Grand Caravan · symptom sheet
Doors, latches or locks fail
- 108owner reports
- 60,000median miles
- $1,100median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Mar 16, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
244 of the 1,001 complaints on this car are about the structure. 108 of those describe door latch. Only sliding door failure is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 108 reports
Door latch on other Grand Caravan years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2019.
What this problem usually is
Door complaints sound minor until you read them. The most common is a "door ajar" warning with every door shut. Others describe a door that won't open from inside, one that won't latch at all, locks that cycle on their own, and occasionally a door that opened while the car was moving.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the actuator (27 reports), the latch (20 reports) and the handle (8 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the structure cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
In the affected vehicles, the bolts that attach the hood striker may loosen and, as a result, the hood may open unexpectedly while driving.
All 6 recalls on the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the structure on the Grand Caravan
Sliding doors inoperative. Closed jul 22, 2022.
Power liftgate latch. Closed apr 7, 2005, led to recall 05V-134.
Power liftgate latch. Closed nov 22, 2004.
Rear liftgate support. Open, led to recall 97V-079.
What owners paid
12 of the 108 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $600 to $1,250.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 40,000 and 74,000 miles, from the 76 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Sliding Door Lock(s) Inoperable Warranty Extension X98 The customer may describe one or more of the following: ● Either one or both of the sliding door locks do not function.
What owners wrote
“Sliding drivers side door will not open. Does not unlock, lock, latch and buttons do nothing. Door is stuck in closed position. Very unsafe! This vehicle is used for a handicap adult.”
Filed Jul 25, 2022
“With no warning, the driverâs side sliding rear door locked and will not open either manually or remotely. Concern for safety of passengers exiting the van in an emergency”
Filed Jul 6, 2022
“The passenger side sliding door fails to lock leaving people and property at risk. It is available for inspection. The dealership service department indicated it is the latch system. It had been buzzing on lock prior to failing altogether, this is similar to other issues listed online so I believe the actuator may be involved as well. This appears to be a common problem related to a design flaw.”
Filed Jun 27, 2022
“The drivers side siding door lock has failed making the door unable to be unlocked automatically or manually. This has left the door inoperable. This is a serious safety risk which leaves a person in the back seat unable to exit the vehicle through that door in the event of an emergency. The vehicle has not yet been inspected for this issue. There was no warning indicators of the failed door lock.”
Filed Jun 16, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 108 reports involved a crash and 2 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Sliding door won't open, close or latch 395 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 71 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 51 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 42 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 32 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 30 reports