2018 Dodge Grand Caravan · symptom sheet
Doors, latches or locks fail
- 27owner reports
- 52,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Dec 17, 2025 · checked Oct 2, 2026
73 of the 270 complaints on this car are about the structure. 27 of those describe door latch.
Tick what matches of 27 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 (10 reports) and the latch (8 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the structure covers the 2018 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.
All 4 recalls on the 2018 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.
None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 42,000 and 61,380 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 service bulletins or notices for the 2018 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 XV1 The customer may describe one or more of the following: ● Either one or both of the sliding door locks do not function.
Rear Liftgate Does Not Latch, Liftgate Ajar Lamp Illuminated
What owners wrote
“Driver side sliding door locked. Fails to get unlocked. Tried unlocking with Key Fob, manually unlocking. Nothing works and this door now fails to get unlocked and open. Passenger side middle row bucket seat fails to fold down and get under the floor.”
Filed Jul 1, 2025
“The sliding door will not unlock and can not be opened from the interior or exterior. There is an extended warranty covering 2015 through 2017 Dodge Grand Caravans but it does not cover 2018 or newer models even though it is the same design.”
Filed May 30, 2022
“The left side sliding door will not open at all. Tried to unlock manually will not open have to use other side for kids to get out of van. I did some online research saying the the lock actuator on sliding door seized. To me this is major safety hazard. If anything should be able to open manually but cannot even with key fob will not open. Theo locking switch does not move at all stuck in middle.”
Filed Nov 10, 2021
“Drivers door lock latch motor failed, door would not lock. Replaced latch assembly. 3 months later, drivers rear slider door latch jammed, and would not open. Awaiting parts. Passengers rear slider door occasionally buzzes.”
Filed Oct 19, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 27 reports involved a crash. 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 112 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 30 reports