2016 Dodge Grand Caravan body and structure problems
230 of the 1,001 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan name the body and structure (NHTSA’s “Structure” heading — body panels, frame, roof rails, trim and glass as fitted). Filed under the same heading: 22 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the body and structure
Source: NHTSA complaint database3 of the 230 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 3 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 1 · 2017: 3 · 2018: 7 · 2019: 76 · 2020: 74 · 2021: 35 · 2022: 16 · 2023: 10 · 2024: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2026: 3
Half of the 162 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the body and structure problem between 40,000 and 70,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
1,001 complaints in all about the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan, 3 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Structure” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Dodge Grand Caravan body and structure problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the body and structure. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Without warning, the driver side power sliding door locked and would not open. The door would not unlock electrically or manually. If there had been an accident the passengers could potentially be trapped in the vehicle. The van was not moving when the door failed. It cost $1250 to repair/replace the mechanisms
Driver's side sliding door will not unlock or open in any way. It cannot be unlocked with keyfob, electrical unlock button, or manually pushing the lock. The door cannot be opened by pulling on the handle (inside or outside), pushing on the door open button next to interior handle, or pushing the door open button on ceiling control…
Driver side sliding door is stuck in the closed and locked position. Will not unlock manually or by power unlock switch. No cause or symptoms observed before the failure. There was no mistreatment of the door. We always use the automatic power closure and latching. This is a safety issue.
I put the van in park. Got out to walk around and get a car seat & the van started moving in reverse (back up camera was not on) so I know I put it in park. The van hit another car beside me and if I was not able to stop it in time it would've hit my apartment complex because it was moving fast enough to go over the curb by itself!
Driver side sliding door lock failed. Door is shut and locked and cannot be unlocked with key fob or buttons on driver's door. Door cannot be unlocked manually, slide lever will not move. Passenger sliding door lock is making loud buzzing noise when locking or unlocking and sometimes has to be locked/unlocked manually.
What is on file about the body and structure
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications22 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- 23-001-25 Service bulletinJan 29, 2025
- "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. ● The door lock(s) emit a loud buzzing noise during lock/unlock operation and do not lock/unlock the door. NOTE: The doors can still be manually locked or unlocked. This bulletin involves replacing either one or both of the
The 1 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
Source: the same files- electrical problems 314 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 220 complaints
- engine problems 85 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre body and structure problems common on the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 230 owner complaints naming the body and structure on this model year (23% of everything owners filed about it), and 22 manufacturer bulletins are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the body and structure on the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 6 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do body and structure problems show up on the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 58,000 miles; half of them between 40,000 and 70,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Structure" heading cover?
Body panels, frame, roof rails, trim and glass as fitted. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.