2018 Dodge Grand Caravan body and structure problems
59 of the 270 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2018 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: 23 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 database1 of the 59 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2018: 1 · 2019: 5 · 2020: 7 · 2021: 17 · 2022: 10 · 2023: 9 · 2024: 4 · 2025: 6
Half of the 22 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the body and structure problem between 42,000 and 65,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
270 complaints in all about the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan, 6 filed in 2025. 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.
Passenger side sliding door not locking/unlocking when the key fob locks/unlocks the other doors. Vehicle is stationary, running or turned off in park
The sliding door will open completely then start closing once open. The up top button is set to off so the open/ close button by the door would not work. This has happened on several dates up to now. The door doesn't lock or un lock using the key fob or in car lock button
Sliding door locks on both driver and passenger are not working driver side sliding door is in locked position and will not open with key fob, manual lock passenger side sliding door does not lock with key fob, have to manually lock and unlock door
Driver's side sliding door will not unlock/open. I got to my destination and used the power button over visor to open the door and unload children. Used power button at the door to close the door after unloading children. Came out to van to go home and door would not open.
My driver's side sliding door stopped working. I bought my van from a dealer at the end of july 2019 with around 40,000 miles on it. In the middle of october 2019 (around 45,000 miles) the door stopped working. I used the key fob button to open the door and put my grandson in his carseat. I used the door power button to close the door.
What is on file about the body and structure
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications23 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- 23-003-25 Service bulletinJan 30, 2025
- "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. ● 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 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan
Source: the same files- electrical problems 92 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre body and structure problems common on the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 59 owner complaints naming the body and structure on this model year (22% of everything owners filed about it), and 23 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 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 4 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 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 48,000 miles; half of them between 42,000 and 65,000. 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.