Dodge Grand Caravan electrical problems, 2016–2020
610 of the 1,947 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Dodge Grand Caravan 2016–2020 name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). The loudest years: 2016 (314), 2017 (144), 2018 (92). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Dodge Grand Caravan electrical problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the electrical system | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 4 | 20% | — | 11 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 56 | 23% | 50k | 19 TSBs | the record → |
| 2018 in depth | 92 | 34% | 49k | 18 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2017 in depth | 144 | 35% | 65k | 16 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 314 | 31% | 60k | 19 TSBs | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the electrical system. Nothing here is a rate.
When the electrical complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 5 · 2017: 5 · 2018: 9 · 2019: 103 · 2020: 145 · 2021: 106 · 2022: 76 · 2023: 57 · 2024: 47 · 2025: 36 · 2026: 21
Across the model years, half of the 278 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 42,000 and 76,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Az - 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan r/t, approx 63,500 mi. 2 weeks ago I went to start the vehicle and it wouldn't start. I assumed it was the battery because its a fairly new vehicle. I gave it a jump and the vehicle started. I set the time as it had reset to 12:00am but radio stations were still programmed.
The drivers side rear sliding door will not unlock preventing the door from being opened. It is stuck shut and will not unlock manually, electronically, or with the fob
Engine light was on, code read as a misfire in coil #2, paid $400 to have coil replaced and the light is still on. The van still shakes while driving and while in idle
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly shut off and could not be immediately restarted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer (east chester chrysler Dodge, 4007 boston rd, bronx, ny) were notified of the failure.
Without warning, the drivers side sliding door of my 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan initially began making a very loud buzzing noise when the automatic power locks engage while driving, however, this quickly escalated to not only an extremely loud buzzing noise when locked while driving, to an extremely loud buzzing noise anytime the locks are…
What is on file about the electrical system, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 18V524000 HighAug 9, 2018 · 12,779 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
2 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Jan 10, 2024
- Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning Lamp On
- Sep 15, 2023
- Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. 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 Dodge Grand Caravan
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Dodge Grand Caravan problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Dodge Grand Caravan years have the most electrical complaints?
2016, 314; 2017, 144; 2018, 92. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2017 (35%).
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the Dodge Grand Caravan?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 18V524000 (2018). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do electrical problems show up on the Dodge Grand Caravan?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 58,013 miles across the model years; half of them between 42,000 and 76,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?
Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.