Dodge Grand Caravan body and structure problems, 2016–2020
413 of the 1,947 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Dodge Grand Caravan 2016–2020 name the body and structure (NHTSA’s “Structure” heading — body panels, frame, roof rails, trim and glass as fitted). The loudest years: 2016 (230), 2017 (95), 2018 (59). Filed under the same heading across these years: 3 manufacturer bulletins. 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 body and structure 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 body and structure | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | — | — | 12 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 29 | 12% | — | 21 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 in depth | 59 | 22% | 48k | 23 TSBs | the record → |
| 2017 in depth | 95 | 23% | 67k | 25 TSBs | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 230 | 23% | 58k | 22 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 body and structure. Nothing here is a rate.
When the body and structure complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 1 · 2017: 4 · 2018: 8 · 2019: 88 · 2020: 109 · 2021: 75 · 2022: 50 · 2023: 33 · 2024: 18 · 2025: 19 · 2026: 8
Across the model years, half of the 227 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the body and structure problem between 43,000 and 72,000 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 body and structure, 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.
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…
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the rear driver's side sliding door ceased. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not subjected to a recall but was covered under the warranty. The contact was also informed that there would be a small out-of-pocket fee assessed as a part of the repair.
The passenger side door slams really hard when closing while on a hill and the sensor doesnt stop the door from shutting. The door slammed on my daughters foot. The vehicle was parked in my drive front facing downward
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
What is on file about the body and structure, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications3 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Jan 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
- Jan 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
- Aug 23, 2023
- FCA Caribbean Warranty Bulletin ID-22-23 - 2017 - 2023 (Current) Chrysler Pacifica (RU) and 2013 - 2016 Chrysler Town & Country/ 2013 - 2020 Dodge Caravan (RT) - Corrosion - Complete Hood Panel Warranty Claim Simplification (Rev. B)
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 body and structure complaints?
2016, 230; 2017, 95; 2018, 59. 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 (23%).
Is there a recall for the body and structure on the Dodge Grand Caravan?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading on any of these model years. 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 Dodge Grand Caravan?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 60,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 43,000 and 72,000. 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.