AI Damage2018 Dodge Grand Caravan: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan filed 270 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and structure. The maker issued 74 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 270
- involving a crash
- 8
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 74
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 34% of all complaints
- 2 Structure 22% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 13% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- 5 Latches, locks, linkages 6% of all complaints
- 6 Seats 5% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 4% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 92 complaints (34% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
- Structure: 59 complaints (22% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 16.
- Engine: 34 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Powertrain: 23 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Latches, locks, linkages: 15 complaints (6% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 270 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 92 | 1 | 17 |
| Structure | 59 | 1 | 16 |
| Engine | 34 | 0 | 2 |
| Powertrain | 23 | 1 | 6 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 13 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 11 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Small overlap vehicle accident. Driver unrestrained. Front airbags failed to deploy. Driver fatality.
There was no electrical or lights, not even the headlights worked. The steering wheel locked, the brake pedal locked and would not work. I had no control. There is no road lighting in that area and no other cars were around so I could not see the road or anything around me.
The seat flung around with her in it and the head rest hit so hard against the back window/door that it is now permanently bend forward. We cannot get the seat to stay up anymore or close down into the ground. The car is now totalled.
When I applied the brakes the vehicle kept going it wouldn't srop this happened to me 3xs 2 times I was in a crash the brakes fo low to the floor but when it was checked I was told everything was fine. This last saccident people where with me they witnessed me frantically applying brakes but car wouldnt stop.
I was crossing an intersection when 2 cars stopped in front of me making a left turn I tried to stop slammed my brakes no skidding at all and ran into the back of a car totaling my van as of the result of the wreck in wich l felt like there was something wrong with the brakes
Car was stationary. Decided to go into another lane so while turning into other lane, depressed gas pedal firmly and it stuck to the floor revving up the engine to where ii immediately slammed the brakes on but still hit the car in front of me.
While the contact was attempting to exit the vehicle, it shifted from park into reverse and rolled away on its own. The vehicle drove over the contact. The contact sustained injuries to the left ankle, two torn ligaments, pain in the left leg and back, and bruises on the torso and right leg.
This deployment caused a plastic part on the driver’s side door to fracture, causing the window to lower and become inoperable. The window was later replaced by an independent mechanic. The contact stated that while sitting in the front passenger’s seat with the engine off, the passenger’s side headrest deployed.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 234 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 11% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Grand Caravan has 292 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 270, about average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- "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…
- Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC)…
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…
- Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair…
Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, 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…
- Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges…
Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates. NOTE: **Verify current…
- ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA)
For any other MY review and follow instructions from the latest STAR Online S1809000007 available on Dealer Connect. Also, consider the following: 1) Remove OFA 2) Replace only the oil inlet O-ring and gaskets (seals…
- ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA)
For any other MY (with mileage above 30,000) review and follow instructions from STAR Online S1809000007 REV. C available on Dealer Connect. Also, consider the following: 1) Remove OFA 2) Replace only the oil inlet…
- LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is…
LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.
- FCA Caribbean Warranty Bulletin ID-23-20 "Can / Am" Warranty Coverage - 594 / 595 / 596 WCC
- Warranty Bulletin D-16-03 - "Can / Am" Warranty Coverage - 594 / 595 / 596 WCC (Rev
- FCA Caribbean Warranty Bulletin ID-22-23 - 2017 - 2023 (Current) Chrysler Pacifica (RU) and 2013 - 2016…
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…
- Warranty Bulletin D-22-17 - 2017 - 2023 (Current) Chrysler Pacifica (RU) and 2013 - 2016 Chrysler Town &…
Warranty Bulletin D-22-17 - 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)
- Suspected engine coolant leak
NHTSA lists 74 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, structure, engine. Total complaints: 270. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: door locks, latches, handles (24%), warning lights, check engine (11%), stalls while driving (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA lists 74 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.