2018 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
270 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
53,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 99 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 92 of 270 complaints (34.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 20 | 7.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 4.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 4.4% |
| Engine operation | 11 | 4.1% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 2.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 92 |
| Unknown Or Other | 66 |
| Structure:Body | 56 |
| Engine | 34 |
| Power Train | 23 |
| Air Bags | 13 |
| Seats | 11 |
| Service Brakes | 10 |
Electrical System: 92; Unknown Or Other: 66; Structure:Body: 56; Engine: 34; Power Train: 23; Air Bags: 13; Seats: 11; Service Brakes: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 35 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 34 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 35; 50,000 to 74,999: 34; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 2
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (35). 171 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 15 |
| 2020 | 37 |
| 2021 | 42 |
| 2022 | 39 |
| 2023 | 54 |
| 2024 | 35 |
| 2025 | 33 |
| 2026 | 9 |
2018: 6; 2019: 15; 2020: 37; 2021: 42; 2022: 39; 2023: 54; 2024: 35; 2025: 33; 2026: 9
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 13 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 12 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11100770 · 2018-06-10 (June 10, 2018)
WHEELS SPIN DURING ACCELERATION, POOR TRACTION ON ROAD. RENTAL CAR FROM PORTLAND, OREGON AIRPORT FROM THE ENTERPRISE. DON'T KNOW THE VIN. PERHAPS AN ISSUE WITH ALL DODGE GRAND CARAVANS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11100770 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11111620 · 2018-07-19 (July 19, 2018)
2018 DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SEAT WHICH RESULTED IN INJURY TO PASSENGER. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST THE SEAT TO AN UPRIGHT POSITION IT SLAMMED FORWARD AGAINST THE BACK OF THE HEAD. THIS CAUSED AND INJURY TO THE HEAD AND JAW. THE CONSUMER DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. *JS *TT *BF *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11111620 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11111749 · 2018-07-16 (July 16, 2018)
HAVE HAD THE BRAND NEW VAN FOR ONLY 2 WEEKS AND LIFTGATE (BACK HATCH) ON VAN DOES NOT OPEN. I HAVE A BASE MODEL SO I HAVE TO OPEN IT MANUALLY...TRIED EVERYTHING ...NOTHING WILL OPEN IT. TAKING IT TO DEALERSHIP THIS WEEKEND. HOPEFULLY THEY CAN'T OPEN IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11111749 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11132682 · 2018-10-01 (October 1, 2018)
THE SLIDING PASSANGER DOOR CLOSED ON MY CHILD'S HAND. THE DOOR DID RE-OPEN BUT NOT IMMEDIATELY. IT ENDED UP CAUSING A BREAK IN HER HAND.
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11132682 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11142389 · 2018-10-24 (October 24, 2018)
REAR SUSPENSION RATTLES EVEN OVER LITTLE ROAD IMPERFECTIONS. BROUGHT TO DEALER ONLY FOR THEM TO TELL ME ALL NEW GRAND CARAVANS RATTLE OVER BUMPS. CONCERNED OVER PREMATURE SUSPENSION FAILURE MAYBE BY FAULTY OR DODGE NOT USING APPROPRIATE SHOCKS OR OTHER MEANS OF DAMPENING REAR SUSPENSION. ING BETTER NEW SHOCKS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11142389 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11156699 · 2018-12-07 (December 7, 2018)
THE TIE ROD ON THE RIGHT, PASSENGER SIDE, TIRE OF THIS VEHICLE BROKE WHILE DRIVING. THIS WAS A RENTAL CAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 21,566 miles reported. Look up ODI 11156699 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11170703 · 2019-01-18 (January 18, 2019)
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO DEALER FOR AIR BAG LIGHT ON, WAS TOLD ACTIVE HEAD RESTRAINTS HAD DEPLOYED. VAN HAS 5700 MILES ON IT. DEALER STATED "SOMEONE MUST HAVE BACKED IN TO SOMETHING." THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY DAMAGE TO REAR OF VAN, & PARTS ALONE WERE QUOTED AT $1093.00 + LABOR. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH CHRYSLER. PERHAPS THEY SHOULD ANNOUNCE A RECALL TO MITIGATE THIS SITUATION.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,779 miles reported. Look up ODI 11170703 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11195805 · 2019-04-12 (April 12, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 DODGE CARAVAN. 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. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AIRPORT AND THE CONTACT WA…
Owner-reported narrative. 34,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11195805 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
18V523000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
Reported: 2018-08-09 (August 9, 2018)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan and Jeep Compass, 2018 Dodge Journey, and 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U86.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V524000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
Reported: 2018-08-09 (August 9, 2018)
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.
Consequence: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V278000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 2020-05-15 (May 15, 2020)
Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain Vantage-modified 2016-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles. The fuel pump gasket may deteriorate, allowing fuel to leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Vantage will notify owners, and will provide parts and reimbursement to owners for repair facilities to replace the fuel tank gasket, free of charge. The recall began May 19, 2020. Owners may contact Vantage customer service at 1-800-488-9082.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V876000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility:Wheelchair Restraints/Securement:Latch/Anchor:
Reported: 2025-12-17 (December 17, 2025)
Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Consequence: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.
NHTSA campaign record ↗