DODGE GRAND CARAVAN · model year

2018 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

342 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

4 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2018DODGEGRAND CARAVAN carries 342 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 0 fires, 11 injuries, and 2 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2018 GRAND CARAVAN is electrical system with 87 filings, followed by unknown or other (64) and structure:body (55). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 2018 GRAND CARAVAN, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

342
Complaints
9
Crashes
0
Fires
11
Injuries
2
Deaths
2018 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2018 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. Overall composite: 4.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 4.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 4.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 4.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

342 filings

Crashes Reported

9 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 4/5 — Strong NCAP rating · Front: 4/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM87
UNKNOWN OR OTHER64
STRUCTURE:BODY55
ENGINE34
POWER TRAIN22
AIR BAGS12
SEATS10
SERVICE BRAKES9
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM8
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES7
STEERING5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH4
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:ELECTRONIC LOCK/LATCH ACTUATOR3
SUSPENSION2

Recalls (4)

25V87600017/12/2025

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY:WHEELCHAIR RESTRAINTS/SECUREMENT:LATCH/ANCHOR:

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 restraint

20V27800015/05/2020

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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.

18V52400009/08/2018

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

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 J

18V52300009/08/2018

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

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.

Recent Complaints

20260209ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Am smells as if wires are burning and vehicle turns off whilst driving causing me to nearly hit a pole in one instance. Car will shut off also whilst parked or when reversing to park. Emergency Brake light come on at random times during driving as well. Or the seatbelt light will come on whilst seatbelt is engaged.

20260209FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Am smells as if wires are burning and vehicle turns off whilst driving causing me to nearly hit a pole in one instance. Car will shut off also whilst parked or when reversing to park. Emergency Brake light come on at random times during driving as well. Or the seatbelt light will come on whilst seatbelt is engaged.

20260209STEERING

Am smells as if wires are burning and vehicle turns off whilst driving causing me to nearly hit a pole in one instance. Car will shut off also whilst parked or when reversing to park. Emergency Brake light come on at random times during driving as well. Or the seatbelt light will come on whilst seatbelt is engaged.

20260206ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My sliding back doors do not open with the key fob AND they do not open using the handles on the INSIDE or OUTSIDE of the van. I was researching how to fix this, and this seems to be a pretty common issue. How has this put safety at risk - if there is an emergency, how do those people in the back seat get out? This is a HUGE issue! There are no other known failures with the vehicle - it has not been checked out by anyone other than myself.

20251103AIR BAGS

The headrest airbag on the driver's side was deployed without any explanation.

20251103SEATS

The headrest airbag on the driver's side was deployed without any explanation.

20251024UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I am reporting an issue involving a Dodge recall repair and an improper charge related to that recall. My Dodge vehicle was serviced for a sliding door actuator recall. During the repair, the dealer informed me that the “sliding door applique” must be removed to access the actuator and that it cannot be reused once removed. They then charged me over $531.99 for the applique, even though the repair itself was covered under my extended warranty (XV1). The applique was not damaged or defective; it was removed only as part of the recall procedure. I believe this constitutes an unfair and deceptive repair practice — the part should have been replaced at no cost, since it was necessary to complete a recall repair. Dodge Customer Care (Case No. 94484317) denied reimbursement without offering any technical explanation or documentation. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether Dodge and its authorized service centers are charging customers for parts that are required to perform

20250924ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

When I’m driving, especially when I come to a stop or when I try to accelerate from a stop, the car kind of chokes or hesitates. It feels like it’s about to stall, but it doesn’t fully turn off. It keeps doing this off and on when I stop or try to go again. It's very scary and dangerous.

20250924ENGINE

When I’m driving, especially when I come to a stop or when I try to accelerate from a stop, the car kind of chokes or hesitates. It feels like it’s about to stall, but it doesn’t fully turn off. It keeps doing this off and on when I stop or try to go again. It's very scary and dangerous.

20250914STRUCTURE:BODY

Passenger side sliding door can't be unlocked manually or by the fob, will not open by the handle inside or out. Passengers are unable to exit vehicle through passenger sliding door.

20250912SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle, the contact became aware that the driver's side headrest had deployed without impact. The local dealer was not contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,600.

Mileage: 59,600

20250901ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Voltage regulator malfunctioning inside ECM and having lights dim and electrical components bog down

20250828STRUCTURE:BODY

Our driver side back sliding door door has seized and will not open. This looks to be a common issue with the grand caravan. The lock is stuck in an in between state and will not open automatically or manually. This is a safety hazard for back passengers.

20250826ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-70 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly slowed down and then abruptly stopped. The contact stated that it felt as if a part had fallen from the bottom of the vehicle. While attempting to drive off, the vehicle hesitated. While at a YIELD sign, the vehicle shut off and was restarted. The driver's side door failed to open. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called an undisclosed local dealer, who confirmed there were no recalls associated with the VIN. The vehicle was diagnosed, and a tune-up and thermostat replacement were advised. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

20250826LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-70 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly slowed down and then abruptly stopped. The contact stated that it felt as if a part had fallen from the bottom of the vehicle. While attempting to drive off, the vehicle hesitated. While at a YIELD sign, the vehicle shut off and was restarted. The driver's side door failed to open. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called an undisclosed local dealer, who confirmed there were no recalls associated with the VIN. The vehicle was diagnosed, and a tune-up and thermostat replacement were advised. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

20250812SEATS

Driving down hi way and headrest came apart.

20250803STRUCTURE:BODY

Driver side door is not locking or unlocking with KEYFOB.

20250720UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The lock mechanism on the passenger side sliding door has failed. It is stuck in the locked position. This is a known defect that has recurred in this vehicle for years. The door is not able to be unlocked which is a safety concern if the vehicle needs to be exited or accessed in an emergency. The sliding door lock had been making a loud buzzing noise upon locking and unlocking for weeks but only became stuck yesterday. The front drivers side door lock also does not respond to the unlocking mechanisms (button inside or remote) but can be unlocked with the key being inserted into the lock and manually turned. This has been happening on and off for a year.

20250709ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Driver's side sliding door stays locked and will not open it also prevents me to lock the passenger side sliding door

20250709UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Driver's side sliding door stays locked and will not open it also prevents me to lock the passenger side sliding door

Compare 2018DODGEGRAND CARAVAN to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2018 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN have?
The 2018 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN has 342 NHTSA complaints, 9 crashes, 0 fires, 11 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN?
The 2018 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 4/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN?
Yes, the 2018 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY:WHEELCHAIR RESTRAINTS/SECUREMENT:LATCH/ANCHOR:. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN?
The most-complained component for the 2018 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 87 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and STRUCTURE:BODY.
Is the 2018 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2018 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN has an NHTSA safety rating of 4/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.