Are the Door Locks on the Dodge Caravan Defective?

A number of complaints posted in online forums indicate that the door locks on Dodge Caravan minivans have a serious problem, causing them to remain locked or unlocked and unresponsive to either electronic switch inside the vehicle or the key fob. This problem appears to have been affecting vehicles manufactured since the 2005 model year and has continued through 2016, according to posts published on CarGurus.com.

What Exactly Has Been Happening?

Actually, a number of different problems have been reported with Chrysler and Dodge Caravan vehicles. In a number of cases, the rear sliding door seizes, freezing in place;  another owner reported that the sliding door alarm was sounding continuously without any reason. Another Caravan owner reported that the doors all came open while the vehicle was in motion.  The bottom line is that the doors on these minivans malfunction with alarming frequency, and have been for several years.

When Do These Problems Start Appearing?

Most of the time, these failures start to appear between 50,000 and 70,000 miles. Some owners report it happening as soon as 24,000 miles; others have said they did not experience problems until the vehicle was past 160,000 miles.

Has Anyone Been Injured?

The most serious injury reported was that of a boy whose hand was crushed in the door of a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan when it was being closed from inside the vehicle and the door sensor — which should have detected the situation — failed to operate. Another owner said her grandson suffered bruising on his forearm when he attempted to close the automatic passenger-side sliding door and it failed to retract. Beyond these incidents, there do not appear to have been any serious injuries or deaths yet.

What Is Causing the Problem?

The answer to that question depends on who you ask.  Some people who have experience in auto repair attribute the problem to a faulty Body Control Module (BCM), which is a small computer that monitors and controls the vehicle’s various electronic accessories, including the door locks.  A blogger who owns a Dodge Caravan reports that replacing the vehicle’s battery resolved the issue. Another Caravan owner discovered that the cause of his door problem was a faulty actuator, a type of “valve” that enables the door mechanism to operate. A recent article published on TireBusiness.com stated that the BCM simply needed to be re-programmed.

Several people have posted videos and blog entries online, sharing their own repairs, solutions, and workarounds. However, in many cases, the reason that Dodge Caravan locks malfunction remains a mystery.

What Did the Manufacturer Know?

This is the big money question, right now. According to a piece on TireBusiness, Chrysler has acknowledged that “one or both of the power sliding doors on some 2008-10 Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & County minivans may not operate when commanded by the door switch.” However, the problems appear to be far more widespread and, as of this writing, the manufacturer has made no attempt to remedy the situation, such as through a recall or even a warning to customers.

Can I File a Lawsuit?

Having defective automobile components can be terrifying. Even in a vehicle in perfect condition, the roads can be dangerous, but any sort of auto defect can add serious risk. Sometimes, these defects may be benign in nature but, even then, defects can be startling or distracting on the road. In other cases, like with car fires, seatbelts that don’t work, and more, defects can be dangerous for the driver, passengers, and other people on the road. The National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) regularly recalls vehicles for a variety of these defects.

Customers of both Chrysler and Dodge have come forward with complaints about their power door locks malfunctioning, placing them at serious safety risk and potentially causing economic damages.

If you have owned or leased one of the following vehicles and the door latch remote locking mechanism malfunctioned, you may be able to join this class action lawsuit investigation:

• Chrysler Town & Country 2015–2019
• Dodge Caravan 2015­–2019

Joining a class action lawsuit investigation can help you regain compensation. Pursuing litigation can be an intimidating prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.