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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.
67 thoughts onAre the Door Locks on the Dodge Caravan Defective?
Dodge Caravan 2016 unlocks driver side by itself.
I’ve started having that problem after my car mileage got to 60,000 miles and as of now my passenger doors front an back right side jams that side is the same 2 doors that started unlocking on its own, the engine light signal goes off and on something’s wrong with the sensor, the driver seat won’t slide back enough I’m 5,6 and it’s very uncomfortable on my legs. My husband brings it back to have it checked dealership adjust the seat then it jams again. Also it looks like the dealership sold me a flood car underneath the carpet the car is rushed out real bad I’m missing a rug I’ve been promised the dealership would order one for my car I get the run around for it the sale manager fabricated to get me to buy the car he hustled me commented fraud by selling a flood damaged vehicle with missing parts.
I forgot to add that the driver side door handle pull string popped off I have to open the driver side door by putting the window down stick my hand out the car window and open the door from the outside. The doors pull string is a well know big problem with the Dodge Caravan out of every other vehicle I’ve had before the Dodge Caravan I’ve never discovered the dealership sold me a flood damaged car or never had a car door handle pull string to break an a door jam causing passengers to get trapped in this is the first car with the most problems.
One door is always locked. One door is always unlocked. I have 5 kids. The baby has to be strapped in. So she is at the door that opens. The rest of the kids have to climb in the back door.
Dodge Grand caravan 2017 passenger side door, sliding door and back gate will no longer unlock. The worst part, so far, is that I am no longer able use back end for storage or work.
2015 Dodge grand caravan sliding rear door will not lock with fob or manualy.
I have a 2019 Dodge Caravan and my passenger sliding door won’t lock but when you try to open it, the alarm will sound.
I have a 2011 Dodge Gran Caravan Crew. The power sliding doors will randomly open on their own without our knowledge. Has happened in the middle of winter when it was -40 and we had the power door turned off to manual only ( so how does it open)? Has happened when we are out shopping and come back to the parking lot to see our door is wide open. If we go out somewhere, we are always having to go out and check to make sure the door is closed. My question is, if we have the power door switched to manual, how does it still open????
We have had our garage look at it more than once and they don’t have an answer for us.
2014 Dodge Caravan that u locks itself.
Have disconnected the battery and reconnected.
Have both keys wrapped in foil.
One unwrap now and seems to be the trouble.
Still checking.
This is a major problem.
My 2014 Dodge Caravan power locking system no longer works. I can not lock my drivers side of the car, when I get i to my car, amd need to lock door immediately, I can not I have to reach over to the passengers side. My key fob no longer works.
Why is there no recall????
So, if the problem has been going on since 2005, why does this only include later models? I have had about 6 different minivans have this issue. My hand/arm had almost been smashed on many occasions. I presently have a 2005 w this issue.
Driver side sliding door stuck on lock position can’t open it manually or electronically. door on passenger side won’t respond to fob key can only be unlock manually i small grand children in case of an emergency there is no way to open the driver side door to gain access to them or to safely get them out of van. This needs to be addressed as soon as possible before someone is seriously injured or killed. it’s a known issue in vans from other years and never recalled.-Fresno, CA, USA