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Even though no official recalls have been issued, Dodge Grand Caravan door lock problems and similar complaints about Chrysler Town & Country minivans are burning up the information superhighway. Consumers say their sliding doors either won’t lock or they become stuck in the locked position. Some consumers have had the sliding doors on both sides of their vehicle become stuck. Still others say the two front doors fail to latch or unlatch properly.
Won’t the Warranty Cover This Door Locking Problem?
In most complaints that appear online, the vehicles are out of warranty, but some have as little as 20,000 miles on them.
Are Dodge Grand Caravan Door Lock Problems Seen Only in Certain Model Years?
No recalls have been issued, so it’s difficult to know how long the door locks have been failing, but one person with a 2001 Dodge Caravan said the automatic doors began to lock and unlock by themselves every thirty seconds one day. Many online complaints are regarding the 2005 through 2017 models.
Why Are These Door Locks Failing to Latch or Getting Stuck in the Locked Position?
According to RepairPal.com, the door lock actuator is an electric motor that controls the locking and unlocking of the doors. The vehicle’s computer receives a signal to lock or unlock the door from a key fob or from a button on the door. The door lock actuator is a mechanical part that RepairPal says when used frequently, can wear out and need replacing.
How Can I Tell if the Door Lock Actuator is Starting to Fail?
Sometimes the interior lights stay on when the door is shut or the security system will malfunction if your model’s door switch incorporates these other systems. The actuator’s motor may emit a groaning or grinding noise that indicates it’s on its way out. If the door lock actuators cycle continuously, causing the doors to lock and unlock all day long without prompting, this action may drain the battery.
If the Door is Stuck in the Locked Position, Can’t I Just Manually Unlock it?
Surprisingly, in most cases, no. One online customer wrote CarGurus.com about his experience with 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan door lock problems. He said with only 40,000 miles on the vehicle, the driver’s sliding door froze, and he’s unable to open it manually or electronically.
He said, “I feel like I’m going to break the lever if I force it too much. So the door is basically unusable right now.”
How Much Does it Cost to Fix the Door Lock Actuator?
According to one woman who wrote to CarGurus.com, a dealership charged her more than $1,100 to replace the locking actuator on her 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. She said the actuator on the passenger side sliding door had started to make a buzzing noise, so she wanted it fixed before it became a locking/unlocking problem.
She said less than two months later, the driver’s side sliding door is stuck in the locked position, and will not open at all, and it failed without any foretelling noises.
“The mechanic at the dealership even admitted that it was a well-known issue with the Caravans around the 2015-2018 models!” she wrote.
She said she refuses to pay more than $1,100 again to the dealership, and planned to file a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to see if there can be a recall issued.
The NHTSA says it investigates all complaints, but its review and investigation process may take a long time.
If the Door Lock Actuator is Replaced Once, Will it Last for the Remaining Life of the Vehicle?
It’s difficult to say because each person uses a vehicle differently. If the door is open and shut a dozen times a day, the parts that make the door open and close will obtain more wear and tear than if the doors are only opened twice a day or even less often.
One consumer wrote to CarComplaints.com and said the right sliding door of their 2016 Town & Country underwent replacement of the door lock actuator at a Chrysler dealership in December 2017. By August 2019, that same door stopped locking at all. The owner expressed concern the door may open while being driven down the road, and also is not happy the vehicle must be left unlocked in parking lots when shopping, going to movies, etc.
Does the Locking Issue Usually Only Affect One Door?
The issue may affect one or both doors. In one case, a Town & Country with 65,000 miles had the driver’s side sliding door lock shut. The owner wrote to Car Complaints that the problem used to happen to the passenger’s side sliding door, but somehow, the problem worked itself out and the door started to work again. The owner said he took it to the dealership where he was told they could not find anything wrong with the passenger’s side sliding door that kept randomly sticking shut. The owner said he’s now concerned that in the event of an accident, they could be trapped if the driver’s side sliding door was the only one that was accessible, but it was stuck in the locked position.
Join a Free Chrysler/Dodge Minivan Door Defect Class Action Lawsuit Investigation
If you owned or leased a Chrysler Town & Country or Dodge Caravan from model years 2015 to 2019 and the door latch remote locking mechanism failed, you may qualify to join this Chrysler and Dodge class action lawsuit investigation to recover any out-of-pocket repair costs you have incurred.
This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.
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96 thoughts onHave You Experienced Dodge Grand Caravan Door Lock Problems?
My 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan’s right side sliding door won’t lock or latch. I just noticed it few weeks ago. I bought this van BRAND NEW. I hope the locking mechanism is just jammed. If so, I should be able to take screw driver and unjam it without having to remove the panel from inside.
My 2017 Dodge Caravan is intermittent in driver side door unlocking with remote key.
Yes its à safety issue and could be scarey, I have 3 kids. Did they do anything about your complaint??
I’ve just discovered how to open my 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan passenger side door that normally won’t open. Totally came across this method of opening the door by surprise. If you wont to know how i did it reply to this.
This is not a joke or a scam. It will cost you nothing, just want it to piss of Dodge so that they lose revenue for repair.
I will admit that it does not repair the problem but it will allow you to open the door when needed.
Barry, my daughter’s 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan’s side doors will not unlock or open. Very problematic with 3 kids, not to mention a safety issue. Please let me know the procedure.
I just had this happen to my 2012 driver slider door. The actuator jammed in the lock position so I could not open the door, its not power assist. I took the inner door panel off (1 T20 torx screw in front of interior handle under trim piece, it pops right off) then you pull the rear trim off the back edge of the window, then you can pull the innner door panel off. Its held on by bout 12 push pins. Youll see a actuator rod across the top. Jam the rod back into the rear of the door with your hands, just grip it and push it back. This will either unjamb the actuator or make it skip a tooth but either way, it will allow the lock to become unlocked and youll be able to use the door lock and handle again! Mine makes a buzz when it locks electrically now but I dont care, it works! Replacing the actuator is a 2 hour job if you know what you are doing , its worse if you have power windows! Good luck.
Please tell me how you unlocked rear door. Mine is driver side. Stuxk locked. Thank you
So how did you do it?
Thanks so very much for your help and time.
William Robertson
Please let me know the procedure, my drivers side is locked and can not open.
did you find out how to unlock it? as I have the same issue.
my 2019 passenger door is stuck in the locked postion and will not open. tell me how you can tell me how to open it
I have a 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan and this just happened. I would love to know how to get the doors open, thanks!
Ok I’d love to know what you’ve done to get a stuck door open
Please tell me the secret. We have a problem with the passenger side door that won’t lock.
So Barry, let us know how to open our doors Dude!
I have the same problem 2018 caravan. Please advise how to open. Thank you!
2016 Dodge caravan driver side sliding door its a manual one not power slide. Its stuck in lock
I own a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan and my drivers rear door will not open. I have tried everything to open it. You say you have a way to get it open ,will you please share your secret. Please! Thank You
I just purchased a 2016 Grand Caravan two weeks ago and all was well. Yesterday the drivers side locked in the closed position. Tell me your secret, please.
Hi Barry. How can I do it?
Mine driver’s side sliding door is stuck shut suddenly. Acts like it’s locked, tried key fob, manually unlocking and driver’s button, nothing works! Please help if you can!
Please Please please tell me how you did it. I have a 2017 Grand Caravan GT. My drivers side sliding door is locked and i can’t open it
Please let me know the procedure, my drivers side is locked and can not open.
2018 Grand Caravan driver side rear door and rear hatch won’t open.
Yes. Please send me directions on what you did to fix your sliding door. Thanks!
How did you get it to open? Thanks
Hey can you let me know, my 2018 drivers sliding door wont open and I have kids that need to use the door
What did you do mine is a 2018 side doors won’t lock with fob or drivers door switch and if I lock them manually they won’t unlock with fob or switch
2014 dodge grand caravan sxt. Just purchased 2 months ago. Passenger sliding door wont lock, no matter what I do.
Dodge Caravan: A/C button is making noises; spark plugs, coils and thermostat all had to be replaced; one week later my right hand sliding door would not lock; one week later my left sliding door will not open; I cannot unlock the doors. I am afraid that I will be not be able to get my grandchildren (under 2 years old) out of the van is I am in a wreck. It seems that everything is falling apart on these vehicles.
2017 dodge caravan both doors stuck dealer wont fix unless i have $2600 dollars for repair . mind you the part cost’s only $50 each
Have a 2010 Grand Caravan that the passenger sliding door cannot be unlocked or opened manually or remotely. Dealership wants $1600 to fix. Looking for a lawyer now and will be going with a different brand vehicle soon as it cannot be trusted to cause more electrical issues and is a safety problem.
We have a 2018 dodge caravan that has the same problem. Driver side sliding door stuck won’t open. Passenger sliding door don’t lock. Drivers door doesn’t lock either.
I have a 2016 Dodge grand caravan. Was traveling cross country with many valuable personal items.
locked the car every evening along the way with key fob..one evening i happened to walk around vehicle and check all doors. to my surprise the passenger door opened! Could not manually lock it,
lock lever is jammed. Same issue as most people !