FaultScore

2016 Dodge Grand Caravan electrical problems

314 of the 1,264 complaints about the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan are about the electrical system — 25% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 60,000 miles.

C

314

Complaints

0

Crashes

3

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Electrical System 310 98.7%
Ignition 2 0.6%
Horn 1 0.3%
Speedometer/Odometer 1 0.3%

Electrical System across every Dodge Grand Caravan year

1994 10 0.2%
1996 216 4.9%
1997 117 2.7%
1998 83 1.9%
1999 67 1.5%
2000 36 0.8%
2001 39 0.9%
2002 38 0.9%
2003 32 0.7%
2004 13 0.3%
2005 261 5.9%
2006 38 0.9%
2007 32 0.7%
2008 822 18.7%
2009 338 7.7%
2010 558 12.7%
2011 332 7.6%
2012 336 7.6%
2013 254 5.8%
2014 129 2.9%
2015 39 0.9%
2016 314 7.1%
2017 142 3.2%
2018 92 2.1%
2019 56 1.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Copperas Cove, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

It was dark, wife and I were driving, suddenly the begin dash began to go blank, more like a flicker. As I kept driving the flickering began to be more often and more pronounce. At some point we were worried that we won’t be able make it home. Almost approaching home the all the gauges went off a light came on the dash (don’t remember which one) vehicle suddenly acelerated and I have to take evasive action to avoid an accident . This lasted a second

NHTSA complaint #11740831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Richmond, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The driver's window was left unrolled last night and it rained. When I got in the car, the electrical window control for the driver's window wouldn't roll up. But the others appeared to work normally. This was annoying, but it didn't stop my from driving to work. About half an hour into my drive, the window controls started smoking. I pulled to the shoulder and waited by the side of the highway until the smoke stopped. After the smoke stopped, the car drove fine - but none of the window controls appear to work. I Googled, and there seems to have been a recall for a similar issue for earlier Dodge Caravan models. But nothing for the 2016 Dodge Caravan. I'm hoping that maybe Dodge can fix my window control panel too.

NHTSA complaint #11740062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tustin, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The slider doors and back/trunk hatch have many electrical malfunctions. -Driver-side sliding door: After we press the button to open the door, the door often begins closing on our kids as soon as it has fully opened. When I press the button to open it again, it will start closing again immediately. Sometimes this process repeats 2-3 times before it stays open and our children can exit the car. -The door emits a horrible, loud BUZZ when the car is locked, the car is unlocked, the car doors are all locked but a door opens (triggering the doors to unlock), AND when the car is in drive and begins to approach or exceed 10-15 MPH. -The back hatch occasionally fully opens and then closes immediately. Or it opens and lurches downward so it's only ~2/3 open. At times it has almost closed on/hit one of our kids. This has been going on for years and I just learned that we could file a report. Please, please investigate and start process for a recall. These issues are more than just annoying; they could seriously injure or harm a child or an adult. Note: These issues started when the car was ~6 years old, around 2022, but it is ongoing and not resolved. Thank you kindly.

NHTSA complaint #11717641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,000 miles Saint Augustine, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that on several occasions, while inserting the key into the ignition, the vehicle failed to start. Additionally, on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that during each failure, the key was wiggled in the ignition for approximately 20-30 minutes each time, and the vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

NHTSA complaint #11710326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 131,000 miles Orange Park, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was approximately 116,000. The contact stated that a month after the vehicle was purchased, the transmission failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for repair, and it was discovered that the mileage was 131,000. The contact was unable to use the warranty due to the mileage discrepancy.

NHTSA complaint #11706795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tulare, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My 2016 dodge grand caravan has all of a sudden lost power on half the fuse box making it so the key (fob) says iuyts A bad key a total of 3 times so far as well as this time will not turn over at all, also the last time I went to put fuel in it half the gas was on the ground due to a faulty gas line on the fuel neck. It also has a fluctuateing rpm at stop lights. And might turn off and be hard to restart in the middle of an intersection.I would hope to have these things fixed in a recall soon.

NHTSA complaint #11703393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Beaverton, OR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Sliding doors do not work. Driver side sliding door stopped working 1 month after purchasing from dealership, and passenger door only opens and closes some times. Safety of my family/passengers are affected seriously if there were any accident or failure for passenger door to completely stop working. They will not be able to exit unless crawling to very front of vehicle. Driver sliding door does not open or close at all. Passenger sliding door works 60% of time. I have not taken to a dealer as I cannot afford the cost. Vehicle has not been inspected by anyone. No warning signs to let me know the doors would not or will not work. Someone with the same make/mode/year of dodge grand caravan said there was a recall for the sliding door actuators on this year of van and they got theirs fixed because of the recall. This causes a very big concern for me and my van. I need them fixed please. Thank You

NHTSA complaint #11691301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Yuma, AZ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Door buzzing noise when unlocking...sliding door will not unlock from inside the vehicle. Safety hazard for the passengers.

NHTSA complaint #11671166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grand Ledge, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My wife was stopped at a drive through window in DRIVE when the engine stalled. It wouldn’t crank over and needed to be pushed out of the way and towed. The TIPM failed and needed to be replaced. The repair was done at a Chrysler dealer and they took the faulty part after repair. Safety was at risk because if this had happened in the middle of the road it could have caused an accident. My wife was lucky it happened at the drive through. Vehicle not inspected by police or insurance. No warning lights or other symptoms, just engine stalled

NHTSA complaint #11665496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glenville, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Right side passenger sliding door makes a loud buzzing noise when it locks.

NHTSA complaint #11662239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brookline, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Both back doors have failed lock actuators. I’ve gotten a repair quote of over $1400 per door to get fixed. Both doors buzz and one has actually locked shut. Extremely inconvenient with children.

NHTSA complaint #11646086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Beaverton, OR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I bought a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan in December 2019. I just recently learned of a recall for the sliding door actuators. The driver side sliding door stopped working about 3 months after I purchased said vehicle and has never worked since. The passenger sliding door has been having problems since early 2020, about 1 year after purchasing said vehicle. Just recently it (passenger door) has not been closing nor sometimes not opening. I find this as a hazard when I am carrying family/friends, or even myself. If the vehicle were to have a fire, collision, it would be very hard for someone to enter/exit the vehicle. I am asking to have my vehicle repaired as such "recall" was made on my 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan, and I was not notified by the auto dealer, in person, nor by mail.

NHTSA complaint #11644639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hilliard, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Looks like there's a design or defective part on the driver side (Left) window. It is unable to open. This is the second time that the window unable to open, the first time happened in around late 2019 early 2020. It was the window power switch issue and I had it replaced. Recently the window stopped working again. This can be a potential safety issue if the car is drove into a river or in a high water area and the window cannot be opened for driver to escape.

NHTSA complaint #11631634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kenneth City, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR STUCK LOCKED. NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE. PASSENGER IS NOT ABLE TO EXIT THE CAR IN EMERGENCY SITUATION

NHTSA complaint #11629709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Neotsu, OR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The rear passenger sliding door is making a buzzing noise when unlocking. I have had it lock up a few times where I can't open the door and this is a big safety hazard. I have kids and if something was to happen and I couldn't open the door. I see there is an extended warranty for this problem. I called the dealership and they looked up my vin # and said I was not covered. The door lock actuator needs to be replaced.

NHTSA complaint #11619366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lake Geneva, WI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Doors buzzing when you turn off car n open door.

NHTSA complaint #11617045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Altoona, IA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Every time I lock right rear slider with power lock loud buzz is heard.

NHTSA complaint #11577816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Palm Beach, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The actuator on the left passenger side sliding door is buzzing every time the doors are opened.

NHTSA complaint #11570789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clay, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

the door locks on the driver side rear sliding door became inoperable the door was unable to be opened at all, trapping passengers in an accident or an emergency

NHTSA complaint #11565282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Littleton, CO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The side door actuator is malfunctioning. There is a loud buzzing noise that comes from the drivers side, side sliding door when locking and unlocking the van. Sometimes the door will not open at all and just keeps buzzing, I have also had issues unlocking the door as a result of the malfunctioning actuator. This is a HUGE safety concern as the door may or may not open and if it does this during an accident or other kind of emergency, the results could be catastrophic.

NHTSA complaint #11563589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Abingdon, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Loud buzzing noise when locking door. Seat position control buttons and mirror positioning control buttons stopped working. Had fixed and within a month, they stopped working again. The buzzing issue has been going on for years now. The issues with the seat/mirror controls started about three months ago.

NHTSA complaint #11560183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Elm Grove, WI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The sliding doors does not unlock on its own. Needs to be manually unlocked and makes a buzzing sound when pushing the lock button.

NHTSA complaint #11548788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Carlisle, IA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My left sliding door has now locked shut after making noises that the other side had before it got fixed a year ago. And I can not open it at all.

NHTSA complaint #11539450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Yukon, OK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

my passenger side, sliding door lock is making a loud buzzing noise when unlocking.

NHTSA complaint #11539030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mesa, AZ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The sliding door on the passenger side buzzes when the electronic locks are locked or unlocked. This is a shock to the driver as the locks engage while driving away from parked.

NHTSA complaint #11537622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Carlisle, IA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Unknown- was not in a accident but sliding door just all of a sudden will not open unlatch or anything it’s stuck shut will not even make an unlocking noise when attempting to open

NHTSA complaint #11535930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clinton, WI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Actuator in left sliding door went out so now the door will not close or latch unless it’s unplugged… however still will not lock. Now the right side is doing the same.

NHTSA complaint #11533778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waukee, IA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The rear driver's side sliding door lock has started buzzing loudly when I lock the vehicle. At times the door will not open and my kids and other passengers have to exit through the other sliding door. Upon further research it sounds like this is a somewhat common situation with 2016 Grand Caravans. I am concerned for the safety of myself and passengers if we're unable to exit the vehicle quickly in case of the accident. I have had the vehicle diagnosed with faulty door-lock actuator from a mechanic, but have not brought it in for repairs. There were no warning lamps or lights or alarms. The week prior to the buzzing sound I did notice a strange "clicking" noise coming from the driver's side sliding door.

NHTSA complaint #11529557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bemidji, MN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

When the auto lock or manual lock engages, a very loud buzzing noise happens. It is very distracting as it happens when you are driving.

NHTSA complaint #11528570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Durant, OK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The power sliding rear door on the driver side is stuck in a locked position for 4-5 days now. This has happened previously to our power sliding rear door on the passenger side as well (before the current extended warranty) and we corrected that issue on our own by replacing the door actuator. Now that it has happened again and there is a warranty on it, I took it to the dealership and they are telling me it is not the actuator that is broken but the door rod and latch and quoted $1600 to fix the problem. I personally think this is a deceptive practice to get out of replacing the actuator under the warranty, but I am not a mechanic. It sure is suspicious though seeing as the rod and latch are linked to the actuator. This is very dangerous and could cost lives if the vehicle was full of passengers who needed to exit quickly and the door was jammed shut. The fact that it is so closely related to the actuator that already has an extended warranty is a cause for concern.

NHTSA complaint #11527873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan problems

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