"Sliding Door Lock(s) Inoperable Warranty Extension X98 The customer may describe one or more of the following: ● Either one or both of the sliding door locks do not function. ● The door lock(s) emit a loud buzzing noise during lock/unlock operation and do not lock/unlock the door. NOTE: The doors can still be manually locked or unlocked. This bulletin involves replacing either one or both of the sliding door lock actuators (as required)."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Dodge Grand Caravan body problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan have filed 177 NHTSA complaints about the body, typically surfacing around 59,000 miles at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
177
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
| Model year | body complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Grand Caravan | 14 |
| 2013 Grand Caravan | 17 |
| 2014 Grand Caravan | 13 |
| 2015 Grand Caravan | 18 |
| 2016 Grand Caravan (this page) | 177 |
| 2017 Grand Caravan | 70 |
| 2018 Grand Caravan | 45 |
| 2019 Grand Caravan | 3 |
3crashes
3injuries
What stands out
Of the 11 model years of Dodge Grand Caravan we track for body problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 177.
Owners have filed 177 body complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Warranty Bulletin D-22-17 - 2017 - 2023 (Current) Chrysler Pacifica (RU) and 2013 - 2016 Chrysler Town & Country/ 2013 - 2020 Dodge Caravan (RT) - Corrosion - Complete Hood Panel Warranty Claim Simplification (Rev. B)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FCA Caribbean Warranty Bulletin ID-22-23 - 2017 - 2023 (Current) Chrysler Pacifica (RU) and 2013 - 2016 Chrysler Town & Country/ 2013 - 2020 Dodge Caravan (RT) - Corrosion - Complete Hood Panel Warranty Claim Simplification (Rev. B)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Warranty Bulletin D-22-17 - 2017-2023 (Current) Chrysler Pacifica (RU) and 2013-2016 Chrysler Town & Country/ 2013-2020 Dodge Caravan (RT) - Corrosion Complete Hood Panel Warranty Claim Simplification (Rev. A)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FCA Caribbean Warranty Bulletin ID-22-23 - 2017-2023 (Current) Chrysler Pacifica (RU) and 2013-2016 Chrysler Town & Country/ 2013-2020 Dodge Caravan (RT) - Corrosion Complete Hood Panel Warranty Claim Simplification (Rev. A)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The overwhelming problem is the rear sliding door lock actuator seizing or failing completely. Doors lock shut and refuse to unlock by any means: key fob, overhead buttons, interior lock knob, or manual handle. There is no manual override—owners say the door panels cannot be removed to access the mechanism until the door is already open, creating a catch-22. Before total failure, owners often hear a loud buzzing or clicking noise from the actuator.
Failures occur as early as 15,000 miles and as late as 92,000, with clusters around 25,000–60,000 miles. When one door fails, the other typically follows within weeks or months. Owners with young children report extreme safety concern: if both doors fail or one is damaged in an accident, rear passengers cannot exit. A few owners mention the door latch mechanism also sticking or cycling open and closed on its own while driving.
Dealer repair estimates range from $600 to $2,300 per door. Owners confirm the actuator itself costs roughly $17, but labor is steep; some dealers say they may break other components attempting the repair. FCA sent a letter acknowledging the Power Lock Actuator defect (Safety Bulletin 23-017-20) but warranty coverage is inconsistent and often expired. No recall has been issued despite widespread awareness among dealers and owners.
Secondary body issues include hood latches failing at highway speeds, trim panels flying off while driving, rust bubbles under hood paint, jack points splitting under load, and the liftgate spoiler detaching.
Same Dodge Grand Caravan body reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Rear sliding door lock actuator failure — stuck locked
The door lock actuator seizes or fails, leaving the door mechanically locked in the closed position. The door cannot be unlocked or opened by any method: electronic buttons, key fob, interior manual lock knob, or exterior handle. Owners report the actuator makes a buzzing or clicking sound before total failure, or fails without warning.
When: Typically 15,000 to 92,000 miles; some failures occur early (under 26,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Door will not unlock electronically via key fob or overhead button; Door will not unlock manually via interior lock knob; Door will not open via interior or exterior handle; Loud buzzing or clicking noise from lock actuator before failure; Door remains sealed shut with no manual override
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer estimates $600–$2,300 per door depending on labor; owners cite $17 part cost for actuator but high labor charges; some dealers unable or unwilling to repair without removal of door panels; door panel removal itself impossible when door is locked shut
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA issued letter/Safety Bulletin 23-017-20 regarding Power Lock Actuator defects; warranty extension offered on some vehicles; no manufacturer-initiated recall issued despite widespread complaints; FCA directs owners to pay for diagnosis and repair once warranty expires
Rear sliding door latch mechanism failure
The door latch mechanism sticks, jams, or fails to engage/disengage properly. Door may cycle open and close repeatedly on its own while driving, or lock in one position (open or closed) regardless of control inputs. Interior locking rod may need manual adjustment or removal of door panel to access.
When: No specific mileage pattern reported; occurs while parked and while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Door cycles repeatedly between open and closed while driving; Door refuses to stay latched in closed position; Interior lock rod stuck and will not move; Door opens unexpectedly while vehicle is in motion; Alarm sounds when door unlocks while locked
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports manual readjustment of interior locking rod via door panel removal as temporary fix; dealer diagnosis mentions defective latch separate from power lock actuator; some owners resort to leaving door in unlocked position for safety
Hood latch failure — hood opens while driving
Hood latches or bracket bolts fail, allowing hood to open without warning while vehicle is moving. Windshield struck by hood, causing shattering and potential injury to driver.
When: Approximately 14,100 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hood opens while driving at highway speed (40 mph reported); No warning before failure; Windshield struck and shattered; Hood bracket bolts found missing on both sides
Repairs/costs cited: Hood temporarily tied down with ropes; vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by manufacturer or dealer
Body panel attachment failure — trim panels fly off
The front door trim panel (pillar trim between front window and rear sliding door) detaches and flies off the vehicle while driving at speed on both driver and passenger sides at separate times.
When: No specific mileage reported
Symptoms owners cite: Trim panel becomes loose and separates from vehicle; Panel flies off while vehicle is in motion; Safety risk to other vehicles
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer was able to diagnose the problem and repair driver side under warranty; passenger side not yet repaired as of complaint filing
Rust bubbles on hood — paint failure
Rust bubbles form along the edge of the hood under the paint, indicating rust corrosion beneath the surface coating.
When: Timing not specified; noted as ongoing for six months in one complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Visible rust bubbles along hood edge under paint
Jack point metal failure — frame splits at jacking points
When using the manufacturer-supplied jack at the designated jacking points in the manual, the metal frame rail splits and breaks. The jack holds the car but the metal breaks after lifting, causing the car to drop and shift.
When: Issue encountered during use; no specific vehicle mileage given
Symptoms owners cite: Metal frame rail splits when weight is applied via jack; Car drops and moves on jack after metal breaks; Multiple breaks across jacking points (three front, one rear)
Repairs/costs cited: Breaks documented by owner with photos; owner spray-painted to prevent rust
Spoiler/deck lid fracture and detachment — liftgate
The spoiler deck lid on the liftgate fractures and detaches while vehicle is in motion. Brake light also missing from liftgate.
When: 109,086 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Spoiler deck lid fractures while driving 58 mph; Spoiler detaches from vehicle; Brake light missing
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer confirmed spoiler needed replacement; repair not completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but no assistance provided
Headrest stem fracture — front driver's side
The front driver's side headrest stem fractures while vehicle is parked and unoccupied.
When: Approximately 71,567 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Headrest stem fractures without impact or rough use
Repairs/costs cited: Owner zip-tied headrest to keep it secured; no repair attempted
Middle seat fold mechanism cable failure
The cables that operate the fold-up mechanism for the middle row passenger seat break, rendering the seat unable to fold.
When: Approximately 80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Cables break and seat will not fold up
Synthesized from 177 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The passenger (right) side rear sliding door has gotten stuck and will not unlock manually. It has been stuck for about a year and after going to the dealer they’re claiming it’s a common defect that is hard to repair. We are unable to enter the car from the passenger side rear sliding door and hopefully the driver side sliding door doesn’t get stuck, otherwise we will be unable to exit the car,…
Had body trouble with your 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 177 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 122 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 40,000 and 70,000 miles, with the median around 59,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 70,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Dodge/Grand Caravan.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.