"Sliding Door Lock(s) Inoperable Warranty Extension XV1 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 ↗2017 Dodge Grand Caravan body problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan have filed 70 NHTSA complaints about the body, typically surfacing around 66,000 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
70
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
| Model year | body complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Grand Caravan | 17 |
| 2014 Grand Caravan | 13 |
| 2015 Grand Caravan | 18 |
| 2016 Grand Caravan | 177 |
| 2017 Grand Caravan (this page) | 70 |
| 2018 Grand Caravan | 45 |
| 2019 Grand Caravan | 3 |
What stands out
Owners have filed 70 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.
Among the 11 model years of Dodge Grand Caravan in our records for body problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
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.
"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 ↗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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan's power sliding doors are failing at alarming rates, primarily due to lock actuator defects. Owners report doors suddenly becoming stuck locked between 46,000 and 100,000 miles—sometimes sooner—with no warning lights or audible signs. The door will not respond to the key fob, power buttons, or manual unlock levers. Some doors fail to lock at all, leaving the van unsecured. Occupants, including children and disabled passengers, become trapped and must crawl through alternative exits. Loud buzzing or grinding during lock cycles often precedes complete failure.
Owners consistently describe this as a safety emergency: in an accident or fire, passengers cannot evacuate from the affected door. Several note that earlier Chrysler minivans had recall coverage for the same actuator; the 2017 Grand Caravan has not. Chrysler issued extended warranty bulletins (TSB 10177524, TSB 23-017-20, Mopar D-21-15) but excluded many 2017 models despite them having the identical actuator part number. Dealership quotes for repair range $500–$1,500 per door. Vehicles over 100,000 miles at repair time are denied coverage, even if the failure occurred earlier. One trim piece issue was reported: door pillar molding detaches while driving but is classified as cosmetic and not covered. A smaller number of complaints involve doors opening unintentedly in motion and stow-and-go seats latching poorly.
Same Dodge Grand Caravan body reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Power sliding door lock actuator failure — door stuck locked, inoperable
Lock actuator seizes, rendering the sliding door unable to open or unlock via electronic controls, key fob, or manual override. Door remains locked in a sealed position.
When: Typically between 46,000 and 100,000 miles; some failures occur as early as 48,000 miles, others after 75,000–95,000 miles. Several owners report sudden onset with no prior warning.
Symptoms owners cite: Door will not unlock with key fob, power button, or manual unlock lever; Door remains locked and sealed shut; No warning lights or messages prior to failure; Occupant(s) trapped; may require climbing through alternative exits (front seat, hatch, window); Loud clicking or grinding noise sometimes precedes total failure; Both driver-side and passenger-side doors can fail independently or on the same vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report dealership quotes ranging $500–$1,500 per door to replace the actuator. Some dealers cover repair under extended warranty if vehicle falls within the bulletin coverage (TSB 10177524, TSB 23-017-20, and Mopar warranty bulletin D-21-15). Owners note repairs are not covered if vehicle build date falls outside bulletin range or mileage exceeds warranty limits.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty available for certain model years/build dates (up to 15 years/150,000 miles for some vehicles), but many 2017 models excluded despite having the same actuator part number. TSB 10177524 covers vehicles built Nov 1, 2015–June 30, 2017; TSB 23-017-20 issued but not as covered repair; Mopar bulletin D-21-15 mentioned. Dealers have declined coverage for vehicles outside bulletin date ranges or over 100,000 miles at repair time. Manufacturer referred at least one complaint to NHTSA.
Power sliding door lock actuator failure — door stuck unlocked, will not lock
Lock actuator fails to engage, preventing the sliding door from locking securely via electronic or manual controls. Door remains unlocked and accessible.
When: Mileage range 50,000–90,000+ miles; can occur suddenly without prior indication.
Symptoms owners cite: Door will not lock with key fob or power lock button; Door cannot be manually locked from inside or outside; Vehicle remains unlocked at all times despite attempts to secure; No warning lights; failure occurs abruptly; Security and safety risk if passenger opens door while vehicle is in motion
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reported one quoted repair cost around $500. Specific repair procedure not detailed in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty may apply depending on build date and mileage. One owner noted dealer/manufacturer had not yet been contacted at time of complaint filing.
Power sliding door inoperable — actuator short or mechanical seizure
Lock actuator experiences internal failure (short circuit or mechanical jam), leaving door completely inoperable. Door cannot be opened, unlocked, or manually overridden; no simple mechanical bypass exists.
When: Reported across a wide mileage range (46,000–103,000+ miles); typically 3–6 years into ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Door stuck closed and locked with no opening mechanism functional; No manual override or emergency release available; Passenger trapped inside vehicle; Particularly dangerous for disabled occupants, elderly passengers, or children in emergency scenarios; Occupants must evacuate through alternative exits (front seat, hatch, window) in emergency
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of faulty actuator required; cost typically $500–$1,500 depending on labor and parts. One owner noted mechanic concerns that door could not be manually unlocked for disassembly, potentially complicating repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty D-21-15 and TSB coverage available for affected vehicles, but many 2017 models excluded. Manufacturer does not cover repairs if vehicle is over 100,000 miles at time of failure, even if malfunction occurred while under 100,000 miles.
Power sliding door makes loud buzzing or grinding noise during lock/unlock cycle
Actuator produces audible buzzing or grinding noise when locking or unlocking the sliding door; often precedes complete actuator failure.
When: Noise reported between 50,000 and 95,000+ miles; can persist for months before door becomes inoperable.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud buzzing sound every time door lock button is pressed; Grinding noise audible from sliding door area during lock/unlock; Noise occurs 100% of the time when actuating controls; Indicates actuator degradation and potential imminent failure; No warning lights; customer identifies issue by audible cues
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported paying $680 to dealership for repair. No other specific repair costs provided. Owners report researching similar complaints online and recognizing this as a precursor to complete failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer bulletins or recalls issued specifically for this symptom. Treated as warranty repair if within coverage period, but owners note repair costs are substantial relative to symptom severity.
Door trim (appliqué/molding) detachment from door pillar
Front door pillar trim (appliqué or molding) loosens and hangs from mounting points, creating a flapping noise while driving.
When: Owner reported third occurrence in three separate 2017 Dodge Grand Caravans; no specific mileage provided.
Symptoms owners cite: Flapping noise from door pillar area while driving; Trim piece hanging loose or detaching completely; Can be manually removed at roadside
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership indicated repair cost not covered even under extended care plan due to classification as cosmetic issue. Owner indicates this is recurrent problem across multiple vehicles of same model/year.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Classified as cosmetic defect; not covered under extended warranty or care plans.
Rear sliding doors open unintentionally while vehicle is in motion
Power sliding doors open on their own when vehicle is being driven, despite controls being in off position.
When: Reported in at least one 2017 model; no specific mileage provided.
Symptoms owners cite: Doors open without command while driving; Power switch in off position, yet doors still activate; Creates safety hazard for five children in vehicle; No warning lamps or prior indication of issue
Repairs/costs cited: No repair information provided in narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner notes this is a known issue with Caravans; no recall or bulletin referenced.
Stow and go seats fail to latch securely
Second-row stow and go seats do not lock in place and can begin closing while an occupant is sitting on them.
When: No specific mileage or timing provided.
Symptoms owners cite: Seat latches do not engage reliably; Seat can begin to collapse/close while occupied; Potential injury hazard to passenger
Repairs/costs cited: No repair information provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in complaint narrative.
Synthesized from 70 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Passenger side sliding door will not open. It is stuck in the lock position and will not unlock even after attempting both manual and electronic unlocking. Faulty lock actuator likely cause.
Driver's side door is stuck and locked shut. This puts my precious cargo, my children, at risk of having to exit the vehicle on a potentially more dangerous side with traffic. In the event of an accident this door locked shut can't be used to escape the vehicle if need be. No warning lights. Online this appears to be a very common issue in Chrysler/Dodge vans.
Had body trouble with your 2017 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 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 70 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 28 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 57,797 and 85,000 miles, with the median around 66,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 57,797; a quarter make it past 85,000. 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/2017/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.