NHTSA Complaint #11440702 — 2019 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

On the 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan equipped with remote start via key fob, the following hazardous senario can occur. The vehicle is parked in an "attached" garage with all doors to that space closed. The remote start function can be activated nearby from the dwelling, unintentionally, and without human awareness, since activation of this function only requires 2 clicks of the remote start button within 5 seconds. This can occur with key fob in the pocket, for example, or by other random means. The vehicle, functioning as designed, will start in the enclosed space, and run for up to 15 minutes. Substantial exhaust gases can accumulate in the garage space during this period, with substantial risk of carbon monoxide existing in that space and permeation into adjacent living spaces. This owner contends that the vehicle designers should have anticipated this and similar senarios, and should have provided, by design, a means by which the remote start function can be disabled/enabled as desired by the vehicle owner or by Dodge service. Presently, there is no feature to disable remote start. Local Dodge service indicated that the only option is a key fob without remote start button. This represents a potential safety issue which should be evaluated by the manufacturer.