2013 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN Seats Problems

39 NHTSA complaints on file

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report

Seats Issues in the 2013 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

39 seats complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2013 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. Of these, 1 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 7 resulted in injury.

39
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths

All Seats Complaints

#11703336 |
2013 Dodge Grand Caravan. Driver active headrest deployed without warning while sitting in garage and unoccupied. The loud noise and force of the defect could easily harm a passenger or cause a wreck. There are thousands of complaints on-line or through class action suits. I contacted the Chrysler Care group by phone on 10/22/2025. Their rep acknowledged, after asking if anyone was hurt, that this is a "known problem and a safety issue". After dealer inspection, Chrysler would provide a replacement even though it was after the extended warranty. The dealer performed the inspection on 10/24/2025. I notified the care group at this time. Weeks later the company has reneged on this commitment, refused to provide a replacement, and closed the case.
#11692073 |
While in a Parked Gear, my 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan Front Passenger Headrest Deployed/Exploded. There wasn't a collision nor accident
#11671008 |
Passenger front seat headrest deployed while vehicle was parked. The plastic housing supporting a small metal bar broke causing it to open. I had no idea this could happen when I bought the car. I have kept this van longer than any I have owned as my Chrysler dealer closed and the van is no longer made! A new one form Chrysler is about $6-800! I was able to find a lightly used replacement headrest on Ebay and using a youtube video swapped it out myself. I have since learned Chrysler extended the warrantee 10 years, but my car is older than that. It only has about 65,500 miles on it. I am going to try and zip-tie the driver's side headrest so I do not get it in the back of the head when driving!! I presume the passenger side will remain intact for a while.
#11608064 |
This morning the headrest on the passenger side was deployed the van was parked in driveway overnight. Not sure how this happened. I feel this is a safety issue. If I was driving and someone was sitting in that sit that could have hurt them. This is a default on your vehicle .Please contact me.
#11605043 |
On July 28, 2024 I was getting ready to go to work. I got into my driver seat and sat down and the headrest deployed. Hitting me quite hard in the back of the head there was no accident or bumping of the vehicle, which would cause this. I had to go to work, but had a headache the entire evening due to this and woke up the next day being today still with a headache from the injury caused by the van headrest exploding
#11583171 |
I was driving down the road and the drivers side head rest popped off and hit me in the back of the head/neck. There were no warning signs and has not been taken anywhere to be inspected as of today. Will be looking into that.
#11580516 |
While I was driving, the passenger seat headrest exploded forward. Chrysler calls this the "Front Seat Active Head Restraint." This is a safety mechanism supposed to be triggered in a crash, but the plastic holding back the force of the strong springs gave out and the plastic broke. This is a known issue that has caused others concussions, neck injuries, etc. As of yet the person who was sitting in the seat has not shown adverse symptoms, but his safety was put at risk. Chrysler is aware of this issue and had sent out a letter extending the warranty to 10 years, but this vehicle is just past the 10-year mark. No dealer, police, or insurance representatives have inspected this specific incident. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to failure.
#11553497 |
The driver side headrest was deployed (I was heading to work when I opened the door to get in the van, I noticed the headrest was deployed). The vehicle was parked in my driveway all night and had not been in any type of accident. It is available to be inspected. Had I been driving when it deployed, there’s a strong possibility it would have caused an unsafe driving condition and/or an accident. I have searched for a recall, but there isn’t one. However, other Dodge caravan drivers have reported similar incidents with their headrest deploying for no reason. The component has not been inspected yet, as it occurred just today. No warning lights or signs were present before the deployment (the night before when I parked it).
#11540800 |
The driver's seat headrest came apart like it is supposed to in the event of an accident. However, my vehicle was not in an accident; it was sitting in the driveway. The plastic tabs that hold the headrest together broke apart. It is available for inspection. If this had happened while driving, my head would have been hit and pushed forward suddenly, which could have resulted in an accident/loss of control. This has been a problem on different models, and extended warranties have been offered. However, the dealership says mine is not one of the covered vehicles.
#11527548 |
Today, 6/17/23, I went to Costco. When I got back to my van I noticed that the passenger head rest had popped open. I first thought that it was some hidden compartment feature that I didn't know about but upon getting out of my van and going around to look closer that there were a lot of what looked like electrical components inside. I thought that was weird, why did a head rest have all that inside it? I tried to close it and could not. When I got home I had my son look at it and he said that he could see a little plastic pin or other had broken, he could tell something had broken, but also could not get it to close or figure out any solution, and he's very good with car problems. I did a bit of research and found a lot of information...
#11523020 |
The active headrest deployment activated but our vehicle did not experience any collision that should have activated this feature. This happened while the vehicle was stopped.
#11500170 | Crash
The contact owned a 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at 25-35 MPH with someone in the front passenger seat a semi-truck crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle spun seven times and continuously hit the concrete barriers on each side of the highway. The contact stated that the body of the vehicle shifted 5 inches away from the frame. The air bags were deployed but were deflated. The contact became unconscious temporarily and upon regaining consciousness, he noticed that he was laying flat in the front driver's seat as the seat had fractured into two. The contact also noticed that the driver's seatbelt had snapped. The contact was able to exit the vehicle with the assistance of emergency units and the fire department. The contact was transported to the hospital by the emergency unit. The contact sustained consistent middle back pain that would sometimes...
#11474477 |
Unknown. Went to grab something in the passenger front seat and had my hand on the headrest and it popped open and won’t close back up because the plastic brackets holding metal pole broke. My wrist hurt from the force.
#11456544 |
The driver seat headrest deployed without any notice. The plastic is broken where they pin is supposed to sit. Mileage 123,587
#11420932 |
The headrest deployed while the vehicle was parked and occupied. The driver was sitting in the seat and hit by the headrest. If he had been leaning back, it was likely forceful enough to cause a head or neck injury. If we had been driving it was distracting and startling. It easily could have caused a crash. I have reported this to Mopar, and I will be taking it to a dodge repair shop for inspection and replacement. They stated they were aware of the issue and they sent out letters. They were aware I never received one, they said due to not having my address, though I have received other communication from Dodge. I know of 2 other dodge owners whose vehicles are in the affected group according to Mopar, and neither has received notification of this potential malfunction. There was absolutely no indication there was anything wrong with...
#11416282 |
HEADREST ON PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BURST WHEN BRUSHED AGAINST WHEN SOMEONE WAS GETTING INTO THE PARKED VAN.
#11375721 |
WHILE GETTING MY FATHER-IN-LAW SITUATED IN THE VAN WHEN LEAVING PHYSICAL THERAPY IS WHEN WE NOTICED WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS HEADREST.
#11363242 |
DRIVER'S SIDE ACTIVE-RESTRAINT HEADREST DEPLOYED (POPPED OPEN) WHILE CAR WAS AT REST WITH ENGINE OFF. INTERNAL INSPECTION SHOWED BROKEN PLASTIC INSIDE HEADREST. CAR WAS STATIONARY; ENGINE WAS OFF WHEN ACTIVE-RESTRAINT HEADREST DEPLOYED. DEALER SAID COST TO REPLACE WAS APPROXIMATELY $900. RECALL FOR SAME ISSUE ON OTHER MAKES/MODELS BY CHRYSLER/DODGE. APPARENTLY NOT FOR 2013 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN (YET).
#11354139 |
MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE DRIVING IN OUR 2013 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WHEN THE PASSNGER HEADREST DEPLOYED AND HIT MY DAUGHTER IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION.*DT THE CONSUMER STATED THE PLASTIC THAT HOLDS THE PIN OF THE HEADREST FAILED. THE PIN WAS STILL LATCHED TO THE HEADREST. *JS
#11351837 |
BOTH FRONT HEADREST RESTRAINTS DEPLOYED WHEN CAR WAS PARKED. THEY ARE DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS AND DODGE HAS NOT RECALLED THEM FOR THE 2013 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN
#11349723 |
THE HEADREST OF MY 2013 DODGE CARAVAN DEPLOYED WITH NO WARNING. IT WAS FRONT PASSENGER HEADREST . WE WERE GOING AT APPROX. 15 MPH. MY SON WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND OUT OF NO WHERE, THE HEADREST DEPLOYED.
#11348814 |
PASSENGER HEADREST DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT TO VEHICLE. INSPECTION OF HEADREST APPEARS THE THE PLASTIC STRUCTURE HOLDING RETAINING PIN HAS FAILED, DEPLOYING HEADREST. I BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY.
#11343566 |
PASSENGER HEADREST DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET.
#11342708 |
BOTH OF MY FRONT SEATS' HEADRESTS HAVE DEPLOYED (AT SEPARATE TIMES), WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED, SITTING PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE PLASTIC CLIP THAT HOLDS THE MECHANISM CLOSED WORE OUT AND CRACKED OPEN, RELEASING THE HEADREST. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, BECAUSE THIS WAS CLEARLY A DEFECT. THEY SAID THE ENTIRE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IT ESTIMATED $900.
#11341198 |
THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADREST SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. AFTER GETTING OFF WORK I GOT IN MY VEHICLE WHICH WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, LUCKILY I TOOK A MOMENT TO MAKE A PHONE CALL WHILE STILL PARKED, AS I BENT FORWARD TO FIND MY PHONE THE HEADREST EXPLODED, THANKFULLY NOT HITTING ME IN THE HEAD.
#11339504 |
THE DRIVER'S ACTIVE HEAD RESTRAINT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED SPONTANEOUSLY. I DID NOT WITNESS THE OCCURRENCE, I NOTICED THE HEADREST WHEN ENTERING MY VEHICLE ONE MORNING. MY 2013 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY SORT OF COLLISION. I AM UNABLE TO FIND ANY RECALL INFORMATION FOR THIS OCCURRENCE, AND I BELIEVE THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL PLACED FOR THIS BY CHRYSLER.
#11337249 |
ONE DAY, I FOUND MY DRIVERS SEAT HEAD REST HAD COME OPENED. WHEN LOOKING TO SEE WHAT CAUSED THIS, IT SAID THAT YOU WERE REAR ENDED? I WAS NOT REAR ENDED! NOW MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON? I HAD ASK A DODGE DEALER ABOUT IT , AND HE SAID THAT IT WOULD COST A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIX IT? WHEN READING ABOUT THE RECALLS ON IT, I READ WHERE THE CLIPS ARE BREAKING. MAKING THE HEAD REST TO COME OPEN, AND THE AIR BAGS NOT WORKING? PLEASE CAN YOU HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEMS? I DON'T FEEL THAT IT IS MY FAULT? THANK YOU [XXX] REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC
#11330064 |
DRIVING ON 6/22/20 ON HIGHWAY, GOING 70 MPH, WHEN DRIVER SIDE HEADREST POPPED OPEN. THERE WAS NOTHING NEAR IT (EXCEPT MY HUSBAND'S HEAD) WHEN IT POPPED. *TR
#11309730 |
VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON LEVEL SURFACE AFTER CAR WASH WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THE HEAD RESTRAINT SAFETY DEVICE MALFUNCTIONED AND POPPED OPEN. I NOTICED THE BLACK PLASTIC CLIPS THAT HOLD THE RESTRAINT TO THE METAL PIN WERE BROKEN, MOST LIKELY CAUSED FROM EXCESSIVE STRAIN OVER TIME.
#11258966 |
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT AROUND 60 MPH, MY HEADREST DEPLOYED. I DID NOT USE THE BRAKES, AND WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY SORT OF ACCIDENT, INCLUDING A REAR END ACCIDENT, WHICH IS WHEN THIS IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, IT SMACKED INTO THE BACK OF MY HEAD. THE SURPRISE AND PAIN OF THIS HITTING THE BACK OF ME HEAD RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I WAS TRAVELING AROUND OTHER VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC TABS INSIDE ARE SNAPPED AND THERE IS NO WAY TO PUT IT BACK TOGETHER WITHOUT A REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. THE PART OBVIOUSLY FAILED. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN AND I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF THIS HAPPENING TO CHRYSLER MINIVANS AND SUVS. THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADREST DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH I BELIEVE IS FURTHER EVIDENCE THAT IT DID NOT FUNCTION AS INTENDED. IF I HAD BEEN INVOLVED...
#11256200 |
2013 DODGE CARAVAN DRIVER SIDE HEAD TEST DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2019. MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. NO ACCIDENT OR REAR COLLISION OCCURRED. PHOTOS OF FRONT AND BACK OF VEHICLE WILL PROVE NO DAMAGE. IT APPEARS THE PLASTIC RETAINER WHICH HOLDS THE COMPONENT TOGETHER FAILED AND SNAPPED ON ITS OWN ACCORD. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY DODGE/CHRYSLER.
#11245182 |
2013 DODGE CARAVAN DRIVER SIDE HEAD TEST DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON WHEN MY BROTHER FROM OUT OF TOWN TOOK MY CHILDREN TO THE SCHOOL BUS STOP THIS MORNING AUGUST 20TH 2019 NO ACCIDENT HAVE PICTURES OF DEPLOYED HEADREST ON DRIVER SEAT HAVE PICTURES OF PASSENGERS HEADREST IS FINE HAVE PICTURES OF FRONT AND BACK OF VEHICLE SHOWING NO DAMAGE. *DT *DT *DT *TR *DT *TR CONSUMER STATED DAREN DRINSKI WAS INJURED WHILE TAKING MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL 8-20-19 ROUGHLY 6:30A.M. IT DEPLOYED HITTING HIM IN THE HEAD. WHICH CAUSED HIM TO HAVE A SEVERE HEADACHE THROWING UP YESTERDAY. HE FINALLY FELL ASLEEP ROUGHLY 3:00AM THIS MORNING 8-21-19 WOKE UP FEW HOURS LATER STILL WITH A HEADACHE FEELING NAUSEOUS AND NECK HURTING SO BAD HE COULD BARELY GET OUT OF BED. HE WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM THIS MORNING 8-21-19. HE HAS NOW MISSED 2 DAYS OF WORK. IS NOT BEING...
#11228395 |
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD REST DEPLOYED. THERE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT AT THE TIME BUT WAS NOT HIT BY THE HEAD REST.
#11222239 |
TAKATA RECALL .... THE HEADREST ON THE PASSENGER SEAT DEPLOYED ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT OCCURRING. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.
#11056942 |
DRIVER'S HEADREST POPPED WHILE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. CAUSED PAIN AND SUFFERING FOR DRIVER... HAD TO SEEK MEDICAL HELP (CHIROPRACTOR). DODGE REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT FOR THIS SAFETY DEVICE.
#11034590 |
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CAR IN MOTION WHEN PASSENGER HEADREST DEPLOYED HITTING PASSENGERS HEAD PUSHING THEM INTO DASHBOARD. TAKEN TO ADDYS DODGE AND WAS TOLD IT WAS BROKE AND NEEDED A NEW HEADREST FOR $790.00 THAT HEADREST WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND ASKED FOR $ 98.00 FOR THERE INSPECTION
#11034029 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE ATTEMPTED TO LOAD THE VEHICLE, HER RIGHT ELBOW HIT THE HEADREST. SUDDENLY, THE HEADREST POPPED OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADREST POPPED OUT ON ONE OTHER OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CERRITOS DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (18803 STUDEBAKER RD, CERRITOS, CA 90703 (562) 402-5335), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
#10893336 |
ON 7/31/2016 MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY. I ENTERED THE VEHICLE, STARTED THE ENGINE AND THE DRIVER SIDE ACTIVE HEADREST DEPLOYED. ATTEMPTS TO RESET HEADREST PER THE OPERATORS MANUAL FAILED. ON 8/4/2016 I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD NOT RESET HEADREST AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED (COST APPROX $900). I CONTACTED DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO HAS ASSIGNED AN INVESTIGATOR TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUE. CASE # 29846962 AS OF THIS DATE, 8/5, THE REPLACEMENT HEADREST IS ON ORDER AND I AM WAITING TO BE CONTACTED BY THE INVESTIGATOR TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN IN EXCESS OF 500 MILES (NORTHERN VA TO TN) AND HAD BEEN PARKED AND SECURED IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR APPROX. 1 HOUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT, AND HAS NEVER BEEN, IN AN ACCIDENT.
#10881579 |
AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF LIKE THER IS SOMEONE IN PASSENGER SEAT WHEN EMPTY,CAR TURNS AIR BAG ON AND OFF BY WEIGHT.DOESNT WORK PROPERLY. IN 2011 RECALL ON SAME VEHICLE FOR BAD HAVAC CAUSING LEAK. THIS STOPS HEATING SYSTOM FROM WORKING PROPERLY AND AIR BAG NOT TO WORK . MY 2013 DOING SAME BUT KNOW RECALL.DOES ALL THE TIME.

Other 2013 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN Problem Areas

Electrical System 246 complaints Engine 70 complaints Unknown Or Other 59 complaints Fuelpropulsion System 38 complaints Air Bags 34 complaints Power Train 34 complaints Structurebody 19 complaints Service Brakes 18 complaints Steering 18 complaints Vehicle Speed Control 14 complaints Structurebodydoor 8 complaints Exterior Lighting 5 complaints Seat Belts 4 complaints Seatsfront Assemblyhead Restraint 4 complaints Suspension 4 complaints Visibility 4 complaints Electronic Stability Control Esc 3 complaints Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System 3 complaints Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor 2 complaints Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump 2 complaints Latcheslockslinkages 2 complaints Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch 2 complaints Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel 1 complaint Electrical Systemignition 1 complaint Electrical Systemsoftware 1 complaint Electrical Systemwiring 1 complaint Electrical Systemwiringfuses And Circuit Breakers 1 complaint Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash 1 complaint Equipmentelectricalradiotape Deckcd Etc 1 complaint Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Control 1 complaint Power Trainautomatic Transmission 1 complaint Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncontrol Module Tcmpcmtecm 1 complaint Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads 1 complaint Structure 1 complaint Suspensionrear 1 complaint Tires 1 complaint Tirespressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems 1 complaint Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core 1 complaint Visibilityglass Siderear 1 complaint Visibilityrear Window Wiperwasherswitchwiring 1 complaint Visibilitywiper 1 complaint Wheels 1 complaint Wheelslugsnutsboltsstuds 1 complaint
Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report