2017 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

Seized sliding door latch. In an emergency we cannot exit threw the door. There was a recall on the door lock latch. Dealer will not repair do to the mileage.

I am writing to formally request that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration review and consider an investigation into a potential safety-related defect affecting 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles. My vehicle recently experienced a failure of the engine oil filter housing, which cracked and leaked oil and required an expensive repair. According to the repair facility, Pro Auto Service, this failure is not isolated. I was advised that the shop has repaired a significant number of identical failures over the past year, to the extent that replacement parts have at times been difficult to obtain. The repair facility also indicated that many similar failures have occurred in recent weeks, coinciding with extreme cold weather conditions. The oil filter housing is a critical engine component responsible for maintaining proper oil circulation and pressure. Failure of this component can lead to oil loss, reduced lubrication, engine damage, or potential engine shutdown if not immediately addressed. Because this defect directly impacts engine operation, it presents a powertrain-related safety concern. Based on the frequency of reported failures, the consistency across the same model year, and the apparent correlation with cold weather conditions, this issue appears to be the result of a design or material defect rather than normal wear and tear. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this matter for possible investigation and recall consideration to protect vehicle owners from unexpected engine failure and costly repairs. Thank you for your attention to this concern and for your continued commitment to vehicle safety.

I am writing to formally request that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration review and consider an investigation into a potential safety-related defect affecting 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles. My vehicle recently experienced a failure of the engine oil filter housing, which cracked and leaked oil and required an expensive repair. According to the repair facility, Pro Auto Service, this failure is not isolated. I was advised that the shop has repaired a significant number of identical failures over the past year, to the extent that replacement parts have at times been difficult to obtain. The repair facility also indicated that many similar failures have occurred in recent weeks, coinciding with extreme cold weather conditions. The oil filter housing is a critical engine component responsible for maintaining proper oil circulation and pressure. Failure of this component can lead to oil loss, reduced lubrication, engine damage, or potential engine shutdown if not immediately addressed. Because this defect directly impacts engine operation, it presents a powertrain-related safety concern. Based on the frequency of reported failures, the consistency across the same model year, and the apparent correlation with cold weather conditions, this issue appears to be the result of a design or material defect rather than normal wear and tear. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this matter for possible investigation and recall consideration to protect vehicle owners from unexpected engine failure and costly repairs. Thank you for your attention to this concern and for your continued commitment to vehicle safety.

Both of my sliding passenger doors have become stuck closed due to failed lock actuators. (The doors do not open when placed in the "manual" option either. They cannot be opened in any way.) This happened a few years ago, but my vehicle was past the original warranty period for any repairs, and there were no recalls existing. Last spring (2025), I received notification of an extended warranty period to have this problem fixed. The issue is that my vehicle was not eligible because by that point it was over 100,000 miles. Doors not opening renders the vehicle unusable or unsafe for any passengers besides the front seat passenger. I bought my Dodge Grand Caravan to be a family car, and I can only have one child ride safely with me. In the event of a wreck, passengers would be trapped in the vehicle. I have submitted this concern before, and I have written to the warranty company associated with Dodge. Dodge recognizes this is a common safety problem with the vehicles, as evidenced by the extended warranty for this issue. However, this is not a warranty concern; it is a recall concern due to safety.

On December 29, 2025, my wife put her van in park, turned off the vehicle and proceeded to exit the vehicle. The drive is on an incline after exiting the vehicle it began to roll backwards. She was caught in the door and attempted to press the brake to no effect. She was drug about fifty feet before separating from the vehicle. The vehicle then rolled down a steep embankment and continued another hundred feet or so where it struck a building. Upon entering the vehicle, the gear shift was in the park position and the engine was turned off. The vehicle sustained over $5,000 in body damage from the impact to the building. And an unknown amount of damage to the steering and exhaust system from rolling down the embankment.