Dodge Grand Caravan Investigations
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation records
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of vehicle control as a result of being surprised and distracted by being struck in the head by the inadvertent AHR deployment. On September 24, 2019, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).ODI requested certain detailed information from FCA related to the following subject vehicles: MY 2010-2014 Dodge Avenger 200, MY 2010-2014 Dodge Calber, MY 2010-2014 Chrysler Sebring, MY 2013-2015 Ram Tradesman, MY 2012 Ram Van, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, MY 2010-2
Sliding Doors Inoperative
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-016 on July 7, 2021, to investigate 364 complaints alleging that one or both sliding doors on 2016 Model Year (MY) Grand Caravan or Town and Country vehicles could not be opened. The door(s) could not be opened using the mechanical handle or electronic remote switches. Many of the complaints described having to remove passengers seated in the rear of vehicles through the front doors, the second sliding door (if it was operational), the window, or the car?s rear hatch. The complainants have expressed concerns that if the sliding door(s) cannot be opened in the event of an emergency or crash, it could trap passengers or delay their egress.On June 4, FCA published TSB# 23-017-20 instructing dealers to replace the door lock actuator instead of the entire door latch assembly on the subject vehicles when consumers complained about either one or both of the sliding door locks not functioning and/or emitting a loud buzzing noise during lock/unlock operation. On June 16, 2021, FCA approved a Quality Warranty Extension for fifteen years/150,000 miles from the vehicle's in-service date for sliding door lock actuators on vehicles built betw
About NHTSA Investigations
NHTSA investigations include Preliminary Evaluations (PE), Engineering Analyses (EA), Defect Petitions (DP), and Audit Queries (AQ). Investigations may lead to recalls if defects are confirmed. An open investigation means NHTSA is actively examining the issue.