2016 Dodge Grand Caravan: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Feb 14, 2024 · NY

Rear door locks malfunction and fail resulting in doors locking. They then cannot be unlocked and opened either with key fob or manually. This is a major safety issue.

Filed Sep 25, 2023 · AR

The sliding door power locks are stuck locked closed. I can’t open the sliding doors with anything. The key fob, the internal electric push buttons in van, and the manual unlock tabs won’t unlock them. So if we had an accident, people in the back two rows would be unable to open the sliding doors to get out. If that’s not a safety issue, I don’t know what is. the federal safety agency has already closed their investigation of this issue after Chrysler issued extended warranty D21-15 (x98) which supposedly will fix this safety problem at no cost to the owner. There are a multitude of internet discussions of this issue, with many owners reporting that Dodge dealerships are now charging them for the repairs based on an amendment Chrysler made to the initial Service Bulletin TSB 23-017-20. I called a local dealership and they said that their understanding of Extended warranty D21-15 (amended TSB 23-036-21) is that it will not cover the repairs to my vehicle because the sliding door locks are not “buzzing” when I attempt to lock or unlock them. That asterisked verbiage was included in an amended TSB after Dodge initially approved a warranty extension, effectively excluding a large percentage of costly repairs to a known safety issue. I called the FCA US LLC customer Service at 1‑800‑423‑6343, and the call center REP told me I should just try calling different dealerships to see if I can get a different answer. I got the same answer from another dealership. How this bait and switch passed muster at the federal safety agency is simply astonishing. So a multitude of 2016 Dodge Grand Caravans have sliding doors that fail locked closed. Some are failing due to power lock actuators failing and some may be due to door latches failing. All of these failures are a known safety issue that Dodge should be fixing at no cost to owner. I will be filing a lawsuit claim regarding this unresolved safety issue.

Filed Mar 25, 2023 · NV

The passenger side sliding door lock actuator seized, forcing the door to be stuck closed in a locked position. I tried unlocking via the key fob, the door power lock controls, and manually unlocking the lever on the door. None worked. If I had gotten into an accident or had another emergency when this failed, I would not have been able to get the door open to get my toddler out of his car seat. When I looked online, I saw that this was a common issue, but no recall has been issued.

Filed Feb 15, 2023 · Electrical · WA

Rear door actuator failures, 2nd time this has happened. Currently the driver side rear passenger door will not open or unlock, manually or with key fob. It will not open in any manner. The passenger side will only open or lock manually. Passengers cannot exit vehicle causing safety risk.

Filed Jan 5, 2023 · Electrical · NY

Driver side power sliding door lock stuck in the locked position. The door CANNOT be unlocked regardless of the method used; Key FOB, driver side door electric unlock switch, power sliding door switch in the roof of the front seats or the manual lock on the door itself. The safety concern is that in an emergency situation the driver side sliding door CANNOT be opened, manually or other which means occupants could be trapped. This problem was confirmed by the dealer and deemed NOT to be due to the "actuator", for which an extended warranty was issued by FCA for. The dealer stated that the "drivers door needs new latch" mechanism is at fault and needs to be replaced. Specific FCA MOPAR part number is 68030379AG for the faulty component. Prior to the failure no noises or other improper operation occurred. The door lock "latch" just failed. Confirmed with FCA Recall Customer support, not the dealer, that the "latch" is NOT covered in the extended warranty letter attached, even though the symptom we are experiencing is the same.

Filed Sep 6, 2022 · Locks · 128,359 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the driver’s side sliding door was locked and could not be opened from inside or outside the vehicle. Additionally, the door would not open while using the key fob. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer was not contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 128,359.

Filed Sep 10, 2021 · MO

Bought van and shortly after the right passenger sliding door starting making a loud buzz every time it was unlocked. Researched that it was the actuator, have not fixed yet. Now, In August 2021, the drivers passenger sliding door will not open. It just stopped one day. it won't open with the latch, inside or outside, with the key fob, or with the button inside on the door or on the visor. I'm afraid if I ever have a wreck, we could be trapped with doors that just don't open. I've reached out to a few dealerships, and it is a costly fix and can't seem to get much info or response back from them anyway.

Filed Sep 1, 2021 · Body · OH

The left sliding door has locked up and will not open manually, by key fob, or the overhead buttons. Cannot get out of this door in case of an accident. I haven't taken to dealer because they want $120 just to look at it. No warnings in the vehicle prior to the door locking up.

Filed Sep 1, 2021 · Body · IA

Driver side sliding door couldn't be opened manually or with electronic key fob. Anyone seated in second row, driver's side, would have to exit by climbing over to another door or try to get out of a window. Vehicle was taken to a Dodge dealer who confirmed the actuator had failed and that was why the door would not open No other parties have inspected this vehicle for this problem. Once the issue was repaired, I traded this van off for a new vehicle. There were no warnings that this was going to happen. I just went to open the sliding door and it would not budge.

Filed Jul 23, 2021 · Body · UT

The drivers side sliding door won’t open. We have tried locking and unlocking the door, but the lock won’t move. We have tried opening using the indoor and outdoor handles, driver and passenger buttons, and key fob. We have tried changing out the fuse. When getting a repair for another issue, the mechanics were unable to open the door as well. This poses a safety issue because in case of an accident that renders the other sliding door unusable, passengers would not be able to exit the vehicle.

Filed Jul 18, 2021 · Electrical · TX

Passenger side sliding door failed. Not able to open door manually, using key fob, or using inside door button. Driver side sliding door is operational and can be opened using all of the aforementioned methods. Component is available to be inspected. The safety of the driver and passengers are put at risk due to the inability to open the door from the inside. If any situation was to compromise the drivers side then the passenger door would lock in the passengers. The component within the door has not been inspected. The warning before the failure was a loud noise every time the door was unlocked or locked. All methods of locking the door would produce this noise.

Filed Jul 15, 2021 · Body · IN

Passenger sliding rear door latch would not unlatch by any means of normal operation. Lock tab inside would not move to unlock position and key fob also would not unlock door. I took the inside panel off and readjusted the locking rod mechanism. That was the only way to get it to work again. This happened several times in both lock and unlock positions. Currently it is stuck in the unlock position and i will leave it that way for purpose of safety due to if it gets stuck in lock position and i were to be in an accident i would not be able to get my grand kids out by normal operation.