2017 Dodge Grand Caravan: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Jul 30, 2025 · Body · MN

The driver's side sliding door on this minivan became stuck shut. I had to remove my disabled son through the open window. Not being able to remove him quickly in an emergency because the door has become sealed shut is unacceptable. I cannot believe there is no manual override. I was able to solve this issue by forcing the unlock lever while pressing 'unlock' on the keyfob. However, the main reason I write this complaint, numerous people on various forums report an actuator shorting out in their doors causing this issue, meaning they cannot open the door, by any means, without this actuator being repaired. I cannot for the life of me believe that a system was engineered to not have a simple manual override on a car door. This is beyond me how this got cleared by any sort of regulatory body. If that actuator gets cooked in a fire, I guess the occupants of the car will too.

Filed Dec 4, 2024 · Electrical · ID

The issue is with the door locking system making a very loud buzzing noise when the doors either automatically lock/unlock or the lock/unlock buttons on the key fob are pressed. Not only is it irritating, but it is incredibly distracting as the loud noise is unexpected. This can be dangerous because the driver can be startled should someone accidentally press the button on the door while the vehicle is in motion, or when the doors automatically lock as the vehicle is starting to move. Sometimes not all of the doors lock or unlock and the buttons have to be pressed several times before all doors are locked or unlocked. This is also a safety issue.

Filed Jun 20, 2024 · Body, Electrical · DE

We found a warranty extension for Dodge Caravan Driver and Passenger Sliding Door Power Lock Actuators, but when I searched for our VIN, it is not included, but we are having the same problem. All of a sudden, our driver side sliding door was stuck shut, and would not open manually or with the key fob. I found a workaround from an online forum to hold the manual lock to open position, while pressing the unlock button either on the driver door or the key fob. Since then, when the sliding door shuts and wouldn't open, this is what we do. And then shortly after that, we noticed a loud buzzing sound coming from the same door when accelerating and the automatic lock activates.

Filed Mar 22, 2024 · Electrical · FL

Key fob will not function. No acess to inside vehicle.

Filed Jun 13, 2023 · Body · IL

My center doors on my mini van are inoperable. About 3 months ago, I tried to open the door to get my grandchild out of her carseat, and the door wouldn't open by the outside handle or the button on the control above. My dash would light up staying door must be unlocked to open...I pressed to unlock..and nothing happened. I had to enter through the drivers side to get her out. Today i went to the grocery store and i went to open the door with the remote keyfob and nothing happened. I tried to open the door manually with the outside handle and nothing ... so now both sides of my vehicle cannot open, very dangerous and now my van is useless carrying grandkids to and from . The Chrysler mini van had this same problem, and my friend had her automatic door accentuators replaced for free...there was a recall for this problem on earlier YEAR mini vans. This car is only 6 years old and its A Very dangerous situation now and a big inconvience as i cant enter the vehicle in tbe center to use the seats or stow away for transportiong large items. I called the dealership they want $1000-1500 .could be more couldbe less they said, .this is unacceptable

Filed Nov 15, 2022 · Locks · 110,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated her children were able to open the passenger’s side sliding door while the vehicle was locked, and the contact noticed that the door would not lock securely as designed. On another occasion, while trying to open the driver’s side sliding door, the door would not unlock. The contact unlocked the vehicle with the key fob, but the door would not unlock. The contact also attempted to unlock the door manually, but the door failed to unlock. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under recall. No additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Jun 20, 2022 · Body · GA

Drivers side rear door wouldn't open by using buttons on key fob, buttons in vehicle or by manually opening it. The door unable to be opened. I had to take it to the dealer.

Filed May 22, 2022 · Electrical · GA

Drivers sliding back door stuck in lock position. Will not unlock or open even manually. I have two special needs kids and I bought the double doors for safety in a crash. (Previous vehicle I had to climb through the window to get kiddo). Will not manually open. Used a fix of pushing the lock to unlock position and hitting the unlock on my key fob and it finally unlocked and opened. Need to at least be able to manually open door for kids!!

Filed Apr 3, 2022 · NV

Driver side sliding door will not open. Will not unlock either manually or with the keyfob or the unlock/lock within the car. This is a safety issue for my 3 kids in the back. Unable to use one exit jn case of emergency.

Filed Mar 26, 2022 · Electrical · SC

Three months ago my left passenger sliding door just stopped working. It can no longer be opened via keyfob or manually. I'm afraid to let my family ride in the back now for fear they'll be trapped due to this door or the other door failing. There are no warning lamps or anything activated and when I inquired about repair the dealer said it would be about 1500+ per door to replace the actuators and locking mechanism.

Filed Mar 5, 2022 · MO

The driver's side sliding door is stuck and locked. Unable to manually unlock nor use key fob nor use button above the rearview mirror. My children were unable to exit out that side and now fear it happening to the passenger side as well. Upon googling and reading many different websites it seems that this has been happening out of the blue for years and with MANY different years of this van. We were given no warnings, no noises, nothing to make us aware there could be a problem with the door.

Filed Jan 13, 2022 · Body, Locks · 90,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that after driving to her residence and parking the vehicle, she attempted to unlock the rear passenger’s sliding doors however, the doors failed to unlock. The contact attempted to use the key fob as well as manually attempting to unlock the doors however, the doors failed to open. The contact stated that the rear seat passengers climbed into the front of the vehicle to exit the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.