My sliding back doors do not open with the key fob AND they do not open using the handles on the INSIDE or OUTSIDE of the van. I was researching how to fix this, and this seems to be a pretty common issue. How has this put safety at risk - if there is an emergency, how do those people in the back seat get out? This is a HUGE issue! There are no other known failures with the vehicle - it has not been checked out by anyone other than myself.
2018 Dodge Grand Caravan: key fob or push-button start problems
32 of the 272 complaints about the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan describe key fob or push-button start problems.
- owner complaints
- 32
- of this car's complaints
- 12%
- typical mileage
- 47,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 11 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Key fob or push-button start problems by model year
What owners say
Driver side door is not locking or unlocking with KEYFOB.
Driver side sliding door locked. Fails to get unlocked. Tried unlocking with Key Fob, manually unlocking. Nothing works and this door now fails to get unlocked and open. Passenger side middle row bucket seat fails to fold down and get under the floor.
Firstly my front door lock went out and wouldn’t work which i got fixed now both my back door locks do not work correctly which I have children that use this vehicle with me which can lead to danger the left back door locks make a nasty buzzing sound and will not lock or unlock from the back or key fob I have to open it from my door lock on my driver side and the right back passenger just doesn’t work at all this poses danger to my children and myself. This needs to be on the recall list with the amount of complaints and issues this is causing for dodge van owners!
The lock mechanism to the sliding door failed and is stuck in the locked position. What the danger is, and an extreme safety concern, is that the door can not be opened manually. So neither the automatic function (both button on the car itself and key fob), nor the manual mechanism on the lock itself, is functional. The door is locked with no way to open it either from the inside or outside. This is a grave safety hazard and I am shocked that this has not already been made into a recall. I have researched this issue and it has been ongoing for many years now, specifically with the 2018 model and other models as well. Dodge needs to issue a recall and fix this problem.
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the sliding door on the rear driver’s side had seized in the locked position, and the key fob was unable to unlock the sliding door. The door was unable to unlock manually or with the key fob. The contact learned that the failure was a common failure caused by the door actuators. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the lock rod had detach from the door latch, causing the door latch, rods, and retainers to all need to be replaced. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated when she went to open the passenger’s side sliding side door, the door remained locked. The contact stated that the key fob was not working, and she was also unable to open the sliding door manually. The contact stated that the driver's side sliding door failed to open several months later. The contact stated that the only entry and exit into the vehicle was through the driver's and passenger’s side front doors. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.
Passenger sliding door stuck in locked position cannot unlock manually or with key fob .. same as 2017 recall same issue. Cannot unlock very unsafe issue in case of emergency or accident door will not open.
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that on several occasions while the vehicle was parked, the key fob was used to attempt to lock and unlock the vehicle however, the doors failed to open. Additionally, the contact stated that on several occasions while the vehicle was parked, the door would not open as needed; however, the rear passenger’s side door would occasionally open unintendedly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on three occasions where it was diagnosed that the door lock actuator on the rear doors, batteries in the key fobs, and the driver's side door module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
driver's side back door is stuck in the closed position. Unable to open from outside, unable to open via key fob and unable to open from roof panel. The lock appears to be in between the lock and unlock position. From my understanding its the actuator that needs to be replaced. This door has not been used near as often as the passenger back door and it has no issues. I see online where lots of people with different year models having this same issue. Some have recvd a letter of recall however I have not.
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side sliding door failed to unlock as designed. The contact that stated that she attempted to unlock the door using the key fob and manually from the inside and outside the vehicle however, the door failed to unlock as designed. Additionally, the contact stated that prior to the door failing to unlock, she had heard a buzzing sound while operating the sliding door. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
Driver-side sliding passenger door lock gets stuck in locked position. Will not unlock with key fob or buttons inside the car. You have to manually push the lock with great force to get it to disengage. This is a serious hazard because it effectively traps people in the backseat because you cannot manually disengage the lock. This is apparently a known issue by the manufacturer, and it costs between $1100 and $1500 to fix. No warning lights or indicators signaled this problem prior to failure. First failure of this kind started 1/23/23
Service bulletins that may apply
- Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC)...
- Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair...
- No Start, After Flash And Or PCM Replace, DTC P0513 Invalid Skim Key Setting
- Battery Drain Concern, Dual USB Port Normal Operational Draw, Extended Illumination Or Extended Operation...
- No Start, Cannot Complete Module Replace, Proxi Or Module Proxi Configuration
- Wiring
- Key Programming, Security Pin Request, Pin Invalid
Related recalls
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
- Risk
- A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
Recall number 18V524000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan key fob
Is key fob or push-button start problems a common problem on the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan?
32 of 272 owner complaints about the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan (12%) mention key fob or push-button start problems. The model year with the most reports is 2016.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan?
There is 1 recall and 11 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan
Door locks 74Misfire 20Check engine light 17Stalling 12Engine failure 5Transmission failure 5
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