My vehicle caught fire on 10-14 after being parked for 2.5 hours. Three weeks prior I had bumped into a light pole while backing up and my airbag light triggered on. The airbag did not deploy and nothing seemed wrong with the van. Then my battery died so I had to have it jumped. It died 3-4 times before I replaced it with a fresh battery 10-7. I did smell heat, but I attributed it to my oil leak, but I think I was smelling wires, not oil. I went by an autoparts store and they read my old battery temp and it was at 173 and didn’t say it was hot or anything. I don’t think that was safe to put a new battery in when there was obviously a problem. The airbag light consistently dinged off and on but since the airbag didn’t deploy I didn’t think it was any problem. But now I think it was slow draining the battery and then the new one kept charging it causing something to overheat and catch fire.
Dodge Grand Caravan airbag light comes on
617 of the 13,443 owner complaints about the Dodge Grand Caravan describe airbag warning light, most of them for the 1996 model year.
- owner complaints
- 617
- worst model year
- 1996
- typical repair cost reported
- $267
- typical mileage
- 70,000
By model year
Often reported together
Adaptive cruise 172Wipers 23No deployment 12Door locks 11Check engine light 11Coil spring 10Headlights 8Steering noise 6
Trouble codes mentioned
P1698 1B1C27 1
What owners say
Air Bag light stays on. Mechanic found defect in driver's side headrest. Part was ordered in February 2026, still waiting for the replacement part 6 months later. Dodge has no idea when the part will be available. Extremely HAZARDOUS driving condition, driving without air bag protection because Chrysler/Dodge doesn't have replacement parts. This dangerous condition should be considered a SAFETY RECALL, that would get Chrysler/Dodge to take this more seriously and have the replacement parts. 08/06/26
The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the airbag warning light had remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the front driver side head rest sensor had failed and needed to replaced. The mechanic contacted the local dealer and informed that the part was on back order and not available. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 73,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the vehicle was shuddering, producing static electric shock, and the battery was overcharging. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V524000 (Electrical System). The local dealer was contacted and was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact had an ongoing issue with the local dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and informed that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 68,107.
.....2014 Dodge Grand Caravan...dc: 07-14...approx date of incident:09-12-2025...reported to Dealer and Dodge customer svc @ 1997. Reported on 09 - 24,25,26 - 2025, after researching on you tube and the net and finding other vehicles with same issue, dodge case was opened with NO assistance from dodge at this time! Out of warranty! Dodge is aware of the problem and extended a warranty on the issue up to 10 years/ unlimited mileage...Problem; While driving down the interstate at highway speed my drivers side SEAT BACK HEAD RESTRAINT EXPLODED, almost causing an accident! No warnings, No check engine lights, No airbag lights, nothing just a loud bang and the head restraint slammed forward into the back of my head.....
Was driving down the highway coming back from Orlando when my air bag light went off. Heard cracking in my head test and all of a sudden it expired and deployed and hit me in the back of the head and almost knocked me out. Made me dizzy and I had my kids in the car. This should not have happend if I was not in a car crash and dodge refuses to fix it. It was faulty without any warning. There are many people this has happend to and the had a extension back in 2024 and to repair them and I never received a letter
My airbag light goes on intermittently. I have no idea why. I took it to an independent repair shop and they said that they could not help me, I needed to check with the dealer to see if there was a recall. I checked for recalls, and there was no recall. Additionally, the tire pressure sensors also turn on intermittently even when tire pressure is correct.
While driving car, airbag indicator goes on and off multiple times during drive.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the passenger's side seat belt sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.
While driving and all seat belts buckled the seat belt and air bag indicator chimes.
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the driver air bag module may become projectiles in the event of a driver air bag deployment.
- Risk
- Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W09.
Recall number 20V396000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may unexpectedly deploy if the air bag wiring harness gets chafed within the steering wheel and short circuits.
- Risk
- Unexpected deployment of the driver's frontal air bag increases the risk of a crash or driver injury.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag wiring within the steering wheel, replacing it if necessary. A protective cover will also be installed. These repairs will be made free of charge. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T33.
Recall number 17V376000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- FCA US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured December 31, 2007, to August 31, 2008, 2008-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured June 18, 2007, to August 31, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.
- Risk
- If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. Additionally, the air bags may inadvertently deploy, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S07.
Recall number 16V047000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured June 29, 2007, to June 17, 2010, and 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured January 26, 2007, to June 17, 2010. Road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
- Risk
- If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R03. Note: This is an expansion of recall 11V‑139.
Recall number 14V373000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured June 11, 2013, through June 12, 2013. The occupant restraint control module (ORC) has incorrect software installed which may adversely affect air bag deployments in collisions. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and No. 214, "Side Impact Protection."
- Risk
- An air bag that does not deploy, or deploys improperly, may increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ORC module, free of charge. The recall began on October 3, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N48.
Recall number 13V291000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, and RAM C/V Tradesman vehicles manufactured May 10, 2012, through June 7, 2013. A software error may result in the opposite side airbags deploying from the collision point (a left side impact would deploy the right side airbags and vice versa).
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, the wrong side airbags could deploy leaving the occupant with no airbag protection at the point of impact, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the occupant restraint control module, free of charge. The recall began during September 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N44.
Recall number 13V283000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 dodge caravan, grand caravan and chrysler town & country vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, massachusetts, maine, maryland, michigan, minnesota, missouri, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, tennessee, utah, vermont, virginia, west virginia, wisconsin, alaska and the district of columbia. The front crash sensors may crack under certain environmental conditions and allow water to enter into the sensor. This can cause the sensor to become inoperative and illuminate the airbag warning light. These sensors were added to enhance the performance of the airbag system in certain frontal crashes.
- Risk
- If the front crash sensors become inoperative, the driver is immediately alerted by illumination of the airbag warning light and the vehicle should be promptly serviced. Until the vehicle is repaired, the airbags may not provide the enhanced protection in the event of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will replace the front airbag sensors with a new design. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety improvement campaign will begin during june 2010. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 10V008000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- On certain minivans, the driver's air bag may become disabled due to a failure of the clockspring, which is located in the hub of the steering wheel.
- Risk
- This condition will manifest itself through illumination of the air bag warning lamp, and could eventually result in a driver's air bag open circuit, if the part is not replaced in a reasonable amount of time.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly on all covered vehicles with 70,000 miles or less. For those vehicles with more than 70,000 miles, daimlerchrysler will offer an extended lifetime warranty under which it will replace the clockspring at no charge if it fails. Daimlerchrysler will also reimburse owners who have paid to have the clockspring replaced on their vehicles. The recall began on october 12, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 04V480000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- On certain mini vans, the clockspring assembly may have been wound incorrectly during the vehicle assembly process.
- Risk
- This condition will manifest itself through illumination of the air bag warning lamp, and could eventually result in a driver's air bag open circuit, if the part is not replaced in a reasonable amount of time.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly on all vehicles with 70,000 miles or less. An extended lifetime warranty will also be placed on this component for all affected vehicles, regardless of mileage. Daimlerchrysler will also reimburse owners who have paid to have the clockspring replaced on their vehicles. Owner notification began november 18, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 02V293000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: mini vans. The wiring that initiates the driver and/or passenger air bag could electrically short circuit to ground. A short circuit to ground that exists immediately after turning the ignition key to the "on" or "start" position can cause the air bag(s) to inadvertently deploy.
- Risk
- Inadvertent air bag deployment can injure a front seat occupant.
- Remedy
- Dealers will perform an electronic diagnostic check. Any short circuits identified in either the driver's or passenger side air bag initiator wire circuit will be repaired.
Recall number 99V113000 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge Grand Caravan airbag light
Why does the airbag light come on in the Dodge Grand Caravan?
Owners who report it most often also describe adaptive cruise control problems, windshield wiper failure and airbags did not deploy in a crash, and the codes they mention most are P1698 and B1C27.
Which Dodge Grand Caravan years have airbag warning light problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1996 (123 complaints), 1997 (67 complaints) and 2005 (64 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix airbag warning light on the Dodge Grand Caravan?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $267 (median of 50 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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