← New search

2015 Dodge Grand Caravan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 284.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Compare all Grand Caravan years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

176 reports with mileage · 105 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 77 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports2 fire reports18 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

24 reports
Clear category filter
82,111 miles · Sep 27, 2020
Air BagsSeats

WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADREST DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON! I HAPPENED TO BE SITTING IN THE SEAT AT THE TIME AND THANKFULLY IT DIDN'T HURT ME BUT IT SCARED THE CRUD OUT OF ME!! WE WERE ACTUALLY ONLY GOING ABOUT 5MPH AS WE WERE COMING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT OF A CHIC-FIL-A.

NHTSA ODI #11361327

55,000 miles · Jun 27, 2020
Air Bags

I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE TO FIX AIR CONDITIONER NOT WORKING THEY FIXED THE FRONT AND REAR EVAPORATORS . I PICKED UP FROM DEALER DROVE T MINS DOWN THE ROAD AND WHILE DRIVING BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER HEAD READY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED . ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT NOT TO MENTION HIT ME IN THE BACK OF HEAD WHILE DRIVING DOWN MAJOR…

Read full complaint

I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE TO FIX AIR CONDITIONER NOT WORKING THEY FIXED THE FRONT AND REAR EVAPORATORS . I PICKED UP FROM DEALER DROVE T MINS DOWN THE ROAD AND WHILE DRIVING BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER HEAD READY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED . ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT NOT TO MENTION HIT ME IN THE BACK OF HEAD WHILE DRIVING DOWN MAJOR HWY 41 IN FLA . I ALSO HAVE DAUGHTER IN WHEELCHAIR IT'S A CONVERTED WHEELCHAIR VAN HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO DEALER AND NOW DRIVING NON WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE RENTAL ..MY AIR CONDITIONING WAS ALSO WHILSTLING AFTER JUST BEING FIXED . I WAS ONLY DOING ABOUT 30MPH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11331269

54,800 miles · May 25, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Crash

THE ELECTRIC CONTROLS ARE GOING HAYWIRE WHEN VAN IS TURNED ON NOTHING WILL FUNCTION THAN THE REAR DEFROSTER COMES ON NOTHING ELSE WORKS THEN THE AIR COMES ON AND COOL AIR ON DRIVERS SIDE HEAT ON PASSENGER SIDE THEN SOME COOL THEN HEAT AND I HAVE A LIGHTING BOLT SIMBLE ON THE DASH AND VAN WAS HIT HEAD ON WHILE PARK AND THE AIR BA…

Read full complaint

THE ELECTRIC CONTROLS ARE GOING HAYWIRE WHEN VAN IS TURNED ON NOTHING WILL FUNCTION THAN THE REAR DEFROSTER COMES ON NOTHING ELSE WORKS THEN THE AIR COMES ON AND COOL AIR ON DRIVERS SIDE HEAT ON PASSENGER SIDE THEN SOME COOL THEN HEAT AND I HAVE A LIGHTING BOLT SIMBLE ON THE DASH AND VAN WAS HIT HEAD ON WHILE PARK AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY

NHTSA ODI #11325881

70,000 miles · May 22, 2020
Air BagsSeats

THE HEADREST DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL STREET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325625

23,981 miles · Dec 9, 2019
Air BagsSeats

THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADREST DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY. MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY, NOT RUNNING AND HAD NOT BEEN IN ANY KIND OF COLLISION. WHEN I INSPECTED THE INSIDE OF THE HEADREST, THE PLASTIC BRACKETS THAT HOLD THE METAL PIN WERE COMPROMISED. THE METAL PIN IS STILL IN PLACE, BUT THE PLASTIC PRONGS T…

Read full complaint

THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADREST DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY. MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY, NOT RUNNING AND HAD NOT BEEN IN ANY KIND OF COLLISION. WHEN I INSPECTED THE INSIDE OF THE HEADREST, THE PLASTIC BRACKETS THAT HOLD THE METAL PIN WERE COMPROMISED. THE METAL PIN IS STILL IN PLACE, BUT THE PLASTIC PRONGS THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO HOLD ONTO THE PIN TO KEEP THE HEADREST IN PLACE BOTH FAILED. ONE CRACKED AND IS PARTIALLY ATTACHED. THE OTHER PRONG CAME OFF COMPLETELY. I BELIEVE THE PLASTIC BROKE FROM BEING UNDER PROLONGED TENSION. WHY WOULD SOMETHING THAT IS DESIGNED TO BE A SAFETY FEATURE BE MADE OUT OF SOMETHING AS FLIMSY AS PLASTIC? I'M SO THANKFUL THAT I WASN'T DRIVING WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURIES. THERE ARE MANY OTHER REPORTS OF DODGE CUSTOMERS HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. THE ACTIVE HEAD RESTRAINT (AHR) SYSTEM SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. THE HEADREST SHOULD NOT DEPLOY BY ITSELF. UNFORTUNATELY, FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, DODGE IS CLAIMING NO RESPONSIBILITY AND THE ISSUE IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE REPAIR IS AROUND $900, BUT MOST PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD THAT AND DON'T WANT TO PAY IT ANYWAY BECAUSE THE PROBLEM COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. DODGE SHOULD BE REPAIRING THESE HEADRESTS AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMERS.

NHTSA ODI #11287994

128,000 miles · Sep 6, 2019
Air BagsSeatsInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. PASSENGER SIDE HEADREST UNIT ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURY CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT THE PASSENGER SIDE ACTIVE HEADREST UNIT ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED CAUSING A HEAD INJURY TO THE PASSENGERS. NO…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. PASSENGER SIDE HEADREST UNIT ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURY CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT THE PASSENGER SIDE ACTIVE HEADREST UNIT ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED CAUSING A HEAD INJURY TO THE PASSENGERS. NO MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS REQUIRED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11253567

102,993 miles · Aug 9, 2019
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

I HAD A MINOR COLLISION WHERE A CAR BACKED INTO ME AS I WAS DRIVING FORWARD AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED. MINOR BODY DAMAGE TO BOTH CARS. HOWEVER, ALL OF MY FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. INSURANCE, THE ESTIMATOR, EVERYONE, IS SHOCKED THEY ALL DEPLOYED, OR THAT ANY DEPLOYED CONSIDERING HOW MINOR THE COLLISION WAS. MY VAN, UNBEKNOWNST TO ME…

Read full complaint

I HAD A MINOR COLLISION WHERE A CAR BACKED INTO ME AS I WAS DRIVING FORWARD AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED. MINOR BODY DAMAGE TO BOTH CARS. HOWEVER, ALL OF MY FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. INSURANCE, THE ESTIMATOR, EVERYONE, IS SHOCKED THEY ALL DEPLOYED, OR THAT ANY DEPLOYED CONSIDERING HOW MINOR THE COLLISION WAS. MY VAN, UNBEKNOWNST TO ME, HAD A KNEE AIRBAG. THE KNEE AIR BAG EXPLODED AGAINST MY SHINS, CAUSING EXTENSIVE BRUISING, CUTS, AND GOUGES WHERE THE COVER AND CASING SHOT OUT ONTO MY LEGS LIKE SHRAPNEL. IT FELT LIKE A BOMB OF SHARP GLASS WENT OFF AGAINST MY SHINS AND KNEES, THERE WAS BLOOD ALL OVER THE PLACE. I HAD TO GO TO THE ER TO GET THE WOUNDS CLEANED UP AND THEY'RE STILL TRYING TO HEAL WEEKS LATER. *DT CONSUMER STATED CAR IS AT INSURANCE AUTO AUCTIONS. *JB *DT PHOTOS ATTACHED.*JB *DT *DT 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB *DT *TR *DT*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11242808

58,640 miles · Jul 3, 2019
Air BagsSeatsUnknown Or Other

ON THIS 2015, FLORIDA BASED, DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 58,640 MILES, THE PASSENGER SIDE ACTIVE HEAD RESTRAINT DEPLOYED WITH THE CAR PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND NO ONE IN IT. IT COULD NOT BE RESET AS THE THIN PLASTIC BRACKET THAT HELD A METAL RESTRAINING BAR IN PLACE DISINTEGRATED UNDER THE PRESSURE OF THE DEPLOYMENT SPRING AND RE…

Read full complaint

ON THIS 2015, FLORIDA BASED, DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 58,640 MILES, THE PASSENGER SIDE ACTIVE HEAD RESTRAINT DEPLOYED WITH THE CAR PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND NO ONE IN IT. IT COULD NOT BE RESET AS THE THIN PLASTIC BRACKET THAT HELD A METAL RESTRAINING BAR IN PLACE DISINTEGRATED UNDER THE PRESSURE OF THE DEPLOYMENT SPRING AND RELEASED. IN FACT IT APPEARED THAT MULTIPLE PLASTIC PARTS HAD BROKEN. CHECKING THE INTERNET, THIS APPEARS TO HAVE HAPPENED IN HUNDREDS OF OTHER VEHICLES IN MULTIPLE MODELS AND MODEL YEARS AND DODGE/CHRYSLER HAS MADE NO ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM OR WARN THE OWNERS. THERE ARE ALSO AT LEAST TWO SEPARATE LAW FIRMS PURSUING CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS REGARDING THIS. THERE ALSO APPEAR TO BE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE. IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, AN ACCIDENT COULD HAVE RESULTED. THE DODGE DEALER SAID THEY HAVE NO OBLIGATION TO FIX THIS AND THAT REPLACING EACH HEAD RESTRAINT WOULD COST CLOSE TO $900. THEY ALSO COULD NOT SAY THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD RESTRAINT WOULDN'T ALSO DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY. ONE WONDERS IF THERE HAVEN'T ALREADY BEEN SIGNIFICANT OR EVEN FATAL ACCIDENTS RELATED TO THIS. GETTING HIT BY THE HEADREST WOULD CAUSE INJURY ALONE THIS APPEARS POORLY DESIGNED. THE IDEA OF PUTTING A THIN PLASTIC BRACKET UNDER CONSTANT STRONG SPRING PRESSURE FOR YEARS IS JUST ASKING FOR TROUBLE, ESPECIALLY FOR VEHICLES IN FLORIDA WHERE TEMPERATURES IN PARKED VEHICLES CAN REMAIN WELL OVER 120 ALL DAY. HOW CAN THIN PLASTIC BE EXPECTED TO TAKE THIS FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE? THESE PARTS SHOULD BE METAL. I PUSHED THE DEPLOYED HEADREST BACK TOGETHER AND SECURED IT WITH TWO CABLE ZIP TIES. AS DODGE CAN'T TELL ME IF THE OTHER HEADREST WON'T ALSO DEPLOY, I HAVE ALSO SECURED IT WITH CABLE ZIP TIES TO GUARD AGAINST ITS UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT. WHERE IS THE NHTSA IN ALL THIS? AT LEAST CHANGE THE DESIGN.

NHTSA ODI #11229347

75,000 miles · May 30, 2019
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

THE PASSENGER SEAT HEADREST DEPLOYED WHILE THE CAR WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY SOMETIME BETWEEN SUNDAY EVENING (5/26) AND TUESDAY AFTERNOON (5/28). THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS PRIOR TO OR DURING THIS TIME FRAME. MY HUSBAND AND I HAD DRIVEN OUR 2015 DODGE CARAVAN ON SUNDAY. I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I AM 8…

Read full complaint

THE PASSENGER SEAT HEADREST DEPLOYED WHILE THE CAR WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY SOMETIME BETWEEN SUNDAY EVENING (5/26) AND TUESDAY AFTERNOON (5/28). THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS PRIOR TO OR DURING THIS TIME FRAME. MY HUSBAND AND I HAD DRIVEN OUR 2015 DODGE CARAVAN ON SUNDAY. I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I AM 8 MONTHS PREGNANT. ON MONDAY, WE DID NOT DRIVE THE VAN. ON TUESDAY AROUND 12 NOON, WITH THE CAR STILL IN THE DRIVEWAY, I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADREST HAD BASICALLY EXPLODED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD BOUGHT THE VAN (A CHEVY DEALERSHIP THAT HAD RECEIVED IT IN A TRADE-IN). THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING AND TOLD ME TO BRING IN THE VAN IMMEDIATELY. THAT AFTERNOON, I (RELUCTANTLY) DROVE THE VAN THE 25 MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP, LEANING FORWARD AS FAR AS I COULD IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT IN CASE IT WERE TO DEPLOY. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED ME TODAY, WEDNESDAY 5/29, TO INFORM ME THAT CHRYSLER REFUSES TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT, AND WOULD CHARGE NEARLY $900 TO COVER THE NEW HEADREST. CHEVY GENEROUSLY OFFERED TO COVER HALF THE COST SINCE I AM A REPEAT CUSTOMER, AND THEY SAW THIS AS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. I DECLINED, NOT WANTING TO SPEND OVER $400 TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE PART WITH ANOTHER PART, ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS WOULD NOT EASE MY WORRIES ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I PLAN TO ZIP TIE THE HEADRESTS WITH MULTIPLE ZIP TIES. THERE'S NO OTHER SOLUTION AT THIS TIME. EVEN IF I WERE TO PAY TO REPLACE THE BROKEN PASSENGER HEADREST, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE AT THIS POINT THAT EITHER HEADREST IS SAFE AND WILL FUNCTION AS INTENDED. I WOULD NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING WITH ONE OF THESE HEADRESTS EVER AGAIN. I WOULD TRADE IN THE VEHICLE, BUT I AM WORRIED THIS WILL CAUSE SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL HARM SINCE I ONLY JUST ACQUIRED THE VEHICLE IN OCTOBER 2018. ALSO, I WILL BE HAVING A BABY IN 1 MONTH AND HAVE NO MONEY TO SPARE.

NHTSA ODI #11210753

121,000 miles · Sep 21, 2018
Air BagsSeatsInjury

MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH HEADREST AIR BAGS. A YEAR AGO MY PASSENGER SIDE HEADREST AIR BAG ENGAGED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AND WE WERE INSIDE A RESTAURANT. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE TO INDICATE IT TO GO OFF. I CONTACTED DODGE AND THE DEALERSHIP AND BOTH TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABO…

Read full complaint

MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH HEADREST AIR BAGS. A YEAR AGO MY PASSENGER SIDE HEADREST AIR BAG ENGAGED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AND WE WERE INSIDE A RESTAURANT. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE TO INDICATE IT TO GO OFF. I CONTACTED DODGE AND THE DEALERSHIP AND BOTH TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. FAST FORWARD TO LAST WEEK, I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY DRIVER SIDE HEADREST SLAMMED ME IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD WHEN IT SPONTANEOUSLY WENT OFF. I HAVE NOW BEEN TRYING TO GET DODGE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT BOTH HEADRESTS ONCE AGAIN, AND I AM NOT BEING CONTACTED BACK. I AM TRYING TO GET THE DEALERSHIP TO HELP AND THEIR COMMUNICATION IS HORRIBLE SO I HAVE NO IDEA IF I AM EVEN GETTING A RESOLUTION TO THIS. I FEEL THAT THIS ISN'T A RANDOM SITUATION AND FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITH MYSELF AND CHILDREN IT IT.

NHTSA ODI #11130671

Official recalls

4

25V876000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility:wheelchair Restraints/securement:latch/anchor:

Dec 17, 2025

Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.

17V824000 · Equipment

Dec 21, 2017

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.

16V461000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Jun 24, 2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured July 31, 2015, to April 18, 2016, 2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured August 17, 2015, to January 29, 2016, and 2016 RAM ProMaster vehicles manufactured August 15, 2016, to April 15, 2016. The transmission pump may seize causing a loss of hydraulic pressure.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the transmission loses hydraulic pressure, the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission pump, free of charge. The recall began on August 18, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S44.

16V044000 · Visibility:windshield

Jan 28, 2016

FCA US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chrysler Town and Country, and 2014-2015 Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured August 16, 2014, to December 5, 2015. The windshield on the affected vehicles may have been installed using expired urethane primer, allowing the windshield to become displaced in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 212, "Windshield Mounting."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the windshield dislodges during a crash, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S02.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE19014 · Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment

Opened Sep 9, 2019 · Closed Feb 25, 2026

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats; Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint

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 2010-2016 Chrysler Town and Country, MY 2010-2017 Jeep Compass, MY 2011-2020 Dodge Durango, MY 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Journey, MY 2010-2012 Jeep Liberty, MY 2010-2011 Jeep Nitro, and MY 2010-2011 Jeep Patriot vehicles.On December 2, 2019, ODI received a response from FCA that included vehicle production data, consumer complaints, field reports, warranty claims, manufacturer actions, production changes, and other data related to the alleged defect from the start of production (2010) through September 24, 2019.On January 27, 2020, ODI received an update to the December 2, 2019, IR response from FCA.On September 22, 2020, ODI requested additional subject vehicle AHR information from FCA.ODI received FCA's response on October 21, 2020.ODI subsequently received an update to FCA's October 21, 2020, response on February 16, 2021.During the investigation, ODI requested updates to certain IR questions on two occasions.FCA provided updates to question #2 on March 5, 2021, and questions #2 and #5 on May 26, 2023. FCA’s IR response data identified approximately 7.5 million subject vehicles (with approximately 15 million AHR assemblies).Due to the large number of vehicles and failure reports, ODI focused its analysis on the FCA vehicle model with the highest failure rate to represent the worst-case scenario.For this purpose, ODI focused on MY 2012-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles for its analysis.This population includes 710,890 vehicles that FCA manufactured between August 19, 2011, and August 8, 2015.ODI identified 2,839 alleged AHR failures within this limited population.ODI identified 263 alleged injuries that were caused by AHR failures in MY 2012-2015 Grand Cherokees vehicles.Of these alleged injuries, ODI categorized them as eighty-two (82) soft tissue (neck/whiplash, bruise) injuries, four (4) concussions, fifty-nine (59) headaches, and one hundred eighteen (118) without a specific injury description.Although complainants have alleged injuries, ODI has been unable to obtain evidence to substantiate or validate any injuries where medical treatment was required.Consumer outreach was conducted by ODI, where sixty-three (63) FCA complainants with alleged injuries were contacted.Twelve of the sixty-three FCA consumers responded and were interviewed by ODI.ODI requested medical records, however, only one response was provided. Attorneys representing the responding complainant provided a synopsis that indicated they had experienced prior neck-related injuries dating to the mid-1990s.ODI also contacted one hundred (100) consumers who submitted Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) in an attempt to validate alleged injuries. Despite the efforts of ODI, the office has been unsuccessful at obtaining substantive documentation/evidence supporting complaints that allege serious injuries (where pre-existing medical conditions did not already exist). In addition to the low severity of alleged injuries caused by AHR deployments, there have been eleven alleged crashes and two alleged lane departures within the entire subject vehicle population that has been in the field up to sixteen years (with over 8,500 AHR inadvertent deployments).ODI was not able to validate that the alleged crashes were the result of inadvertent head rest deployments, and the crashes were minor in nature. ODI has conducted a thorough investigation of the alleged safety defect and with up to sixteen years of exposure for some vehicles and over 8,500 inadvertent AHR deployments, no serious crashes or injuries could be validated in the sub-population of focus.The lack of serious injuries validated by ODI with such large period of field exposure is consistent with thework done by NHTSA’s Human Injury Research Division and the Biodynamic Research Corporation, which support that an inadvertent AHR deployment is not likely to cause serious injury.In addition to the low risk of injury, FCA released an extended warranty program that covers inadvertent AHR deployment for ten years / unlimited mileage from the vehicle's in-service date. PE19014 is closed with the FCA extended warranty program.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. To review a complete closing summary, please the attached closing report. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats

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 2010-2016 Chrysler Town and Country, MY 2010-2017 Jeep Compass, MY 2011-2020 Dodge Durango, MY 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Journey, MY 2010-2012 Jeep Liberty, MY 2010-2011 Jeep Nitro, and MY 2010-2011 Jeep Patriot vehicles.On December 2, 2019, ODI received a response from FCA that included vehicle production data, consumer complaints, field reports, warranty claims, manufacturer actions, production changes, and other data related to the alleged defect from the start of production (2010) through September 24, 2019.On January 27, 2020, ODI received an update to the December 2, 2019, IR response from FCA.On September 22, 2020, ODI requested additional subject vehicle AHR information from FCA.ODI received FCA's response on October 21, 2020.ODI subsequently received an update to FCA's October 21, 2020, response on February 16, 2021.During the investigation, ODI requested updates to certain IR questions on two occasions.FCA provided updates to question #2 on March 5, 2021, and questions #2 and #5 on May 26, 2023. FCA’s IR response data identified approximately 7.5 million subject vehicles (with approximately 15 million AHR assemblies).Due to the large number of vehicles and failure reports, ODI focused its analysis on the FCA vehicle model with the highest failure rate to represent the worst-case scenario.For this purpose, ODI focused on MY 2012-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles for its analysis.This population includes 710,890 vehicles that FCA manufactured between August 19, 2011, and August 8, 2015.ODI identified 2,839 alleged AHR failures within this limited population.ODI identified 263 alleged injuries that were caused by AHR failures in MY 2012-2015 Grand Cherokees vehicles.Of these alleged injuries, ODI categorized them as eighty-two (82) soft tissue (neck/whiplash, bruise) injuries, four (4) concussions, fifty-nine (59) headaches, and one hundred eighteen (118) without a specific injury description.Although complainants have alleged injuries, ODI has been unable to obtain evidence to substantiate or validate any injuries where medical treatment was required.Consumer outreach was conducted by ODI, where sixty-three (63) FCA complainants with alleged injuries were contacted.Twelve of the sixty-three FCA consumers responded and were interviewed by ODI.ODI requested medical records, however, only one response was provided. Attorneys representing the responding complainant provided a synopsis that indicated they had experienced prior neck-related injuries dating to the mid-1990s.ODI also contacted one hundred (100) consumers who submitted Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) in an attempt to validate alleged injuries. Despite the efforts of ODI, the office has been unsuccessful at obtaining substantive documentation/evidence supporting complaints that allege serious injuries (where pre-existing medical conditions did not already exist). In addition to the low severity of alleged injuries caused by AHR deployments, there have been eleven alleged crashes and two alleged lane departures within the entire subject vehicle population that has been in the field up to sixteen years (with over 8,500 AHR inadvertent deployments).ODI was not able to validate that the alleged crashes were the result of inadvertent head rest deployments, and the crashes were minor in nature. ODI has conducted a thorough investigation of the alleged safety defect and with up to sixteen years of exposure for some vehicles and over 8,500 inadvertent AHR deployments, no serious crashes or injuries could be validated in the sub-population of focus.The lack of serious injuries validated by ODI with such large period of field exposure is consistent with thework done by NHTSA’s Human Injury Research Division and the Biodynamic Research Corporation, which support that an inadvertent AHR deployment is not likely to cause serious injury.In addition to the low risk of injury, FCA released an extended warranty program that covers inadvertent AHR deployment for ten years / unlimited mileage from the vehicle's in-service date. PE19014 is closed with the FCA extended warranty program.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. To review a complete closing summary, please the attached closing report. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint

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 2010-2016 Chrysler Town and Country, MY 2010-2017 Jeep Compass, MY 2011-2020 Dodge Durango, MY 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Journey, MY 2010-2012 Jeep Liberty, MY 2010-2011 Jeep Nitro, and MY 2010-2011 Jeep Patriot vehicles.On December 2, 2019, ODI received a response from FCA that included vehicle production data, consumer complaints, field reports, warranty claims, manufacturer actions, production changes, and other data related to the alleged defect from the start of production (2010) through September 24, 2019.On January 27, 2020, ODI received an update to the December 2, 2019, IR response from FCA.On September 22, 2020, ODI requested additional subject vehicle AHR information from FCA.ODI received FCA's response on October 21, 2020.ODI subsequently received an update to FCA's October 21, 2020, response on February 16, 2021.During the investigation, ODI requested updates to certain IR questions on two occasions.FCA provided updates to question #2 on March 5, 2021, and questions #2 and #5 on May 26, 2023. FCA’s IR response data identified approximately 7.5 million subject vehicles (with approximately 15 million AHR assemblies).Due to the large number of vehicles and failure reports, ODI focused its analysis on the FCA vehicle model with the highest failure rate to represent the worst-case scenario.For this purpose, ODI focused on MY 2012-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles for its analysis.This population includes 710,890 vehicles that FCA manufactured between August 19, 2011, and August 8, 2015.ODI identified 2,839 alleged AHR failures within this limited population.ODI identified 263 alleged injuries that were caused by AHR failures in MY 2012-2015 Grand Cherokees vehicles.Of these alleged injuries, ODI categorized them as eighty-two (82) soft tissue (neck/whiplash, bruise) injuries, four (4) concussions, fifty-nine (59) headaches, and one hundred eighteen (118) without a specific injury description.Although complainants have alleged injuries, ODI has been unable to obtain evidence to substantiate or validate any injuries where medical treatment was required.Consumer outreach was conducted by ODI, where sixty-three (63) FCA complainants with alleged injuries were contacted.Twelve of the sixty-three FCA consumers responded and were interviewed by ODI.ODI requested medical records, however, only one response was provided. Attorneys representing the responding complainant provided a synopsis that indicated they had experienced prior neck-related injuries dating to the mid-1990s.ODI also contacted one hundred (100) consumers who submitted Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) in an attempt to validate alleged injuries. Despite the efforts of ODI, the office has been unsuccessful at obtaining substantive documentation/evidence supporting complaints that allege serious injuries (where pre-existing medical conditions did not already exist). In addition to the low severity of alleged injuries caused by AHR deployments, there have been eleven alleged crashes and two alleged lane departures within the entire subject vehicle population that has been in the field up to sixteen years (with over 8,500 AHR inadvertent deployments).ODI was not able to validate that the alleged crashes were the result of inadvertent head rest deployments, and the crashes were minor in nature. ODI has conducted a thorough investigation of the alleged safety defect and with up to sixteen years of exposure for some vehicles and over 8,500 inadvertent AHR deployments, no serious crashes or injuries could be validated in the sub-population of focus.The lack of serious injuries validated by ODI with such large period of field exposure is consistent with thework done by NHTSA’s Human Injury Research Division and the Biodynamic Research Corporation, which support that an inadvertent AHR deployment is not likely to cause serious injury.In addition to the low risk of injury, FCA released an extended warranty program that covers inadvertent AHR deployment for ten years / unlimited mileage from the vehicle's in-service date. PE19014 is closed with the FCA extended warranty program.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. To review a complete closing summary, please the attached closing report. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.