THE TRANSMISSION JUST DIED COMING DOWN A HILL AT A SLOW SPEED NEAR MY HOME ON A CITY STREET. NO PREVIOUS NOISE OR WARNING. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. I HAVE 140,000 MILES. VAN IS WELL MAINTAINED. TOOK TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. FOUND METAL IN THE PAN.
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.
Power Train complaints
77 reportsCAR PURCHASED BRAND NEW MARCH 2015. FEBRUARY 2021 AT APPROXIMATELY 93,000 MILES EXTENSIVE OIL LEAKING DAMAGE. CAR IS LEAKING OIL FROM THE OIL FILTER HOUSING UNIT INCLUDING THE GASKETS AROUND. AT THIS POINT, THE CORRECT PART IS ON BACK ORDER FROM CHRYSLER, PER THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED THE CAR, I AM NUMBER 28,000 PLUS IN THE LIN…
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CAR PURCHASED BRAND NEW MARCH 2015. FEBRUARY 2021 AT APPROXIMATELY 93,000 MILES EXTENSIVE OIL LEAKING DAMAGE. CAR IS LEAKING OIL FROM THE OIL FILTER HOUSING UNIT INCLUDING THE GASKETS AROUND. AT THIS POINT, THE CORRECT PART IS ON BACK ORDER FROM CHRYSLER, PER THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED THE CAR, I AM NUMBER 28,000 PLUS IN THE LINE TO RECEIVE THIS PART. THERE IS NO ETA FOR WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. THE VAN LEAKS WHEN PARKED AND IN DRIVE. I GOT AN OIL CHANGE END OF DECEMBER 2020 AND WAS DOWN TO TWO QUARTS OF OIL IN A MONTH TIME AND 1000 MILES SINCE OIL CHANGE. THE CAR IS NOW UN DRIVEABLE AND CHRYSLER IS DOING NOTHING TO ASSIST WITH GETTING A LOANER VEHICLE.
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHEN SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT ON AN INCLINE AND ALMOST ROLLED BACK INTO THE CAR BEHIND. THE TRANSMISSION PUMP FAILED AND RUINED TRANSMISSION AT 5 YEARS AND 2 MONTHS AND ONLY 81970 MILES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THEIR WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WENT THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION STARTED CATCHING DESPITE THE DRIVER'S FOOT BEING ON THE BRAKES. THE DRIVER HAD TO PULL OFF TO A NEARBY PARKING LOT AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THEIR WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WENT THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION STARTED CATCHING DESPITE THE DRIVER'S FOOT BEING ON THE BRAKES. THE DRIVER HAD TO PULL OFF TO A NEARBY PARKING LOT AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE LEFT THE VEHICLE PARKED FOR A FEW DAYS BEFORE DRIVING IT TO A NEARBY DEALER (CUMBERLAND CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM 1550 INTERSTATE DR, COOKEVILLE, TN 38501; (931) 263-0321) WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION PUMP AND TRANSMISSION GEARS 4, 4, AND 6, AS WELL AS, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO FIND A GEAR AFTER FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION AND COOLANT PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND CONFIRMED THAT THEIR VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V461000 (POWER TRAIN) AND REFERRED THEM TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
WHILE DRIVING TO HIGHWAY THE RPM WAS GOING TO HIRE AN ENGINE START MAKING WHINING SOUND AND IN THE CITY WHILE REACHING TO MECHANIC AT THE INTERSECTION IT WAS GIVING HUGE JERK AND SOMETIMES GET DOESN'T SHIFT AT ALL THE CARS STAND STILL AT INTERSECTIONS I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON IN ORDER TO MOVE WHICH WAS VERY…
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WHILE DRIVING TO HIGHWAY THE RPM WAS GOING TO HIRE AN ENGINE START MAKING WHINING SOUND AND IN THE CITY WHILE REACHING TO MECHANIC AT THE INTERSECTION IT WAS GIVING HUGE JERK AND SOMETIMES GET DOESN'T SHIFT AT ALL THE CARS STAND STILL AT INTERSECTIONS I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON IN ORDER TO MOVE WHICH WAS VERY DANGEROUSAFTER CONSULT TO A MECHANIC HE SAYS OIL PUMP IS GONE FOR THE TRANSMISSION DODGE CARAVAN IS A FAMILY CAR I GOT FOUR KIDS AND IT'S VERY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF FORMS IN WHICH PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE KINDLY ASSIST IN THIS REGARDS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE OF VIRGINIA BEACH LOCATED AT 3152 VIRGINIA BEACH BLVD, VIR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE OF VIRGINIA BEACH LOCATED AT 3152 VIRGINIA BEACH BLVD, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23452 AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND ENGINE VALVE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UPHILL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED QUIGLEY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (565 ROUTE 100 NORTH, BOYERTOWN, PA 19512) AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UPHILL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED QUIGLEY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (565 ROUTE 100 NORTH, BOYERTOWN, PA 19512) AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V461000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, THE RPM'S REVVED UP HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY. LAKESHORE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT (330…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, THE RPM'S REVVED UP HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY. LAKESHORE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT (330 E HOWZE BEACH RD, SLIDELL, LA 70461) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V461000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO FACILITATE THE REPAIR DUE TO PARTS NOT BEING AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,088.
WHEN DRIVING IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE ON I-71 NORTH A LOUD WHINING NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT LEFT OF THE VEHICLE IT THEN HAD DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING. I HAD MY FOOT PRESSING HARD ON THE GAS JUST TO GET TO 60 MPH. THE RPM WAS ALL THE WAY TO 6. THE VEHICLE WOULD SLOW AND SPEED UP WITH A JERK. ONCE I ARRIVED TO WORK I PARKED THE CAR. …
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WHEN DRIVING IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE ON I-71 NORTH A LOUD WHINING NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT LEFT OF THE VEHICLE IT THEN HAD DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING. I HAD MY FOOT PRESSING HARD ON THE GAS JUST TO GET TO 60 MPH. THE RPM WAS ALL THE WAY TO 6. THE VEHICLE WOULD SLOW AND SPEED UP WITH A JERK. ONCE I ARRIVED TO WORK I PARKED THE CAR. WHEN I TURNED THE VAN BACK ON MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO THEN HAD IT TOWED TO ANOTHER LOCATION THAT WAS ABLE TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. I AM CURRENTLY AWAITING THE FULL DIAGNOSTIC. I RELIGIOUSLY MAINTAIN MY VEHICLE TO AVOID CATASTROPHIC FAILURES SUCH AS THE ONE I AM HAVING NOW. SO DISAPPOINTED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS VEHICLE AS IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIME SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT WITH PROBLEMS FROM ELECTRICAL ISSUES, THE SIDE DOORS UNABLE TO OPEN, AND OIL PAIN CRACKING.
LOSE POWER AND WHINING NOISE. *TR
Official recalls
425V876000 · 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
1PE19014 · 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.
Illustration