Illustrationrear brakes pulsating and not stopping properly this van only has 11.345 miles on it. i dont think the brakes should have a problem yet. do you ?
2019 Dodge Grand Caravan
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2019 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
170–25K
1625–50K
1550–75K
775–100K
10100–150K
2150K+
67 reports with mileage · 172 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.
- Electrical System. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports3 fire reports16 injury reports
Service Brakes complaints
9 reportsThe contact owns a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle slid to the left. The contact described the move to the left, as if she was turning the steering wheel, but she was not. Additionally, while driving from a standing stop, the rear …
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The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle slid to the left. The contact described the move to the left, as if she was turning the steering wheel, but she was not. Additionally, while driving from a standing stop, the rear tires was spinning as if she had applied the brakes before the vehicle jolted forward. The contact stated that the engine was making abnormal sounds and the vehicle was vibrating. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to several independent mechanics who could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
Before 50K miles the transmission went out and a cylinder blew at the same time. There was no warning this would happen and when it happened we were in traffic and caused the vehicle to jump almost hitting another car. This was repaired by Dodge. At the time of pick up the technician in the shop told us that this is a common iss…
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Before 50K miles the transmission went out and a cylinder blew at the same time. There was no warning this would happen and when it happened we were in traffic and caused the vehicle to jump almost hitting another car. This was repaired by Dodge. At the time of pick up the technician in the shop told us that this is a common issue with these vans and he sees this all the time. Also the breaks have not worked properly since purchase. An online form shows many owners have this same issue and have determined that the break system is under rated for the size of vehicle.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY TO BRAKES HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE CONTACT STATED IT FELT AS IF THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE AIR B…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY TO BRAKES HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE CONTACT STATED IT FELT AS IF THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER THE INCIDENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED TRACY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (3460 NAGLEE RD, TRACY, CA 95304, (209)820-1800) TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,500.*DT*JB
PASSENGER SEAT BELT NOT OPERATING SMELL OF GAS REAR BRAKES NOT FUNCTIONING
SECOND TIME MY VAN HAS LOST ELECTRICAL AND BRAKES. TODAY I WAS IN THE DRIVE THRU, CURVING AROUND THE BUILDING TO THE LEFT, SLIGHT HILL AT TURN. AGAIN, GAS GAUGE GOES TO EMPTY, THIS TIME HALF OF THE DASHBOARD IS ON, NO BRAKES. WAS ABLE TO TURN VAN OFF AND RESTART. TOWED AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY MALFUNCTION …
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SECOND TIME MY VAN HAS LOST ELECTRICAL AND BRAKES. TODAY I WAS IN THE DRIVE THRU, CURVING AROUND THE BUILDING TO THE LEFT, SLIGHT HILL AT TURN. AGAIN, GAS GAUGE GOES TO EMPTY, THIS TIME HALF OF THE DASHBOARD IS ON, NO BRAKES. WAS ABLE TO TURN VAN OFF AND RESTART. TOWED AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY MALFUNCTION AND LIFE THREATENING!
7/21/2020 - DRIVING THROUGH A LEFT TURN ON A MAIN ROAD AND LOST ALL ELECTRIC- STEERING, BRAKES, DASHBOARD. COASTED TO THE LEFT TURN LANE. APPLIED PRESSURE TO BRAKES, BUT WAS STILL ROLLING. HAD TO THROW IT INTO PARK TO STOP AN ACCIDENT FROM HAPPENING. TURNED VAN OFF AND RESTARTED VAN. DROVE TO THE GAS STATION ACROSS THE STREET AN…
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7/21/2020 - DRIVING THROUGH A LEFT TURN ON A MAIN ROAD AND LOST ALL ELECTRIC- STEERING, BRAKES, DASHBOARD. COASTED TO THE LEFT TURN LANE. APPLIED PRESSURE TO BRAKES, BUT WAS STILL ROLLING. HAD TO THROW IT INTO PARK TO STOP AN ACCIDENT FROM HAPPENING. TURNED VAN OFF AND RESTARTED VAN. DROVE TO THE GAS STATION ACROSS THE STREET AND HAD IT TOWED. I HAD FIVE CHILDREN IN MY VAN, THIS MAJOR SAFETY MALFUNCTION COULD HAVE KILLED ALL OF US. DEALERSHIP HAD THE VAN FOR 10 DAYS AND CLAIMED ONE POSSIBILITY WAS WINTER GAS STILL AVAILABLE AT GAS STATIONS COMBINED WITH WARM WEATHER. OFFERED NO SOLUTION OTHER THAN TO PICK UP MY VAN. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO MY OTHER DODGE GRAND CARAVAN MULTIPLE TIMES UNTIL I FINALLY FELT LIKE I COULDN'T CHANCE MY LIFE ANYMORE AND TURNED IT IN. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN, DOCUMENTED DODGE ISSUE!! THE SERVICE AGENT IGNORED MY REQUESTS TO LOOK INTO IT. NO CODE SHOWS FOR THIS ISSUE AND IT DIDN'T HAPPEN DURING THEIR DRIVE, SO THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THEY ARE SELLING DEATH TRAPS. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN I PUMP GAS AND MY TANK IS ALREADY OVER A HALF OF TANK, THE SENSOR READS FULL AND THE HANDLE CLICKS OFF.
I HAD AN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY WHEN TRYING TO PARK THE CAR ACCELERATED TO THE POINT THAT I HIT A GARAGE DOOR DAMAGING THE CAR INSIDE, ALL WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSING VERY HARD. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE THE CAR SHOOT BACK AT TREMENDOUS SPEED, IT WOULD NOT STOPED REGARDLESS OF MY …
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I HAD AN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY WHEN TRYING TO PARK THE CAR ACCELERATED TO THE POINT THAT I HIT A GARAGE DOOR DAMAGING THE CAR INSIDE, ALL WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSING VERY HARD. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE THE CAR SHOOT BACK AT TREMENDOUS SPEED, IT WOULD NOT STOPED REGARDLESS OF MY FOOT PRESSING ON THE BRAKE AS FAR AS THE BRAKE GOES. I HIT A CAR PARKED ON THE STREET WITH SUCH FORCE THAT PUSHED IT ON TOP OF THE SIDEWALK CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. I,WAS,,TRAVELING UP 38TH STREET IN UNION CITY AND IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING A MY FRIEND'S DRIVEWAY, TURNING FROM THE STREET WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES LIGHTLY. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS ON THE ACCELERATOR, IT ACCELERATEDM ON ITS OWN WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO STOP. THE CAR IS RIGHT NOW AT A SHOP, THEY WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC AND SEND AN ESTIMATE OF THE BODY DAMAGE. I HAVE CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY FOR THEM TO HAVE THE CAR MECHANICAL FUNCTIONS. PROBABLY A BROKEN AXEL ON THE REAR WHEELS.
WHILE TRAVELING AROUND 30MPH, BRAKES WERE APPLIED IN A "PANIC STOP" FASHION - FAST HARD DEPRESSION. THE ROAD WAS STRAIGHT, CLEAN AND DRY. VISIBILITY WAS EXCELLENT AND THE VIEW WAS CLEAR FOR ABOUT A HALF MILE. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED IT FELT AS THOUGH THE ABS SYSTEM INTERFERED WITH BRAKING, CAUSING NO ACTUAL FORCE TO BE AP…
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WHILE TRAVELING AROUND 30MPH, BRAKES WERE APPLIED IN A "PANIC STOP" FASHION - FAST HARD DEPRESSION. THE ROAD WAS STRAIGHT, CLEAN AND DRY. VISIBILITY WAS EXCELLENT AND THE VIEW WAS CLEAR FOR ABOUT A HALF MILE. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED IT FELT AS THOUGH THE ABS SYSTEM INTERFERED WITH BRAKING, CAUSING NO ACTUAL FORCE TO BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKES. NO DECELERATION WAS FELT BY THE DRIVER, OR ANY OF THE OTHER TWO PASSENGERS. ALTHOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FULLY DEPRESSED, THE VAN CONTINUED AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 35MPH FOR AN ADDITIONAL 70-80 FEET WITHOUT SLOWING, AND WAS STOPPED ONLY BY THE VEHICLE IT EVENTUALLY STRUCK. DISTINCTIVE INJURIES ON THE DRIVER'S LEG CREATED BY THE DEBRIS OF THE DASH PANEL ALSO REFLECT THAT THE LEG AND FOOT WERE ALIGNED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOT "ELSEWHERE". ALTHOUGH THIS MODEL HAS A SAFETY RECALL REGARDING "SURFACE COATING" AFFECTING THE BRAKING ABILITY, THIS VIN WAS NOT IMPLICATED. ALSO, THIS INCIDENT DID NOT APPEAR TO INVOLVE "REDUCED" BRAKING ABILITY. THERE WAS NO BRAKING. OTHER CAUSES ARE POSSIBLE, BUT THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE THE BEHAVIOR OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM BEHAVED WOULD BE TO DESCRIBE IT AS THOUGH THE ABS HAD DISENGAGED ALL BRAKING ABILITIES SO THAT THE PEDAL HAD SOME FEEDBACK TO THE DRIVER, BUT NO DISCERNIBLE EFFECT ON SLOWING THE VEHICLE. IT WAS AS THOUGH THE ABS SOMEHOW TURNED THE BRAKES OFF. CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS A RENTAL VEHICLE. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY SPECIFIC WARRANTY SERVICE *AND* THAT THE WARRANTY SERVICE WAS NOT INDICATED FOR THIS PARTICULAR VIN FOR THE ONLY 'BRAKING ISSUE' THAT SEEMS TO AFFECT THIS MAKE/MODEL.*JB
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.
20V278000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
May 15, 2020
Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain Vantage-modified 2016-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles. The fuel pump gasket may deteriorate, allowing fuel to leak.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Vantage will notify owners, and will provide parts and reimbursement to owners for repair facilities to replace the fuel tank gasket, free of charge. The recall began May 19, 2020. Owners may contact Vantage customer service at 1-800-488-9082.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain Vantage-modified 2016-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles. The fuel pump gasket may deteriorate, allowing fuel to leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Vantage will notify owners, and will provide parts and reimbursement to owners for repair facilities to replace the fuel tank gasket, free of charge. The recall began May 19, 2020. Owners may contact Vantage customer service at 1-800-488-9082.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain Vantage-modified 2016-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles. The fuel pump gasket may deteriorate, allowing fuel to leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Vantage will notify owners, and will provide parts and reimbursement to owners for repair facilities to replace the fuel tank gasket, free of charge. The recall began May 19, 2020. Owners may contact Vantage customer service at 1-800-488-9082.
19V759000 · Seats
Oct 24, 2019
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles. The welds on the outboard rear seat strikers for the second row bench and second row bucket seats may fail during a front impact crash. The front outboard seat strikers for the third row bench seats may fail in the event of a rear impact crash. In addition, the second row bench and second row bucket seats may not withstand the required loads.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the seat strikers fail, the seat or seat belt may not adequately restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will weld in a striker reinforcement bracket on the second and third row outboard seat strikers, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is V91.
18V523000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
Aug 9, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan and Jeep Compass, 2018 Dodge Journey, and 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U86.
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.