IllustrationTHE CAR HAS NOISE.
2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Grand Caravan years
Owner complaints for the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan are substantially higher than 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
510–25K
12425–50K
20450–75K
12775–100K
87100–150K
8150K+
601 reports with mileage · 399 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 314 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 227 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 220 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports7 fire reports11 injury reports
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
26 reportsVAN STOPPED GOING IN AND OUT OF GEAR IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND ALMOST CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT. VAN WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET AND MOVING.
AZ - 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN R/T, APPROX 63,500 MI. 2 WEEKS AGO I WENT TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULDN'T START. I ASSUMED IT WAS THE BATTERY BECAUSE ITS A FAIRLY NEW VEHICLE. I GAVE IT A JUMP AND THE VEHICLE STARTED. I SET THE TIME AS IT HAD RESET TO 12:00AM BUT RADIO STATIONS WERE STILL PROGRAMMED. I WENT ON A 3HR DRIVE BAC…
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AZ - 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN R/T, APPROX 63,500 MI. 2 WEEKS AGO I WENT TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULDN'T START. I ASSUMED IT WAS THE BATTERY BECAUSE ITS A FAIRLY NEW VEHICLE. I GAVE IT A JUMP AND THE VEHICLE STARTED. I SET THE TIME AS IT HAD RESET TO 12:00AM BUT RADIO STATIONS WERE STILL PROGRAMMED. I WENT ON A 3HR DRIVE BACK HOME WITH NO ISSUES AND FIGURED THE BATTERY WAS CHARGED BY THE TIME I GOT HOME. BEFORE I WENT INSIDE FOR THE NIGHT, I ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE UP AND IT STARTED WITH NO ISSUES. THE NEXT MORNING I WENT TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START ON THE FIRST OR SECOND ATTEMPT. I NOTICED THE DISPLAY ON THE DASH WOULD ALTERNATE FROM "RUN" TO "OFF" EACH TIME I WOULD TRY TO START IT. THE THIRD TRY THE VEHICLE STARTED FOR A GOOD 3-5 SECONDS THEN DIED. THE NEXT ATTEMPT THE VEHICLE STARTED. I HAD THE SAME ISSUES AFTER WORK AND EACH TIME I WOULD THINK IT WAS THE BATTERY BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD TRY TO TURN OVER AND DASH WOULD ALTERNATE START TO OFF AND THE CLOCK ON THE RADIO WOULD RESET TO 12:00 AM. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 2 WEEKS NOW, I REACHED THE POINT OF REPLACING THE ALTERNATOR. I ALSO HAD THE NEW ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY TESTED, BOTH TESTED GOOD. WHAT KEPT LEADING ME TO A BAD ALTERNATOR/BATTERY WAS THE FACT THAT THE CLOCK WOULD RESET AND THE FIRST FEW ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT WORK. MY THINKING STARTED TO CHANGE AS THE DAYS PASSED. I THOUGHT THAT HAD IT BEEN A BATTERY OR CHARGING ISSUE THE BATTERY WOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD BY NOW. TODAY I WENT THROUGH THE SAME ROUTINE, TRIED TWICE TO START, THEN IT WOULD START THEN STALL, OF COURSE THE LAST TRY IT WOULD STAY ON. SAME THING IN THE EVENING, AFTER WORK, BUT THIS TIME WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AT 45MPH. NO WARNINGS OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, I PULLED OVER, VEHICLE STARTED RIGHT UP. A SEARCH OF THE SYMPTOMS LEAD ME TO TIPM ISSUES EARLIER MODELS WERE HAVING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V814000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. SHERMAN DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V814000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. SHERMAN DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (7601 SKOKIE BLVD, SKOKIE, IL) WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, CITING IT WAS THE CONTACT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTACT THE COMPANY THE VEHICLE WAS LEASED FROM SO THEY COULD SEND THEM THE PART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
VEHICLE CONVERTED BY ELDORADO NATIONAL SALINA KANSAS. I HAVE A FLEET OF 530 MINIVANS CONVERTED NOW CALLED AMERIVAN. WE HAVE HAD FUEL LEAK COMPLAINTS THAT GENERATED NHTSA RECALL 16V222. THE VEHICLE ON THIS COMPLAINT BLEW A FUEL LINE OFF THE VEHICLE ABOVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. REPAIRS OUTLINED IN 16V222 HAVE NOT FIXED THE PROBL…
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VEHICLE CONVERTED BY ELDORADO NATIONAL SALINA KANSAS. I HAVE A FLEET OF 530 MINIVANS CONVERTED NOW CALLED AMERIVAN. WE HAVE HAD FUEL LEAK COMPLAINTS THAT GENERATED NHTSA RECALL 16V222. THE VEHICLE ON THIS COMPLAINT BLEW A FUEL LINE OFF THE VEHICLE ABOVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. REPAIRS OUTLINED IN 16V222 HAVE NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE NEW FAILURE HAPPENED JUNE 22 2017. THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT AFTER THE RELEASE OF 16V222. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING DOWN A STREET ON LOS ANGELES WITH PASSENGERS ON BOARD LOST POWER. TRIED TO RESTART A PUDDLE OF FUEL WAS UNDER THE VEHICLE. DRIVER CALLED FOR A TOW. THIS VEHICLE AND MANY OTHERS IN MY FLEET WERE BUILT AFTER 16V222. ELDORADO NATIONAL BUILDS MANY OF THESE LOW FLOOR VEHICLES FOR THE DISABLED COMMUNITY, FURTHER ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM TO INCLUDE RETROFITTING VEHICLES BACK TO 2011. THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH ELDORADO CONVERTED MINIVANS WE HAVE MANY I USED THE LAST MAJOR SAFETY RELATED FAILURE AS THE INCIDENT DATE.
DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, HAD TO APPLY BRAKES HARD, THEN HAD TO PUMP THE EXCELLERATOR AND THEN FLOORE IT TO GET GAS TO ENGINE TO RESUME MOMENTUM. AFTER THAT IT DOES IT DOES THIS INTERMEDIATELY, MAYBE FOR QUITE AWHILE THE SAME DAY AND NOT AGAIN FOR WEEKS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON AND THERE ARE TIMES THAT THE RP…
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DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, HAD TO APPLY BRAKES HARD, THEN HAD TO PUMP THE EXCELLERATOR AND THEN FLOORE IT TO GET GAS TO ENGINE TO RESUME MOMENTUM. AFTER THAT IT DOES IT DOES THIS INTERMEDIATELY, MAYBE FOR QUITE AWHILE THE SAME DAY AND NOT AGAIN FOR WEEKS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON AND THERE ARE TIMES THAT THE RPM'S HAVE JUMPED UP TO 4 AND ALMOST 5, THE ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE A RACE CAR AND LITTLE MOVEMENT AND THEN QUICKLY LUNGES FORWARD, AT OTHER SOUNDS LIKE IT HAS SHIFTED AND YOU STILL HAVE NOT INCREASED IN SPEED. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT THIS VECHILE OVER A WEEK AND THEY HAD NO PROBLEMS. ANOTHER DATE IT WAS DOING THIS WAS ON AN EXIT RAMP FROM THE INTERSTATE IN CREEPING, STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. TAKEN STRAIGHT TO DEALERSHIP FROM THERE ACTING UP ALL THE WAY. VECHILE WAS NOT SHUT OFF WHEN REP FROM SERVICE DEPARTMENT WENT AS PASSENGER THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS.
Official recalls
625V876000 · 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.
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.
16V300000 · Seats:mid/rear Assembly
May 16, 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured March 16, 2016, to March 17, 2016. The nuts on the third row seatbacks were incorrectly torqued and may become loose.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the third row seatback becomes loose, it may separate from the seat frame, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will re-torque the third row seatback nuts, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S37.
15V595000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Sep 24, 2015
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured August 19, 2015 to August 27, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that attach the hood striker may loosen and, as a result, the hood may open unexpectedly while driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the hood opens while driving, the driver's vision may be obstructed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install new hood striker bolts with the proper torque, free of charge. The recall began on October 22, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler's customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is R53.
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
2PE21016 · Sliding Doors Inoperative
Opened Jul 9, 2021 · Closed Jul 22, 2022
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:lock
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-016 on July 7, 2021, to investigate 364 complaints alleging that one or both sliding doors on 2016 Model Year (MY) Grand Caravan or Town and Country vehicles could not be opened. The door(s) could not be opened using the mechanical handle or electronic remote switches. Many of the complaints described having to remove passengers seated in the rear of vehicles through the front doors, the second sliding door (if it was operational), the window, or the car?s rear hatch. The complainants have expressed concerns that if the sliding door(s) cannot be opened in the event of an emergency or crash, it could trap passengers or delay their egress.On June 4, FCA published TSB# 23-017-20 instructing dealers to replace the door lock actuator instead of the entire door latch assembly on the subject vehicles when consumers complained about either one or both of the sliding door locks not functioning and/or emitting a loud buzzing noise during lock/unlock operation. On June 16, 2021, FCA approved a Quality Warranty Extension for fifteen years/150,000 miles from the vehicle's in-service date for sliding door lock actuators on vehicles built between May 1, 2015, through January 9, 2017. FCA has started notifying owners about the new program. FCA will provide reimbursement for owners who previously paid for sliding door repairs.Consumers whose sliding doors are inoperative will have the opportunity to have their vehicle diagnosed, and if a fault is identified, have the sliding door actuator repaired at no charge.Analysis of the FCA IR response and ODI complaint data found that the majority (96%) of sliding door failures occurred prior to the calendar year 2020 when the subject vehicles had approximately 4 years in service. At the time of the closing of this investigation, 99% of the subject vehicles are passed the age where failures typically occur. The number of new reports has been decreasing since 2020 and further reduced following the FCA Warranty Extension program. ODI found that prior to a failure of the sliding door(s) there is normally a loud buzzing noise/sound generated that alerts the operator to the actuator starting to wear out.ODI has not identified any crashes or injury allegations due to the sliding door being inoperable on the subject vehicles following nearly six years of exposure. ODI will continue to monitor complaints received for the incidence of sliding doors becoming inoperative.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. 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.For a complete summary of this investigation and related consumer complaints, please see attached closing resume document.
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.