Dodge Caravan Latches/locks/linkages Problems
Owners have filed 354 complaints with NHTSA about latches/locks/linkages problems on the Dodge Caravan across 16 model years. The 2005 model year has the most (203). The words owners use most often: “door locks” (32% of reports).
- 354latches/locks/linkages complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $180typical repair cost reported by owners
- 24%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Door locks: mentioned in 115 of 354 complaints (32%)
- Lock unlock: mentioned in 44 of 354 complaints (12%)
- Side sliding: mentioned in 21 of 354 complaints (6%)
- Key fob: mentioned in 21 of 354 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical latches/locks/linkages repair on the Dodge Caravan at $180, and half of them between $150 and $670.
Based on 16 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2002–2011), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do latches/locks/linkages problems happen?
Based on 202 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 354 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury.
Dodge Caravan latches/locks/linkages complaints by model year
| Model year | Latches/locks/linkages complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Caravan | 1 | 1% | 56,000 |
| 2009 Caravan | 1 | 1% | 71,282 |
| 2008 Caravan | 3 | 1% | 25,000 |
| 2007 Caravan | 4 | 5% | 57,000 |
| 2006 Caravan | 16 | 9% | 46,400 |
| 2005 Caravan | 203 | 38% | 65,000 |
| 2004 Caravan | 1 | 2% | 108,000 |
| 2003 Caravan | 5 | 3% | 52,850 |
| 2002 Caravan | 3 | 1% | 120 |
| 2001 Caravan | 8 | 3% | 67,000 |
| 2000 Caravan | 3 | 1% | — |
| 1999 Caravan | 8 | 1% | 83,597 |
| 1998 Caravan | 5 | 1% | 61,000 |
| 1997 Caravan | 10 | 1% | — |
| 1996 Caravan | 61 | 4% | 13,000 |
| 1995 Caravan | 22 | 4% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock
Model years: 2003
Problem: On certain minivans, the power liftgate (plg) latch may not engage the striker allowing the liftgate to open while driving.
Risk: In the event of a crash, an unbelted passenger could be ejected from the vehicle.
Fix: Dealers will replace the power liftgate control module free of charge. The recall began april 26, 2005. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Door lock system has failed due to computer glitch. From what i have found on-line this problem has been happening for years and should be covered by a recall. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge caravan. The contact stated that the door power locking system failed. The contact mentioned that the vehicle doors only locked manually. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the electronic body control system needed to be…
The automatic locks stopped working. They are supposed to automatically lock at 15mph as a safety feature and then do not. It also means i have to enter the car only from driver side and manually lock or unlock all my doors and my trunk door does not lock at all. I consider this a safety issue as i…
Plastic piece in the latch system snapped in half. Whole new car seat shipped to me. (related vehicle information: model year=2006, make=dodge, model=caravan). *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge caravan. The contact stated that while parked, the locking system for both rear doors failed to unlock. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact called her local dealer, who advised that the vehicle was not included in any…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge Caravans have latches/locks/linkages problems?
No. NHTSA has 354 owner complaints about latches/locks/linkages for the Dodge Caravan. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Dodge Caravan latches/locks/linkages?
Yes: 1 safety recall list latches/locks/linkages. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix latches/locks/linkages problems on the Dodge Caravan?
Owners report a typical cost of $180 (half paid between $150 and $670), from 16 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about latches/locks/linkages problems on the Dodge Caravan?
The most frequent phrase is “door locks”, in 115 of 354 complaints, followed by “lock unlock” (44).
Other Dodge Caravan problems
- Electrical System problems (1,216)
- Air Bags problems (1,059)
- Power Train problems (849)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (810)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (536)
- Steering problems (448)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (416)
- Visibility problems (324)
See all Dodge Caravan problems.