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2019 Dodge Grand Caravan Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan carries 4 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering seats and caliper. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Headrest or seat back deployment striking occupant.” Dodge uses Stellantis' Oil Change Indicator — it watches engine load and duty cycle and messages when to change oil, capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months. Know your engine: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 goes 100,000 miles on plugs, while HEMI V8s carry sixteen plugs (two per cylinder) on a roughly 30,000-mile interval — that's a real cost difference at the service counter. HEMI models with MDS cylinder deactivation are especially sensitive to overdue oil.

4 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

SEATS

Campaign #19V759000 · Oct 24, 2019

Issue: 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.

Risk: If the seat strikers fail, the seat or seat belt may not adequately restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

Campaign #18V523000 · Sep 8, 2018

Issue: 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.

Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Campaign #20V278000 · May 15, 2020

Issue: 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.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY:WHEELCHAIR RESTRAINTS/SECUREMENT:LATCH/ANCHOR:

Campaign #25V876000 · Dec 17, 2025

Issue: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan.

Reported to NHTSA

Headrest or seat back deployment striking occupant

SEATS

6 NHTSA complaints · 2019-05 → 2026-06

“The contact's husband owns a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 20 MPH, the front, passenger side headrest deployed without warning”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11731568
“THE ABOVE VEHICLE WAS A RENTAL VEHICLE BEING DEMONSTRATED TO ME TO SHOW THE AMOUNT OF REAR LUGGAGE SPACE AVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11207646
“2019 DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HEAD REST FLIPPING DOWN STRIKING WIFE IN HEAD LEAVING A SMALL HEMATOMA. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE STOW N GO SEATS WERE INSTALLED IN THE SECOND ROW.THE CONSUMER'S WIFE SAT IN THE SECOND ROW PASSENGER SIDE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11286237

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Back-up camera image inversion

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION

2 NHTSA complaints · 2025-10 → 2025-12

“THE CAMERA FOR REVERSE IS NOT GOOD. IT DELAYS TO COME ON, AND SEVERAL TIMES, THE CAMERA COMES UPSIDE DOWN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11696662
“The back up camera is inverted. It shows perfect on the screen. Just inverted. There is a known recall for other 2019 dodge vehicles for the same issue. NHTSA 25E052. How is the grand caravan not included in this. They are having the exact same issues”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11704609

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Automatic transmission failure and replacement

POWER TRAIN

14 NHTSA complaints · 2025-08 → 2026-07

“The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle started jerking, lost motive power, and the RPMs elevated to the red line”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11747804
“The torque converter(automatic transmission) began failing causing the vehicle to stall when at a traffic light in heavy city traffic allowing for the possibility of being struck by other vehicles because of a restart delay”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11737310
“At 99500 the transmission went Kaputt! Repair man says metal shavings obstructed flow of fluid, through the filter, into the transmission, not allowing for running the car forward or backward. Very dangerous as we were driving down a highway when it just stopped working”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11687409

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sliding door lock actuator failure

STRUCTURE

10 NHTSA complaints · 2025-09 → 2026-07

“MINIVAN HAS SLIDING DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURE, DRIVER SIDE. UNABLE TO OPEN SLIDING DOOR MANUALLY OR WITH POWER DOOR MOTOR. LOCK/UNLOCK LATCH IS STUCK IN LOCKED POSITION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN CASE OF VEHICLE CRASH OR FIRE. EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH OLDER MODELS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11749568
“The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the driver's side sliding door made an abnormal clicking and buzzing sound while closing. Additionally, the passenger's side sliding door failed to open as intended and remained closed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11698978
“Passenger side sliding door is stuck in the locked position. Nothing I do will unlock it. The lock doesn't respond to any buttons either on the key fob or on the overhead panel. Also cannot be unlocked manually”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11689287

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag warning light from headrest sensor failure

AIR BAGS

2 NHTSA complaints · 2026-05 → 2026-08

“Air Bag light stays on. Mechanic found defect in driver's side headrest. Part was ordered in February 2026, still waiting for the replacement part 6 months later. Dodge has no idea when the part will be available”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11755173
“The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the airbag warning light had remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the front driver side head rest sensor had failed and needed to replaced”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11738049

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine cylinder head and oil cooler failure

ENGINE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2026-02 → 2026-02

“Engine loss of power, failure to accelerate, sudden forward lurch when stopped, Check engine light diagnosed by dealership and independent shop as Cylinder 2 failure. Purchased from Carvana 11/2024 with just over 70,000 miles on it. Currently has about 77,000”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11718154
“I went into the Dodge place for my routine oil change on 2/3/26. While waiting, it was discovered by a technician that I had a very bad oil leak. This is very alarming to me. One reason is, there were no signs that I had an oil leak”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11715887

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the indicator says so — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L: 0W-20. HEMI 5.7L: 5W-20 (0W-40 for 6.4L SRT). MDS-equipped HEMIs punish stretched oil intervals with lifter and cam wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles. Charger/Challenger R/T and Scat Pack: staggered-width setups can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads and rotors at every oil change. Heavy Durangos used for towing and hard-driven Chargers both run through rear pads faster than the front-pad-first rule of thumb suggests.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

HEMI 5.7L: sixteen plugs roughly every 30,000 miles — check your year's manual. Pentastar 3.6L (Charger/Challenger V6, Durango V6, Journey, Grand Caravan): 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Grand Caravan/Journey (62TE): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles in family duty. Charger/Challenger/Durango with the TorqueFlite 8-speed: no published normal interval, but specialists recommend service around 60,000-100,000 miles — sooner with towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

RWD Charger/Challenger and AWD Durango: replace rear diff fluid around 60,000 miles, sooner with towing or drag-strip duty. Limited-slip units need the friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. HEMIs pull serious airflow — a clogged filter costs measurable power before it throws a code.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles, replace on cracking or glazing. On the HEMI, a shredded belt can take the cooling drive with it mid-drive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped (behind the glovebox on most models). Some earlier Journeys and Avengers shipped without one — check before buying a filter.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant is scheduled for 10 years / 150,000 miles; shops commonly refresh by 100,000. OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing chemistries gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Big-audio Chargers and tow-package Durangos lean on the battery hard; weak batteries surface as gremlins in the electronics before they fail to crank.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

82 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

0

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan reflects Dodge's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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