2018 Dodge Grand Caravan: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
269 NHTSA owner complaints · 4 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The fifth-generation Grand Caravan ran from 2008 to 2020 with few changes, and its record is steady — transmission and electrical complaints at a moderate level, scoring in the 70s and 80s — apart from the 2016 model year, which carries 1,155 complaints for reasons the record attributes mainly to the six-speed transmission and the air-conditioning system. The 2017–2020 years are among the cheapest reliable people-carriers on the site. 2018 specifically: a year the record favours — 269 complaints, score 74/100. The caveats in the note apply to other years of this nameplate more than to this one.
Read the guide
Used minivans compared: Odyssey, Sienna, Pacifica, Grand Caravan and Town and Country, including 2018 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-16.
Owner complaints: 269 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 33.62
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
At approximately 3:40 pm central standard time I was going through a school zone fixing to turn into the school. I was going about 15 mph and decelerating to a stop near the cop conducting school traffic. As I was coming a stop my AHR headrest deployed. This happened very spontaneously and luckily I was going slow enough and coming to a stop when it happened. Definitely a safety concern.
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts, with the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) warning light displayed on the instrument panel. The contact was forced to jumpstart the vehicle; however, the vehicle may not start after being jumpstarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and DTC: C212A (Anti-Lock Brake System - ABS). Th…
My rear passenger slide door has recently started buzzing when you press the unlock button. The lock itself will not move so it is not locking. We tried to get this fixed at our local dealership, they told us that it was under the 10y/100k miles warranty, we have 66k on the van. They then told us that they would have to remove a trim piece and they would break it and we would have to pay for it. Then, they told us th…
Recalls: 4 campaigns (3 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 18V524000 | Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid… |
| 18V523000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 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. |
| 20V278000 | 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. |
| 25V876000 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility:Wheelchair Restraints/Securement:Latch/Anchor: | 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… |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a minivan of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 20 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $3,100 · EPA range 280 mi
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Electrical System92 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Unknown Or Other65 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Structure59 complaints · typical job: Body, subframe or corrosion repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,070–$2,920
- Engine34 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Power Train23 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Latches/Locks/Linkages15 complaints · typical job: Door latch or lock actuator replacement (2.0 h labour + parts)$380–$760
Other Dodge Grand Caravan years
Dodge Grand Caravan years to avoid, and the best years to buy →
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Electrical System (92 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 74/100, computed from 269 NHTSA complaints and 4 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan's most common problem?
92 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan sit in the Electrical System group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement: about 3.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $540–$1,310 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan cost to run per year?
About $5,528 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $27,642 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan, 3 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 09/08/2018. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other minivans of about the same age.
What will a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 269 complaints, 4 recalls on record
- 269 NHTSA complaints on record (33.6/yr of exposure) — in line with a typical year of this model (34.5/yr)
- 4 recall campaigns, 3 touching safety-critical systems