2013 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN Seats Problems

2013 Dodge Grand Caravan. Driver active headrest deployed without warning while sitting in garage and unoccupied. The loud noise and force of the defect could easily harm a passenger or cause a wreck. There are thousands of complaints on-line or through class action suits. I contacted the Chrysler Care group by phone on 10/22/2025. Their rep acknowledged, after asking if anyone was hurt, that this is a "known problem and a safety issue". After dealer inspection, Chrysler would provide a replacement even though it was after the extended warranty. The dealer performed the inspection on 10/24/2025. I notified the care group at this time. Weeks later the company has reneged on this commitment, refused to provide a replacement, and closed the case.

While in a Parked Gear, my 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan Front Passenger Headrest Deployed/Exploded. There wasn't a collision nor accident

Passenger front seat headrest deployed while vehicle was parked. The plastic housing supporting a small metal bar broke causing it to open. I had no idea this could happen when I bought the car. I have kept this van longer than any I have owned as my Chrysler dealer closed and the van is no longer made! A new one form Chrysler is about $6-800! I was able to find a lightly used replacement headrest on Ebay and using a youtube video swapped it out myself. I have since learned Chrysler extended the warrantee 10 years, but my car is older than that. It only has about 65,500 miles on it. I am going to try and zip-tie the driver's side headrest so I do not get it in the back of the head when driving!! I presume the passenger side will remain intact for a while.

This morning the headrest on the passenger side was deployed the van was parked in driveway overnight. Not sure how this happened. I feel this is a safety issue. If I was driving and someone was sitting in that sit that could have hurt them. This is a default on your vehicle .Please contact me.

On July 28, 2024 I was getting ready to go to work. I got into my driver seat and sat down and the headrest deployed. Hitting me quite hard in the back of the head there was no accident or bumping of the vehicle, which would cause this. I had to go to work, but had a headache the entire evening due to this and woke up the next day being today still with a headache from the injury caused by the van headrest exploding

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front driver's seat headrest deployed independently without impact. The check engine and TPMS warning lights were illuminated. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was received. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

Mileage: 143,000

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the passenger's side active head restraint deployed independently. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the headrest. The contact was informed that the headrest needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000.

Mileage: 72,000

I was driving down the road and the drivers side head rest popped off and hit me in the back of the head/neck. There were no warning signs and has not been taken anywhere to be inspected as of today. Will be looking into that.

While I was driving, the passenger seat headrest exploded forward. Chrysler calls this the "Front Seat Active Head Restraint." This is a safety mechanism supposed to be triggered in a crash, but the plastic holding back the force of the strong springs gave out and the plastic broke. This is a known issue that has caused others concussions, neck injuries, etc. As of yet the person who was sitting in the seat has not shown adverse symptoms, but his safety was put at risk. Chrysler is aware of this issue and had sent out a letter extending the warranty to 10 years, but this vehicle is just past the 10-year mark. No dealer, police, or insurance representatives have inspected this specific incident. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to failure.

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 30 MPH, the headrest inadvertently deployed. The headrest struck the contact on the head. The driver sustained no injuries. Medical attention was not sought. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The VIN was not available.

Mileage: 150,000

The driver side headrest was deployed (I was heading to work when I opened the door to get in the van, I noticed the headrest was deployed). The vehicle was parked in my driveway all night and had not been in any type of accident. It is available to be inspected. Had I been driving when it deployed, there’s a strong possibility it would have caused an unsafe driving condition and/or an accident. I have searched for a recall, but there isn’t one. However, other Dodge caravan drivers have reported similar incidents with their headrest deploying for no reason. The component has not been inspected yet, as it occurred just today. No warning lights or signs were present before the deployment (the night before when I parked it).

The driver's seat headrest came apart like it is supposed to in the event of an accident. However, my vehicle was not in an accident; it was sitting in the driveway. The plastic tabs that hold the headrest together broke apart. It is available for inspection. If this had happened while driving, my head would have been hit and pushed forward suddenly, which could have resulted in an accident/loss of control. This has been a problem on different models, and extended warranties have been offered. However, the dealership says mine is not one of the covered vehicles.

Today, 6/17/23, I went to Costco. When I got back to my van I noticed that the passenger head rest had popped open. I first thought that it was some hidden compartment feature that I didn't know about but upon getting out of my van and going around to look closer that there were a lot of what looked like electrical components inside. I thought that was weird, why did a head rest have all that inside it? I tried to close it and could not. When I got home I had my son look at it and he said that he could see a little plastic pin or other had broken, he could tell something had broken, but also could not get it to close or figure out any solution, and he's very good with car problems. I did a bit of research and found a lot of information and news stories about the head rests spontaneously popping open, I was not in any kind of accident, just went to Costco and back to my van at approximately 4:30pm. One of the news stories mentioned NHTSA and here I am reporting this, I have not received any notification on any recalls and I see on your site that there have been three recalls regarding my van.

The active headrest deployment activated but our vehicle did not experience any collision that should have activated this feature. This happened while the vehicle was stopped.

The contact owned a 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at 25-35 MPH with someone in the front passenger seat a semi-truck crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle spun seven times and continuously hit the concrete barriers on each side of the highway. The contact stated that the body of the vehicle shifted 5 inches away from the frame. The air bags were deployed but were deflated. The contact became unconscious temporarily and upon regaining consciousness, he noticed that he was laying flat in the front driver's seat as the seat had fractured into two. The contact also noticed that the driver's seatbelt had snapped. The contact was able to exit the vehicle with the assistance of emergency units and the fire department. The contact was transported to the hospital by the emergency unit. The contact sustained consistent middle back pain that would sometimes cause him to crawl instead of walking, numbness in both legs, consistent headaches, and Impaired vision. The other passenger sustained a seatbelt mark and trauma. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard where it was totaled. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V291000 (Air Bags). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

Mileage: 69,000

Unknown. Went to grab something in the passenger front seat and had my hand on the headrest and it popped open and won’t close back up because the plastic brackets holding metal pole broke. My wrist hurt from the force.

The driver seat headrest deployed without any notice. The plastic is broken where they pin is supposed to sit. Mileage 123,587

Mileage: 123,587

The headrest deployed while the vehicle was parked and occupied. The driver was sitting in the seat and hit by the headrest. If he had been leaning back, it was likely forceful enough to cause a head or neck injury. If we had been driving it was distracting and startling. It easily could have caused a crash. I have reported this to Mopar, and I will be taking it to a dodge repair shop for inspection and replacement. They stated they were aware of the issue and they sent out letters. They were aware I never received one, they said due to not having my address, though I have received other communication from Dodge. I know of 2 other dodge owners whose vehicles are in the affected group according to Mopar, and neither has received notification of this potential malfunction. There was absolutely no indication there was anything wrong with the headrest prior to smacking the driver in the head.

HEADREST ON PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BURST WHEN BRUSHED AGAINST WHEN SOMEONE WAS GETTING INTO THE PARKED VAN.

Mileage: 60,070

WHILE GETTING MY FATHER-IN-LAW SITUATED IN THE VAN WHEN LEAVING PHYSICAL THERAPY IS WHEN WE NOTICED WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS HEADREST.

Mileage: 81,859

DRIVER'S SIDE ACTIVE-RESTRAINT HEADREST DEPLOYED (POPPED OPEN) WHILE CAR WAS AT REST WITH ENGINE OFF. INTERNAL INSPECTION SHOWED BROKEN PLASTIC INSIDE HEADREST. CAR WAS STATIONARY; ENGINE WAS OFF WHEN ACTIVE-RESTRAINT HEADREST DEPLOYED. DEALER SAID COST TO REPLACE WAS APPROXIMATELY $900. RECALL FOR SAME ISSUE ON OTHER MAKES/MODELS BY CHRYSLER/DODGE. APPARENTLY NOT FOR 2013 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN (YET).

Mileage: 139,000

MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE DRIVING IN OUR 2013 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WHEN THE PASSNGER HEADREST DEPLOYED AND HIT MY DAUGHTER IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION.*DT THE CONSUMER STATED THE PLASTIC THAT HOLDS THE PIN OF THE HEADREST FAILED. THE PIN WAS STILL LATCHED TO THE HEADREST. *JS

Mileage: 113,000

BOTH FRONT HEADREST RESTRAINTS DEPLOYED WHEN CAR WAS PARKED. THEY ARE DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS AND DODGE HAS NOT RECALLED THEM FOR THE 2013 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

Mileage: 80,000

THE HEADREST OF MY 2013 DODGE CARAVAN DEPLOYED WITH NO WARNING. IT WAS FRONT PASSENGER HEADREST . WE WERE GOING AT APPROX. 15 MPH. MY SON WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND OUT OF NO WHERE, THE HEADREST DEPLOYED.

Mileage: 10

PASSENGER HEADREST DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT TO VEHICLE. INSPECTION OF HEADREST APPEARS THE THE PLASTIC STRUCTURE HOLDING RETAINING PIN HAS FAILED, DEPLOYING HEADREST. I BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY.

Mileage: 92,600

PASSENGER HEADREST DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET.

Mileage: 109,054

BOTH OF MY FRONT SEATS' HEADRESTS HAVE DEPLOYED (AT SEPARATE TIMES), WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED, SITTING PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE PLASTIC CLIP THAT HOLDS THE MECHANISM CLOSED WORE OUT AND CRACKED OPEN, RELEASING THE HEADREST. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, BECAUSE THIS WAS CLEARLY A DEFECT. THEY SAID THE ENTIRE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IT ESTIMATED $900.

Mileage: 90,000

THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADREST SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. AFTER GETTING OFF WORK I GOT IN MY VEHICLE WHICH WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, LUCKILY I TOOK A MOMENT TO MAKE A PHONE CALL WHILE STILL PARKED, AS I BENT FORWARD TO FIND MY PHONE THE HEADREST EXPLODED, THANKFULLY NOT HITTING ME IN THE HEAD.

Mileage: 118,000

THE DRIVER'S ACTIVE HEAD RESTRAINT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED SPONTANEOUSLY. I DID NOT WITNESS THE OCCURRENCE, I NOTICED THE HEADREST WHEN ENTERING MY VEHICLE ONE MORNING. MY 2013 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY SORT OF COLLISION. I AM UNABLE TO FIND ANY RECALL INFORMATION FOR THIS OCCURRENCE, AND I BELIEVE THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL PLACED FOR THIS BY CHRYSLER.

Mileage: 114,000

ONE DAY, I FOUND MY DRIVERS SEAT HEAD REST HAD COME OPENED. WHEN LOOKING TO SEE WHAT CAUSED THIS, IT SAID THAT YOU WERE REAR ENDED? I WAS NOT REAR ENDED! NOW MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON? I HAD ASK A DODGE DEALER ABOUT IT , AND HE SAID THAT IT WOULD COST A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIX IT? WHEN READING ABOUT THE RECALLS ON IT, I READ WHERE THE CLIPS ARE BREAKING. MAKING THE HEAD REST TO COME OPEN, AND THE AIR BAGS NOT WORKING? PLEASE CAN YOU HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEMS? I DON'T FEEL THAT IT IS MY FAULT? THANK YOU [XXX] REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC

Mileage: 77,789

DRIVING ON 6/22/20 ON HIGHWAY, GOING 70 MPH, WHEN DRIVER SIDE HEADREST POPPED OPEN. THERE WAS NOTHING NEAR IT (EXCEPT MY HUSBAND'S HEAD) WHEN IT POPPED. *TR

Mileage: 87,840

VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON LEVEL SURFACE AFTER CAR WASH WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THE HEAD RESTRAINT SAFETY DEVICE MALFUNCTIONED AND POPPED OPEN. I NOTICED THE BLACK PLASTIC CLIPS THAT HOLD THE RESTRAINT TO THE METAL PIN WERE BROKEN, MOST LIKELY CAUSED FROM EXCESSIVE STRAIN OVER TIME.

Mileage: 125,000

THE PASSENGER SEAT HEADREST DEPLOYED, THE PASSENGER WAS ADJUSTING THE SEAT TO MOVE BACK AND ADJUSTING THE ANGLE OF THE SEAT. THERE WAS NO CAR ACCIDENT TO ACTIVATE THIS ACTION. IT WAS STARTLING TO HEAR THIS AND SEE THIS. IT IS HIGHLY DEFECTIVE IN IT'S ACTIVISION MECHANISM. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE TO FIX THIS IN THE $1000. I SEE NO LOGICAL REASON FOR THE HEAD REST AND NOW I CAN SEE IF IT DEPLOYED ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.*DT CONSUMER STATED HEAD REST HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.*JB

Mileage: 82,000

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT AROUND 60 MPH, MY HEADREST DEPLOYED. I DID NOT USE THE BRAKES, AND WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY SORT OF ACCIDENT, INCLUDING A REAR END ACCIDENT, WHICH IS WHEN THIS IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, IT SMACKED INTO THE BACK OF MY HEAD. THE SURPRISE AND PAIN OF THIS HITTING THE BACK OF ME HEAD RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I WAS TRAVELING AROUND OTHER VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC TABS INSIDE ARE SNAPPED AND THERE IS NO WAY TO PUT IT BACK TOGETHER WITHOUT A REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. THE PART OBVIOUSLY FAILED. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN AND I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF THIS HAPPENING TO CHRYSLER MINIVANS AND SUVS. THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADREST DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH I BELIEVE IS FURTHER EVIDENCE THAT IT DID NOT FUNCTION AS INTENDED. IF I HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A REAR END ACCIDENT, THEY BOTH SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED, AS MY HUSBAND WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PART AS IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND IS VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR. I'M INCLUDING PICTURES OF THE DEPLOYED HEADREST, THE PASSENGER ONE THAT IS STILL TOGETHER, AND THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE TO SHOW THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. THANK YOU.

Mileage: 96,000

2013 DODGE CARAVAN DRIVER SIDE HEAD TEST DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2019. MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. NO ACCIDENT OR REAR COLLISION OCCURRED. PHOTOS OF FRONT AND BACK OF VEHICLE WILL PROVE NO DAMAGE. IT APPEARS THE PLASTIC RETAINER WHICH HOLDS THE COMPONENT TOGETHER FAILED AND SNAPPED ON ITS OWN ACCORD. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY DODGE/CHRYSLER.

Mileage: 116,000

2013 DODGE CARAVAN DRIVER SIDE HEAD TEST DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON WHEN MY BROTHER FROM OUT OF TOWN TOOK MY CHILDREN TO THE SCHOOL BUS STOP THIS MORNING AUGUST 20TH 2019 NO ACCIDENT HAVE PICTURES OF DEPLOYED HEADREST ON DRIVER SEAT HAVE PICTURES OF PASSENGERS HEADREST IS FINE HAVE PICTURES OF FRONT AND BACK OF VEHICLE SHOWING NO DAMAGE. *DT *DT *DT *TR *DT *TR CONSUMER STATED DAREN DRINSKI WAS INJURED WHILE TAKING MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL 8-20-19 ROUGHLY 6:30A.M. IT DEPLOYED HITTING HIM IN THE HEAD. WHICH CAUSED HIM TO HAVE A SEVERE HEADACHE THROWING UP YESTERDAY. HE FINALLY FELL ASLEEP ROUGHLY 3:00AM THIS MORNING 8-21-19 WOKE UP FEW HOURS LATER STILL WITH A HEADACHE FEELING NAUSEOUS AND NECK HURTING SO BAD HE COULD BARELY GET OUT OF BED. HE WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM THIS MORNING 8-21-19. HE HAS NOW MISSED 2 DAYS OF WORK. IS NOT BEING RELEASED AT THE SOONEST 8-24-19. MAY NEED TO FOLLOW UP WITH PRIMARY DOCTOR IF STILL HAVING PAIN. THE EMERGENCY ROOM SAID HE HAD CERVICAL SPRAIN NECK CONTUSION. WE DID CONTACT DODGE THEMSELVES WHICH WAS SUCH A RUDE MISINFORMATION RIGHTFULLY A RUN AROUND CIRCUS. I'VE SPOKEN WITH CHRIS 8-20-19 WHO TOOK THE INITIAL REPORT TO SEND TO SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS DEPARTMENT. CHRIS SAID I WOULD RECEIVE A PHONE CALL BY THIS MORNING 8-21-19. 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

Mileage: 136,000

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD REST DEPLOYED. THERE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT AT THE TIME BUT WAS NOT HIT BY THE HEAD REST.

Mileage: 120,000

TAKATA RECALL .... THE HEADREST ON THE PASSENGER SEAT DEPLOYED ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT OCCURRING. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.

Mileage: 111,225

DRIVER'S HEADREST POPPED WHILE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. CAUSED PAIN AND SUFFERING FOR DRIVER... HAD TO SEEK MEDICAL HELP (CHIROPRACTOR). DODGE REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT FOR THIS SAFETY DEVICE.

Mileage: 87,000

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CAR IN MOTION WHEN PASSENGER HEADREST DEPLOYED HITTING PASSENGERS HEAD PUSHING THEM INTO DASHBOARD. TAKEN TO ADDYS DODGE AND WAS TOLD IT WAS BROKE AND NEEDED A NEW HEADREST FOR $790.00 THAT HEADREST WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND ASKED FOR $ 98.00 FOR THERE INSPECTION

Mileage: 37,783

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE ATTEMPTED TO LOAD THE VEHICLE, HER RIGHT ELBOW HIT THE HEADREST. SUDDENLY, THE HEADREST POPPED OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADREST POPPED OUT ON ONE OTHER OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CERRITOS DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (18803 STUDEBAKER RD, CERRITOS, CA 90703 (562) 402-5335), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

ON 7/31/2016 MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY. I ENTERED THE VEHICLE, STARTED THE ENGINE AND THE DRIVER SIDE ACTIVE HEADREST DEPLOYED. ATTEMPTS TO RESET HEADREST PER THE OPERATORS MANUAL FAILED. ON 8/4/2016 I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD NOT RESET HEADREST AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED (COST APPROX $900). I CONTACTED DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO HAS ASSIGNED AN INVESTIGATOR TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUE. CASE # 29846962 AS OF THIS DATE, 8/5, THE REPLACEMENT HEADREST IS ON ORDER AND I AM WAITING TO BE CONTACTED BY THE INVESTIGATOR TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN IN EXCESS OF 500 MILES (NORTHERN VA TO TN) AND HAD BEEN PARKED AND SECURED IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR APPROX. 1 HOUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT, AND HAS NEVER BEEN, IN AN ACCIDENT.

Mileage: 57,500

AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF LIKE THER IS SOMEONE IN PASSENGER SEAT WHEN EMPTY,CAR TURNS AIR BAG ON AND OFF BY WEIGHT.DOESNT WORK PROPERLY. IN 2011 RECALL ON SAME VEHICLE FOR BAD HAVAC CAUSING LEAK. THIS STOPS HEATING SYSTOM FROM WORKING PROPERLY AND AIR BAG NOT TO WORK . MY 2013 DOING SAME BUT KNOW RECALL.DOES ALL THE TIME.

Mileage: 65,000