Buy Dodge Grand Caravan Side View Mirrors

Overview

Overview

The side mirror-also called a wing mirror, door mirror, or outside rear-view mirror-lets you see traffic beside and behind your Dodge Grand Caravan. The current Grand Caravan generation (chassis code RT) ran from model-year 2008 through 2020, so most mirrors made for these years bolt up the same way and share wiring plugs. (YouTube) Good mirrors cut blind spots, keep you legal, and protect your family on busy roads.

Fitment Guide

Fitment Guide

• Years covered: 2008-2020 Grand Caravan.
• Sides: Driver (left) and passenger (right) housings are not interchangeable because the mounting angle and glass curvature differ for each side.
• Trims & options: Mirrors can be manual-fold or power-fold, heated or non-heated, with or without LED turn-signal arrows, puddle lamps, or Blind-Spot Monitoring (BSM) triangles. (Chrysler Minivan)
• Glass size: Aftermarket replacement glass is roughly 7 ¾ in. on the long diagonal; always measure before ordering.
• Connector plugs: Most 2008-2020 mirrors use a 10-pin plug; BSM mirrors add two extra pins for the radar indicator.

Key Features

Key Features

• Power adjustment lets you move the glass with a four-way pad on the driver door.
• Heated glass melts frost when the rear-window defogger is on.
• Manual or power folding helps squeeze into tight parking.
• Built-in turn signal lamps make lane-changes clearer to others.
• Blind-Spot Monitoring lights a triangle on the mirror when radar senses a vehicle alongside.
• Convex spot mirrors or stick-on blind-spot mirrors can widen the field of view.

Safety Rules

Safety Rules

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 111 says every outside mirror on a light-duty vehicle must reflect at least 323 cm² of area. (NHTSA) NHTSA also notes that private owners may install any mirror they like, but the vehicle must still meet FMVSS 111 when it is driven on public roads. (NHTSA) Crash-data studies show blind-spot detection systems that warn with lights on or near the mirrors can cut relevant crash rates by about 11 %-23 %.

Common Failures

Common Failures

• Broken glass from parking-lot bumps or flying debris.
• Motor stalls that leave the glass stuck in one position.
• Fold-hinge wear after many car-wash knocks or tight garages.
• Painted cap loss-owners report the color-matched cover popping off after automatic washes. (Chrysler Minivan)
• Signal light moisture leading to dim or failed LEDs (noted in several TSBs).

Diagnosis Tips

Diagnosis Tips

1. Check the fuse first. For 2011-2020 vans the heated/power mirror fuse is M35 (10 A) in the TIPM under the hood. (StartMyCar)
2. Listen for the motor. If you hear it but the glass does not move, the plastic gear may be stripped.
3. Wiggle test the harness inside the door; broken wires at the hinge area are common.
4. Use a scan tool on later models with BSM to read any radar-module faults.

Replacement & Installation

Replacement & Installation

A do-it-yourself swap takes about 30 minutes with a trim tool and a 10 mm socket. (YouTube) Remove the inner sail panel, unplug the connector, undo three mounting nuts, and lift off the old mirror. Torque the nuts snug (about 8 N·m is typical), then test all functions before re-installing the panel. For glass-only fixes, peel the old shards off the backing plate, apply high-temperature mirror adhesive, and press new glass firmly for two minutes. A second video shows the same steps on a 2015 passenger unit. (YouTube)

Maintenance & Care

Maintenance & Care

• Keep the reflective surface clean with glass cleaner-no abrasive pads.
• Fold the mirror in at drive-through car washes to spare the hinge.
• Run the defogger weekly in winter to keep the heating grid alive.
• Touch-up paint chips on the cover to block rust.

Cost & Value

Cost & Value

RepairPal pegs a complete Grand Caravan mirror replacement (parts + labor) at roughly US $793-833 for 2011-2020 models. Older vans run a bit cheaper, about US $577-617. Costs have risen with added sensors; industry data show the average mirror with cameras or radar can reach US $1 200-1 500 today. Saving the painted cap or reusing the backing plate can lower the bill.

Upgrades & Accessories

Upgrades & Accessories

• Stick-on convex dots make lane checks easier.
• Tow mirrors (larger housings) are legal if they do not block door glass.
• Chrome caps swap on for style without full mirror replacement.
• Aftermarket LED puddle lights illuminate the ground when doors unlock.

Troubleshooting Electrical

Troubleshooting Electrical

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Environmental Impact

Environmental Impact

Mirror housings are ABS plastic; most curbside recycling centers accept small broken pieces. Glass must be separated before recycling-wrap shards in newspaper for safe disposal. Working motors and caps can be sold to salvage yards, cutting landfill waste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the same mirror fit every Grand Caravan from 2008-2020?
A: Yes, the mounting pattern stayed the same across those years, but be sure to match options like heat, signals, or BSM. (YouTube)

Q: Is it illegal to drive without a passenger-side mirror?
A: In most U.S. states a minivan must have both outside mirrors, because the center mirror view is partly blocked by seats and cargo. (NHTSA)

Q: How do I adjust the mirror?
A: Turn the ignition on, press "L" or "R" on the door pad, and move the joystick until you see a small slice of your van and lots of road.

Q: Where is the fuse for the heated mirrors?
A: Look in the under-hood TIPM; it is mini-fuse M35 (10 A) on most 2011-2020 vans. (StartMyCar)

Q: My mirror cap flew off in a car wash-can I buy just the cap?
A: Yes. Paint-to-match caps snap on; no wiring is involved. (Chrysler Minivan)

Q: Why is the orange triangle in the glass blinking?
A: The Blind-Spot Monitoring system flashes when you signal toward a detected vehicle, warning you not to change lanes.

Q: The glass shakes while driving; is that normal?
A: No. The motor carrier may be loose inside. Removing the glass and tightening three Torx screws stops the vibration.

Q: Can I replace only broken glass and keep the backing plate?
A: Usually yes. Use high-temperature mirror adhesive and press firmly for two minutes.

Q: How much will a shop charge?
A: Expect roughly US $800 with standard power-heated glass, more if your mirror has cameras or radar.

Q: Will aftermarket mirrors void my warranty?
A: Replacing a mirror will not void other coverage unless the new part causes damage; Magnuson-Moss protects you.

Q: Do I need to reset anything after swap?
A: Mirrors without memory or BSM need no programming. BSM mirrors self-calibrate after 10-15 minutes of driving.

Q: My mirror's LED signal is weak-can I fix it?
A: LED boards are sealed; swapping the board or entire mirror is the durable fix.

Q: Are convex add-on mirrors legal?
A: Yes, as long as they do not cover required mirror area. (NHTSA)

Q: Could a mirror problem trigger a dash light?
A: Only BSM mirrors can. If the radar is unplugged, the cluster will show "Blind Spot Alert Unavailable."

Q: Why does the mirror fog even with heat on?
A: Dirt films block heat; clean glass with isopropyl mix and try again.

Q: Where can I read official bulletins about mirror problems?
A: NHTSA hosts all Technical Service Bulletins online.

Final Tips

Final Tips

Keep your wing mirrors clean, intact, and working; they are small parts that make a big safety difference. Address cracks or motor noises early to avoid higher costs later, and always match features when ordering replacements.