Normally, when an automaker discovers a problem with a vehicle, it issues a recall. Dealerships inspect the vehicles, and the automaker covers the repair costs. If you already paid to fix your car, you’re usually out of luck. But thanks to a lawsuit, Dodge is handling a Caravan minivan problem a little differently.

Stellantis, Dodge’s parent company, settled a lawsuit involving Grand Caravan minivans built during 2017. According to the lawsuit, the vehicle’s door latches and lock actuators may fail. Stellantis has stepped up and offered to fix any vehicles with broken locks free of charge. But that’s not all.

If you already paid a third party to repair or replace the locks or latches in your 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan, the automaker might reimburse you. There’s a form on Chrysler.com where you can enter your VIN and submit a claim.

Why isn’t the Dodge Caravan lawsuit a recall?

Why did Caravan owners have to sue Dodge? The answer may be that the door locks aren’t considered integral to vehicle safety.

If even a piece of trim risks flying off while driving, the NHTSA can open an investigation and may force a recall. If locks fail and trap occupants inside a vehicle, the NHTSA can also force a recall. But if a vehicle fails to lock and simply remains unlocked, it might not be considered an immediate safety issue—as long as the doors won’t open while driving.

In this case, the NHTSA appears to be involved in the warranty extension to fix faulty locks, but not in the payouts for locks that owners already repaired.

“Caravan” is a model name Dodge used for its minivans on and off from 1984 through 2020. The company still makes minivans, but they’re all badged as Chryslers.