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2012 Dodge Grand Caravan problems

The most common problem on the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan is electrical system, typically around 100,000 miles. It has 1.6 times the complaints of a typical Grand Caravan model year.

Typical year1.6x the typical complaints
Year score
53/100
Owner complaints
584
Recalls
6
Service bulletins
98
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
20mpg
Typical repair
$1,200

The worst 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan

Stalling 88Fuel pump 55Won't start 54Check engine light 32Loss of power 28Power steering loss 18Warning lights 18Door locks 17Key fob 17Battery drain 16Engine failure 13Headlights 13Airbag light 11Fire or smoke 11Wipers 9Knocking 8Jerking 8Misfire 8Won't shift 8Steering lock-up 7ABS 6Adaptive cruise 6Brake failure 6Grinding brakes 6Hesitation 6

Recalls 6

Equipment adaptive/mobility: wheelchair restraints/securement: latch/anchor: Reported December 17, 2025 · 86 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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 number 25V876000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontalReported June 13, 2017 · 209,135 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may unexpectedly deploy if the air bag wiring harness gets chafed within the steering wheel and short circuits.
Risk
Unexpected deployment of the driver's frontal air bag increases the risk of a crash or driver injury.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag wiring within the steering wheel, replacing it if necessary. A protective cover will also be installed. These repairs will be made free of charge. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T33.

Recall number 17V376000 · Recall details

Electrical systemReported May 7, 2014 · 644,757 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler Group, LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured August 25, 2010, through October 31, 2013. The affected vehicles may experience overheating of the vent window switch in the driver's door armrest.
Risk
An overheated switch may result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vent window switch with a newer version, free of charge. The owner notification letter was issued and the remedy campaign launched on on December 31, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P25.

Recall number 14V234000 · Recall details

EquipmentReported May 2, 2012 · 471 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 town and country and dodge grand caravan vehicles, manufactured from march 9, 2012 through march 12, 2012. Some vehicles may be equipped with a right side liftgate pinch sensor that does not function properly. As a result, increased force may be required in order to stop the power liftgate during final closing stages.
Risk
The power liftgate door may close on an appendage, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the right side liftgate pinch sensors, free of charge. The safety recall began on may 18, 2012. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 12V191000 · Recall details

Suspension: rearReported April 3, 2012 · 289 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 town and country and dodge grand caravan vehicles manufactured from november 15, 2011, through november 21, 2011. Some vehicles may be equipped with right rear hub and bearing assemblies that were not fully machined.
Risk
This could result in a decrease in durability, which may lead to wheel separation, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right rear hub and bearing assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on april 27, 2012. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 12V141000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported September 29, 2011 · 667 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 chrysler vehicles, including 200 and town and country models, dodge vehicles, including charger, durango, grand caravan and journey models and jeep grand cherokee vehicles manufactured from august 31, 2011, through september 13, 2011, that are equipped with 3.6l engines. These engines may experience connecting rod bearing failure due to debris inside the engine block.
Risk
Connecting rod failure may lead to engine seizure which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners and replace the engine free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about november 18, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 11V487000 · Recall details

See all 6 recalls for the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan

Defect investigations

Active Head Rest Inadvertent DeploymentOpened September 9, 2019, closed February 25, 2026

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of vehicle control as a result of being surprised and distracted by being struck in the head by the inadvertent AHR deployment. On September 24, 2019, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).ODI requested certain detailed information from FCA related to the following subject vehicles: MY 2010-2014 Dodge Avenger 200, MY 2010-2014 Dodge Calber, MY 2010-2014 Chrysler Sebring, MY 2013-2015 Ram Tradesman, MY 2012 Ram Van, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, MY 2010-2016 Chrysler Town and Country, MY 2010-2017 Jeep Compass, MY 2011-2020 Dodge Durango, MY 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Journey, MY 2010-2012 Jeep Liberty, MY 2010-2011 Jeep Nitro, and MY 2010-2011 Jeep Patriot vehicles.On December 2, 2019, ODI received a response from FCA that included vehicle production data, consumer complaints, field reports, warranty claims, manufacturer actions, production changes, and other data related to the alleged defect from the start of production (2010) through September 24, 2019.On January 27, 2020, ODI received an update to the December 2, 2019, IR response from FCA.On September 22, 2020, ODI requested additional subject vehicle AHR information from FCA.ODI received FCA's response on October 21, 2020.ODI subsequently received an update to FCA's October 21, 2020, response on February 16, 2021.During the investigation, ODI requested updates to certain IR questions on two occasions.FCA provided updates to question #2 on March 5, 2021, and questions #2 and #5 on May 26, 2023. FCA’s IR response data identified approximately 7.5 million subject vehicles (with approximately 15 million AHR assemblies).Due to the large number of vehicles and failure reports, ODI focused its analysis on the FCA vehicle model with the highest failure rate to represent the worst-case scenario.For this purpose, ODI focused on MY 2012-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles for its analysis.This population includes 710,890 vehicles that FCA manufactured between August 19, 2011, and August 8, 2015.ODI identified 2,839 alleged AHR failures within this limited population.ODI identified 263 alleged injuries that were caused by AHR failures in MY 2012-2015 Grand Cherokees vehicles.Of these alleged injuries, ODI categorized them as eighty-two (82) soft tissue (neck/whiplash, bruise) injuries, four (4) concussions, fifty-nine (59) headaches, and one hundred eighteen (118) without a specific injury description.Although complainants have alleged injuries, ODI has been unable to obtain evidence to substantiate or validate any injuries where medical treatment was required.Consumer outreach was conducted by ODI, where sixty-three (63) FCA complainants with alleged injuries were contacted.Twelve of the sixty-three FCA consumers responded and were interviewed by ODI.ODI requested medical records, however, only one response was provided. Attorneys representing the responding complainant provided a synopsis that indicated they had experienced prior neck-related injuries dating to the mid-1990s.ODI also contacted one hundred (100) consumers who submitted Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) in an attempt to validate alleged injuries. Despite the efforts of ODI, the office has been unsuccessful at obtaining substantive documentation/evidence supporting complaints that allege serious injuries (where pre-existing medical conditions did not already exist). In addition to the low severity of alleged injuries caused by AHR deployments, there have been eleven alleged crashes and two alleged lane departures within the entire subject vehicle population that has been in the field up to sixteen years (with over 8,500 AHR inadvertent deployments).ODI was not able to validate that the alleged crashes were the result of inadvertent head rest deployments, and the crashes were minor in nature. ODI has conducted a thorough investigation of the alleged safety defect and with up to sixteen years of exposure for some vehicles and over 8,500 inadvertent AHR deployments, no serious crashes or injuries could be validated in the sub-population of focus.The lack of serious injuries validated by ODI with such large period of field exposure is consistent with thework done by the federal safety agency’s Human Injury Research Division and the Biodynamic Research Corporation, which support that an inadvertent AHR deployment is not likely to cause serious injury.In addition to the low risk of injury, FCA released an extended warranty program that covers inadvertent AHR deployment for ten years / unlimited mileage from the vehicle's in-service date. PE19014 is closed with the FCA extended warranty program.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. To review a complete closing summary, please the attached closing report. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to

PE19014

Totally Integrated Power Module FailureOpened September 25, 2014, closed July 24, 2015

In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the federal safety agency to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year. The petitioner alleges that TIPM defects may result in engine stall, airbag non-deployment, failure of fuel pump shutoff resulting in unintended acceleration, fire, and other symptoms. On September 25, 2014, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened DP14-004 to evaluate the petition for a grant or deny decision. ODI analyzed complaint data provided by CAS as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 296 complaints submitted by the petitioner in the original petition and five supplements, including 271 complaints related to the subject vehicles equipped with TIPM-7. Approximately 3 percent of CAS complaints are related to vehicles equipped with TIPM-6 and ODI?s review of these complaints did not identify any safety defect trends. ODI conducted a detailed review of complaints narratives submitted by CAS and consumers including careful analysis of vehicle repair histories, warranty claims obtained from the manufacturer and any available Customer Assistance Inquiry reports (CAIR). Analysis of the field data indicated that MY2011-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles exhibited significantly higher complaint rates related to fuel pump relay (FPR) failures than other subject vehicles. In a September 3, 2014 letter to the federal safety agency, Chrysler submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the FPR within the TIPM-7 which can result in a no start or stall condition in approximately 188,723 model year (MY) 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK) and Dodge Durango (WD) vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010 through July 20, 2011 (14V‑530).In a February 24, 2015 letter, Chrysler submitted a second DIR expanding the scope of the FPR defect condition to include an additional 338,216 MY 2012 through 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured from September 17, 2010 through August 19, 2013 and MY 2012 through 2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 18, 2011 through August 19, 2013 (15V‑115).ODI analysis of the CAS allegations of TIPM defects resulting in stall while driving, airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration, fire and other faults identified a single defect condition related to 1 of over 60 different circuits in the TIPM assembly. The most common effect of this defect condition, related to the fuel pump relay, was a no-start concern, but it could also result in stall while driving (76 complaints). No valid evidence was presented in support of claims related to airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration or fire resulting from TIPM faults and these claims were found to be wholly without merit based on review of the field data and design of the relevant systems and components.Except insofar as the petitioner's contentions relate to the defect condition addressed by the Chrysler recalls, the factual bases of the petitioner's contentions that any further investigation is necessary are unsupported. In our view, additional investigation is unlikely to result in a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists or a the federal safety agency order for the notification and remedy of a safety-related defect as alleged by the petitioner at the conclusion of the requested investigation. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize the federal safety agency's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is den

DP14004

Technical service bulletins for the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan 98

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 98 bulletins for the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan

2012 Dodge Grand Caravan fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.6L 6‑cylFWD172520

What 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 7, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · IN

Randomly shuts off Says key is in the ignition when it isnt

Filed Apr 14, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · CA

We purchased our 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan 1/2026. Only 85000 miles on it. After about a week or 2, when husband tried go start van to go to work early cold, morning, van wouldn't start easily. Sometimes he would wait up to a few hours and keep trying to start, eventually it would. But last 3 days, its gotten harder to start van.at all. Not cool. Why isn't this recalled, it seems ALOT of people have same issue..

Filed Feb 19, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · NC

The fuel pump would run all night and going down the road the van would cut off...had it checked the tipm was bad

Filed Nov 26, 2025 · Electrical · NC

My van tipm went out..it would cut off going down the road the safety door locks was not working the fuel pump was running all the time with switch off

Filed Nov 16, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · MN

While driving, the vehicle will periodically shut down/lose all power. This appears to occur when a slight bump in the road occurs. The loss of power to the vehicle is obviously a significant safety issue. We have been able to restart it when switching to neutral and turning the key; however, this obviously isn't a safe solution while traveling down the highway with no power to the vehicle. This has occurred multiple times at varying speeds (30-70 mph) over the last few years - I am reporting it now as I was assuming/anticipating there would be a recall on this safety issue.

Filed Jul 3, 2025 · Airbags · CT

The driver's seat active headrest spontaneously deployed while my wife was operating the van. Luckily this did not cause an accident, but being hit in the back of the head by the headrest certainly can cause an accident in the future. Inspection shows the internal plastic latch mechanism broken, thus the spontaneous, unintentional deployment of the active headrest.

Filed May 19, 2025 · Engine · 130,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH on the highway, the vehicle inadvertently shut off. The contact stated that the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact was able to pull over safely and restated the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure progressed over time and the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were flashing on and off. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Mar 27, 2025 · Electrical · MO

Car stalls unexpectedly with no warning or check engine light on. Intermittent occurrences. Sometimes interior lights stay on, sometimes not. Can usually get car restarted right away but not always. Has been doing this for awhile. Never know when it will do it. Has done it at all speeds, while parked and while idling. Have had battery replaced as well as starter. Suspect win module. See below - approximate date is unknown. Has been doing it for so long we don't remember.

Filed Mar 17, 2025 · Electrical · 183,000 miles · NV · fire

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, unoccupied, and turned off at the residence, she noticed that sparks and flames were coming from the overhead console. The flames then spread to the front driver's and passenger's side seats. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. The fire department filed a report, which determined that the fire was caused by an electrical wiring failure. The vehicle remained at the residence. The insurance company was not made aware of the fire. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 183,000.

Filed Jan 17, 2025 · Engine · CA

Smoke comes out from the corner of the hood by the antenna and fumes come from the vents it makes my eyes burn and my throat sore. I'm afraid it might catch on fire. I have had the oil changed the power steering fluid changed I had the radiator changed. I don't know where it's coming from but I do know it is not safe.

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Compare the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan

Is the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?

Owners have filed 584 complaints about the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan, 1.6 times a typical Grand Caravan model year.

What is the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan year score?

The 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan scores 53 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Dodge Grand Caravan: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan?

Electrical system, with 337 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles. Next is engine (121).

How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan have?

6 recalls, covering equipment adaptive/mobility, air bags and electrical system.

Was there a recall on the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan electrical?

Yes, 1 recall: 14V234000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Dodge Grand Caravan have the most electrical problems?

The Dodge Grand Caravan model years with the most electrical complaints are 2008 (815 complaints), 2010 (550 complaints) and 2012 (337 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan get?

Official estimates for the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan range from 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.6L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 17 city and 25 highway.

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