2012 Dodge Grand Caravan: multiple warning lights

Filed Nov 20, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · AL

On my Grand Caravan the engine randomly dies when my headlights are on bright. I haven't been able to find the problem. I have read where others are having the same problem but not sure they have associated the problem to the high beam lights. Last year when the dealership supposedly did the T33 recall it stopped doing it for two months then started happening again. It only happens with my high beams. The dangers are that, unable to use my high beams, I may not see wildlife running out into the road on dark highways until it is too late. Also, if this happens in traffic, especially in turns or curves, there is temporary loss in propulsion, power steering, power brakes, etc. I believe this to be a widespread problem that most haven't associated with the headlights. When it happens all of the dash lights come on as if the ignition was just turned on. I guess one more danger is that a driver, unaware of what is happening, may try accelerating when the engine has died which could cause sudden acceleration when the engine power restores.

Filed May 9, 2024 · Electrical · CA

Van shuts off completely when driving., all lights go off… rolling the car when possible I shift to neutral then I start the ignition and works fine. But lately is more often. My wife picks grand kids from school ., she is afraid an accident may happen. I see this problem on the internet specially at the caravan club. Why this problem is not tackled? Thanks. Also yesterday it shuts down at idle.

Filed Aug 6, 2022 · Electrical · MO

I was driving on a side street fortunately instead of the interstate each of the times that the car died! All of the dash lights came on and it just stopped running. I called for service and the tow driver checked the battery and it was fine, but but would not start or jump. Had it towed to the mechanic. A new battery was put on and it ran for a couple of days then died again. It would not jump so towed back to mechanic. Mechanic said they charged the battery, got it started said they ran diagnostics finding no issues. the next day it died again and would not jump. It is back at the mechanic's with them trying to figure this out. In my own research, I found this site and the repeated problems just like this. If I had been on the interstate, any kind of busy traffic it could have been tragic! I don't know why this persistent Dodge problem has not been recalled and fixed! I'm concerned that when we get the part replaced it will have the same problem. I don't want anyone to have a dangerous car. I'm stuck with this vehicle that is not safe even when fixed or don't fix it and trash it. Either way I have to buy another car. The sad thing is that until this repeated problem, I loved the car.

Filed Dec 2, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · NC

While driving 55 MPH on the highway all the lights on the dashboard began flashing and the vehicle lost ALL power - No power steering, no brakes, no engine, nothing. Luckily I was going uphill in the mountains without any traffic and was able to eventually stop. Had there been a vehicle behind me, the results could have been fatal. The vehicle was towed to a nearby trusted shop. They are saying it needs a whole new engine. The problem is, even with a replacement engine, this could happen again with a new/rebuilt Chrysler/Dodge engine. Keep reading please. In researching, I found that this is a known issue with this and other Chrysler/Dodge models. There was a previous Class Action Suit in California settled regarding this issue that required all plaintiffs to file before December 2018. Sadly, I did not purchase the vehicle until 2019 and this issue did not occur until 2021. I'm hoping there is some way to make Chrysler/Dodge accept responsibility for this through a recall or another class action suit as I have read many complaints online regarding this issue. How many people have to die before somebody does something about this?

Filed Mar 19, 2021 · Electrical, Steering · 120,000 miles · PA

While driving my van, I attempted to turn left on a city street, when everything shut down on me. All of my dashboard lit up like a christmas tree. I had no steering, no brakes, it was frightening! I did have headlights, flashers, I couldn't access the side doors to ge my cane out. My back gate wouldn't open either so I could get my rollerator and walk to the business I was attempting to get to. I had to have my van towed and was told it's my electrical system and that many people have had the same issue. I would like to bring my awareness to this issue, for if I was on 95, my main highway and this happened, I would be dead along with my son. Attached is the dashboard, but the center bottom red light was flashing on and off. I'm told it's my security system light

Filed Dec 9, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 97,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge grand caravan. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled with an abnormal clicking sound coming from under the hood. The contact stated that several warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the interior and exterior lights were flickering. The contact disconnected the battery cables and upon reconnecting the cables, the vehicle operated without further issues. The contact left a voicemail with waldorf dodge ram (2294 crain hwy, waldorf, md 20601 (301) 638-9400) however, the dealer had not responded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.

Filed Aug 15, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 148,058 miles · NC

While driving the vehicle at random speeds. My dodge caravan will just shut down. I have noticed on a couple occasions all of the dash lights will come and then engine will shut down. Lose of steering and brakes. I have managed a few times shifting to neutral and quickly restarting. An the few times it would not start ive managed to get off the road with steering wheel locked and brake pedal that wont depress. Sit for a minute put in park an restart. This has happen over 18 times of owning the vehicle for a year

Filed Mar 1, 2020 · Airbags, Electrical · 70,000 miles · TX

We were driving down a crowded highway when everything on the vehicle shut down. All the lights shut off and we lost power steering. I had to fight my way over three lanes of traffic with no turn signals and had no power steering. When this happened we were going uphill and an 18 wheeler was behind us. We were rapidly slowing down and could have been hit by another vehicle. We came to a stop and put the vehicle in park and it started right back up. A few days later my wife had the same thing happen to her while driving on a dark roadway. She was able to come to a stop on the side of the road and restart the vehicle. There were no other cars around her at that time. R03/the federal safety agency 14v‑373. Recalls grand caravan years 2008 to 2010. My problems sound and look exactly like this and seeing complaints around the internet it looks like many others with my year model are having the same issues. I think that recall needs to be extended to include the 2012 model year as well.

Filed Dec 28, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 106,000 miles · HI

I have previously reported an issue with my vehicle. The problem has persisted. The issue at hand is the vehicle loses power without warning while driving. It has happened at low speeds (25 MPH), middle speeds (45 MPH) and high speeds (65-70 MPH). All warning lights are disabled when the events occur, so there is no way to warn other vehicles of the issues at hand, increasing the probability of a crash. I have taken my vehicle to cutter dodge in honolulu only to have been told that the battery cables were loose ($150 service fee) and that the primer that is included with new batteries to apply on the battery posts was something that they'd never seen before. The problem has persisted. I currently have my vehicle at a repair shop with a battery that won't hold a charge because the intergrated power module is malfunctioning. As seen is previous complaints, this issue is ongoing with 2012 dodge grand caravans. This issue presents a significant safety hazard and should be recalled. I will repeat that the driver has no warning that this issue will occur and it puts lives in danger. My vehicle has less than 110,000 miles and it began before reaching 100,000 miles. Recall this part before lives are lost or maimed.

Filed Sep 27, 2019 · 130,000 miles · MO · crash · 1 injury

I was driving down the highway when the low tire pressure light came on, then the check engine light came on and then everything went out including the radio and everything on the dashboard. Then it all lit up like a christmas tree and it was like I was free driving and neutral I pressed on the brake and nothing happened. I ended up crashing to the back of someone's car.*dt *dt consumer stated the van was totaled because the airbags deployed and that taken away by a tow company.

Filed Jul 5, 2019 · Electrical · 171,144 miles · SC

Ignition switch turning off, disabling power steering, power brakes, air bags, my car stopped in the middle of the street, all the lights and bells come so there is power from the battery. After a few tries it will start with no problems. I will turn the fob and hear 1 click sound at the start postion but nothing happens. It happens randomly and usually starts after 1-4 attempts. I have it stop in the middle of the street multiple time, and in heavy traffic areas this happens. It will just go dead, no warnings at all. I drive 25 miles to work and home every day, I am scared to drive it in fear I will get stuck somewhere or get hit!!!

Filed May 18, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 105,177 miles · VA

The van cut off while driving. Eeverytime, I tried to start it, the instrument panel said "no fuse." I had it looked at by a mechanic and he said that my alternator and battery were dead. After they were replaced, the car started up and I drove it to work. On the way to work, while the car was driving, all of the lights in the car went out and the instrument panel reset itself (date, time, and trip computer) after about 5 seconds. This repeated itself every 15 minutes or so, until the car cut off. I refastened the battery connectors, got the car a jump, and it started to run. I parked the car. Later, I got in and started it with no problem. The next day, I went to start the car and it wouldnt start. I got a jump and it started up again. Driving into work, the car cut off while I was driving on the street. I had to steer to the side of the road to get to safety. The worst thing about it all, is that when the electrical system fails, the key gets stuck in the ignition, and you can not shift into neutral if you need to push the car off the road. I have read multiple reviews about this car's electrical system, but it is a danger to everyone on the road for a car to consistently have electrical problems, especially ones that cause it to cut off while driving. This needed to be addressed before anyone gets hurt.