2012 Dodge Caravan

Routine

Owners filed 87 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. No safety recall has been issued.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

58 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000150,000 miles; the median is 52,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System43
020
Engine11
000
Service Brakes8
011
Unknown or Other5
000
Air Bags4
203
Vehicle Speed Control3
100
Seats2
000
Power Train2
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc)2
000
Wheels1
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Jan 3, 2021108,171 milesIN

VAN STOPS ABRUPTLY. WILL DIE WHILE DRIVING, WHEEL WILL LOCK UP AND AND VAN POWERS DOWN. WILL START BACK UP AS SOON AS ITS STOPS.

Engine
Filed May 29, 2019FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS TOWED TO KENDALL DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (13355 SW 137TH AVE, MIAMI, FL 33186, (786) 231-2120). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND THEY REPAIRED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND REPLACED THE KEY, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL WITH THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Electrical System
Filed May 14, 2019FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEIR VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THEY JUMP STARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE VEHICLE WAS THEN ABLE TO START. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT HAD TO GET A NEW KEY MADE. THE LOCKSMITH THAT MADE THE NEW KEY JUMP STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WENT TO WORK, WHEN THEY LEFT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THEY HOOKED THE BATTERY UP TO A BATTERY CHARGER AND THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN (THE CONTACT CAN'T GET INSIDE THE VEHICLE).

Engine
Filed Apr 30, 2019156,000 milesOH

2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN STOPS RUNNING SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST WEEK THE VEHICLE WILL JUST CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. SO FAR THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. ON A LEAST ONE OCCASION I NOTICED THAT I BUMPED THE KEY. MAYBE AN IGNITION PROBLEM? THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING.

Engine
Filed Mar 29, 2019122,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 21, 2019MI

DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY EXISTING FACTORY RECALLS ON VEHICLE. *LD *TR

Electrical System
Filed Feb 19, 201999,000 milesIL

FUEL PUMP CONTINUES TO STAY ON WHEN VEHICLE IS OFF WITH NO KEY IN IGNITION. THIS IS CAUSING BATTERY DRAIN AND HARD STARTS AFTER JUMPING BATTERY. CAR ALSO IS STALLING AT TIMES WHILE IN MOTION. I HAVE SEEN A RECALL FOR OTHER MALES AND MODELS OF SAME YEAR FROM MOPAR VEHICLES, SUCH AS DURANGO. IT SEEMS TO BE FUEL PUMP RELAY IN TIPM.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 15, 2018123,000 milesFL

VAN HAD ENGINE STALL WHILE GOING DOWN HIGHWAY. LOST ALL POWER DUE TO THIS..WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 45 SO WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND GET TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. WAS IN THE RURAL AREA SO TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT...DAUGHTER AND GRANDDAUGHTER WAS IN VAN WITH ME ...THIS COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC IF I HAD BEEN ON INTERSTATE OR ON BUSY HIGHWAY...WAS TOLD BY MACHANIC THAT FUEL RELAY TIPM GONE OUT

Electrical System
Filed Nov 13, 2018132,000 milesCA

2012 DODGE CARAVAN SUDDENLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING LOSING THE ABILITY TO BRAKE OR STEER, WITH NO WARNING SIGNS FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCH, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR DODGE CARAVANS RESULTING IN SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 11, 201853,000 milesCT

MY WIFE WHILE DRIVING SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND THE VAN SHUT OFF IT HOWEVER RESTART RIGHT AWAY.THIS WAS VERY SCARY AND COULD PUT HER LIFE IN DANGER IF SOMEONE HAD RUN INTO HER VAN BACK.

Engine
Filed Sep 22, 2018117,544 milesNC

TAKATA RECALL',I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT THE ENGINE,THE RIGHT SIDE ROCKERS ARE MAKING NOISE WHEN RUNNING PRETTY BAD. I THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT

Suspension
Filed Sep 10, 2018OH

MY VAN WHEN RIDING OVER BUMPS MAKE A LOOSE FRAME OF AXEL RATTLING NOISE AND SPITZER HAVE HAD MY VAN BACK TO BACK TWO VISITS 04-07-2018 TO 04-20-2018 AND 04-20-2018 TO 04-28-2018 AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THEIR. SPITZER REFUSE TO PAY ANOTHER DEALER I USED AFTER SPITZERS THREE NEGLIGENCE JOBS ON MY VAN FIRST THE FIVE MONTHS IT TOOK TO DISCOVER AFTER MY FIRST OIL CHANGE THE AIR FILTER COVER HAD NOT BEEN LOOK BACK, SECOND, VAN HAD TO BE TOWED IN AFTER I GOT HOME AND WAS TOLD BRAKE DUST WAS CAUSING NOISE. NEXT BAD WHEEL BEARING. THE EXTENDE WARRANTY IS STILL VALID. I NOW PAY FOR ALL NON WARRANTY SERVICE OUTSIDE OF SPITZER BECAUSE I FEAR FOR MY SAFTY WHEN SPITZER PERFORM WORK ON MY VAN. THE VAN WAS BRAND NEW 68 MILES, BUT ITS AS IF I HAD PURCHASED A USE VAN. I HAVE ALL INVOICE OF WORK WHICH EXCEED 5. AFTER TO TWO VISITS SPITZER STILL HAVE NOT/CAN"T SEEM TO REPAIR MY VAN.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 26, 2018200,000 milesOR

OK. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 2 1/2 YEAR AND I'VE FOUND AFTER A YEAR, IT WAS HARD TO KEEP GAS IN THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH I FILLED IT UP AT TIMES, IT WOULD STILL GO OUT , THE DOORS HAVE GOTTEN JAMMED, THE WINDOWS STUCK BECAUSE OF HEAT, LAST YEAR THE SEAT BELTS IN THE BACK STOPPED WORKING AND NOW I HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE WILL ONLY GO BACKWARDS. I NEVER KNEW THOSE THINGS COULD HAPPEN TO THIS VEHICLE. ALSO THE ALARM NO LONGER WORKS AFTER 2 YEARS. I HAVE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT JUST TO OPEN THE VEHICLE. WHEN I GOT THE VEHICLE , THERE WAS A CD STUCK IN IT AND RADIO DIDN'T WORK AND COULDN'T BE FIXED.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jul 15, 201890,000 milesIA

MY CARAVAN LOSES ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING IN LOW SPEEDS, HIGH SPEEDS, OVER RAILROAD TRACKS, ON THE INTERSTATE!! I HAVE TO STOP IMMEDIATELY AND RESTART. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AT ANY TIME, I NEVER KNOW WHEN OR IF IT WILL DIE ON ME. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO MY DEALERSHIP AND 2 OTHERS. THEY SAY, NOTHING IS SHOWING ON THE COMPUTER, THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 20, 2018200,184 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, AN ABNORMAL SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR EACH TIME WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER CASSENS & SONS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP AT (618) 656-6070 (3333 IL-159, GLEN CARBON, IL 62034) WHERE AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,184. *TT

Engine
Filed May 30, 201864,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROCKET ARM FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO MAKE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 3, 201841,200 milesNY

ON INTERSTATE AT 65 & WHILE ACCELERATING TO PASS SLOWER CAR MY ACCELERATOR STUCK AT FULL THROTTLE. BRAKED TO CONTROL SPEED AND AFTER SHORT WHILE PEDAL UNSTUCK AND NORMAL OPERATION. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN THE NEXT DAY BUT, ALTHOUGH GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK TO FLOOR, THE VEHICLE SLOWED TO ABOUT 60. EXITED HIGHWAY TO SERVICE AREA WITH PEDAL STILL STUCK AT FT & SHUT DOWN. CAR WOULDN'T RESTART WITH PEDAL AT FT. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, THE PEDAL "POPPED" BACK AND RESTARTED WITH NORMAL OPERATION THEREAFTER. I EACH INSTANCE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS PROBABLY ON AND A LARGE RED SYMBOL APPEARED ON THE ANNUNCIATOR PANEL WHICH EXTINGUISHED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL " POPPED" BACK UP. NO MESSAGES APPEARED IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION WHICH INTERNET SEARCHES SHOW IS OCCURRING TO OTHER DODGE / CHRYSLER MINIVANS AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TT

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Apr 16, 2018140,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, A 2004 HONDA ACCORD CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND SLIDING DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OVERHEAD AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT WERE DEFLATED. IN ADDITION, THE OTHER AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AT ALL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE UPPER RIGHT TORSO AND HIP THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER OF THE 2004 HONDA ACCORD SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS AWAITING INSPECTION BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR DIAGNOSIS OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 16, 2018TX

"TAKATA RECALL" FUEL PUMP RELAY .... PROBLEM: CAR WILL NOT START LEAVING ME STRAINTED....... TIPM PROBLEM THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR DODGE AND SHOULD BE A DEALERS RECALL

Engine
Filed Mar 8, 2018128,000 milesNC

I WAS TAKING MY VAN IN FOR AN OIL CHANE AN NOTICED A KNOCKING NOISE. MY MACHANIC SAID IT WAS ROD BEARING FAILURE IN THE ENIGINE. HE LOOKED IT UP AND SAW THERE WAS A MANUFACTURING RECALL ON MY ENGINE. #(PO5184464AE 3.6 L) .I HAVE AN APT TODAU WITH DODGE DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE. THEY ARE LOCATED AT 255 SMOKEY PARK HWY . SKYLAND DODGE ASHEVILLE,NC.....MY CASE NO.IS 33531139. MY ODI # IS11074929.

20 of 87 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1996
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20171100Routine
20162000Routine
201523000Routine
201420000Routine
201330010Routine
2012 — this page87030Routine
201178010Routine
2010172260Routine
2009118230Routine
2008302260Above average
200781411Fatalities reported
2006173620Routine
2005537900Above average
200465830Routine
2003195951Fatalities reported
200224510111Fatalities reported
20012571031Fatalities reported
20004701354Fatalities reported
199955514140Above average
199862914231Fatalities reported
199771415374Fatalities reported
19961,40318479Fatalities reported
1995489470High concern
1994644563Fatalities reported
19939491071Fatalities reported
199291311133Fatalities reported
199161711121Fatalities reported
1990278671Fatalities reported

Compare every Caravan year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.