2012 Dodge Grand Caravan

Above average

Owners filed 583 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 6 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
92,500 milesMedian miles at failure

373 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000150,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System288
080
Engine64
120
Service Brakes37
000
Unknown or Other34
101
Fuel/Propulsion System24
000
Power Train23
000
Air Bags18
102
Electronic Stability Control (esc)17
000
Vehicle Speed Control13
201
Structure › Body13
000

6 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility › Wheelchair Restraints/Securement › Latch/Anchor25V876000
Filed Dec 17, 202586 vehiclesRollx Vans

Defect. 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.

Air Bags › Frontal17V376000
Filed Jun 13, 2017209,135 vehiclesChrysler (fca Us Llc)

Defect. 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.

Electrical System14V234000
Filed May 7, 2014644,757 vehiclesChrysler Group Llc

Defect. 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.

Equipment12V191000
Filed May 2, 2012471 vehiclesChrysler Group Llc

Defect. 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.

Suspension › Rear12V141000
Filed Apr 3, 2012289 vehiclesChrysler Group Llc

Defect. 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.

Engine and Engine Cooling11V487000
Filed Sep 29, 2011667 vehiclesChrysler Group Llc

Defect. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Apr 14, 2026CA

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..

Electrical System
Filed Feb 19, 2026NC

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

Electrical System
Filed Nov 26, 2025NC

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

Electrical System
Filed Nov 16, 2025MN

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.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 3, 2025CT

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.

Engine
Filed May 19, 2025130,000 milesIN

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.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 27, 2025MO

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.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Mar 17, 2025183,000 milesNV

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.

Engine
Filed Jan 17, 2025CA

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.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 14, 2025CA

While driving engine was cutting out, stalling, hard to restart. Found the reason was thr TIPM. Found there was a safety recall R09 / NHTSA 15V-115 fuel pump Relay, however this was for other Fiat Chrysler models and not the Dodge Grand Caravan, please help me understand why? The TIPM within this caravan is the same TIPM installed is other Fiat Chrysler models and clearly the same danger concerns. I don't believe I need to tell the NHTSA how scary it was to be driving 65 on a freeway when this occurred putting my life and others around me in danger of possibly losing control of a vehicle. Then learn this same TIPM was part of a large recall, but only on some models and not all. Makes absolutely no sense. I would ask that this prior recall be extended to all models with this TIPM installed as I can only imagine how many others have experienced this; God forbid and accidents were caused. Thank you for your time.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 21, 2024AL

After talking to others and researching and reading reports this seems to be another ghost problem: Driving around town this issue doesn't usually occur but, on a long drive and coming to a stop or near stop such as a traffic light and/or in traffic my van starts to die. Depending on how long I am going to be stopped or slowed down to a crawl I either have to keep one foot on the brake while accelerating or switch to neutral. When switched to neutral I have to keep a foot on the accelerator while switching back into drive. Sometimes turning the ignition off and back on helps, usually not. The danger is the risk of being rear ended or stalling when pulling into traffic.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 20, 2024AL

Greenway CDJR in Florence Alabama did the T33 airbag recall on my Grand Caravan. I recently found out while investigating another issue that they had taken a shortcut and the work wasn't properly or thoroughly done. The recall was to correct an issue with exposed wiring and the remedy was to install a protective sleeve. Rather than remove the retaining clip to install the whole length of sleeve they cut the sleeve to fit up to the clip leaving wiring unprotected. Greenway is under new ownership as Singing River CDJR. I contacted the general manager and sent pics and informed him I couldn't put the air bag assembly back in until the work was done. On October 31st this year he said he would have an advisor contact me to schedule an appointment. I haven't been scheduled nor heard back. I fear this has happened to more vehicles than just my own. In addition to not having a driver side airbag now I also don't have a horn as it is part of the assembly. The sleeve is supposed to be 6mm. It was cut short.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 20, 2024AL

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.

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 26, 2024IL

While driving around 30mph, the van completely shut down. With nowhere to pull over on the right, and to avoid an accident, I turned left onto a side road. I quickly realized I had no power steering or brakes. I had 2 children in the vehicle and school had just let out. Luckily there was no accident. With no brakes, I just coasted until I came to a stop on the side of the road. I wasn’t able to move the shifter into park. After a few minutes, everything came back to life. I was able to shift to park, start it up and drive away. No warning lights came on. No check engine light. This situation could have become really bad, really quick.

Engine
Filed Aug 10, 2024IN

Van stalls while driving it has happened serval times and getting worse. I have had it to mechanic they can not figure out what's wrong. Two of these incidents of this van stalling while driving almost caused me to get hit. Am scared now to even drive it I have my grandbabies with me quit a bit and refuse to take chances with them. Something needs to be done. Dodge needs to FIX this issue.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 14, 2024MI

I bought the car 2 weeks ago with 105k miles on it. The car has died approximately 20 times in the last 2 weeks while I am driving it. It is so insanely dangerous, you will be going down a busy street and the car completely dies without warning. There is no dash lights on, no warning. The power steering goes. It's an accident waiting to happen, it’s unacceptable. After spending 2k at the mechanic and still the same problem. They have now told me I need the TIPM replaced at the dealership. Which also affects the lights, which are erratic, they come on or come off when they want, along with the horn. It’s also pushes the motors into limp mode so it runs really hard over 20 miles an hour even while idle. The car will also die while in idle/park or when you shift gears. The car is basically an all day event to start and if you get it to stay on, if you are able to get it, don’t touch the key or it will automatically the car off. The TIPM system will also stay on, even while car is off causing your battery to drain.

Electrical System
Filed May 9, 2024CA

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.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 24, 2024OH

The key fob is loose in the ignition and the car stalls out when I'm driving even on the freeway cause it losses conection and it happens every time I drive it

Electrical System
Filed Jan 18, 2024UT

While driving on freeway or highway, electrical system fails, causing engine shutdown, and power steering and braking system fails to respond without excessive effort and delayed response. ALSO have had intermittent electrical failure while maneuvering vehicle at moderate to slow speeds or while steering around corners or turning into driveways. Touching or inadvertent bumping against ignition switch or rattling of keys on key ring can also cause electrical and dashboard electrical intermittent off/on/off in rapid succession. While driving in heavy traffic on freeway, almost wrecked car when electrical failure occurs during high speed travel and extreme effort to maneuver vehicle safely in heavy freeway traffic making effort to pull over safely a high-risk task. Tendency of driver to over-react or over-steer and under-steer and control car safely to side of road during heavy traffic, WITH NO FUNCTIONING SIGNAL LIGHTS, makes lane changing at high risk of major accident. According to similar reports found on Internet for same model year vehicle, others have reported similar cases of defective ignition switch in steering column, and is a safety hazard and should be recalled and replaced, and should include 2012 year models. While I was able to barely avoid an accident, only means that I was an exception to the rule.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 11, 2024TX

The van shut down from the sudden. No steering or power. Did it twice on a parking lot and big street

20 of 583 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2008
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202020100Routine
2019240430Above average
2018270401Fatalities reported
2017414330Above average
20161,000670Above average
2015281420Above average
20143575130Above average
2013470430Above average
2012 — this page5836140Above average
20115304171Fatalities reported
20108686130Above average
2009543760Above average
20081,2928162Fatalities reported
2007182370Routine
2006284430Above average
2005995670Above average
2004116310Routine
2003219350Above average
20022906142Fatalities reported
2001298510Above average
20004428131Fatalities reported
19994325138Fatalities reported
19985596201Fatalities reported
19975836391Fatalities reported
19961,15711427Fatalities reported
1995108310Routine
1994199650Routine
1993289900Above average
1992255841Fatalities reported
1991129860Routine
199055320Routine

Compare every Grand Caravan year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

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.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 17, 2025. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.