Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Dodge Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Spontaneous combustion - while stopped at a trafficlight -- of the driver-side switchbox that controls the windows, doorlocks & outside mirrors. Flames erupted from the armrest making escape from vehicle difficult. Fdny was called & extinguished the fire. This happened early Friday morning/snowing. Insurance company examined car & authorized repair. Chrysler sent an engineering safety inspector who had vehicle towed to a Dodge dealership where investigation was performed. We received a "safety recall notice" [ p25/NHTSA 14v-234] later that same day. Chrysler has ignored my calls & live-chats for the past month. Dealership still has the vehicle but can't get a response from Chrysler either. Incident occurred 4 weeks ago! Have been forced to rent a replacement vehicle -- at my expense -- for transportation purposes.
First time, battery kept going dead. Took it to cortland Dodge, they said there was a problem with the wiring [not covered by warranty] charged us about 80.00 ! Second time. Fuses blown for seat controls and wipers third time car started shifting wildly up and down. Head lights started to dim and car finally quit! Had it towed to Dodge dealer was informed it needed new alternator and battery[not covered by warranty] cost almost 1000.00 to fix it!! Fourth time car was parked beside the house when horn started blowing when we went outside car was running lights were flashing wipers and washers were going full speed, flashers going and red glow under car also doors were locked ! ! We finally got door unlocked and got hood open,battery and fuse box was cherry red. Finally took hedge clippers and cut battery cables and things cooled down ! What can we do?!?!?!?!
2012 Dodge Caravan continually stalls while driving around on the highway. Usually happens when we come to a stop. Often, the vehicle runs rough and stalls after idling. The check engine light comes on repeatedly, nearly weekly then goes off after three successful starts. Have taken the van twice to lithia in medford to check and they located a recall on the header. The header was replaced but the problem persisted. The check engine has logged multiple "mis-fire" errors and no other errors. The problem, to this day, has not been located and thus they tell us there is nothing they can do. Meanwhile, we continue to have "mis-fire" errors and stall out in intersections all over the place. On the first visit, nearly two years ago now, lithia also disconnected the rear window controls for a recall. The part was not available and the vehicle was sent home. …
Installed a curtis towing hitch and wiring harness for trailer lights, two wiring harness modules for trailer lights have gone bad after only a short time of use, curtis manuf. Says that they are experiencing this problem only with certain Dodge models and seems that mine is one of them. They said that a recall May appear dealing with the ECM and system under the heading of "tipum". I have contacted Dodge about this but they don't reply. This has been on -going problem for about a year. Curtis manuf. Has replaced the light module unit twice. If the problem is with the car replacing light module isn't going to do a thing except keep going bad. If the problem is with curtis manuf. And they aren't owning up to it, what would be my option to proceed? …
I was in the driveway the first time acted like it was going to start then died all lights on panel lite up had towed to galeana Dodge found it was the TIPM module. Cost over $1,000 to fix. Tried talking to Dodge corporate to try to get money back after noticing so many complaints and no help from them. Now my car is back in the shop with same issue, 3 weeks later. No loaner car available. My only vehicle. This time I was driving and the car stalled and then all the lights came on again. Waiting to hear what is this time sounds like the same thing again. Was told by corporate to post complaint here and maybe there would be recall that's all the help they offered. Wow way to keep customers Dodge. The first time this happened was on 3/5/2016 the second time was on 4/4/2016.
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.
Horn does not work when pressing the correct area on the steering wheel. Steering wheel lights do not work and heated steering wheel does not work. Fuses check out OK. Horn sounds when locking with key fob or when alarm button on key fob is used. Discovered when another driver turned in front of me without looking and nearly crashed. This is a definite safety problem. Checking the internet there are a number of Chrysler vehicles that have this problem. Vehicle will not pass state inspection in current condition and I am not driving it for safety reasons.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Caravan. While the vehicle was parked, the door warning light flickered and the rear driver side door opened independently. In addition, smoke fumes emitted into the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V234000 (electrical system); however, the recall part needed was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000.
Vechile stalls while driving with no waring. No instrument lights or hesitation. This now has happen to me 3 time. Speed ranging from 25-55 MPH. Was able to get the van into neturel and restarted while the van was coasting without power. It was a good thing I didnt have anyone following too closely. This is a very dangerous problem. Something needs done about this before someone has a very serious accident.
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
NHTSA investigations
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 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.
Electrical complaints in other Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2012 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Dodge Caravan, 54% of the model year's 87 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Caravan electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2012 Dodge Caravan. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Caravan electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.