Most common 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan problems
Share of the 584 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Grand Caravan complaints by model year
Best Grand Caravan years: 2020, 2007, 2006. Years to avoid: 2008, 2016, 2005, 2010, 1996. Compare all years →
2012 Dodge Grand Caravan recalls (6)
Equipment adaptive/mobility › Wheelchair restraints/securement › Latch/anchor
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.
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 › Frontal
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.
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.
Electrical system
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.
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.
Equipment
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.
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 › Rear
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.
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 cooling
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan:
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
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…
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.
What 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan owners say
Electrical system all 337 →
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.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle started. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact stated that there was a delay while restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the computer was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the ignition node module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there was no recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 73,000. The consumer stated the vehicle only started half the time or a delayed response. The ignition module was replaced on 01/13/23.
Engine & cooling all 121 →
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the air conditioning independently turned off with the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle started to lose motive power as he began to pull off to the shoulder of the highway. The contact stated that another unknown warning light illuminated and the vehicle shut-off. The contact pulled over and saw black smoke coming from the engine. After opening the hood, there was more smoke coming from the engine. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine had caught fire due to a defective oil pump. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that an inspector would be sent out to perform an investigation. The vehicle remained in the possession of the mechanic. …
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.
Fuel & propulsion system all 74 →
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that he was a mechanic, calling on the behalf of the customer. The contact stated that the customer informed him that there were issues starting the vehicle in which on some occasions the vehicle would not start without warning. The contact diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the fuel pump integrated into the TIPM and the contacts on the fuel pump are not making good contact. As a result, the fuel pump fails intermittently, and the engine could stall. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V115000 (electrical system) as the same TIPM system installed in the customer's vehicle however the vehicle information was not a part of this recall. The contact stated that he contacted the manufacturer and was advised that the vehicle was not in any recalls. The failure mileage was 107,920.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle intermittently stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact self-diagnosed the vehicle with a faulty fuel pump relay for the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
2012 Dodge Grand Caravan engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Minivan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan a good car?
Based on 584 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Grand Caravan rates average: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Grand Caravan at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan?
The electrical system — 337 complaints, 58% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition. Next are the engine & cooling (121) and fuel & propulsion system (74).
How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan, the most recent from December 17, 2025 (latch/anchor). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Grand Caravan?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2007 and 2006. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008, 2016, 2005, 2010 and 1996. See the full Dodge Grand Caravan years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 93,000 miles; 23% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.