Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I guess started with noticing oil being used at a faster pace then normal then a decent tick began along with AbS light which prevented cruise control from working. At this point We seemed Professional advice from a licensed Mechanic who then preformed a small job of dropping transmission pan to clean metal shavings out! And replacing tires and brake pads assured us routers were fine. He was concerned with the fact that the abs light continued to be on so we the paid to get wiring for abs redone (not sure what was called). After this the cruise control worked abs went off but we noticed the brake pads went quick! Then the insane knock out of nowhere began loud metal on metal had harmonic balancer pulley replaced didn't do it any good. The. Was told cracked fly wheel was most likely the problem I continued to drive for about a month when the brake fluid light came on. …
2017 I purchased my car. I had several problems with the key lock and car starting. Immediately tried to return the car but dealer wouldn't allow it. I have now found out there were 2 recalls in 2017 I was not aware of this until now. Even though dodge has stated to me they were fixed as a consumer if my car was presenting issues so early on after these recalls I should have had a grace period to give the vehicle back if other issues were presented. Currently car is smoking on the drivers side with a heavy burning smell. Car is over heating as well as the car would not stop while I was driving it on8/23/22 in a mall. Car was shutting off a lot. I was under warantiy and took it to AAmco and found out there were transmission issues. My warranty company at the time let my car sitting at AAmco despite the major issue and refused to fix it as well as let my warranty expire. …
On June 30th, 2016 my family and I were driving northbound on I-91 in massachusetts between exits 14 and 15. The rear brakes began to make a noise while driving at speed (~65 MPH) and not depressing the brake pedal. Minutes later a thump was heard similar to when an object or roadkill is run over. When the brake pedal was depressed, it went to the floor. I could see smoke coming from the rear passenger wheel. We later found out that one brake pad had broken through/been thrown from the rear passenger wheel, and brake fluid was pouring out from that brake assembly. We exited the highway at exit 15 and drove small low-traffic roads home. Dodge was contacted but refused to assist in towing the vehicle to a dealer for assessment. We replaced the brakes, calipers, and rotors in our driveway. Attached photos show the brake assembly before it was removed from the vehicle for replacement. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving various speeds and once the brake pedal was released after a stop, smoke was noticed from the front of the vehicle by the driver and passenger side tires. There were no warning indicators illuminated. On the day the vehicle was purchased, the vehicle moved sluggishly as if the emergency brake were engaged, but it was not. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to atlanta west Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (1251 thornton rd, lithia springs, ga 30122 [phone]), but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was taken to the local Firestone dealer where it was diagnosed with sticking calipers. Two independent mechanics test drove the vehicle and diagnosed that the calipers were not releasing when the brake pedal was released. …
Van has failed to turn on multiple times, park turn off vehicle and in as little as 10 minutes later it would not start. I replaced alternator and battery apparently after going to multiple mechanics that didn't find the problem with diagnostics I found out it was neither it was a faulty TIPM. 6-8 months later started having issues with the car stalling out and having an issue turning back on. I have stalled on multiple occasions on the freeway I have contacted Dodge and the recall is not for my year of vehicle. Parts for this are expensive along with labor. Dodge needs to recall this issue because the last time this happened to me I was driving 60 MPH on the freeway car behind me was close and my van stalled could of got hurt or killed and so could the other driver. Brakes need to be changed often as well more than I've ever had to change them for any other vehicle.
Brake pads, rotors & calipers have had to be replaced 3 times. Car is now at 57,000 miles. If even gently using the brakes in stop & go traffic backup on highway, when car needs to accelerate, steering wheel vibrates badly and trouble getting car up to speed. Obvious that something is sticking regarding the brakes. When finally up to speed, problem disappears (60mph). Very frightening & potential serious accident problem. I drive long distances at night to & from work events & don't need to be stranded on a deserted highway somewhere at midnight. Why has there been no recall on a problem that everyone, including the Dodge mechanics, know about! This has become an ongoing issue, first on feb. 14, then feb. 16 and again feb. 26. Rear brake pad after feb. 14 was totally burned off ~ was replaced & still the issue is occurring, now on the front brakes.
All brake calipers are defective the piston seizes up causing the brakes to wear the pads off in a short time , overheating and seizing up the wheel. The most recent repair only had about 20,000 miles on the brakes I have replaced every caliper, rotor, and pads on all four wheels the most recent one was just two months ago, now I am back to the first wheel again. I have never had a car wear brakes like this several different mechanics at different garages. This is a definite design flaw and significant safety hazard. The ongoing repairs are costing me approximately 500. Per wheel every other year or so and precludes me from using the vehicle to tow, which is why I bought it. I am afraid to drive at highway speeds after a few months of brake replacement. The vehicle is always garaged in winter.
My mother bought this van oct 25,2013 and the brakes were OK at first they started making a dragging sound I had them looked at and was told that they were fine inspection came around a month after I had them looked at and the brakes would not pass inspection (front)I had them fixed mind you this is in September less then 5 months later I had to replace the brakes and rotors in the front because they were dragging again 4 months later the brakes again sept rolls around for inspection and again they will not pass I had them felines and it is now October and they are starting to squeel which means again I will have to change them more I am not big on driving far or iluse the breaks as least as possible and I still have problems .
We have replaced the rotators and pads out of pocket 4 times on this vehicle. Another two were replaced in warranty before 36,000mile. The first repair made out side of warranty was at 37,000miles. The calipers have been replaced on the vehicle because the brakes clench down and won't release. We have replace the hoses, calipers, rotators, pads and bleed the system for all wheels in the past 6 months. The brakes are currently clenched down and won't come up. The mechanic now has to go into the vehicle to find what exactly is wrong. Because he has looked at the whole brake system and can't find what is wrong. First date of occurrence is 12-2013 for out of warranty repair on a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan
When we fist got the van we experienced some issues with the brakes. The dealership was supposed to take care of it but the problem persisted and we went to a recommended mechanic. Then the following months we had some issues with the motor mounts. Once again we had to replace them and then we had some problems with the electronic computer and we had to re-learn some of the already installed programs. I would like for whoever approves the recalls to go ahead and approve the other issues because for it being a six year old car it definitely has more issues than it should.
Brake complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the brakes of the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan, 7% of the model year's 584 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan, though it has 6 recalls for other components. 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 Grand Caravan brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 37,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 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.