Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
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.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, several times, air bag, ABS, and battery warning lights illuminated before the vehicle stalled. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally for a while before the failure recurred. This keeps recurring in spite of changing alternator and battery twice in two months. Mechanics including an auto-electric technician from Northern Virginia were not able to pinpoint the exact cause. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage started at 143,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that she turned off the vehicle and left the ignition key in the ignition switch; however, the radio light and unknown instrument panel lights remained illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
My wife and I have a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan, my wife drives the car on a daily basis school runs, etc with our 4 kids. While driving the kids to school and stopped at a red light the vehicle suddenly with no warning lost all power and shutdown. My wife said she was able to restart it again right away, then just before she got home the car suddenly and again no warning shut down everything no power whatsoever she was unable to remove the key from the ignition. After attaching a battery pack we were able to get it restarted and drive home Thankfully no one was behind her at the time as it would most definetly have resulted in a crash. Since then this has occured several more times sometimes it will be a day or couple days but it will always just die with no warning, My wife refuses to drive the car now as both she and I are afraid for the kids and her safety. …
I was driving on a side street fortunately instead of the interstate each of the times that the car died! All of the dash lights came on and it just stopped running. I called for service and the tow driver checked the battery and it was fine, but but would not start or jump. Had it towed to the mechanic. A new battery was put on and it ran for a couple of days then died again. It would not jump so towed back to mechanic. Mechanic said they charged the battery, got it started said they ran diagnostics finding no issues. the next day it died again and would not jump. It is back at the mechanic's with them trying to figure this out. In my own research, I found this site and the repeated problems just like this. If I had been on the interstate, any kind of busy traffic it could have been tragic! I don't know why this persistent Dodge problem has not been recalled and fixed! …
I am experiencing an issue with the Totally Integrated Power Module TIPM. That can not be repaired by a local auto mechanic professional service. This appears to be a chronic issue with this vehicle make and model. In the 2011 this issue has been deemed a recall, yet the 2012, despite having the same engine, has not been deemed a recall. This needs to be addressed. Furthermore, the Dodge Caravan is one that is most frequently converted for wheelchair drivers and passengers. This is my case as well. I would like to commend Dodge for manufacturing vehicles that can be modified, and I would also like to implore that they be well supported in providing the safest most mechanically sound vehicle possible which also includes notifying and elevating problems to RECALL status so that wheelchair users can seek needed repairs before being stranded on the side of the road. …
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. …
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. …
While driving 55 MPH on the highway all the lights on the dashboard began flashing and the vehicle lost ALL power - No power steering, no brakes, no engine, nothing. Luckily I was going uphill in the mountains without any traffic and was able to eventually stop. Had there been a vehicle behind me, the results could have been fatal. The vehicle was towed to a nearby trusted shop. They are saying it needs a whole new engine. The problem is, even with a replacement engine, this could happen again with a new/rebuilt Chrysler/Dodge engine. Keep reading please. In researching, I found that this is a known issue with this and other Chrysler/Dodge models. There was a previous Class Action Suit in California settled regarding this issue that required all plaintiffs to file before December 2018. Sadly, I did not purchase the vehicle until 2019 and this issue did not occur until 2021. …
Related recalls
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.
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 Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 337 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan, 58% of the model year's 584 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-234 (electrical system, May 7, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 11 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.