Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 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.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked at his residence, he lifted the hood and notice that the oil filter housing was cracked and there was a puddle of oil on the transmission casing. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 231,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. 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 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 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. …
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. …
Engine cooling system has failed multiple times causing the engine to overheat, it has been reproduced by an independent service provider and is available for inspection upon request. To attempt to remedy the issue, the following have been replaced or inspected: thermostat, thermostat housing, radiator, hoses, water pump, oil filter adaptor/coolant bypass, fan, wiring and other associated electrical components. There were no warning lamps or other symptoms of the problem prior to the system failure. Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. …
The vehicle engine has stopped running while driving at highway speeds (50-70 mph). I have been able to roll off of the travel portion of the highway, but there was concern with vehicles behind me possibly hitting me. All electrical components continued to operate when this happens, including the radio, lights and AC/Heat blowers. It has happened in December 2020, May 2021 (2 times within about 1 hour), July 2021 (2 times within 2 days), December 2021, and April 2022. In all instances the vehicle has restarted in about 30 minutes. An independent repair shop investigated the issue in July 2021 and was not able to find any codes or to reproduce the engine stopping. Several years prior to these instances the vehicle began to "not start" immediately when the key-fob was turned; it starts after tuning the key on and off several times. …
Related recalls
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.
Engine complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 121 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan, 21% of the model year's 584 complaints. The component named most often is engine › oil/lubrication › pipes, hoses, and fittings (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-487 (engine and engine cooling, Sep 29, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 107,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.