Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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 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.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated he was unable to start the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
I bought the car 2 weeks ago with 105k miles on it. The car has died approximately 20 times in the last 2 weeks while I am driving it. It is so insanely dangerous, you will be going down a busy street and the car completely dies without warning. There is no dash lights on, no warning. The power steering goes. It's an accident waiting to happen, it's unacceptable. After spending 2k at the mechanic and still the same problem. They have now told me I need the TIPM replaced at the dealership. Which also affects the lights, which are erratic, they come on or come off when they want, along with the horn. It's also pushes the motors into limp mode so it runs really hard over 20 miles an hour even while idle. The car will also die while in idle/park or when you shift gears. …
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. …
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. …
While driving engine was cutting out, stalling, hard to restart. Found the reason was thr TIPM. Found there was a safety recall R09 / NHTSA 15V-115 fuel pump Relay, however this was for other Fiat Chrysler models and not the Dodge Grand Caravan, please help me understand why? The TIPM within this caravan is the same TIPM installed is other Fiat Chrysler models and clearly the same danger concerns. I don't believe I need to tell the NHTSA how scary it was to be driving 65 on a freeway when this occurred putting my life and others around me in danger of possibly losing control of a vehicle. Then learn this same TIPM was part of a large recall, but only on some models and not all. Makes absolutely no sense. I would ask that this prior recall be extended to all models with this TIPM installed as I can only imagine how many others have experienced this; God forbid and accidents were caused. …
After many tries, the van wouldn't start. Finally started. Brought it to the mechanic. They said the pressure in the fuel pump would drop 15-20 psi and then raise back to spec. They replaced the fuel pump. Van still wouldn't start. Mechanic tested and found the fuel pump was not getting power from the TIPM control module, due to a faulty fuel pump relay. Mechanic said Dodge had issued an external fuel pump relay part due to the issue occurring in many vehicles, however a safety recall had not been issued. Mechanic installed the part and the van starts now. Seems like the fuel pump issue was known by Dodge and should be covered in a safety recall as the TIPM control module used is faulty. Instead of a safety recall, Dodge issued an external relay part to fix the faulty part, but then didn't cover the cost of it for its customers.
Sounds like a machine gun when trying to start. Have to turn key completely off to get the sound to stop. Not starting sometimes and cutting off when driving. Lost all power on a main highway including my brakes and power steering. Completely shut off. Also the back air AC doesn't work at times. Seems to not have enough power to roll down windows at times and you can only use one window at a time. Battery, alternator, and starter test fine. Replaced relays and still same problem. Throwing code for not reaching coolant temp. Replaced thermostat gasket still throwing code. No other codes or lights showing up. Heard of an ignition switch and power train recall but when I put my vin in it says there are none.
After talking to others and researching and reading reports this seems to be another ghost problem: Driving around town this issue doesn't usually occur but, on a long drive and coming to a stop or near stop such as a traffic light and/or in traffic my van starts to die. Depending on how long I am going to be stopped or slowed down to a crawl I either have to keep one foot on the brake while accelerating or switch to neutral. When switched to neutral I have to keep a foot on the accelerator while switching back into drive. Sometimes turning the ignition off and back on helps, usually not. The danger is the risk of being rear ended or stalling when pulling into traffic.
Fuel System complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 74 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan, 13% of the model year's 584 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 110,000 miles, and 6% 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.