Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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. …
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. …
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.
2012 caravan staling/dyng while driving, at take off from stops n issues starting with it just dying time after time over n over. Getting codes for low input power for the system n tcm plus misfire codes n O2 sensor code. Had new battery n both battery n alternator check out perfect. All new fuses n relays n CB1. Changed Oil, filter n housing n spark plugs twice, all new O2 sensors n new ignition coils. New starter. Got new key fob n ignition key as well. Still same issues with no starts, difficult starts, stalling n dying while driving months later
We purchased our 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan 1/2026. Only 85000 miles on it. After about a week or 2, when husband tried go start van to go to work early cold, morning, van wouldn't start easily. Sometimes he would wait up to a few hours and keep trying to start, eventually it would. But last 3 days, its gotten harder to start van.at all. Not cool. Why isn't this recalled, it seems ALOT of people have same issue..
As I was driving home on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at approximately 4:45 pm. As I was driving south on fairview in downers grove, il my vehicle started to jerk and at one point, I thought someone hit the trunk. I began to worry as there was a lot of cars in front and next to me. The vehicle's RPM started to go crazy and then as I pressed the gas the car was not moving, it was extremely difficult for me as I was alone. I then put my hazards on because I had to try to get to a safe place. After about 30 minutes, I managed to move my car into the parking lot of a cvs but not before it shut off on me. I had to wait for 1 hour before the tow truck came and he took me to the jack phelan dealership in countryside, il. My car has been there since then. I have a rental for 7 days but after that I have no car. …
Took my 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan to the tempe dealership to have the recalls fixed. Soon after they did the recalls my car would not drive off the lot they told me that the fuel pump was bad and it would cost $806 to fix it. So I told them lets do it. I get a call an the said its the TIPM ! $1400 dollars later my car is still running pretty rough and not getting power and completely shut down while driving. So I call the dealer and they tow it in to tell me it is my fuel pump. So $800 they said its fixed and I should have nothing going wrong. 3 days later my check engine light comes on and a code p0456 evac leak! So I call the dealer and let them know . I then purchased a gas cap just to make sure that was not the problem. Light stayed on. So I get the van to the dealer and they had my van allday to say its my gas cap . Let me remind you I just purchased one. …
While in motion at low speed the engine suddenly stops running. The power steering seizes up & I have to manually steer to the side of the road.the check engine light comes on, when I restart the car. Each time it has happened, fortunately no one has been behind me. The dealership that we purchased it from said that it was a cam shaft problem. After paying $1000+ in repairs to fix this problem, it still continues to happen.we have contacted the dealership and they told me that I needed an oil change. I brought it in for an oil change & it continues to shut down while driving. The dealer then told me that it is another cam shaft & they have no way of knowing which one. The check engine light no longer goes on & it does not store codes when this happens. …
I had been having problems with the keyless entry not allowing me to unlock the vehicle multiple times. Then on a few occasions the vehicle wouldn't start and all the lights would flash on the dashboard. There was nothing wrong with the battery because I replaced that several times in the first months of financing the vehicle. The last incident when it stopped working I was driving and the vehicle began to slow down on its own, all the lights on the dashboard flashed, the vehicle powered off, I couldn't switch the gears, the brakes locked, and the steering wheel locked as well. Luckily, this didn't cause an accident but the vehicle did stop. I had it towed to the dealer who informed me that the key fob and powertrain control module was not working. …
Transmission complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan, 8% of the model year's 584 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles, and 28% 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.