VehicleVerdict

2012 Dodge Grand Caravan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 816 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.3 times the median Grand Caravan year — the 2012 model ranks #8 of 37 Grand Caravan years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: electrical system issues account for 44% of all reports (355 of 816), far ahead of engine at 120. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

816

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

2

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

17

Fires reported

14

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2012 compare to other Grand Caravan years?

Grand Caravan NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted1,962 complaints1984: 0 complaints1985: 1 complaints1986: 0 complaints1987: 2 complaints1988: 12 complaints1989: 30 complaints1990: 69 complaints1991: 150 complaints1992: 319 complaints1993: 391 complaints1994: 248 complaints1995: 118 complaints1996: 1,860 complaints1997: 857 complaints1998: 761 complaints1999: 599 complaints2000: 558 complaints2001: 362 complaints2002: 417 complaints2003: 289 complaints2004: 144 complaints2005: 1,341 complaints2006: 378 complaints2007: 273 complaints2008: 1,962 complaints2009: 798 complaints2010: 1,307 complaints2011: 821 complaints2012: 816 complaints2013: 656 complaints2014: 476 complaints2015: 348 complaints2016: 1,220 complaints2017: 531 complaints2018: 349 complaints2019: 307 complaints2020: 23 complaints
Grand Caravan NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Grand Caravan years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System35544%
Engine12015%
Fuel System759%
Other607%
Transmission486%
Brakes385%
Speed Control243%
Body & Structure192%
Airbags182%
Steering142%
Visibility & Wipers132%
Seats91%
Tires & Wheels91%
Lighting71%
Seat Belts30%
Suspension30%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V876000OtherDecember 17, 2025 · 86 units

Defect

Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.

Consequence

An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.

17V376000AirbagsJune 13, 2017 · 209,135 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may unexpectedly deploy if the air bag wiring harness gets chafed within the steering wheel and short circuits.

Consequence

Unexpected deployment of the driver's frontal air bag increases the risk of a crash or driver injury.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag wiring within the steering wheel, replacing it if necessary. A protective cover will also be installed. These repairs will be made free of charge. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T33.

14V234000Electrical SystemMay 7, 2014 · 644,757 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An overheated switch may result in a vehicle fire.

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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P25.

12V191000OtherMay 2, 2012 · 471 units

Defect

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 TOWN AND COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 9, 2012 THROUGH MARCH 12, 2012. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A RIGHT SIDE LIFTGATE PINCH SENSOR THAT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. AS A RESULT, INCREASED FORCE MAY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO STOP THE POWER LIFTGATE DURING FINAL CLOSING STAGES.

Consequence

THE POWER LIFTGATE DOOR MAY CLOSE ON AN APPENDAGE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy

CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE LIFTGATE PINCH SENSORS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 18, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

12V141000SuspensionApril 3, 2012 · 289 units

Defect

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 TOWN AND COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 21, 2011. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH RIGHT REAR HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE NOT FULLY MACHINED.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A DECREASE IN DURABILITY, WHICH MAY LEAD TO WHEEL SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT REAR HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

11V487000EngineSeptember 29, 2011 · 667 units

Defect

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. THESE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE CONNECTING ROD BEARING FAILURE DUE TO DEBRIS INSIDE THE ENGINE BLOCK.

Consequence

CONNECTING ROD FAILURE MAY LEAD TO ENGINE SEIZURE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 21, 2016 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE BLOCK (CONNECTION ROD) FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED BY BYSTANDERS THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO IMMEDIATELY CHECK THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 25, 2016 · fire

“FAULTY TIMP CAUSING ISSUE WITH FUEL PUMP MODULE/RELAY. FAULTY START AND UNABLE TO TURN ON VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 4 TIMES IN A PARKED POSITION WITHIN A 24 HOUR PERIOD BEFORE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. INTERMITTENT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITHIN THE PREVIOUS 3 WEEKS PRIOR. VEHICLE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 16, 2020

“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN EVERYTHING WENT OUT INCLUDING THE RADIO AND EVERYTHING ON THE DASHBOARD. THEN IT ALL LIT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE AND IT WAS LIKE I WAS FREE DRIVING AND NEUTRAL I PRESSED ON THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 26, 2019 · crash

“THERE IS A LOUD "THUD" WHEN IT IS PUT INTO ANY GEAR, AND YOU CAN EVEN FEEL IT. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION BOGS DOWN A LOT AND DOESN'T LIKE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING, IT'S VERY SLUGGISH. IT'S BEEN LIKE THIS SINCE WE FIRST TRIED IT OUT. WE EVEN HAD IT REPROGRAMMED BECAUSE THERE WAS SOME…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 26, 2012

2012 Dodge Grand Caravan — common questions

Is the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 816 complaints put the 2012 model at #8 of 37 Grand Caravan years. It is one of the Grand Caravan years to avoid.

What are the most common 2012 Grand Caravan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (355 complaints), engine (120 complaints), fuel system (75 complaints).

Does the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Grand Caravan years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand Caravan years to avoid are 2008, 1996, 2005, 2010, 2016, 1997, 2011, 2012, 2009, 1998, 2013, 1999, 2000, 1993, 1991. The cleanest record among Grand Caravan years belongs to 1986.

How safe is the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.