2012 Dodge Grand Caravan engine problems

The 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan has 120 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 15% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

120

Engine complaints

15%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Grand Caravan engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan have?

NHTSA has 120 complaints about the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan engine — 15% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 11V487000.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.