Problems · NHTSA complaints
2012 Dodge Grand Caravan problems
Owners filed 584 complaints about the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan with NHTSA between Nov 2011 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (337).
Complaints
584
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
14
Reported by owners
Injuries
14
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system337
- Engine119
- Fuel/propulsion system68
- Power train48
- Service brakes38
- Vehicle speed control24
- Structure19
- Air bags18
- Electronic stability control (esc)18
- Steering14
- Seats9
- Exterior lighting7
- Visibility/wiper7
- Visibility6
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
4
11
41
144
40
48
38
81
72
43
26
14
10
8
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2014 | 41 |
| 2015 | 144 |
| 2016 | 40 |
| 2017 | 48 |
| 2018 | 38 |
| 2019 | 81 |
| 2020 | 72 |
| 2021 | 43 |
| 2022 | 26 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
337 reports11 fires1 related recall
“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..”
Engine
119 reports1 crash2 fires
“While driving, the vehicle will periodically shut down/lose all power. This appears to occur when a slight bump in the road occurs. The loss of power to the vehicle is obviously a significant safety issue. We have been able to restart it when switching to neutral and turning the key; however, this obviously isn't a safe solution while traveling down the highway with no power to the vehicle. This has occurred multiple times at varying speeds (30-70 mph) over the last few years - I am reporting it now as I was assuming/anticipating there would be a recall on this safety issue.”
Fuel/propulsion system
68 reports
“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. Thank you for your time.”
Power train
48 reports
“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.”
Service brakes
38 reports
“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. I added fluid but every 3-4 days it came on again and of course brake pads again but this time the extremely loud knock went away and all was left was a quiet tick. That lasted couple months the out of no where wiring started shorting in dash and radio display. This lead to battery issues then out…”
Vehicle speed control
24 reports3 crashes
“WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH MY FOOT SLIGHTLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ENGINE SURGED WITH AN AUDIBLE REVVING, AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RESULTING IN A COLLISION. IDLING OR NEAR IDLING IN COLD WEATHER SEEMS TO BE A FREQUENT ISSUE, BUT THIS IS THE ONLY TIME IT HAS NOT BEEN OVERRIDDEN BY APPLYING THE BRAKE.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.