2012 Dodge CARAVAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
87 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
51,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 58 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 47 of 87 complaints (54.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 28 | 32.2% |
| Braking behavior | 13 | 14.9% |
| Engine operation | 12 | 13.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 4.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 3.4% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 3.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 47 |
| Engine | 19 |
| Service Brakes | 9 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Seats | 3 |
Electrical System: 47; Engine: 19; Service Brakes: 9; Unknown Or Other: 8; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Air Bags: 4; Power Train: 3; Seats: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 17 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 17; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 5
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 29 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 16 |
| 2015 | 28 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 16 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2012: 2; 2013: 7; 2014: 16; 2015: 28; 2016: 8; 2017: 3; 2018: 16; 2019: 6; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 28 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 12 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10562598 · 2014-02-02 (February 2, 2014)
FIRST TIME, BATTERY KEPT GOING DEAD. TOOK IT TO CORTLAND DODGE, THEY SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING [NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY] CHARGED US ABOUT 80.00 ! SECOND TIME. FUSES BLOWN FOR SEAT CONTROLS AND WIPERS THIRD TIME CAR STARTED SHIFTING WILDLY UP AND DOWN. HEAD LIGHTS STARTED TO DIM AND CAR FINALLY QUIT! HAD IT TOWED TO DODGE DEALER WAS INFORMED IT NEED…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10562598 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10631118 · 2014-09-05 (September 5, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V234000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10631118 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10543058 · 2013-09-11 (September 11, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN BUT HEARD A WHISTLE LIKE NOISE AS THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS, ROUTES AND CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,958. UPDATED 11/26/13*LJ
Owner-reported narrative. 32,958 miles reported. Look up ODI 10543058 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10543271 · 2013-09-12 (September 12, 2013)
REAR BRAKING SYSTEM WORN OUT, NEED THEM REPLACED PREMATURELY. THE BRAKES WERE GRABBING, NOT RELEASING, VIBRATING AND NOT STOPPING LIKE THEY SHOULD. TOOK IT IN AND SURE ENOUGH I NEED TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES, ROUTER AND A PISTON/ SENSOR REPLACED 30,000 FOR BRAKE WEAR OUT. HIGHWAY DRIVING NOT CITY DRIVING I WAS TOLD REAR BRAKES ONLY LAST 25-30,000 MILES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10543271 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10606488 · 2014-06-27 (June 27, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10606488 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10616904 · 2014-07-28 (July 28, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10616904 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10789771 · 2015-11-11 (November 11, 2015)
THE VEHICLE TIPM MODULE NEEDS REPLACING REGISTERED MECHANIC STATED THE MODULE MALFUNCTIONING IS THE PROBLEM FOR ME FUEL PUMP GOING OUT AND THE DRAINAGE OF TWO BATTERIES I PURCHASE. AND THE PROBLEM FOR OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT HAVE OCCURRED WITH THE VEHICLE. TWO OTHER PROBLEMS; WHICH ONE WAS A RECALL WAS A MOTOR MALFUNCTION WHICH COULD HAVE POSSIBLE CAUSED A FIRE THE OTHER WAS A REPLACENT OF A ENGINE LEFT CYLINDER HEAD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10789771 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11035806 · 2017-10-23 (October 23, 2017)
THE FUEL PUMP RELAY SWITCH WON'T SHUT OFF. IT RUN DOEN BATTERY AND KILKS THE WHOLE VAN.
Owner-reported narrative. 156,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11035806 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10820691 · 2016-01-17 (January 17, 2016)
THE PROBLEM WITH MY 2012 DODGE CARAVAN IS DRIVING ALONG EASILY ON CITY STREETS BECAUSE WITH THIS PROBLEM IT CANT BE PUT ON THE INTERSTATE, WHEN GETTING READY TO GO UP A HILL AND IT GOES OUT OF GEAR, THE RPM HAND GOES AS FAR AS IT CAN GO, SOMETIMES EASING OF THE GAS THE RPM HAND WILL GO DOWN TO 1 AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL KNOCK, CHECK ENGINE LIKE WILL COME ON AND IT'LL GO BACK INTO GEAR, BUT SOMETIME YOU'LL HAVE TO PULL OVER AND PUT IT IN PARK AND TURN IT OFF AND START ALL OVER AGAIN, JUST FOR IT TO DO THE SAME EXACT THEN, AND REMIND YOU, YOU CA…
Owner-reported narrative. 113,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10820691 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10499466 · 2013-02-20 (February 20, 2013)
THE PROBLEM IS AUTONOMOUS ACCELERATION. WHEN MY CAR IS MOVING SLOWLY AT IDLE SPEED WHILE I'M PULLING INTO OR OUT OF A PARKING SPACE OR MY HOME GARAGE AND I APPLY PRESSURE TO THE STEERING WHEEL TO GUIDE THE CAR, THE ENGINE RPM SPEED SURGES BY ABOUT 400 RPMS CAUSING THE CAR TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE FORWARD OR BACKWARD, DEPENDING ON THE GEAR SELECTION. THIS HAS CAUSED A NUMBER OF NEAR ACCIDENTS, INCLUDING NEARLY STRIKING CHILDREN AT AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHEN I WAS PICKING UP MY GRANDDAUGHTER. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER, BUT …
Owner-reported narrative. 127 miles reported. Look up ODI 10499466 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10726083 · 2015-06-18 (June 18, 2015)
CYLINDER #3 MISFIRE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND WHEN RESTARTED STALL AGAIN AND LOSE BRAKES AND STEERING.. .UPDATED 07-16-15 *BF
Owner-reported narrative. 49,154 miles reported. Look up ODI 10726083 at NHTSA ↗