2012 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
583 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
92,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 374 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 329 of 583 complaints (56.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 197 | 33.8% |
| Braking behavior | 80 | 13.7% |
| Engine operation | 74 | 12.7% |
| Steering behavior | 58 | 9.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 56 | 9.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 37 | 6.3% |
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 | 329 |
| Engine | 118 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 68 |
| Unknown Or Other | 60 |
| Power Train | 47 |
| Service Brakes | 38 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 22 |
| Air Bags | 18 |
Electrical System: 329; Engine: 118; Fuel/Propulsion System: 68; Unknown Or Other: 60; Power Train: 47; Service Brakes: 38; Vehicle Speed Control: 22; Air Bags: 18
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 38 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 47 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 63 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 54 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 141 |
| 150,000 and above | 31 |
Under 25,000: 38; 25,000 to 49,999: 47; 50,000 to 74,999: 63; 75,000 to 99,999: 54; 100,000 to 149,999: 141; 150,000 and above: 31
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (141). 209 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 | 2 |
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: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 197 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 80 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 74 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10437900 · 2011-11-30 (November 30, 2011)
I NOTICED A FLUID LEAK IN MY DRIVEWAY AND BASED ON THE RED COLOR I ELIMINATED THE POSSIBILITY THAT IT WAS FROM THE POWER STEERING BECAUSE THE RESERVOIR WAS AT THE MAX LEVEL. I WAS LATER INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SIDE COVER WAS LEAKING. I SENT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE DYE WAS ADDED AND WAS INFORMED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING IN THE AREA OF THE BELL HOUSING AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD REQUIRE DISASSEMBLY TO ASCERTAIN WHAT THE CAUSE IS. *KB ....UPDATED 04/09/12 *BF.
Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10437900 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10454008 · 2012-04-03 (April 3, 2012)
I HAVE A TRANSMISSION MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE AFFORDED THE SAME CONSUMER PROTECTION AS THE 2012 GRAND CARAVANS WITH ENGINE SLUDGE. MY PUMP AND AXLE SEALS BEGAN LEAKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH. I DIDN'T NOTICE UNTIL 20 MILES WERE ON THE ODOMETER. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO EXAMINE IT BEFORE I HAD TO RELEASE IT TO AMS VANS FOR WHEELCHAIR CONVERSION. IT WAS RETURNED TO ME WITH 36 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND IT WAS LEAKING DURING THE ADDITIONAL 16 MILES. UNLESS CHRYSLER IS WILLING TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION THAT THIS TRANSMISSION CANNO…
Owner-reported narrative. 13 miles reported. Look up ODI 10454008 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10464364 · 2012-07-05 (July 5, 2012)
DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS MISALIGNED TO THE POINT THAT THE GAPS OUTWARD MADE THE DOOR APPEAR AJAR, WATER ENTERS EXCESSIVELY AROUND FRAME, HOWEVER DOES NOT ENTER INSIDE THE VAN. THE FIRST ATTEMPT ON 7/5/2012 BY THE DEALER WAS TO ADJUST THE STRIKE PLATE WHICH CAUSED THE BOTTOM OF THE DOORS TO BE EXCESSIVELY INWARD. I HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED TO HAVE ALL 4 DOORS REALIGNED NEXT WEEK. WHAT IS MY RECOURSE IF THIS PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED PROPERLY ? PURCHASE DATE 6/15/2012 CURRENTLY HAS 935 MILES. DEALER STATES IT IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND THAT THEY ASSURE…
Owner-reported narrative. 900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10464364 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10465973 · 2012-07-17 (July 17, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT A LOUD NOISED WHEN THE GEAR WAS IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER, TRANSMISSION AND THE REVERSE GEAR FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,083 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 11,083 miles reported. Look up ODI 10465973 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10485331 · 2012-11-20 (November 20, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO POSITION THE REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT UPRIGHT, THE HEAD REST SLAMMED DOWN AND INJURED A CHILD PASSENGER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND BUT THEY PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10485331 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10491567 · 2013-01-06 (January 6, 2013)
DRIVING IN A SMALL TOWN, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THIS. I AM A MEDICAL COURIER AND WE HAVE 4, MAYBE 5, GRAND CARAVANS OPERATING OUT OF OUR FACILITY. TWO HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE HEADS REPLACED, BOTH WITH THE PENTASTAR V-6. I HAVE THIS ENGINE IN MINE AS WELL . I WAS TOLD BY THE DRIVERS OF THOSE TO WATCH FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON, AND LAST NIGHT IT DID. SO NOW, IT SEEMS I MAY BE NUMBER THREE. I WOULD CONSIDER MY DRIVING HABITS IN THE DODGE "EASY", PROBABLY 90% OF THE TIME I AM DRIVING RURAL TWO LANE HIGHWAYS…
Owner-reported narrative. 85,463 miles reported. Look up ODI 10491567 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10493748 · 2013-01-22 (January 22, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN EQUIPPED WITH KUMHO KH25 TIRES, SIZE 235/60R/16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER FRONT AND REAR TIRES FLATTENED WITHIN A WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE TIRES AND STATED THAT AIR WAS ESCAPING FROM THE SEAMS ON THE SIDES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE DEALER RETURN THE TIRES IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A CREDIT. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000. THE DOT WAS NOT AVA…
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10493748 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10502120 · 2013-03-08 (March 8, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN OPEN THROTTLE POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND SHE HAD TO UTILIZE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING ANY FARTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,900.
Owner-reported narrative. 20,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10502120 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
11V487000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Reported: 2011-09-29 (September 29, 2011)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗12V141000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 2012-04-03 (April 3, 2012)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗12V191000 · Equipment
Reported: 2012-05-02 (May 2, 2012)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V234000 · Electrical System
Reported: 2014-05-07 (May 7, 2014)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V376000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2017-06-13 (June 13, 2017)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V876000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility:Wheelchair Restraints/Securement:Latch/Anchor:
Reported: 2025-12-17 (December 17, 2025)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗