2012 Dodge Grand Caravan
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 0 |
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1986 | 0 |
| 1987 | 2 |
| 1988 | 10 |
| 1989 | 24 |
| 1990 | 55 |
| 1991 | 129 |
| 1992 | 255 |
| 1993 | 289 |
| 1994 | 199 |
| 1995 | 108 |
| 1996 | 1157 |
| 1997 | 583 |
| 1998 | 559 |
| 1999 | 432 |
| 2000 | 442 |
| 2001 | 298 |
| 2002 | 290 |
| 2003 | 219 |
| 2004 | 116 |
| 2005 | 995 |
| 2006 | 284 |
| 2007 | 182 |
| 2008 | 1290 |
| 2009 | 543 |
| 2010 | 866 |
| 2011 | 530 |
| 2012 | 583 |
| 2013 | 470 |
| 2014 | 356 |
| 2015 | 276 |
| 2016 | 961 |
| 2017 | 401 |
| 2018 | 263 |
| 2019 | 233 |
| 2020 | 16 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
56% of complaints: electrical system — 329 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, unoccupied, and turned off at the residence, she noticed that sparks and flames were coming from the overhead console.
NHTSA ODI report, 20250317
AT 11:30 PM THE CAR ENGINE STARTED (THE KEYS WERE IN THE HOUSE),HORN WAS BLOWING, HEAD LIGHTS WERE ON, WIPERS GOING AT FULL SPEED FOUR WAY FLASHER GOING THERE WAS A RED GLOW UNDER THE CAR AND SMOKE WAS BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE CAR AND THE DOORS WERE...
NHTSA ODI report, 20140403
I WAS DRIVING FROM ONE DESTINATION TO THE OTHER AND WHEN I GOT TO MY OTHER DESTINATION I SMELLED SMOKE. I LOOKED DOWN AND NOTICE THE CIGARETTE PORT WHICH WAS EMPTY WAS SMOKING, I PULLED MY GERBER OUT AND PULLED THE PORT OUT AND THERE WAS A FIRE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140321
20% of complaints: engine — 118 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE12% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 68 distinct reports on file.
8% of complaints: power train — 47 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20111130
7% of complaints: service brakes — 38 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
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.
Campaign 11V487000 — check if this car was fixed
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 RIGH
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 1-800-853-140
Campaign 12V141000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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
Campaign 12V191000 — check if this car was fixed
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
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.
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.
Campaign 14V234000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 17V376000 — check if this car was fixed
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
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...
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.
Campaign 25V876000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2012 Dodge Grand Caravan — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (329 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (118 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (68 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 11V487000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V141000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V191000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V234000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V376000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 25V876000 (equipment adaptive/mobility) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 56% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.