2012 Dodge Grand Caravan

◆ Worse than typical
2012 Dodge Grand Caravan
BUILT 2026-08-02

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge Grand Caravan Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2012 highlighted. 1984: 0 complaints 1984 1985: 1 complaints 1986: 0 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1988: 10 complaints 1989: 24 complaints 1989 1990: 55 complaints 1991: 129 complaints 1992: 255 complaints 1993: 289 complaints 1994: 199 complaints 1994 1995: 108 complaints 1996: 1157 complaints 1997: 583 complaints 1998: 559 complaints 1999: 432 complaints 1999 2000: 442 complaints 2001: 298 complaints 2002: 290 complaints 2003: 219 complaints 2004: 116 complaints 2004 2005: 995 complaints 2006: 284 complaints 2007: 182 complaints 2008: 1290 complaints 2009: 543 complaints 2009 2010: 866 complaints 2011: 530 complaints 2012: 583 complaints 2012 2013: 470 complaints 2014: 356 complaints 2014 2015: 276 complaints 2016: 961 complaints 2017: 401 complaints 2018: 263 complaints 2019: 233 complaints 2019 2020: 16 complaints 2020
2012: 583 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19840
19851
19860
19872
198810
198924
199055
1991129
1992255
1993289
1994199
1995108
19961157
1997583
1998559
1999432
2000442
2001298
2002290
2003219
2004116
2005995
2006284
2007182
20081290
2009543
2010866
2011530
2012583
2013470
2014356
2015276
2016961
2017401
2018263
2019233
202016

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 56%

56% of complaints: electrical system — 329 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show 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

ENGINE 20%

20% of complaints: engine — 118 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 68 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 8%

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

SERVICE BRAKES 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes — 38 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20111228 — engine and engine cooling

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

2012 — complaint volume: 583
R 20120427 — suspension

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

R 20120518 — equipment

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

I 20140925 — DP (closed 20150724)

Totally Integrated Power Module Failure

R 20141231 — electrical system

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

R 20170809 — air bags

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

I 20190909 — PE (closed 20260225)

Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment

R 20260205 — equipment adaptive/mobility

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

▲ 1990 ▲ 1995 ▲ 2004

WORST YEARS

■ 2008 ■ 1996 ■ 2005

See all years ranked →

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.