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2012 Dodge Caravan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Dodge Caravan do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 182.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

58 reports with mileage · 29 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports3 fire reports3 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

47 reports
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98,752 miles · Aug 29, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemSeats

I HAVE A DODGE CARAVAN 2012 AND TAKING IT IN FOR SEVERAL ELECTRICAL ISSUES. WHEN IT WAS SENT TO THE DALLAS DODGE IN DALLAS, GA THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH CAR KILLING TWO BRAND NEW BATTERIES. BROUGHT A THIRD ONE AND FINALLY CALL TO HAVE IT PICKED UP SO THEY COULD CHECK IT.HE THEN CALLED ME AND SAID IT WAS THE DRIVER SEAT WIRING SYST…

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I HAVE A DODGE CARAVAN 2012 AND TAKING IT IN FOR SEVERAL ELECTRICAL ISSUES. WHEN IT WAS SENT TO THE DALLAS DODGE IN DALLAS, GA THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH CAR KILLING TWO BRAND NEW BATTERIES. BROUGHT A THIRD ONE AND FINALLY CALL TO HAVE IT PICKED UP SO THEY COULD CHECK IT.HE THEN CALLED ME AND SAID IT WAS THE DRIVER SEAT WIRING SYSTEMS AND TO FIX IT WOULD BY $500.00. I ADVISED HIM IF THAT WAS THE ISSUE AND IT WOULD BE WORKING PROPERLY GO AHEAD.I PICKED UP MY CAR AND GOT IT HOME. THE NEXT MORNING THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. SO I HAD IT SENT BACK TO THEM AND THEY CHECK IT AGAIN AND DID NOT FIND ANYTHING. I GOT IT BACK THE NEXT DAY WHICH WAS A SATURDAY AFTER SITTING THERE MAKING SURE THEY CHECK EVERYTHING. BASICALLY THEY SAID THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AND NOTHING WAS WRONG. I TOLD THEM IF I HAD ANY ISSUES I WOULD BRING IT BACK ON MONDAY. I ADVISED I WILL REMOVE THE BATTERY CABLE TO AT LEAST GO TO CHURCH THE NEXT DAY. WHEN I GOT HOME FROM CHURCH I DID NOT TAKE CABLE OFF AND BATTERY DIED AGAIN. SO ON MONDAY 8/17, I WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. THEY SAID THE PUT IT ON A COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND ONLY NOTICE THAT MY BATTERY WAS HAVE WAY DRAINED. I STILL NO ANSWERS TO WHAT CAUSED IT TO DRAIN. I NOTICE THAT A MOTOR IN THE REAR AREA WOULD NOT STOP RUNNING. THE CAR WOULD COMPLETELY TURNED OFF. NO WE NOTICE THAT WE HAVING DELAYS IN STARTING THE CAR LIKE FUEL IS NOT GET THE ENGINE. AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES TRYING TO START, IT WOULD STALL OUT AND THEN FINALLY START. SO AGAIN I HAD TO TAKE BATTERY CABLE OFF UNTIL THE NEXT FOLLOWING MONDAY - 8/24, I THIS TIME THEY ADVISED ME IT WAS THE TIMP MODULE AND IT WILL COST ME $1000 TO FIX IT. ME AND FAMILY DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR, NOW WE ARE EXPERIENCING STALLING WHILE WE ARE DRIVING. THIS IS NOT GOOD SERVICE IF YOU KNOW THERE IS AN ISSUE AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PART.

NHTSA ODI #10760192

51,000 miles · Aug 27, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DOOR WARNING LIGHT FLICKERED AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, SMOKE FUMES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V234000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE RECALL PART NEEDE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DOOR WARNING LIGHT FLICKERED AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, SMOKE FUMES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V234000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE RECALL PART NEEDED WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

NHTSA ODI #10759780

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V234000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THIS RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V234000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THIS RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10750012

Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2015
Electrical System

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE ON REAR QUARTER VENT WINDOW SWITCH AS HAZARD IN EARLY 2014. CALLED DEALER; NO REPLACEMENT PARTS. CALLED DEALER AGAIN IN JULY 2014 (AND SEVERAL TIMES SINCE); STILL NO REPLACEMENT PARTS. TALKED TO DEALER TODAY (7/12/15) ; STILL NO INFO ON PARTS. DO WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THERE'S A FIRE AND THEN FILE WITH OUR …

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RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE ON REAR QUARTER VENT WINDOW SWITCH AS HAZARD IN EARLY 2014. CALLED DEALER; NO REPLACEMENT PARTS. CALLED DEALER AGAIN IN JULY 2014 (AND SEVERAL TIMES SINCE); STILL NO REPLACEMENT PARTS. TALKED TO DEALER TODAY (7/12/15) ; STILL NO INFO ON PARTS. DO WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THERE'S A FIRE AND THEN FILE WITH OUR INSURANCE COMPANY?

NHTSA ODI #10733504

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V234000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, 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 …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V234000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, 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 FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10723463

45,000 miles · May 21, 2015
Electrical System

I CONTACTED THE DEALER REGARDING THE POWER VENT SWITCH RECALL AND THEY FAILED TO PLACE THE ORDER FOR THE PART. ABOUT A MONTH LATER I HAD AN OIL CHANGE AND FOUND OUT THAT THE PART WAS NOT ORDERED SO I PLACED THE ORDER THEN. I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE PART TO COME IN. DEALER IS NEW RIVER AUTO MALL CHRYSLER/JEEP/DODGE IN HARDEEVI…

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I CONTACTED THE DEALER REGARDING THE POWER VENT SWITCH RECALL AND THEY FAILED TO PLACE THE ORDER FOR THE PART. ABOUT A MONTH LATER I HAD AN OIL CHANGE AND FOUND OUT THAT THE PART WAS NOT ORDERED SO I PLACED THE ORDER THEN. I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE PART TO COME IN. DEALER IS NEW RIVER AUTO MALL CHRYSLER/JEEP/DODGE IN HARDEEVILLE SOUTH CAROLINA.

NHTSA ODI #10717617

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2015
Electrical System

2012 DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE REAR WINDOW SWITCH RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER *JB

NHTSA ODI #10711751

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V234000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED 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 …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V234000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED 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 CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10705427

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V234000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED 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 …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V234000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED 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 CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10702598

46,000 miles · Mar 9, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDE SLIDING DOORS WOULD NOT SECURE AND LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC MODULE FOR THE SLIDING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

NHTSA ODI #10693079

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP14004 · Totally Integrated Power Module Failure

Opened Sep 25, 2014 · Closed Jul 24, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year. The petitioner alleges that TIPM defects may result in engine stall, airbag non-deployment, failure of fuel pump shutoff resulting in unintended acceleration, fire, and other symptoms. On September 25, 2014, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened DP14-004 to evaluate the petition for a grant or deny decision. ODI analyzed complaint data provided by CAS as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 296 complaints submitted by the petitioner in the original petition and five supplements, including 271 complaints related to the subject vehicles equipped with TIPM-7. Approximately 3 percent of CAS complaints are related to vehicles equipped with TIPM-6 and ODI?s review of these complaints did not identify any safety defect trends. ODI conducted a detailed review of complaints narratives submitted by CAS and consumers including careful analysis of vehicle repair histories, warranty claims obtained from the manufacturer and any available Customer Assistance Inquiry reports (CAIR). Analysis of the field data indicated that MY2011-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles exhibited significantly higher complaint rates related to fuel pump relay (FPR) failures than other subject vehicles. In a September 3, 2014 letter to NHTSA, Chrysler submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the FPR within the TIPM-7 which can result in a no start or stall condition in approximately 188,723 model year (MY) 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK) and Dodge Durango (WD) vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010 through July 20, 2011 (14V-530).In a February 24, 2015 letter, Chrysler submitted a second DIR expanding the scope of the FPR defect condition to include an additional 338,216 MY 2012 through 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured from September 17, 2010 through August 19, 2013 and MY 2012 through 2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 18, 2011 through August 19, 2013 (15V-115).ODI analysis of the CAS allegations of TIPM defects resulting in stall while driving, airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration, fire and other faults identified a single defect condition related to 1 of over 60 different circuits in the TIPM assembly. The most common effect of this defect condition, related to the fuel pump relay, was a no-start concern, but it could also result in stall while driving (76 complaints). No valid evidence was presented in support of claims related to airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration or fire resulting from TIPM faults and these claims were found to be wholly without merit based on review of the field data and design of the relevant systems and components.Except insofar as the petitioner's contentions relate to the defect condition addressed by the Chrysler recalls, the factual bases of the petitioner's contentions that any further investigation is necessary are unsupported. In our view, additional investigation is unlikely to result in a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists or a NHTSA order for the notification and remedy of a safety-related defect as alleged by the petitioner at the conclusion of the requested investigation. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is den