MY WIFE WHILE DRIVING SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND THE VAN SHUT OFF IT HOWEVER RESTART RIGHT AWAY.THIS WAS VERY SCARY AND COULD PUT HER LIFE IN DANGER IF SOMEONE HAD RUN INTO HER VAN BACK.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Caravan years →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.
Service Brakes complaints
9 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, AN ABNORMAL SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR EACH TIME WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER CASSENS & SONS CHRYSLER DODGE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, AN ABNORMAL SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR EACH TIME WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER CASSENS & SONS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP AT (618) 656-6070 (3333 IL-159, GLEN CARBON, IL 62034) WHERE AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,184. *TT
FAULTLY BRAKE CALIPAR - KEEP HANGING UP AND CAUSING TIRE TO GET HOT AND SMOKE COMES OUT VERY HOT.
REAR BRAKES WORN OUT, SCRAPING METAL. CALLED DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO UNDER WARRANTY. I'VE BEEN A MECHANIC FOR OVER 40 YEARS AND THIS IS JUST PLAIN EQUIPMENT FAILURE. THE CALIPERS ARE BAD AND CHRYSLER WILL NOT ADMIT IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR A RECALL. VERY DISSATISFIED WITH VEHICLE BECAUSE…
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REAR BRAKES WORN OUT, SCRAPING METAL. CALLED DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO UNDER WARRANTY. I'VE BEEN A MECHANIC FOR OVER 40 YEARS AND THIS IS JUST PLAIN EQUIPMENT FAILURE. THE CALIPERS ARE BAD AND CHRYSLER WILL NOT ADMIT IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR A RECALL. VERY DISSATISFIED WITH VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BRAKES NEED REPLACING AGAIN AT 44000 MILES. *TR
DRIVING ONLY 10 MILES THE BRAKES SMELLED HOT. STOPPED AND CHECKED, TOUCHED THE LUG NUT AND BURNED FINGER THEY WERE SO HOT. HAD IT TAKEN IN AND ROTORS WERE TURNED AND NEW BRAKE PADS. OLD PADS WERE GONE. NOW AT 31600 MILES THE SAME THING. TALKED TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY WILL GLADLY CHARGE US FOR NEW ROTORS AND PADS BUT ADMIT THE CA…
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DRIVING ONLY 10 MILES THE BRAKES SMELLED HOT. STOPPED AND CHECKED, TOUCHED THE LUG NUT AND BURNED FINGER THEY WERE SO HOT. HAD IT TAKEN IN AND ROTORS WERE TURNED AND NEW BRAKE PADS. OLD PADS WERE GONE. NOW AT 31600 MILES THE SAME THING. TALKED TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY WILL GLADLY CHARGE US FOR NEW ROTORS AND PADS BUT ADMIT THE CALIPERS DO HAVE A PROBLEM. SO FOR OVER $400 AND A TOW BILL THEY CAN HELP US. CALLED DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH NO RESULTS. *JS
AFTER SMELLING BRAKES DURING A 10 MILE TRIP TO LOCAL STORE I LOOKED AT REAR DRIVERS SIDE ROTOR TO SEE IT GLOWING CHERRY RED IN THE NIGHT. EXTREME HEAT WAS COMING FROM THE WHEEL WELL AND WHEEL CAMBER APPEARED TO BE AFFECTED FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT. WORKING ON TRYING TO GET IT IN FOR A WARRANTY CHECK, BUT TO ME THIS IS RIDICULOUS FO…
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AFTER SMELLING BRAKES DURING A 10 MILE TRIP TO LOCAL STORE I LOOKED AT REAR DRIVERS SIDE ROTOR TO SEE IT GLOWING CHERRY RED IN THE NIGHT. EXTREME HEAT WAS COMING FROM THE WHEEL WELL AND WHEEL CAMBER APPEARED TO BE AFFECTED FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT. WORKING ON TRYING TO GET IT IN FOR A WARRANTY CHECK, BUT TO ME THIS IS RIDICULOUS FOR A VEHICLE 2 YEARS OLD WITH 25K MILES. SOUNDS LIKE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE CALIBER WHICH I COULD REPLACE MYSELF, BUT FROM WHAT I'VE READ ONLINE THIS IS A REPETITIVE ISSUE AND A HUGE MONEY PIT. *TR
I PURCHASED A NEW VAN ON JULY 5, 2013. ON JULY 8, 2013, I DROVE 4 MILES, AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. I ACCELERATED TO APPROX. 40 MPH, WHEN SUDDENLY THE VAN SHIFTED TO THE RIGHT MOMENTARILY, UPON WHICH I REGAINED CONTROL IMMEDIATELY. SUDDENLY, THE VAN JOLTED RIGHT AGAIN, JUMPED THE CURB, CLIMBED AN EMBANKMENT, AND WOULD NOT ST…
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I PURCHASED A NEW VAN ON JULY 5, 2013. ON JULY 8, 2013, I DROVE 4 MILES, AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. I ACCELERATED TO APPROX. 40 MPH, WHEN SUDDENLY THE VAN SHIFTED TO THE RIGHT MOMENTARILY, UPON WHICH I REGAINED CONTROL IMMEDIATELY. SUDDENLY, THE VAN JOLTED RIGHT AGAIN, JUMPED THE CURB, CLIMBED AN EMBANKMENT, AND WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING. I KEPT PUSHING THE EMC CONTROLS FORWARD....BUT IT WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. IT IS NOT THAT THE VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING, BUT RATHER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ONLY STOPPED WHEN I CRASHED THROUGH A LARGE EVERGREEN TREE (FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER AREA). THE VAN CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL I RAN HEAD FIRST INTO A HARDWARE STORE, WHICH ULTIMATELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS AN ANALYSIS PERFORMED, AND I EXPRESSED GREAT CONCERN OVER THE LACK OF INFORMATION DISCLOSED IN THE REPORT. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON JULY 8, 2013. TODAY IS DECEMBER 31, 2013, AND I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT IT IS TAKING THIS LONG TO REPLACE A NEW VAN. THERE WAS INFORMATION DISCOVERED FROM THE INITIAL MECHANIC WHO RECEIVED THE VAN AFTER THE ACCIDENT, INCLUSIVE OF PHOTOGRAPHS, WHO WAS TOLD BY ADJUSTERS TO WITHHOLD AND NOT DISCLOSE THE NOTED INFORMATION. THIS CONCERNS ME GREATLY. I DO NOT WANT ANOTHER PERSON TO ENDURE WHAT I ENDURED, OR WORSE, AN INNOCENT PERSON HURT BY EQUIPMENT, OR INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT, THAT MAY CAUSE A DRIVER NOT TO HAVE CONTROL OVER HIS/HER VEHICLE. IN THE REPORT, THE SPECIALIST USED LANGUAGE INDICATING THAT THE DRIVER "LOST CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE." THAT IS A COMPLETELY ERRONEOUS STATEMENT. A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE ENGAGED TO DETERMINE WHY AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER, WHO HAS AN EXCESS OF 13 YEARS DRIVING EXPERIENCE WITH EMC/AEVIT CONTROLS WAS PLACED IN A PERILOUS SITUATION, WHERE THE BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE, AND THE VAN CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, UNTIL IMPACT. *TR
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 …
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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
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. …
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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
Official recalls
0No 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
1DP14004 · 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
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