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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

What owners actually said

87 reports
117,544 miles · Sep 22, 2018
Engine

TAKATA RECALL',I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT THE ENGINE,THE RIGHT SIDE ROCKERS ARE MAKING NOISE WHEN RUNNING PRETTY BAD. I THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT

NHTSA ODI #11130719

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2018
Suspension

MY VAN WHEN RIDING OVER BUMPS MAKE A LOOSE FRAME OF AXEL RATTLING NOISE AND SPITZER HAVE HAD MY VAN BACK TO BACK TWO VISITS 04-07-2018 TO 04-20-2018 AND 04-20-2018 TO 04-28-2018 AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THEIR. SPITZER REFUSE TO PAY ANOTHER DEALER I USED AFTER SPITZERS THREE NEGLIGENCE JOBS ON MY VAN FIRST THE FIVE MONTHS IT …

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MY VAN WHEN RIDING OVER BUMPS MAKE A LOOSE FRAME OF AXEL RATTLING NOISE AND SPITZER HAVE HAD MY VAN BACK TO BACK TWO VISITS 04-07-2018 TO 04-20-2018 AND 04-20-2018 TO 04-28-2018 AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THEIR. SPITZER REFUSE TO PAY ANOTHER DEALER I USED AFTER SPITZERS THREE NEGLIGENCE JOBS ON MY VAN FIRST THE FIVE MONTHS IT TOOK TO DISCOVER AFTER MY FIRST OIL CHANGE THE AIR FILTER COVER HAD NOT BEEN LOOK BACK, SECOND, VAN HAD TO BE TOWED IN AFTER I GOT HOME AND WAS TOLD BRAKE DUST WAS CAUSING NOISE. NEXT BAD WHEEL BEARING. THE EXTENDE WARRANTY IS STILL VALID. I NOW PAY FOR ALL NON WARRANTY SERVICE OUTSIDE OF SPITZER BECAUSE I FEAR FOR MY SAFTY WHEN SPITZER PERFORM WORK ON MY VAN. THE VAN WAS BRAND NEW 68 MILES, BUT ITS AS IF I HAD PURCHASED A USE VAN. I HAVE ALL INVOICE OF WORK WHICH EXCEED 5. AFTER TO TWO VISITS SPITZER STILL HAVE NOT/CAN"T SEEM TO REPAIR MY VAN.

NHTSA ODI #11128387

200,000 miles · Jul 26, 2018
Electrical SystemSeat BeltsUnknown Or Other

OK. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 2 1/2 YEAR AND I'VE FOUND AFTER A YEAR, IT WAS HARD TO KEEP GAS IN THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH I FILLED IT UP AT TIMES, IT WOULD STILL GO OUT , THE DOORS HAVE GOTTEN JAMMED, THE WINDOWS STUCK BECAUSE OF HEAT, LAST YEAR THE SEAT BELTS IN THE BACK STOPPED WORKING AND NOW I HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM…

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OK. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 2 1/2 YEAR AND I'VE FOUND AFTER A YEAR, IT WAS HARD TO KEEP GAS IN THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH I FILLED IT UP AT TIMES, IT WOULD STILL GO OUT , THE DOORS HAVE GOTTEN JAMMED, THE WINDOWS STUCK BECAUSE OF HEAT, LAST YEAR THE SEAT BELTS IN THE BACK STOPPED WORKING AND NOW I HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE WILL ONLY GO BACKWARDS. I NEVER KNEW THOSE THINGS COULD HAPPEN TO THIS VEHICLE. ALSO THE ALARM NO LONGER WORKS AFTER 2 YEARS. I HAVE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT JUST TO OPEN THE VEHICLE. WHEN I GOT THE VEHICLE , THERE WAS A CD STUCK IN IT AND RADIO DIDN'T WORK AND COULDN'T BE FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #11113995

90,000 miles · Jul 15, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

MY CARAVAN LOSES ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING IN LOW SPEEDS, HIGH SPEEDS, OVER RAILROAD TRACKS, ON THE INTERSTATE!! I HAVE TO STOP IMMEDIATELY AND RESTART. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AT ANY TIME, I NEVER KNOW WHEN OR IF IT WILL DIE ON ME. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO MY DEALERSHIP AND 2 OTHERS. THEY SAY, NOTHING IS SHOWING…

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MY CARAVAN LOSES ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING IN LOW SPEEDS, HIGH SPEEDS, OVER RAILROAD TRACKS, ON THE INTERSTATE!! I HAVE TO STOP IMMEDIATELY AND RESTART. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AT ANY TIME, I NEVER KNOW WHEN OR IF IT WILL DIE ON ME. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO MY DEALERSHIP AND 2 OTHERS. THEY SAY, NOTHING IS SHOWING ON THE COMPUTER, THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO.

NHTSA ODI #11111432

200,184 miles · Jun 20, 2018
Service Brakes

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11102815

64,000 miles · May 30, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROCKET ARM FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO MAKE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROCKET ARM FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO MAKE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA ODI #11098860

41,200 miles · May 3, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control

ON INTERSTATE AT 65 & WHILE ACCELERATING TO PASS SLOWER CAR MY ACCELERATOR STUCK AT FULL THROTTLE. BRAKED TO CONTROL SPEED AND AFTER SHORT WHILE PEDAL UNSTUCK AND NORMAL OPERATION. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN THE NEXT DAY BUT, ALTHOUGH GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK TO FLOOR, THE VEHICLE SLOWED TO ABOUT 60. EXITED HIGHWAY TO SERVICE AREA WITH PEDA…

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ON INTERSTATE AT 65 & WHILE ACCELERATING TO PASS SLOWER CAR MY ACCELERATOR STUCK AT FULL THROTTLE. BRAKED TO CONTROL SPEED AND AFTER SHORT WHILE PEDAL UNSTUCK AND NORMAL OPERATION. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN THE NEXT DAY BUT, ALTHOUGH GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK TO FLOOR, THE VEHICLE SLOWED TO ABOUT 60. EXITED HIGHWAY TO SERVICE AREA WITH PEDAL STILL STUCK AT FT & SHUT DOWN. CAR WOULDN'T RESTART WITH PEDAL AT FT. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, THE PEDAL "POPPED" BACK AND RESTARTED WITH NORMAL OPERATION THEREAFTER. I EACH INSTANCE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS PROBABLY ON AND A LARGE RED SYMBOL APPEARED ON THE ANNUNCIATOR PANEL WHICH EXTINGUISHED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL " POPPED" BACK UP. NO MESSAGES APPEARED IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION WHICH INTERNET SEARCHES SHOW IS OCCURRING TO OTHER DODGE / CHRYSLER MINIVANS AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TT

NHTSA ODI #11091549

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2018
Electrical System

"TAKATA RECALL" FUEL PUMP RELAY .... PROBLEM: CAR WILL NOT START LEAVING ME STRAINTED....... TIPM PROBLEM THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR DODGE AND SHOULD BE A DEALERS RECALL

NHTSA ODI #11088449

140,000 miles · Apr 16, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, A 2004 HONDA ACCORD CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND SLIDING DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OVERHEAD AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT WERE DEFLATED. IN ADDITION, THE OTHER AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AT ALL. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, A 2004 HONDA ACCORD CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND SLIDING DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OVERHEAD AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT WERE DEFLATED. IN ADDITION, THE OTHER AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AT ALL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE UPPER RIGHT TORSO AND HIP THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER OF THE 2004 HONDA ACCORD SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS AWAITING INSPECTION BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR DIAGNOSIS OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11088382

128,000 miles · Mar 8, 2018
Engine

I WAS TAKING MY VAN IN FOR AN OIL CHANE AN NOTICED A KNOCKING NOISE. MY MACHANIC SAID IT WAS ROD BEARING FAILURE IN THE ENIGINE. HE LOOKED IT UP AND SAW THERE WAS A MANUFACTURING RECALL ON MY ENGINE. #(PO5184464AE 3.6 L) .I HAVE AN APT TODAU WITH DODGE DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE. THEY ARE LOCATED AT 255 SMOKEY PARK HWY . SKYLA…

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I WAS TAKING MY VAN IN FOR AN OIL CHANE AN NOTICED A KNOCKING NOISE. MY MACHANIC SAID IT WAS ROD BEARING FAILURE IN THE ENIGINE. HE LOOKED IT UP AND SAW THERE WAS A MANUFACTURING RECALL ON MY ENGINE. #(PO5184464AE 3.6 L) .I HAVE AN APT TODAU WITH DODGE DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE. THEY ARE LOCATED AT 255 SMOKEY PARK HWY . SKYLAND DODGE ASHEVILLE,NC.....MY CASE NO.IS 33531139. MY ODI # IS11074929.

NHTSA ODI #11076809

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