IllustrationI WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A HIGHWAY IN TEXAS IN MY GRAND CARAVAN AND MY ENGINE STALLED AND LOST POWER AND STEERING AND BRAKES, IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND I WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH AND THE WAS A SMALL SHOULDER ON THE SIDE AND MY FAMILY COULD HAVE GOTTEN HURT, IF I HAD GONE INTO A DEEP DITCH, IT WAS SCARY AND DANGEROUS!
2012 Dodge Grand Caravan
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Grand Caravan years
Owner complaints for the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan are substantially higher than the model-year median of 284.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Grand 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
380–25K
4725–50K
6350–75K
5475–100K
141100–150K
31150K+
374 reports with mileage · 209 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 336 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 118 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports14 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
583 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND WITHOUT WARNING INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WHILE IN REVERSE AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHIFT THE GEAR TO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED FORWARD. AS A RESULT THE V…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND WITHOUT WARNING INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WHILE IN REVERSE AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHIFT THE GEAR TO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED FORWARD. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. . A TOTALED OF 5 VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED IN THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TURNED OFF. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE OF THE VEHICLE WAS OCCUPIED HOWEVER NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED BY THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. NO DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
HEAD READ SPONTANEOUSLY EJECTED OR POPPED WHILE PARKED. ALMOST LIKE A AIRBAG WOULD.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP RELAY WAS DEFECTIVE. THERE WERE ALSO BURN MARKS AROUND THE FUEL PUMP RELAY. DICK HANNAH JEEP LOCATED AT (3517 NE AUTO MALL DR, VANCOUVER, WA 98662 (360) 342-9650) WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED THE COST OF $1273 FOR THE PARTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,660.*DT *TP*DT CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE STALLED ONE MORE TIME AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP.*JB
THIS IS THE FIRST IN A LONG LINE OF DODGE VANS THAT HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION ISSUES. SO FAR THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 12 OF THESE VANS THAT HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED & THERE IS ANOTHER ONE HAVING ISSUES NOW.
WE WERE DRIVING DOWN A CROWDED HIGHWAY WHEN EVERYTHING ON THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. ALL THE LIGHTS SHUT OFF AND WE LOST POWER STEERING. I HAD TO FIGHT MY WAY OVER THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC WITH NO TURN SIGNALS AND HAD NO POWER STEERING. WHEN THIS HAPPENED WE WERE GOING UPHILL AND AN 18 WHEELER WAS BEHIND US. WE WERE RAPIDLY SLOWING…
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WE WERE DRIVING DOWN A CROWDED HIGHWAY WHEN EVERYTHING ON THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. ALL THE LIGHTS SHUT OFF AND WE LOST POWER STEERING. I HAD TO FIGHT MY WAY OVER THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC WITH NO TURN SIGNALS AND HAD NO POWER STEERING. WHEN THIS HAPPENED WE WERE GOING UPHILL AND AN 18 WHEELER WAS BEHIND US. WE WERE RAPIDLY SLOWING DOWN AND COULD HAVE BEEN HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. WE CAME TO A STOP AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND IT STARTED RIGHT BACK UP. A FEW DAYS LATER MY WIFE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO HER WHILE DRIVING ON A DARK ROADWAY. SHE WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS AROUND HER AT THAT TIME. R03/NHTSA 14V-373. RECALLS GRAND CARAVAN YEARS 2008 TO 2010. MY PROBLEMS SOUND AND LOOK EXACTLY LIKE THIS AND SEEING COMPLAINTS AROUND THE INTERNET IT LOOKS LIKE MANY OTHERS WITH MY YEAR MODEL ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. I THINK THAT RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THE 2012 MODEL YEAR AS WELL.
WELL MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VAN ON THE EXPRESSWAY WAY LAST YEAR VAN JUST SHUTS OFF. IT WOULDNT START SO I PUT MY JUMPER CABLES ON IT AND IT FIRED RIGHT UP A FEW DAYS LATER WE WENT TO KMART IN THEIR FOR ONLY A GOOD 20 MINUTES THE DRIVE ALONE WAS ABOUT AN HOUR AND HALF COME OUT AND THE BATTERY WAS DEAD ONCE AGING. GO FIGURE THIS …
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WELL MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VAN ON THE EXPRESSWAY WAY LAST YEAR VAN JUST SHUTS OFF. IT WOULDNT START SO I PUT MY JUMPER CABLES ON IT AND IT FIRED RIGHT UP A FEW DAYS LATER WE WENT TO KMART IN THEIR FOR ONLY A GOOD 20 MINUTES THE DRIVE ALONE WAS ABOUT AN HOUR AND HALF COME OUT AND THE BATTERY WAS DEAD ONCE AGING. GO FIGURE THIS WAS WHEN KMART STOPPED SELLING BIGGER BATTERIES. SO I WALKED OVER TO AUTOZONE AND BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED IT AND IT STARTED UP. WHILE WE GOT HOME THEN HAD TO LEAVE AGING TO GO GET THE KIDS FROM SCHOOL THE BATTERY WAS DEAD KNOW WHEN I SAY DEAD THROUGH ALL OF THIS I MEAN THEIR WAS ENOUGH POWER TO HAVE THE VAN DOORS OPEN AND LIGHTS ON BUT NOT ENOUGH POWER TO TURN THE ENGINE OVER TILL IT CLICKS. SO HOOKED UP TO MY TRUCK JUMPED IT.SEEM TO DRIVE FINE SO WE WENT BACK TO AUTOZONE AND THEY CHANGED IT OUT WITH THE WARRANTY AND TESTED IT THEY SAID IT WAS A GOOD BATTERY BUT TO BE ON SAFE SIDE. WELL I STARTED TO DRIVE THE VAN I HAD TO GET JUMPED 4 TIMES BEFORE I STARTED TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY WHEN IT WAS WARM OUT THE BATTERY WOULD LAST BUT ON THE COLD NIGHTS THE BATTERY WOULD STILL DIE. SO ONE DAY I SAID SREW IT I WENT TO DRIVE IT AND IT JUST WOULD START BELIEVE IT OR NOT I ONLY TOOK OFF THE AIR FILTER THINKING MAYBE IT CLOGGED WHILE I DID THAT AND TRIED STARTING IT IT BACK FIRED OUT THROUGH THE INTAKE CAUSING A FIRE ON THE AIR FILTER BOX PUT IT OUT SAID HELL WITH IT IT'S GOING TO THE DODGE DEALER IN WILKESBORO NC I PAID 1,700 TO HAVE THE TIPM REPLACED THEY SAID THAT'S WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT SO I SAID OKAY. HERE IT IS A YEAR LATER AND NOW I AM GETTING A LITTLE UPSET AROUND THE SAME TIME IT WENT OUT LAST YEAR AND MY VAN IS STARTING TO GIVE ME THE SAME ISSUES SO I AM GOING TO HOPE THAT IT ISNT THAT BUT JUST TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE THIS IS FOR LAST YEAR AND IF I HAVE TO PAY THAT PRICE AGING YES I'LL BE MAKING A NEW COMPLAINT TO
THE CAR WONT START. IT TURNS OVER BUT WONT START. THE TIPM RELAY NEEDS REPLACING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED AFTER IT WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ON OCCASIONS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO BE STARTED WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DRAIN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED AFTER IT WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ON OCCASIONS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO BE STARTED WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. ADDITIONALLY, THE FUEL PUMP REMAINED IN OPERATION EVEN AFTER THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER MIKE ANDERSON CHRYSLER (417 S. 3RD ST. LOGANSPORT, IN.) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
CAR JUST TOTALLT STOPPED WHILE DRIVING. NO POWER STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND KEY GOT STUCK IN IGNITION. VAN WOULD NOT START BACK UP. THIS IS SUPER DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE PUT MY FAMILY IN EXTREME DANGER.
Official recalls
625V876000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility:wheelchair Restraints/securement:latch/anchor:
Dec 17, 2025
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 equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
17V376000 · Air Bags:frontal
Jun 13, 2017
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Unexpected deployment of the driver's frontal air bag increases the risk of a crash or driver injury.
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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T33.
14V234000 · Electrical System
May 7, 2014
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. The affected vehicles may experience overheating of the vent window switch in the driver's door armrest.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An overheated switch may result in a vehicle fire.
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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P25.
12V191000 · Equipment
May 2, 2012
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 LIFTGATE PINCH SENSOR THAT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. AS A RESULT, INCREASED FORCE MAY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO STOP THE POWER LIFTGATE DURING FINAL CLOSING STAGES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE POWER LIFTGATE DOOR MAY CLOSE ON AN APPENDAGE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
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 1-800-853-1403.
12V141000 · Suspension:rear
Apr 3, 2012
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 RIGHT REAR HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE NOT FULLY MACHINED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A DECREASE IN DURABILITY, WHICH MAY LEAD TO WHEEL SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 1-800-853-1403.
11V487000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Sep 29, 2011
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 CHEROKEE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 31, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 13, 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH 3.6L ENGINES. THESE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE CONNECTING ROD BEARING FAILURE DUE TO DEBRIS INSIDE THE ENGINE BLOCK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONNECTING ROD FAILURE MAY LEAD TO ENGINE SEIZURE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
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
2PE19014 · Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Opened Sep 9, 2019 · Closed Feb 25, 2026
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats; Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of vehicle control as a result of being surprised and distracted by being struck in the head by the inadvertent AHR deployment. On September 24, 2019, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).ODI requested certain detailed information from FCA related to the following subject vehicles: MY 2010-2014 Dodge Avenger 200, MY 2010-2014 Dodge Calber, MY 2010-2014 Chrysler Sebring, MY 2013-2015 Ram Tradesman, MY 2012 Ram Van, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, MY 2010-2016 Chrysler Town and Country, MY 2010-2017 Jeep Compass, MY 2011-2020 Dodge Durango, MY 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Journey, MY 2010-2012 Jeep Liberty, MY 2010-2011 Jeep Nitro, and MY 2010-2011 Jeep Patriot vehicles.On December 2, 2019, ODI received a response from FCA that included vehicle production data, consumer complaints, field reports, warranty claims, manufacturer actions, production changes, and other data related to the alleged defect from the start of production (2010) through September 24, 2019.On January 27, 2020, ODI received an update to the December 2, 2019, IR response from FCA.On September 22, 2020, ODI requested additional subject vehicle AHR information from FCA.ODI received FCA's response on October 21, 2020.ODI subsequently received an update to FCA's October 21, 2020, response on February 16, 2021.During the investigation, ODI requested updates to certain IR questions on two occasions.FCA provided updates to question #2 on March 5, 2021, and questions #2 and #5 on May 26, 2023. FCA’s IR response data identified approximately 7.5 million subject vehicles (with approximately 15 million AHR assemblies).Due to the large number of vehicles and failure reports, ODI focused its analysis on the FCA vehicle model with the highest failure rate to represent the worst-case scenario.For this purpose, ODI focused on MY 2012-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles for its analysis.This population includes 710,890 vehicles that FCA manufactured between August 19, 2011, and August 8, 2015.ODI identified 2,839 alleged AHR failures within this limited population.ODI identified 263 alleged injuries that were caused by AHR failures in MY 2012-2015 Grand Cherokees vehicles.Of these alleged injuries, ODI categorized them as eighty-two (82) soft tissue (neck/whiplash, bruise) injuries, four (4) concussions, fifty-nine (59) headaches, and one hundred eighteen (118) without a specific injury description.Although complainants have alleged injuries, ODI has been unable to obtain evidence to substantiate or validate any injuries where medical treatment was required.Consumer outreach was conducted by ODI, where sixty-three (63) FCA complainants with alleged injuries were contacted.Twelve of the sixty-three FCA consumers responded and were interviewed by ODI.ODI requested medical records, however, only one response was provided. Attorneys representing the responding complainant provided a synopsis that indicated they had experienced prior neck-related injuries dating to the mid-1990s.ODI also contacted one hundred (100) consumers who submitted Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) in an attempt to validate alleged injuries. Despite the efforts of ODI, the office has been unsuccessful at obtaining substantive documentation/evidence supporting complaints that allege serious injuries (where pre-existing medical conditions did not already exist). In addition to the low severity of alleged injuries caused by AHR deployments, there have been eleven alleged crashes and two alleged lane departures within the entire subject vehicle population that has been in the field up to sixteen years (with over 8,500 AHR inadvertent deployments).ODI was not able to validate that the alleged crashes were the result of inadvertent head rest deployments, and the crashes were minor in nature. ODI has conducted a thorough investigation of the alleged safety defect and with up to sixteen years of exposure for some vehicles and over 8,500 inadvertent AHR deployments, no serious crashes or injuries could be validated in the sub-population of focus.The lack of serious injuries validated by ODI with such large period of field exposure is consistent with thework done by NHTSA’s Human Injury Research Division and the Biodynamic Research Corporation, which support that an inadvertent AHR deployment is not likely to cause serious injury.In addition to the low risk of injury, FCA released an extended warranty program that covers inadvertent AHR deployment for ten years / unlimited mileage from the vehicle's in-service date. PE19014 is closed with the FCA extended warranty program.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. To review a complete closing summary, please the attached closing report. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seats
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of vehicle control as a result of being surprised and distracted by being struck in the head by the inadvertent AHR deployment. On September 24, 2019, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).ODI requested certain detailed information from FCA related to the following subject vehicles: MY 2010-2014 Dodge Avenger 200, MY 2010-2014 Dodge Calber, MY 2010-2014 Chrysler Sebring, MY 2013-2015 Ram Tradesman, MY 2012 Ram Van, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, MY 2010-2016 Chrysler Town and Country, MY 2010-2017 Jeep Compass, MY 2011-2020 Dodge Durango, MY 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Journey, MY 2010-2012 Jeep Liberty, MY 2010-2011 Jeep Nitro, and MY 2010-2011 Jeep Patriot vehicles.On December 2, 2019, ODI received a response from FCA that included vehicle production data, consumer complaints, field reports, warranty claims, manufacturer actions, production changes, and other data related to the alleged defect from the start of production (2010) through September 24, 2019.On January 27, 2020, ODI received an update to the December 2, 2019, IR response from FCA.On September 22, 2020, ODI requested additional subject vehicle AHR information from FCA.ODI received FCA's response on October 21, 2020.ODI subsequently received an update to FCA's October 21, 2020, response on February 16, 2021.During the investigation, ODI requested updates to certain IR questions on two occasions.FCA provided updates to question #2 on March 5, 2021, and questions #2 and #5 on May 26, 2023. FCA’s IR response data identified approximately 7.5 million subject vehicles (with approximately 15 million AHR assemblies).Due to the large number of vehicles and failure reports, ODI focused its analysis on the FCA vehicle model with the highest failure rate to represent the worst-case scenario.For this purpose, ODI focused on MY 2012-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles for its analysis.This population includes 710,890 vehicles that FCA manufactured between August 19, 2011, and August 8, 2015.ODI identified 2,839 alleged AHR failures within this limited population.ODI identified 263 alleged injuries that were caused by AHR failures in MY 2012-2015 Grand Cherokees vehicles.Of these alleged injuries, ODI categorized them as eighty-two (82) soft tissue (neck/whiplash, bruise) injuries, four (4) concussions, fifty-nine (59) headaches, and one hundred eighteen (118) without a specific injury description.Although complainants have alleged injuries, ODI has been unable to obtain evidence to substantiate or validate any injuries where medical treatment was required.Consumer outreach was conducted by ODI, where sixty-three (63) FCA complainants with alleged injuries were contacted.Twelve of the sixty-three FCA consumers responded and were interviewed by ODI.ODI requested medical records, however, only one response was provided. Attorneys representing the responding complainant provided a synopsis that indicated they had experienced prior neck-related injuries dating to the mid-1990s.ODI also contacted one hundred (100) consumers who submitted Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) in an attempt to validate alleged injuries. Despite the efforts of ODI, the office has been unsuccessful at obtaining substantive documentation/evidence supporting complaints that allege serious injuries (where pre-existing medical conditions did not already exist). In addition to the low severity of alleged injuries caused by AHR deployments, there have been eleven alleged crashes and two alleged lane departures within the entire subject vehicle population that has been in the field up to sixteen years (with over 8,500 AHR inadvertent deployments).ODI was not able to validate that the alleged crashes were the result of inadvertent head rest deployments, and the crashes were minor in nature. ODI has conducted a thorough investigation of the alleged safety defect and with up to sixteen years of exposure for some vehicles and over 8,500 inadvertent AHR deployments, no serious crashes or injuries could be validated in the sub-population of focus.The lack of serious injuries validated by ODI with such large period of field exposure is consistent with thework done by NHTSA’s Human Injury Research Division and the Biodynamic Research Corporation, which support that an inadvertent AHR deployment is not likely to cause serious injury.In addition to the low risk of injury, FCA released an extended warranty program that covers inadvertent AHR deployment for ten years / unlimited mileage from the vehicle's in-service date. PE19014 is closed with the FCA extended warranty program.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. To review a complete closing summary, please the attached closing report. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of vehicle control as a result of being surprised and distracted by being struck in the head by the inadvertent AHR deployment. On September 24, 2019, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).ODI requested certain detailed information from FCA related to the following subject vehicles: MY 2010-2014 Dodge Avenger 200, MY 2010-2014 Dodge Calber, MY 2010-2014 Chrysler Sebring, MY 2013-2015 Ram Tradesman, MY 2012 Ram Van, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, MY 2010-2016 Chrysler Town and Country, MY 2010-2017 Jeep Compass, MY 2011-2020 Dodge Durango, MY 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Journey, MY 2010-2012 Jeep Liberty, MY 2010-2011 Jeep Nitro, and MY 2010-2011 Jeep Patriot vehicles.On December 2, 2019, ODI received a response from FCA that included vehicle production data, consumer complaints, field reports, warranty claims, manufacturer actions, production changes, and other data related to the alleged defect from the start of production (2010) through September 24, 2019.On January 27, 2020, ODI received an update to the December 2, 2019, IR response from FCA.On September 22, 2020, ODI requested additional subject vehicle AHR information from FCA.ODI received FCA's response on October 21, 2020.ODI subsequently received an update to FCA's October 21, 2020, response on February 16, 2021.During the investigation, ODI requested updates to certain IR questions on two occasions.FCA provided updates to question #2 on March 5, 2021, and questions #2 and #5 on May 26, 2023. FCA’s IR response data identified approximately 7.5 million subject vehicles (with approximately 15 million AHR assemblies).Due to the large number of vehicles and failure reports, ODI focused its analysis on the FCA vehicle model with the highest failure rate to represent the worst-case scenario.For this purpose, ODI focused on MY 2012-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles for its analysis.This population includes 710,890 vehicles that FCA manufactured between August 19, 2011, and August 8, 2015.ODI identified 2,839 alleged AHR failures within this limited population.ODI identified 263 alleged injuries that were caused by AHR failures in MY 2012-2015 Grand Cherokees vehicles.Of these alleged injuries, ODI categorized them as eighty-two (82) soft tissue (neck/whiplash, bruise) injuries, four (4) concussions, fifty-nine (59) headaches, and one hundred eighteen (118) without a specific injury description.Although complainants have alleged injuries, ODI has been unable to obtain evidence to substantiate or validate any injuries where medical treatment was required.Consumer outreach was conducted by ODI, where sixty-three (63) FCA complainants with alleged injuries were contacted.Twelve of the sixty-three FCA consumers responded and were interviewed by ODI.ODI requested medical records, however, only one response was provided. Attorneys representing the responding complainant provided a synopsis that indicated they had experienced prior neck-related injuries dating to the mid-1990s.ODI also contacted one hundred (100) consumers who submitted Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) in an attempt to validate alleged injuries. Despite the efforts of ODI, the office has been unsuccessful at obtaining substantive documentation/evidence supporting complaints that allege serious injuries (where pre-existing medical conditions did not already exist). In addition to the low severity of alleged injuries caused by AHR deployments, there have been eleven alleged crashes and two alleged lane departures within the entire subject vehicle population that has been in the field up to sixteen years (with over 8,500 AHR inadvertent deployments).ODI was not able to validate that the alleged crashes were the result of inadvertent head rest deployments, and the crashes were minor in nature. ODI has conducted a thorough investigation of the alleged safety defect and with up to sixteen years of exposure for some vehicles and over 8,500 inadvertent AHR deployments, no serious crashes or injuries could be validated in the sub-population of focus.The lack of serious injuries validated by ODI with such large period of field exposure is consistent with thework done by NHTSA’s Human Injury Research Division and the Biodynamic Research Corporation, which support that an inadvertent AHR deployment is not likely to cause serious injury.In addition to the low risk of injury, FCA released an extended warranty program that covers inadvertent AHR deployment for ten years / unlimited mileage from the vehicle's in-service date. PE19014 is closed with the FCA extended warranty program.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. To review a complete closing summary, please the attached closing report. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
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