RoadVitals

2012 Dodge Caravan Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
87
Latest Jan 3, 2021
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jul 16, 2012

What this page shows

Our database holds 87 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Dodge Caravan. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 87 · page 1 of 4

ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 3, 2021

VAN STOPS ABRUPTLY. WILL DIE WHILE DRIVING, WHEEL WILL LOCK UP AND AND VAN POWERS DOWN. WILL START BACK UP AS SOON AS ITS STOPS.

NHTSA ID
11386219
Incident
Dec 30, 2020
Mileage
108,171 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 29, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS TOWED TO KENDALL DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (13355 SW 137TH AVE, MIAMI, FL 33186, (786) 231-2120). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND THEY REPAIRED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND REPLACED THE KEY, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL WITH THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11210624
Incident
May 20, 2019
Electrical
Filed May 14, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEIR VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THEY JUMP STARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE VEHICLE WAS THEN ABLE TO START. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT HAD TO GET A NEW KEY MADE. THE LOCKSMITH THAT MADE THE NEW KEY JUMP STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WENT TO WORK, WHEN THEY LEFT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THEY HOOKED THE BATTERY UP TO A BATTERY CHARGER AND THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN (THE CONTACT CAN'T GET INSIDE THE VEHICLE).

NHTSA ID
11207489
Incident
May 9, 2019
Engine
Filed Apr 30, 2019

2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN STOPS RUNNING SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST WEEK THE VEHICLE WILL JUST CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. SO FAR THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. ON A LEAST ONE OCCASION I NOTICED THAT I BUMPED THE KEY. MAYBE AN IGNITION PROBLEM? THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA ID
11204870
Incident
Apr 26, 2019
Mileage
156,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 29, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

NHTSA ID
11192402
Incident
Sep 1, 2018
Mileage
122,000 mi
Filed Feb 21, 2019

DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY EXISTING FACTORY RECALLS ON VEHICLE. *LD *TR

NHTSA ID
11174070
Incident
Nov 26, 2018
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Feb 19, 2019

FUEL PUMP CONTINUES TO STAY ON WHEN VEHICLE IS OFF WITH NO KEY IN IGNITION. THIS IS CAUSING BATTERY DRAIN AND HARD STARTS AFTER JUMPING BATTERY. CAR ALSO IS STALLING AT TIMES WHILE IN MOTION. I HAVE SEEN A RECALL FOR OTHER MALES AND MODELS OF SAME YEAR FROM MOPAR VEHICLES, SUCH AS DURANGO. IT SEEMS TO BE FUEL PUMP RELAY IN TIPM.

NHTSA ID
11181039
Incident
Jan 23, 2019
Mileage
99,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Nov 15, 2018

VAN HAD ENGINE STALL WHILE GOING DOWN HIGHWAY. LOST ALL POWER DUE TO THIS..WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 45 SO WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND GET TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. WAS IN THE RURAL AREA SO TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT...DAUGHTER AND GRANDDAUGHTER WAS IN VAN WITH ME ...THIS COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC IF I HAD BEEN ON INTERSTATE OR ON BUSY HIGHWAY...WAS TOLD BY MACHANIC THAT FUEL RELAY TIPM GONE OUT

NHTSA ID
11151779
Incident
Nov 3, 2018
Mileage
123,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 13, 2018

2012 DODGE CARAVAN SUDDENLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING LOSING THE ABILITY TO BRAKE OR STEER, WITH NO WARNING SIGNS FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCH, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR DODGE CARAVANS RESULTING IN SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS.

NHTSA ID
11151316
Incident
Nov 13, 2018
Mileage
132,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Nov 11, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11150805
Incident
Sep 18, 2018
Mileage
53,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 22, 2018

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 ID
11130719
Incident
Aug 18, 2018
Mileage
117,544 mi
Suspension
Filed Sep 10, 2018

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 ID
11128387
Incident
Apr 7, 2018
ElectricalSeat belts
Filed Jul 26, 2018

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 ID
11113995
Incident
Apr 15, 2018
Mileage
200,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 15, 2018

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 ID
11111432
Incident
Jul 14, 2018
Mileage
90,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 20, 2018

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 ID
11102815
Incident
Aug 26, 2016
Mileage
200,184 mi
Engine
Filed May 30, 2018

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 ID
11098860
Incident
May 4, 2018
Mileage
64,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 3, 2018

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 ID
11091549
Incident
Apr 28, 2018
Mileage
41,200 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 16, 2018

"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 ID
11088449
Incident
Apr 13, 2018
Airbags
Filed Apr 16, 2018
Crash reported2 injuries reported

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 ID
11088382
Incident
Apr 13, 2018
Mileage
140,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 8, 2018

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 ID
11076809
Incident
Feb 28, 2018
Mileage
128,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 18, 2018

2012 DODGE CARAVAN SE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ELECTRICAL SHORT IN VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, RADIO LIGHTS, AND ENGINE STUTTERED ON AND OFF. THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER ADVISED THE BREAKDOWN WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY BATTERY. THE CONSUMER DOES NOT BELIEVE THE BATTERY WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. *JS

NHTSA ID
11051969
Incident
Oct 23, 2017
Filed Jan 11, 2018

THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND DEALER STATES IT'S WIND MODULE ISSUE WICH WAS A RECALL FOR 2008-2010 DODGE CARAVANS BUT EXCLUDES 2012 DODGE CARAVANS PERHAPS THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO.

NHTSA ID
11062095
Incident
Dec 28, 2017
Mileage
120,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 3, 2018

VECHILE STALLS WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARING. NO INSTRUMENT LIGHTS OR HESITATION. THIS NOW HAS HAPPEN TO ME 3 TIME. SPEED RANGING FROM 25-55 MPH. WAS ABLE TO GET THE VAN INTO NETUREL AND RESTARTED WHILE THE VAN WAS COASTING WITHOUT POWER. IT WAS A GOOD THING I DIDNT HAVE ANYONE FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. SOMETHING NEEDS DONE ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE HAS A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
11058289
Incident
Jan 3, 2018
Mileage
165,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed Oct 23, 2017

THE FUEL PUMP RELAY SWITCH WON'T SHUT OFF. IT RUN DOEN BATTERY AND KILKS THE WHOLE VAN.

NHTSA ID
11035806
Incident
Oct 1, 2017
Mileage
156,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 2, 2017

VAN STOP STARTING WILL CRANK BUT NOT STARTTIPM BAD SHUT DOWN WHILE IN USE

NHTSA ID
10949019
Incident
Jan 27, 2017
Mileage
46,700 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Narrow this down by component

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .