RoadVitals

2012 Dodge Caravan Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints 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.
19
Latest Jan 3, 2021
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
22%
of 87 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 Dodge Caravan submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 19 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 5, 2016

"TAKATA RECALL" WHEN DRIVING THE VAN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF FROM TIME TO TIME ON THE FREEWAY, STREETS ANYWHERE WE HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN REAR ENDED ONE THEN ONCE. WE HAVE BEEN STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND STREET I HAVE SMALL KIDS AND I NEED HELP WITH THIS PLEASE. THIS IS A ON GOING PROBLEM

NHTSA ID
10853532
Incident
Mar 1, 2016
Mileage
79,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 26, 2016

VAN SHUTS OFF AND COMPLETELY LOSES POWER WHILE MOVING WITHOUT WARNING. MUST BE PLACED IN PARK AND SOMETIMES RESTARTS. HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER WHO COULD NOT FIND SPEIFIC REASON FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10838583
Incident
Feb 26, 2016
Mileage
102,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Nov 11, 2015

THE VEHICLE TIPM MODULE NEEDS REPLACING REGISTERED MECHANIC STATED THE MODULE MALFUNCTIONING IS THE PROBLEM FOR ME FUEL PUMP GOING OUT AND THE DRAINAGE OF TWO BATTERIES I PURCHASE. AND THE PROBLEM FOR OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT HAVE OCCURRED WITH THE VEHICLE. TWO OTHER PROBLEMS; WHICH ONE WAS A RECALL WAS A MOTOR MALFUNCTION WHICH COULD HAVE POSSIBLE CAUSED A FIRE THE OTHER WAS A REPLACENT OF A ENGINE LEFT CYLINDER HEAD

NHTSA ID
10789771
Incident
Nov 11, 2015
Engine
Filed Jun 18, 2015

CYLINDER #3 MISFIRE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND WHEN RESTARTED STALL AGAIN AND LOSE BRAKES AND STEERING.. .UPDATED 07-16-15 *BF

NHTSA ID
10726083
Incident
Jun 13, 2015
Mileage
49,154 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 28, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID
10616904
Incident
Oct 16, 2013
Mileage
120,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 27, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10606488
Incident
Jun 26, 2014
Mileage
125,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Mar 7, 2014

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE VAN STARTED SPEEDING UP AND I WAS GOING ALMOST 50 MPH, I TURNED THE KEY OFF, PULLED OVER TO SAFETY AND STOPPED. THE SMELL WAS VERY STRONG. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10567845
Incident
Mar 4, 2014
Mileage
24,943 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Feb 20, 2013

THE PROBLEM IS AUTONOMOUS ACCELERATION. WHEN MY CAR IS MOVING SLOWLY AT IDLE SPEED WHILE I'M PULLING INTO OR OUT OF A PARKING SPACE OR MY HOME GARAGE AND I APPLY PRESSURE TO THE STEERING WHEEL TO GUIDE THE CAR, THE ENGINE RPM SPEED SURGES BY ABOUT 400 RPMS CAUSING THE CAR TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE FORWARD OR BACKWARD, DEPENDING ON THE GEAR SELECTION. THIS HAS CAUSED A NUMBER OF NEAR ACCIDENTS, INCLUDING NEARLY STRIKING CHILDREN AT AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHEN I WAS PICKING UP MY GRANDDAUGHTER. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER, BUT THE DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM AFTER CHECKING THE CAR. YET, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED INTERMITTENTLY, BUT I LEARNED TO "LIVE WITH IT." HOWEVER, THE AUTONOMOUS ACCELERATION IS NOW SUDDENLY GROWING MORE FREQUENT. MY FEAR IS THAT THIS AUTONOMOUS ACCELERATION PROBLEM IS A PRECURSOR TO SOMEDAY MY HAVING A RUNAWAY CAR THAT RESULTS IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10499466
Incident
Feb 20, 2012
Mileage
127 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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .