2012 Dodge Grand Caravan Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan has a complaint index of 67, ranking 6th worst out of 16 model years, with a Caution verdict. NHTSA logged 583 complaints, 6 recalls, and 14 fires, with Electrical System problems making up 58% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #6 of 16 Grand Caravan years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 583
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 14
- Injuries
- 14
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 14 / 0
Top 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System339 (58%)
- Engine140 (24%)
- Fuel System74 (13%)
- Other61 (10%)
- Brakes55 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain48 (8%)
- Structure & Body28 (5%)
- Airbags18 (3%)
- Steering14 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires12 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Electrical wiring near the rear of the vehicle overheats and produces smoke or burning odors, sometimes tied to recall 14V234000 for the vent window switch.
- Owners report a fire starting in the console area around a cigarette lighter port at 48,000 miles.
- Vehicles have started on their own with the horn blowing, headlights on, and smoke billowing from underneath while parked.
- Door panels have melted and filled the cabin with smoke while driving, including a driver's side door fire at 82,000 miles.
- An engine connecting rod reportedly fractured while driving 40 mph, producing smoke from the tailpipe at 47,249 miles.
- A rear passenger wheel bearing failure produced burning rubber odor and smoke from the tire at 42,000 miles.
2012 Dodge Grand Caravan recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V876000Dec 17, 2025Other86 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility:wheelchair restraints/securement:latch/anchor:
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 17V376000Jun 13, 2017Airbags209,135 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 14V234000May 7, 2014Electrical System644,757 vehicles
Electrical system
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.
Risk: 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.
2012 Dodge Grand Caravan fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 model has a complaint index of 67 and ranks 6th worst of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict rather than Good or Avoid.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan?
- Electrical System issues dominate, accounting for 339 of 583 complaints (58%), including 11 fire reports, with a median failure mileage of 100,000.
- Does the 2012 Grand Caravan have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2012 Grand Caravan, covering airbags, an engine replacement, a liftgate pinch sensor, a rear hub and bearing assembly, and an electrical vent window switch tied to reported burning odors.
- How does the 2012 Grand Caravan compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 67 is better than 2008 (100), 2016 (93), 2010 (87), and 2009 (80), all rated Avoid, but worse than years like 2018 and 2020, which earn Best verdicts with indexes of 20 and 0.
- Were there any fires reported in the 2012 Grand Caravan?
- NHTSA recorded 14 fires for the 2012 model, several linked to electrical wiring and the recall for the vent window switch (campaign 14V234000).