YearToAvoid

2012 Dodge Grand Caravan Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 48 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan, 8% of all complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 76,100. No related recalls are listed for this area.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
48
8% of 583
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
76,100 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Owners report a loud noise or 'explosion' sound when shifting from reverse into drive, sometimes tied to a diagnosed computer, transmission, and reverse gear failure.
  • Owners describe the transmission bogging down or shifting roughly, with a noticeable 'thud' felt when the vehicle is placed into any gear.
  • Several report the van will not shift out of low gear or hesitates badly when moving from park to drive, even after multiple dealer visits.
  • Owners describe RPMs surging or the engine losing power at highway speeds around 55 mph, with the transmission failing to engage properly.
  • One owner reports a rebuilt transmission that jerked and slammed hard again after about 4,000 additional miles.
  • A fluid leak from the transmission side cover and bell housing area was reported by one owner shortly after purchase.

When 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 30, 2011, latest Apr 14, 2026.

2012 Dodge Grand Caravan transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month4Nov 2011Dec 2013Apr 2016Jan 2018Apr 2019Mar 2020Sep 2022
48 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2011 to Apr 2026; peak Feb 2019 (4).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Grand Caravan model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201040 (5%)
  2. 201143 (8%)
  3. 201248 (8%)
  4. 201336 (8%)
  5. 201418 (5%)
  6. 201577 (27%)
  7. 2016220 (22%)
  8. 201737 (9%)
  9. 201823 (9%)
  10. 201949 (20%)
  11. 20208 (40%)

Frequently asked questions

How many transmission complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA lists 48 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2012 Grand Caravan, which is 8% of all 583 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the transmission & powertrain area on this model year.
At what mileage do transmission problems typically show up on the 2012 Grand Caravan?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this area is 76,100 miles, though some owners reported issues at much lower mileage.
How does the 2012 Grand Caravan compare to other years for transmission complaints?
The 2012 model's 48 complaints and 8% share are similar to 2011 (43 complaints, 8%) and 2013 (36 complaints, 8%), but lower than 2015 (77 complaints, 27%) and 2016 (220 complaints, 22%).
Did any 2012 Grand Caravan transmission complaints involve crashes or fires?
No. NHTSA data shows 0 crashes and 0 fires among the 48 transmission & powertrain complaints for this model year.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.