2012 Dodge Grand Caravan: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan: 6 recalls, 584 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.
Recalls
6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #11V487000 · 2011 · 667 vehicles
What's wrong: 6l engines. These engines May experience connecting rod bearing failure due to debris inside the engine block.
Why it matters: Connecting rod failure May lead to engine seizure which May increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners and replace the engine free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about November 18, 2011.
Suspension Vehicle recall #12V141000 · 2012 · 289 vehicles
What's wrong: Some vehicles May be equipped with right rear hub and bearing assemblies that were not fully machined.
Why it matters: This could result in a decrease in durability, which May lead to wheel separation, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Equipment Vehicle recall #12V191000 · 2012 · 471 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The power liftgate door May close on an appendage, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: 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.
Electrical Vehicle recall #14V234000 · 2014 · 644,757 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles May experience overheating of the vent window switch in the driver's door armrest.
Why it matters: An overheated switch May result in a vehicle fire.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #17V376000 · 2017 · 209,135 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Unexpected deployment of the driver's frontal air bag increases the risk of a crash or driver injury.
The fix: 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.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility Vehicle recall #25V876000 · 2025 · 86 vehicles
What's wrong: Please refer to rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors May not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Why it matters: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 14 mention a fire, 14 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (337): the most common themes are electrical failure (183), stalls / loses power (90), door / lock issues (40).
- Engine (119): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (53), warning light on (28).
- Fuel & propulsion (68): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (33), electrical failure (33), won't start (15).
- Other / unknown (60): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (18), electrical failure (15).
The 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan has 584 owner complaints, ranking #6 of 31 Grand Caravan model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 435). Complaints peaked in 2015 (144 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 92,250 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (530 complaints, 4 recalls), 2013 (471 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | Gasoline or E85 |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan problems?
Owners have filed 584 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (337), engine (119), fuel & propulsion (68).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan get?
EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (3.6 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.