2012 Dodge Caravan problems
Owners have filed 116 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Caravan. Electrical system is the most reported problem area, at 41% of complaints. After that come engine (16%) and brakes (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 116 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 41% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 5 and 3
- Injuries and deaths
- 4 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 60,000 miles 84 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 11 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 15 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 16 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 7 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 8 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 5 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 10 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 6 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 4 |
What the data shows
Among the 84 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 60,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 69,000 miles (22 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 5 complaints mention a crash; 3 complaints mention a fire; 4 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2012 ranks 21st most-complained-about out of 26 model years of the Dodge Caravan with enough data (83 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 dodge caravan. The contact stated that the vehicle was involved in a crash and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and one injury was reported. The vehicle was destroyed.the manufacture was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,488.
First time, battery kept going dead. Took it to cortland dodge, they said there was a problem with the wiring [not covered by warranty] charged us about 80.00 ! Second time. Fuses blown for seat controls and wipers third time car started shifting wildly up and down. Head lights started to dim and car finally quit! Had it towed to dodge dealer was informed it needed new alternator and battery[not covered by warranty] cost almost 1000.00 to fix it!!
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.
Rear brakes worn out, scraping metal. Called dealer and they said there was nothing they can do under warranty. I've been a mechanic for over 40 years and this is just plain equipment failure. The calipers are bad and chrysler will not admit it because they don't want to pay for a recall. Very dissatisfied with vehicle because the brakes need replacing again at 44000 miles.