2012 Dodge Grand Caravan
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 336 of 583 complaints (58%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Visibility & Lighting include more reported injuries (6) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 530 in 2011 to 583 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Minivan - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,100–3,450 | 3,100 | 3,100 | 3,100 | 3,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–17 / 23–25 | 17 / 25 | 17 / 25 | 17 / 25 | 17 / 25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 444–494 | 444 | 444 | 445 | 445 | |
| Complaints filed | 868 | 530 | 583 | 470 | 357 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 20 | 9 | 7 | 13 | 11 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 13 | 17 | 14 | 3 | 13 | |
| Injuries reported | 17 | 17 | 14 | 22 | 21 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
6 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan?
Electrical: 336 of 583 NHTSA complaints (58%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan get?
EPA rates it 20 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan?
EPA estimates $3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Minivan - 2WD | 17 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 120 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 48 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 74 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 336 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 55 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 21 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 24 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 28 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 19 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Other | 61 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (6)
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY:WHEELCHAIR RESTRAINTS/SECUREMENT:LATCH/ANCHOR: · Campaign 25V876000 · Dec 18, 2025
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · Campaign 17V376000 · Jun 14, 2017
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · Campaign 14V234000 · May 7, 2014
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
EQUIPMENT · Campaign 12V191000 · May 3, 2012
Defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 TOWN AND COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 9, 2012 THROUGH MARCH 12, 2012. 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.
Consequence: THE POWER LIFTGATE DOOR MAY CLOSE ON AN APPENDAGE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: 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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
SUSPENSION:REAR · Campaign 12V141000 · Apr 3, 2012
Defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 TOWN AND COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 21, 2011. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH RIGHT REAR HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE NOT FULLY MACHINED.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A DECREASE IN DURABILITY, WHICH MAY LEAD TO WHEEL SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · Campaign 11V487000 · Sep 29, 2011
Defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHRYSLER VEHICLES, INCLUDING 200 AND TOWN AND COUNTRY MODELS, DODGE VEHICLES, INCLUDING CHARGER, DURANGO, GRAND CARAVAN AND JOURNEY MODELS AND JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 31, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 13, 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH 3.6L ENGINES. THESE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE CONNECTING ROD BEARING FAILURE DUE TO DEBRIS INSIDE THE ENGINE BLOCK.
Consequence: CONNECTING ROD FAILURE MAY LEAD TO ENGINE SEIZURE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ENGINE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.