Total Complaints
116 filings
DODGE CARAVAN · model year
2012 DODGE CARAVAN
116 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2012DODGECARAVAN carries 116 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 3 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 CARAVAN is electrical system with 47 filings, followed by engine (19) and service brakes (9). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 2012 CARAVAN, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
116
Complaints
5
Crashes
3
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
5 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 47 |
| ENGINE | 19 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 9 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 8 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 6 |
| AIR BAGS | 4 |
| POWER TRAIN | 3 |
| SEATS | 3 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 |
| WHEELS | 2 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 2 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20210103ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VAN STOPS ABRUPTLY. WILL DIE WHILE DRIVING, WHEEL WILL LOCK UP AND AND VAN POWERS DOWN. WILL START BACK UP AS SOON AS ITS STOPS.
Mileage: 108,171
20210103ENGINE
VAN STOPS ABRUPTLY. WILL DIE WHILE DRIVING, WHEEL WILL LOCK UP AND AND VAN POWERS DOWN. WILL START BACK UP AS SOON AS ITS STOPS.
Mileage: 108,171
20190529ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS TOWED TO KENDALL DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (13355 SW 137TH AVE, MIAMI, FL 33186, (786) 231-2120). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND THEY REPAIRED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND REPLACED THE KEY, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL WITH THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
20190529ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS TOWED TO KENDALL DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (13355 SW 137TH AVE, MIAMI, FL 33186, (786) 231-2120). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND THEY REPAIRED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND REPLACED THE KEY, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL WITH THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
20190514ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEIR VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THEY JUMP STARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE VEHICLE WAS THEN ABLE TO START. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT HAD TO GET A NEW KEY MADE. THE LOCKSMITH THAT MADE THE NEW KEY JUMP STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WENT TO WORK, WHEN THEY LEFT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THEY HOOKED THE BATTERY UP TO A BATTERY CHARGER AND THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN (THE CONTACT CAN'T GET INSIDE THE VEHICLE).
20190430ENGINE
2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN STOPS RUNNING SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST WEEK THE VEHICLE WILL JUST CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. SO FAR THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. ON A LEAST ONE OCCASION I NOTICED THAT I BUMPED THE KEY. MAYBE AN IGNITION PROBLEM? THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING.
Mileage: 156,000
20190430UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN STOPS RUNNING SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST WEEK THE VEHICLE WILL JUST CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. SO FAR THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. ON A LEAST ONE OCCASION I NOTICED THAT I BUMPED THE KEY. MAYBE AN IGNITION PROBLEM? THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING.
Mileage: 156,000
20190329ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
Mileage: 122,000
20190221UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY EXISTING FACTORY RECALLS ON VEHICLE. *LD *TR
20190219ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FUEL PUMP CONTINUES TO STAY ON WHEN VEHICLE IS OFF WITH NO KEY IN IGNITION. THIS IS CAUSING BATTERY DRAIN AND HARD STARTS AFTER JUMPING BATTERY. CAR ALSO IS STALLING AT TIMES WHILE IN MOTION. I HAVE SEEN A RECALL FOR OTHER MALES AND MODELS OF SAME YEAR FROM MOPAR VEHICLES, SUCH AS DURANGO. IT SEEMS TO BE FUEL PUMP RELAY IN TIPM.
Mileage: 99,000
20190219FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL PUMP CONTINUES TO STAY ON WHEN VEHICLE IS OFF WITH NO KEY IN IGNITION. THIS IS CAUSING BATTERY DRAIN AND HARD STARTS AFTER JUMPING BATTERY. CAR ALSO IS STALLING AT TIMES WHILE IN MOTION. I HAVE SEEN A RECALL FOR OTHER MALES AND MODELS OF SAME YEAR FROM MOPAR VEHICLES, SUCH AS DURANGO. IT SEEMS TO BE FUEL PUMP RELAY IN TIPM.
Mileage: 99,000
20181115ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VAN HAD ENGINE STALL WHILE GOING DOWN HIGHWAY. LOST ALL POWER DUE TO THIS..WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 45 SO WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND GET TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. WAS IN THE RURAL AREA SO TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT...DAUGHTER AND GRANDDAUGHTER WAS IN VAN WITH ME ...THIS COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC IF I HAD BEEN ON INTERSTATE OR ON BUSY HIGHWAY...WAS TOLD BY MACHANIC THAT FUEL RELAY TIPM GONE OUT
Mileage: 123,000
20181115FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
VAN HAD ENGINE STALL WHILE GOING DOWN HIGHWAY. LOST ALL POWER DUE TO THIS..WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 45 SO WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND GET TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. WAS IN THE RURAL AREA SO TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT...DAUGHTER AND GRANDDAUGHTER WAS IN VAN WITH ME ...THIS COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC IF I HAD BEEN ON INTERSTATE OR ON BUSY HIGHWAY...WAS TOLD BY MACHANIC THAT FUEL RELAY TIPM GONE OUT
Mileage: 123,000
20181113ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2012 DODGE CARAVAN SUDDENLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING LOSING THE ABILITY TO BRAKE OR STEER, WITH NO WARNING SIGNS FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCH, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR DODGE CARAVANS RESULTING IN SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS.
Mileage: 132,000
20181113ENGINE
2012 DODGE CARAVAN SUDDENLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING LOSING THE ABILITY TO BRAKE OR STEER, WITH NO WARNING SIGNS FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCH, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR DODGE CARAVANS RESULTING IN SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS.
Mileage: 132,000
20181113UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2012 DODGE CARAVAN SUDDENLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING LOSING THE ABILITY TO BRAKE OR STEER, WITH NO WARNING SIGNS FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCH, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR DODGE CARAVANS RESULTING IN SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS.
Mileage: 132,000
20181111SERVICE BRAKES
MY WIFE WHILE DRIVING SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND THE VAN SHUT OFF IT HOWEVER RESTART RIGHT AWAY.THIS WAS VERY SCARY AND COULD PUT HER LIFE IN DANGER IF SOMEONE HAD RUN INTO HER VAN BACK.
Mileage: 53,000
20181111ENGINE
MY WIFE WHILE DRIVING SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND THE VAN SHUT OFF IT HOWEVER RESTART RIGHT AWAY.THIS WAS VERY SCARY AND COULD PUT HER LIFE IN DANGER IF SOMEONE HAD RUN INTO HER VAN BACK.
Mileage: 53,000
20180922ENGINE
TAKATA RECALL',I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT THE ENGINE,THE RIGHT SIDE ROCKERS ARE MAKING NOISE WHEN RUNNING PRETTY BAD. I THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT
Mileage: 117,544
20180910SUSPENSION
MY VAN WHEN RIDING OVER BUMPS MAKE A LOOSE FRAME OF AXEL RATTLING NOISE AND SPITZER HAVE HAD MY VAN BACK TO BACK TWO VISITS 04-07-2018 TO 04-20-2018 AND 04-20-2018 TO 04-28-2018 AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THEIR. SPITZER REFUSE TO PAY ANOTHER DEALER I USED AFTER SPITZERS THREE NEGLIGENCE JOBS ON MY VAN FIRST THE FIVE MONTHS IT TOOK TO DISCOVER AFTER MY FIRST OIL CHANGE THE AIR FILTER COVER HAD NOT BEEN LOOK BACK, SECOND, VAN HAD TO BE TOWED IN AFTER I GOT HOME AND WAS TOLD BRAKE DUST WAS CAUSING NOISE. NEXT BAD WHEEL BEARING. THE EXTENDE WARRANTY IS STILL VALID. I NOW PAY FOR ALL NON WARRANTY SERVICE OUTSIDE OF SPITZER BECAUSE I FEAR FOR MY SAFTY WHEN SPITZER PERFORM WORK ON MY VAN. THE VAN WAS BRAND NEW 68 MILES, BUT ITS AS IF I HAD PURCHASED A USE VAN. I HAVE ALL INVOICE OF WORK WHICH EXCEED 5. AFTER TO TWO VISITS SPITZER STILL HAVE NOT/CAN"T SEEM TO REPAIR MY VAN.
Compare 2012DODGECARAVAN to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 1 Open
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2012 DODGE CARAVAN have?▼
The 2012 DODGE CARAVAN has 116 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 3 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 DODGE CARAVAN?▼
The most-complained component for the 2012 DODGE CARAVAN is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 47 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and SERVICE BRAKES.
Is the 2012 DODGE CARAVAN safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.