The Lemon IndexAll cars · Dodge Grand Caravan
2012 Dodge Grand Caravan.
The 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan is worse than average by owner complaints: 254 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 166, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 20 mpg combined. The best Dodge Grand Caravan year is 2020.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 671 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Dodge Grand Caravan year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 48K to 120K miles on the car (431 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 61K–130K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 69K–130K miles
- fuel or ev drive system complaints mostly came at 89K–134K miles
Recalls 6
- equipment adaptive/mobility 2025
Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information.
- airbags 2017
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.
- electrical 2014
The affected vehicles may experience overheating of the vent window switch in the driver's door armrest.
Show all 6 recalls
- equipment 2012
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 TOWN AND COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 9, 2012 THROUGH MARCH 12, 2012.
- suspension 2012
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 TOWN AND COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 21, 2011.
- engine 2011
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 MA…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 202 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- MIL Illumination: P0300, P0302, P0304 or P0306 (X56 Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves…
- Adaptive Cruise Control Sensor 1) If you are replacing this part due to the cluster displaying…
- Oil Pump Assembly If error code P06DD present on any Pentastar V6 application, please inspect…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedActive head rest inadvertent deployment2019–2026
- ClosedTotally integrated power module failure2014–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Grand Caravan VAN FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
My vehicle was subject to a recall last summer. I have yet to have my vehicle repaired by the dealer.
2012 Dodge Grand Caravan owner · NHTSA complaint 10671206
More owner reports
Rear quarter vent window switch defective which can cause burning we were notified in 2014 and we still have not received call from dealer to correct parts defective.
NHTSA complaint 10691516
Total electrical system failure. Van will not do anything at all. Lights blink on and off, tipm module clicks. Currently stuck in my driveway because I can't even get it out of park.
NHTSA complaint 10745517
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.7× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 166; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Dodge Grand Caravan year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (65%), brakes (9%) and engine (7%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
6 safety recalls (latest: equipment adaptive/mobility). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan get?
20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 48,700 and 120,000 miles. The middle report was at 89,600 miles, from 431 complaints.
Does the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 6% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
3.6L 6-cyl.
What Dodge Grand Caravan year is better than the 2012?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2020, 2015 and 2019.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works