3.1

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,001 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Dodge Grand Caravan brakes problems

brakes problem

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2012 Dodge Grand Caravan Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #38

Feb 182023

Grand Caravan

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Replacing brakes ever y 18,000 miles normal is every 40,000-60,000 miles

- Wilmette , IL, USA

problem #37

Oct 282022

Grand Caravan

  • miles
I guess started with noticing oil being used at a faster pace then normal then a decent tick began along with AbS light which prevented cruise control from working. At this point We seemed Professional advice from a licensed Mechanic who then preformed a small job of dropping transmission pan to clean metal shavings out! And replacing tires and brake pads assured us routers were fine. He was concerned with the fact that the abs light continued to be on so we the paid to get wiring for abs redone (not sure what was called). After this the cruise control worked abs went off but we noticed the brake pads went quick! Then the insane knock out of nowhere began loud metal on metal had harmonic balancer pulley replaced didn-??t do it any good. The. Was told cracked fly wheel was most likely the problem I continued to drive for about a month when the brake fluid light came on. I added fluid but every 3-4 days it came on again and of course brake pads again but this time the extremely loud knock went away and all was left was a quiet tick. That lasted couple months the out of no where wiring started shorting in dash and radio display. This lead to battery issues then out of no where motor is stuck in first gear and will not shift up but will shift between drive neutral and reverse. Idles extremely rough when in drive lights do not dim I had alternator checked. Now my family of six is with out a vehicle thank you for hearing my concerns

- Corydon, KY, USA

problem #36

Aug 232022

Grand Caravan

  • miles
2017 I purchased my car. I had several problems with the key lock and car starting. Immediately tried to return the car but dealer wouldn-??t allow it. I have now found out there were 2 recalls in 2017 I was not aware of this until now. Even though dodge has stated to me they were fixed as a consumer if my car was presenting issues so early on after these recalls I should have had a grace period to give the vehicle back if other issues were presented. Currently car is smoking on the drivers side with a heavy burning smell. Car is over heating as well as the car would not stop while I was driving it on8/23/22 in a mall. Car was shutting off a lot. I was under warantiy and took it to AAmco and found out there were transmission issues. My warranty company at the time let my car sitting at AAmco despite the major issue and refused to fix it as well as let my warranty expire. Now I am scared to drive this car concerned the vehicle won-??t stop.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #35

Apr 132021

Grand Caravan

  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving, the vehicle shuts off randomly. At that time we lose power breaks and power steering. My wife and children were almost in a collision due to this. It has happened 2 times now and has no problem restarting after coming to a stop and putting the vehicle back into park.

- Lacey, WA, USA

problem #34

Jan 172021

Grand Caravan

  • 135,000 miles
Van has failed to turn on multiple times, park turn off vehicle and in as little as 10 minutes later it would not start. I replaced alternator and battery apparently after going to multiple mechanics that didn't find the problem with diagnostics I found out it was neither it was a faulty tipm. 6-8 months later started having issues with the car stalling out and having an issue turning back on. I have stalled on multiple occasions on the freeway I have contacted Dodge and the recall is not for my year of vehicle. Parts for this are expensive along with labor. Dodge needs to recall this issue because the last time this happened to me I was driving 60 mph on the freeway car behind me was close and my van stalled could of got hurt or killed and so could the other driver. Brakes need to be changed often as well more than I've ever had to change them for any other vehicle.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #33

Mar 132020

Grand Caravan

  • 133,460 miles
I was driving straight on a highway in Texas in my Grand Caravan and my engine stalled and lost power and steering and brakes, it was very difficult to steer and I was driving at 70 mph and the was a small shoulder on the side and my family could have gotten hurt, if I had gone into a deep ditch, it was scary and dangerous!

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

problem #32

Jul 202019

Grand Caravan

  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

All brake calipers are defective the piston seizes up causing the brakes to wear the pads off in a short time, overheating and seizing up the wheel. The most recent repair only had about 20,000 miles on the brakes I have replaced every caliper, rotor, and pads on all four wheels the most recent one was just two months ago, now I am back to the first wheel again. I have never had a car wear brakes like this several different mechanics at different garages. This is a definite design flaw and significant safety hazard. The ongoing repairs are costing me approximately 500. Per wheel every other year or so and precludes me from using the vehicle to tow, which is why I bought it. I am afraid to drive at highway speeds after a few months of brake replacement. The vehicle is always garaged in winter.

- Saratoga Springs, NY, USA

problem #31

Sep 012018

Grand Caravan

  • 28,800 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving at high speeds, the brake pedal pulsated and failed to stop the vehicle when it was depressed. The contact inspected the brakes and found them to be hot. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 28,800.

- Bangor, ME, USA

problem #30

Sep 032018

Grand Caravan

  • miles
My van will die at times going down road or just not start, after parking it. Then the check engine and stability control flashes on dash. Will not come out of park. Then it may start randomly and run for a few weeks or couple of months and do same thing again. We have put new brakes, battery, checked fuel pump, and put new tires and had censors on wheels checked. Still does not start. T

- Lettsworth, LA, USA

problem #29

Apr 222018

Grand Caravan

  • 111,000 miles
Calipers seized up going down the highway had to stop back right tire was smoking van is in the shop being repaired

- Mount Plesant, MI, USA

problem #28

Dec 272017

Grand Caravan

  • 137,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driver rear brakes locked up on me today. Had fuel relay switch go out but had it replaced, fuel pump went out had it replaced. Someone told me the brakes system is under recall.

- West Monroe, LA, USA

problem #27

Oct 102017

Grand Caravan

  • 105 miles
When we fist got the van we experienced some issues with the brakes. The dealership was supposed to take care of it but the problem persisted and we went to a recommended mechanic. Then the following months we had some issues with the motor mounts. Once again we had to replace them and then we had some problems with the electronic computer and we had to re-learn some of the already installed programs. I would like for whoever approves the recalls to go ahead and approve the other issues because for it being a six year old car it definitely has more issues than it should.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #26

Dec 212015

Grand Caravan

  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving various speeds and once the brake pedal was released after a stop, smoke was noticed from the front of the vehicle by the driver and passenger side tires. There were no warning indicators illuminated. On the day the vehicle was purchased, the vehicle moved sluggishly as if the emergency brake were engaged, but it was not. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to atlanta West Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (1251 thornton rd, lithia springs, ga 30122 (678) 534-7470), but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was taken to the local Firestone dealer where it was diagnosed with sticking calipers. Two independent mechanics test drove the vehicle and diagnosed that the calipers were not releasing when the brake pedal was released. The contact stated that the front brake pads were replaced four times, the front rotors were replaced three times, and the front calipers were replaced once; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 82,000.

- Austell, GA, USA

problem #25

May 272014

Grand Caravan

  • 23,473 miles
The rear brakes burning cause by the calipers hanging up. Dealer replaced left rear disc brake caliper assembly and installed 2 new calipers and adapters and pads only because I was on vacation out of state when the problem started prior to 17000 miles. Charged 100 dollar deductable

- Liverpool, NY, USA

problem #24

Jan 142017

Grand Caravan

  • 81,082 miles
After attempting to come to a stop, my brakes started to screech a little. Within days, it was a non-stop grinding. On my way to take it to the garage for brake inspection, something fell off of the van. The repairmen told me that it was a caliper issue and they could not even let me drive off the lot without getting it repaired because it would be that dangerous. $774 later, I had to have calipers, brake pads and rotors replaced.

- York, PA, USA

problem #23

Apr 152016

Grand Caravan

  • 59,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving and depressing the brake pedal, coming to a stop, or accelerating from a stop, the brakes seized. The front brakes made an abnormal noise and the brake warning indicator illuminated, and would not turn off until the vehicle was off for a while. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, but not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #22

Dec 302013

Grand Caravan

  • 37,000 miles
We have replaced the rotators and pads out of pocket 4 times on this vehicle. Another two were replaced in warranty before 36,000mile. The first repair made out side of warranty was at 37,000miles. The calipers have been replaced on the vehicle because the brakes clench down and won't release. We have replace the hoses, calipers, rotators, pads and bleed the system for all wheels in the past 6 months. The brakes are currently clenched down and won't come up. The mechanic now has to go into the vehicle to find what exactly is wrong. Because he has looked at the whole brake system and can't find what is wrong. First date of occurrence is 12-2013 for out of warranty repair on a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan

- Argyle, TX, USA

problem #21

Jun 302016

Grand Caravan

  • 48,660 miles
On June 30th, 2016 my family and I were driving northbound on I-91 in Massachusetts between exits 14 and 15. The rear brakes began to make a noise while driving at speed (~65 mph) and not depressing the brake pedal. Minutes later a thump was heard similar to when an object or roadkill is run over. When the brake pedal was depressed, it went to the floor. I could see smoke coming from the rear passenger wheel. We later found out that one brake pad had broken through/been thrown from the rear passenger wheel, and brake fluid was pouring out from that brake assembly. We exited the highway at exit 15 and drove small low-traffic roads home. Dodge was contacted but refused to assist in towing the vehicle to a dealer for assessment. We replaced the brakes, calipers, and rotors in our driveway. Attached photos show the brake assembly before it was removed from the vehicle for replacement. The car was three years and 10 months old, with ~48,660 miles, and on its second pair of rear brake pads. This is at least the 21st complaint on NHTSA about the same component (rear brake pads on 2012 Grand Caravan wearing too quickly). Dodge refused assistance both at the time of the incident and after I followed up with our dealer, with no reason given for the refusal. (case #29615622) given the many official and hundreds of unofficial complaints about the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan rear brakes, I hope the NHTSA will investigate further and pressure Dodge to repair or replace this part. Thank you.

- Westfield, MA, USA

problem #20

Dec 232015

Grand Caravan

  • 35,000 miles
Rubbing noise is coming from breaks when vehicle is in motion. It started with rear breaks. Was told breaks are getting stuck by the dealer. Rear breaks were replaced and problem went away. Few months later front brakes started making similar noise. Again told breaks are getting stuck. Replace the breaks. Noise came back with in a 3 week. So far they repaired the front breaks 4 times in the last 4 months. After every repair, noise goes away for few weeks and comes back again.

- Troy, MI, USA

problem #19

Feb 142016

Grand Caravan

  • 57,000 miles
Brake pads, rotors & calipers have had to be replaced 3 times. Car is now at 57,000 miles. If even gently using the brakes in stop & go traffic backup on highway, when car needs to accelerate, steering wheel vibrates badly and trouble getting car up to speed. Obvious that something is sticking regarding the brakes. When finally up to speed, problem disappears (60mph). Very frightening & potential serious accident problem. I drive long distances at night to & from work events & don't need to be stranded on a deserted highway somewhere at midnight. Why has there been no recall on a problem that everyone, including the Dodge mechanics, know about! this has become an ongoing issue, first on Feb. 14, then Feb. 16 and again Feb. 26. rear brake pad after Feb. 14 was totally burned off ~ was replaced & still the issue is occurring, now on the front brakes.

- Stamford, CT, USA

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