9.8

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
97,900 miles
Total Complaints:
12 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (11 reports)
  2. drive trains/sensors replaced (1 reports)
2012 Dodge Grand Caravan engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 Dodge Grand Caravan Owner Comments

problem #12

Jun 072024

Grand Caravan SXT 3.6L V6 Flex

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles

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

I absolutely hate this van it just up and stalls while driving it doesn't matter if you just started it going two blocks down the street or driving down the highway at 75 and damn near getting ran down. I have grand children in my van at times and am scared to drive it anywhere. Have had it in to mechanic they cant figure out what's causing it which is very frustrating. Dodge hasn't done anything to fix or help people with this issue and as I'm learning there are hundreds of people with the same issue but no recall or even telling us what's causing the problem.

There was a recall on ignition switches on 2008-2011 Grand Caravans but not 2012 REALLY !! If you here the same issue is accruing as the previous models why would you not include 2012. Or Better Yet Give Us A REAL KEY to our VEHICHELS. Then find out it maybe any number of things causing this issue who has that kind of money to just keep throwing at a Vehicle in the hopes you might get it right the first attempt of a part that may or may not fix the problem. Will Never Buy Dodge Again!!

- Lori G., Bristol, IN, US

problem #11

Mar 062020

Grand Caravan ES 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 133,524 miles

I was driving in from out of town and my 2012 Grand Caravan started losing power when the lightning bolt symbol came on. It began slowing down at a speed of 75 mph and there were a lot of cars behind me and hardly any shoulder room to pull over. It was a very dangerous situation, these caravans are very unreliable and constantly having problems. If I had known, I would have never bought it. I had it towed home and it's also still broken, and no support from the Dodge dealers, they knew all these problems exist with the Caravans, they are lemons! I would never recommend them to anyone to buy!

- Lazaro Z., Corpus Christi, TX, US

problem #10

Apr 202020

Grand Caravan Crew

  • Automatic transmission
  • 149,583 miles

I live in the mountains in western NC. The roads are steep grades narrow curvy with numerous switch back turns. Numerous times while driving at random speeds (60 mph 35mph, and in between these speeds) my vehicle will shut off. Lose of steering is a major concern considering where I am driving at the moment. There are no guard rails to keep from going off the mountain. There is no warning reason or signal when this occurs. I have owned this vehicle for 1 year and its happen over 12 times.

It's very alarming to me that they have not been able to investigate this problem and find a solution. It puts me, my son and everyone on the road around me in a very dangerous and unpredictable.

- Amanda F., Waynesville, US

problem #9

Oct 292018

Grand Caravan ES 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,000 miles

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

This car will stall without warning at highway speed, loose steering, brakes and ability to safely get off the road.

I know each event is to be reported separately, but the car has been towed four (4) times, many hours waiting for the car to restart, Two (2) trips to local dealership for diagnosis @ $95.00 each. Two trips to local garage. Called dealership car was purchased from and got the same response; bring the car in and leave it with us, no loaner available and $99.00 diagnosis fee. Both Dealerships were made aware of the stalling problems posted to the "WEB", but seem to ignore the request to follow-up, review or admit there is a problem with the 2012 Grand Caravan. This is a very serious and dangerous problem and will cause death or injury at some point. I will be 1st in line to sue if any harm comes to my family, due to this problem. I pray Chrysler/Dodge will recall all affected models, before it is too late !!!

- Lamar R., Bowdon, GA, US

problem #8

Aug 282018

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

My 2012 Dodge Caravan just stopped 2 times yesterday while driving . No warning no anything . Once I placed car in park in started right up . Not sure what to do ? I'm very scared to drive it . Its out of warranty .

- Shaunte B., San Diego, US

problem #7

Jun 012015

Grand Caravan Crew V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,496 miles

Engine shutdown while driving for last 3 years on inner roads and on highway. It is life threatening with my family (spouse, kids, parents and friends), with no accountability from Dodge. No alarms when this happens. Called multiple times but, Dodge has been pushing us away due to no root cause or alarms and excuse that cannot reproduce at will. The issue is intermittent and seen once in few weeks. Have tried all suggestions, including, bring the car to nearby dealership when happens, drop the car for few days, reduce the key weight (due to known recall in other models of Dodge Caravan), changed the battery, use fuel cleaner + premium fuel. Now with suspicion we have asked Dodge to change ignition system. I plan to write my story on different blogs and other groups to make people aware of how Dodge stands behind its car and how unsafe is it for the family when van is totally sold as a family car. I would expect someone from Dodge to get back to us and help us with the issue.

- Ajit S., Kanata, ON, Canada

problem #6

Aug 312017

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,000 miles

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

THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. CURRENTLY, GARAGE CANNOT FIND PROBLEM.

My van stalled and I was almost hit from behind by a over sized truck the last time. This is extremely dangerous

Please help

- Lisa R., Warren, OH, US

problem #5

Apr 052017

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,000 miles

Driving approx. 15 miles an hour and the van just died. Started up right away.

- Linda M., Bradenton, US

problem #4

Mar 132016

Grand Caravan Crew

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

Have had several episodes of the instrument panel flashing but nothing as scary and severe as the car completely and totally stalling/dying while driving at 70 mph. no steering, no braking. The first time it happened, my husband was able to turn the key to get it to start while we were still coasting down the highway and get stopped safely at the next intersection. Turned the car off and back on again normally. Then it happened again a few days later - the exact same scenario while driving at highway speed. Could turn the key again to get it started. Fast foward a year later: it has happened more times than I can keep track of - easily more than 25. In fact, it happened while my 17-year-old son was driving it THREE TIMES IN ONE DAY!!! It just happened again to me a couple of days ago. Dodge, you must take note of this. In addition to the car completely and totally stalling out/dying while driving down the road, it also takes numerous (5-7) turns of the key to get it to engage the starter. This is ridiculous and needs to be addressed before someone is hurt.

- Tera C., Carthage, IL, US

problem #3

Apr 142015

Grand Caravan EX 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,603 miles

2012 DODGE CARAVAN is my vehicle, and since April 2012 when I am facing this LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM , rpm drops below idle rpm and engine stalls (dangerous if you are in the middle of an intersection waiting for light to change). I Have to put put it in neutral - runs smooth, and wait until light changes then put in drive, not ideal at all. Vehicle runs smooth while in neutral.

Last week I was on highway and Driving at 110 km per hr and ENGINE COMPLETELY Shut down. Imagine if there is big truck behind me what would happen to me.

Dealers are not trying seriously to solve this issue.. I found that the ignition key, when touched, will leave the Panel lights off while driving and complete STALL OF ENGINE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF FACING SAME ISSUE

- Naveen D., BRAMPTON, ON, Canada

problem #2

Jun 022016

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

I saw a post from another individual with the same exact issue for the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. It's happened largely around the 90k-110k mile mark and it's incredibly dangerous. Dodge, if you are listening, please look into this issue as it will likely cause a death. Lawyers, please contact me if you have a class action starting.

Essentially what happens is this. The van starts up and drives as normal, though about 5-10 minutes after driving, it stalls. Not just a "engine sputters and fails" scenario. Like EVERYTHING dead, cold turkey, while driving. Power steering freezes, engine shuts off, power breaks shut off, radio shuts off, no electronics. It's happened 3 times now while driving and it's the scariest thing you could imagine.

The van can ONLY be restarted when you place into park and restart the car. My guess is that it has something to do with the air conditioning shorting something out inside the van as it only seems to happen on very hot days and (my hunch) is when the air conditioning is on full blast when the car is started. The strange thing about the van when it gets restarted is the air conditioning comes on very powerfully, then tapers down a bit.

For anyone with similar scenarios, please contact me. Again lawyers who are investigating, I'm open to talking about it. I've had mechanics look at it and they have no clue and can't reproduce it in the shop (again, it's random, though when it happens, it's BAD).

Two of the 3 times, I was driving on a major highway with family and had to pull over to the curb through a few lanes (much harder than you'd think with no signals working). I'm lucky to be alive.

- Jason H., Powell, OH, US

problem #1

Dec 302014

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,000 miles

I was driving my son to get his tonsils out. Car just stopped. Lost all control of steering. Put it in park and continued. This was the 3rd time this had happened. After appointment, took it to the dealer. They had it a week and replaced parts and I had some other needed work done. One month later, it happened again.

I will be driving along and it just dies. Put it in park and it starts right back up. Called the dealer. Had it 4 days and could not replicate the problem, even after they had technicians drive it home. Contacted Chrysler. Happened again over the weekend, this time my entire family was in it. Hit the curb. Had it been snow and ice like we have now, we would have been down the embankment. Called Chrysler and dealer. They put a recorder on the van. Happened again this morning so I am taking it back tomorrow.

I am a widowed mother of 5. I am the sole provider. I do not have time to be in an accident and keep missing work to keep taking it back to the dealership. I am horribly afraid to drive this vehicle. It is dangerous as it happens when going 20, 5, 70 on the side streets, on the interstates. It has happened a total of 9 times and I have gotten lucky that I have not hit anything or anyone or someone has not plowed into the back of me. I would like them to just switch out the vehicle. Even trade, even though I am not sure I want another Chrysler product. There are no codes, so the dealer cannot figure out what the problem is, hence the recorder. I sure hope the recorder caught the incident this morning. Will be talking with management tomorrow. I just want to know whose name to put on the paperwork to pay for injuries when someone does get hurt.

Update from Feb 19, 2015: Went to the dealership - Glendale Jeep Chrysler in Glendale, Missouri - again today because my van died as I was driving it again yesterday. The recording device that they installed did not pick up anything so they reset the parameters and sent me on my way. They offered to keep it and drive it until it acts up, but would not cover the cost of a rental for me. I told the poor tech person, who was just the messenger, that it would be cheaper for them to cover the cost of a rental that to have to buy me a whole new vehicle and pay for medical expenses and more when something serious happens. He had nothing to offer. I will be writing a letter today. He said even if something is under warranty and they have to keep the vehicle, the most they can cover is 5 days. I told him if they cared, they could find a way. The dealership should just eat he costs and not worry about whether they can be reimbursed. Stay tuned.

Update from Feb 24, 2015: The President of the dealership is now paying for my rental van until they can figure out the problem. The van broke down again yesterday as I was taking it to the dealership. They said the recording device picked up something and they have sent it off and are waiting for a response. I really hope they can diagnose and fix the problem this time. But, I am happy right now that they are covering the rental van. That is all I asked for in the first place and everyone just kept telling me everything they could not do for me.

Update from Mar 20, 2015: After having my for three weeks and many phone calls and replacing a lot of stuff on the engine, I have my van back and it seems to running fine. I will wait and see though. They had a regional manager come to the shop just to look at my van. And, in the end, it did not cost me a dime, because most of the stuff that was done was done to the power train and that is still under warranty. I ended up having to get a new blower motor because when I did get the can back, it was making a noise. However, I am now in negotiations with Corporate Chrysler to get reimbursement for that because it was not making that noise when I took it in. The people at the dealership contacted me almost daily and were very good about keeping me in the loop. I never had a complaint about how I was treated. I just wanted to be able to drive a safe vehicle and I think I am now.

- spiker30, Maplewood, MO, US

Not what you are looking for?