What 87 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Caravan

SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION - WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFICLIGHT -- OF THE DRIVER-SIDE SWITCHBOX THAT CONTROLS THE WINDOWS, DOORLOCKS & OUTSIDE MIRRORS. FLAMES ERUPTED FROM THE ARMREST MAKING ESCAPE FROM VEHICLE DIFFICULT. FDNY WAS CALLED & EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THIS HAPPENED EARLY FRIDAY MORNING/SNOWING. INSURANCE COMPANY EXAMINED CAR & AUTHORIZED REPAIR. CHRYSLER SENT AN ENGINEERING SAFETY INSPECTOR WHO HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP WHERE INVESTIGATION WAS PERFORMED. WE RECEIVED A "SAFETY RECALL NOTICE" [ P25/NHTSA 14V-234] LATER THAT SAME DAY. CHRYSLER HAS IGNORED MY CALLS & LIVE-CHATS FOR THE PAST MONTH. DEALERSHIP STILL HAS THE VEHICLE BUT CAN'T GET A RESPONSE FROM CHRYSLER EITHER. INCIDENT OCCURRED 4 WEEKS AGO! HAVE BEEN FORCED TO RENT A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE -- AT MY EXPENSE -- FOR TRANSPORTATION PURPOSES.

NHTSA ODI 10852904

FIRST TIME, BATTERY KEPT GOING DEAD. TOOK IT TO CORTLAND DODGE, THEY SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING [NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY] CHARGED US ABOUT 80.00 ! SECOND TIME. FUSES BLOWN FOR SEAT CONTROLS AND WIPERS THIRD TIME CAR STARTED SHIFTING WILDLY UP AND DOWN. HEAD LIGHTS STARTED TO DIM AND CAR FINALLY QUIT! HAD IT TOWED TO DODGE DEALER WAS INFORMED IT NEEDED NEW ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY[NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY] COST ALMOST 1000.00 TO FIX IT!! FOURTH TIME CAR WAS PARKED BESIDE THE HOUSE WHEN HORN STARTED BLOWING WHEN WE WENT OUTSIDE CAR WAS RUNNING LIGHTS WERE FLASHING WIPERS AND WASHERS WERE GOING FULL SPEED, FLASHERS GOING AND RED GLOW UNDER CAR ALSO DOORS WERE LOCKED ! ! WE FINALLY GOT DOOR UNLOCKED AND GOT HOOD OPEN,BATTERY AND FUSE BOX WAS CHERRY RED. FINALLY TOOK HEDGE CLIPPERS AND CUT BATTERY CABLES AND THINGS COOLED DOWN ! WHAT CAN WE DO?!?!?!?! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10562598