What 583 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan

We purchased our 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan 1/2026. Only 85000 miles on it. After about a week or 2, when husband tried go start van to go to work early cold, morning, van wouldn't start easily. Sometimes he would wait up to a few hours and keep trying to start, eventually it would. But last 3 days, its gotten harder to start van.at all. Not cool. Why isn't this recalled, it seems ALOT of people have same issue..

NHTSA ODI 11731166

The fuel pump would run all night and going down the road the van would cut off...had it checked the tipm was bad

NHTSA ODI 11718989

My van tipm went out..it would cut off going down the road the safety door locks was not working the fuel pump was running all the time with switch off

NHTSA ODI 11701716

While driving, the vehicle will periodically shut down/lose all power. This appears to occur when a slight bump in the road occurs. The loss of power to the vehicle is obviously a significant safety issue. We have been able to restart it when switching to neutral and turning the key; however, this obviously isn't a safe solution while traveling down the highway with no power to the vehicle. This has occurred multiple times at varying speeds (30-70 mph) over the last few years - I am reporting it now as I was assuming/anticipating there would be a recall on this safety issue.

NHTSA ODI 11699639

CAR STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY WITH NO WARNING OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. INTERMITTENT OCCURRENCES. SOMETIMES INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON, SOMETIMES NOT. CAN USUALLY GET CAR RESTARTED RIGHT AWAY BUT NOT ALWAYS. HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR AWHILE. NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL DO IT. HAS DONE IT AT ALL SPEEDS, WHILE PARKED AND WHILE IDLING. HAVE HAD BATTERY REPLACED AS WELL AS STARTER. SUSPECT WIN MODULE. SEE BELOW - APPROXIMATE DATE IS UNKNOWN. HAS BEEN DOING IT FOR SO LONG WE DON'T REMEMBER.

NHTSA ODI 11651093

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, unoccupied, and turned off at the residence, she noticed that sparks and flames were coming from the overhead console. The flames then spread to the front driver's and passenger's side seats. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. The fire department filed a report, which determined that the fire was caused by an electrical wiring failure. The vehicle remained at the residence. The insurance company was not made aware of the fire. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 183,000.

NHTSA ODI 11648781

While driving engine was cutting out, stalling, hard to restart. Found the reason was thr TIPM. Found there was a safety recall R09 / NHTSA 15V-115 fuel pump Relay, however this was for other Fiat Chrysler models and not the Dodge Grand Caravan, please help me understand why? The TIPM within this caravan is the same TIPM installed is other Fiat Chrysler models and clearly the same danger concerns. I don't believe I need to tell the NHTSA how scary it was to be driving 65 on a freeway when this occurred putting my life and others around me in danger of possibly losing control of a vehicle. Then learn this same TIPM was part of a large recall, but only on some models and not all. Makes absolutely no sense. I would ask that this prior recall be extended to all models with this TIPM installed as I can only imagine how many others have experienced this; God forbid and accidents were caused. Thank you for your time.

NHTSA ODI 11635962

On my Grand Caravan the engine randomly dies when my headlights are on bright. I haven't been able to find the problem. I have read where others are having the same problem but not sure they have associated the problem to the high beam lights. Last year when the dealership supposedly did the T33 recall it stopped doing it for two months then started happening again. It only happens with my high beams. The dangers are that, unable to use my high beams, I may not see wildlife running out into the road on dark highways until it is too late. Also, if this happens in traffic, especially in turns or curves, there is temporary loss in propulsion, power steering, power brakes, etc. I believe this to be a widespread problem that most haven't associated with the headlights. When it happens all of the dash lights come on as if the ignition was just turned on. I guess one more danger is that a driver, unaware of what is happening, may try accelerating when the engine has died which could cause sudden acceleration when the engine power restores.

NHTSA ODI 11626375

I bought the car 2 weeks ago with 105k miles on it. The car has died approximately 20 times in the last 2 weeks while I am driving it. It is so insanely dangerous, you will be going down a busy street and the car completely dies without warning. There is no dash lights on, no warning. The power steering goes. It's an accident waiting to happen, it’s unacceptable. After spending 2k at the mechanic and still the same problem. They have now told me I need the TIPM replaced at the dealership. Which also affects the lights, which are erratic, they come on or come off when they want, along with the horn. It’s also pushes the motors into limp mode so it runs really hard over 20 miles an hour even while idle. The car will also die while in idle/park or when you shift gears. The car is basically an all day event to start and if you get it to stay on, if you are able to get it, don’t touch the key or it will automatically the car off. The TIPM system will also stay on, even while car is off causing your battery to drain.

NHTSA ODI 11602041

Van shuts off completely when driving., all lights go off… rolling the car when possible I shift to neutral then I start the ignition and works fine. But lately is more often. My wife picks grand kids from school ., she is afraid an accident may happen. I see this problem on the internet specially at the caravan club. Why this problem is not tackled? Thanks. Also yesterday it shuts down at idle.

NHTSA ODI 11587809

While driving on freeway or highway, electrical system fails, causing engine shutdown, and power steering and braking system fails to respond without excessive effort and delayed response. ALSO have had intermittent electrical failure while maneuvering vehicle at moderate to slow speeds or while steering around corners or turning into driveways. Touching or inadvertent bumping against ignition switch or rattling of keys on key ring can also cause electrical and dashboard electrical intermittent off/on/off in rapid succession. While driving in heavy traffic on freeway, almost wrecked car when electrical failure occurs during high speed travel and extreme effort to maneuver vehicle safely in heavy freeway traffic making effort to pull over safely a high-risk task. Tendency of driver to over-react or over-steer and under-steer and control car safely to side of road during heavy traffic, WITH NO FUNCTIONING SIGNAL LIGHTS, makes lane changing at high risk of major accident. According to similar reports found on Internet for same model year vehicle, others have reported similar cases of defective ignition switch in steering column, and is a safety hazard and should be recalled and replaced, and should include 2012 year models. While I was able to barely avoid an accident, only means that I was an exception to the rule.

NHTSA ODI 11566299

The van shut down from the sudden. No steering or power. Did it twice on a parking lot and big street

NHTSA ODI 11564913

The van has COMPLETELY lost power on multiple occasions WHILE driving. Everything shuts down: engine, dash, everything. No error codes, so mechanic can’t pinpoint. Very dangerous. Someone is going to die.

NHTSA ODI 11550135

The fuel relay switch is faulty and causing fuel pump to stay on draining the battery. This is a known problem and has been recalled on several other models. It causes my vehicle to continue to lose power due to electrical surge.

NHTSA ODI 11549573

The car SHUTS OFF while DRIVING NO MATTER THE SPEED!!! The vehicle also pops out of gear when it shuts off. You have to use the emergency release button to change the gear to put it in park to try to start it again, which usually takes a little while to get it started. The safety hazard could be FATAL to the driver and whomever may rear-end the vehicle due it shutting off and loosing power steering and the brakes. This vehicle is currently at the dealership for the second time. They say that they cannot find the problem. I looked online for fixes and found HUNDREDS of complaints of the same issue for this same vehicle with no fix due to everyone being told they cannot find the problem. This could be FATAL!

NHTSA ODI 11533065

TPIM is going on it causing fault codes that won't clear causing to fail inspection. Chrysler Dodge has known about defective TPIM for years and chose not to do anything about it.

NHTSA ODI 11511366

Rear door won't engage or open seems to be electrical, then once figured out. The vehicle wldnt run, had a new battery put in, then it acted like the fuel pump, but the fuel pump kicks in the alternator was replaced as the fuel pump a year ago. Then we bypassed the regulator and now thr is nothing in the entire van works intact when u try put the charger on it, which the battery indicator says fully charged the whole fuel box vibrates and shakes. But thr is absolutely no power inside the vehicle thr is definitely without a doughty something wrong with the vehicles entire fusebox. This is very odd and not normal The entire brain of this vehicle is a problem. I have had a problem with this lemon since I bought it I have had it sitting more then driving spent more money on it then I. Able to use it something is definitely wrong with this vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11499468

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle started. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact stated that there was a delay while restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the computer was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the ignition node module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there was no recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 73,000. The consumer stated the vehicle only started half the time or a delayed response. The ignition module was replaced on 01/13/23.

NHTSA ODI 11496306

I would like the fuel pump relay recalled because it is unsafe and the Jeep Cherokee and Charger have the exact same TIPM with the same exact fuel pump relay and they both have recalls on the the exact same part.

NHTSA ODI 11493355

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

NHTSA ODI 11491429

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.

NHTSA ODI 11483614

MY VAN CRANKS, BUT WON'T START, IT HAPPENS ON AND OFF... IT SEEMS TO BE THE FUEL PUMP RELAY EVERYONE'S TALKING ABOUT

NHTSA ODI 11482767

I am experiencing an issue with the Totally Integrated Power Module TIPM. That can not be repaired by a local auto mechanic professional service. This appears to be a chronic issue with this vehicle make and model. In the 2011 this issue has been deemed a recall, yet the 2012, despite having the same engine, has not been deemed a recall. This needs to be addressed. Furthermore, the Dodge Caravan is one that is most frequently converted for wheelchair drivers and passengers. This is my case as well. I would like to commend Dodge for manufacturing vehicles that can be modified, and I would also like to implore that they be well supported in providing the safest most mechanically sound vehicle possible which also includes notifying and elevating problems to RECALL status so that wheelchair users can seek needed repairs before being stranded on the side of the road. There are literally no wheelchair accessible tow trucks, at least not in my area. Dodge had taken on a needed task and I am asking that they be supported to take it to the next level with recalling the 2012 TIPM and any other chronic issues on their vehicles especially for people with mobility differences. Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11482266

I was driving on a side street fortunately instead of the interstate each of the times that the car died! All of the dash lights came on and it just stopped running. I called for service and the tow driver checked the battery and it was fine, but but would not start or jump. Had it towed to the mechanic. A new battery was put on and it ran for a couple of days then died again. It would not jump so towed back to mechanic. Mechanic said they charged the battery, got it started said they ran diagnostics finding no issues. the next day it died again and would not jump. It is back at the mechanic's with them trying to figure this out. In my own research, I found this site and the repeated problems just like this. If I had been on the interstate, any kind of busy traffic it could have been tragic! I don't know why this persistent Dodge problem has not been recalled and fixed! I'm concerned that when we get the part replaced it will have the same problem. I don't want anyone to have a dangerous car. I'm stuck with this vehicle that is not safe even when fixed or don't fix it and trash it. Either way I have to buy another car. The sad thing is that until this repeated problem, I loved the car.

NHTSA ODI 11477978

My Dodge Grand caravan is having ignition issues and will randomly turn off while driving or just parked/sitting.

NHTSA ODI 11475847