Dodge Grand Caravan 2012 — Reported problems

Randomly shuts off Says key is in the ignition when it isnt

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..

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

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

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.

The driver's seat active headrest spontaneously deployed while my wife was operating the van. Luckily this did not cause an accident, but being hit in the back of the head by the headrest certainly can cause an accident in the future. Inspection shows the internal plastic latch mechanism broken, thus the spontaneous, unintentional deployment of the active headrest.

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH on the highway, the vehicle inadvertently shut off. The contact stated that the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact was able to pull over safely and restated the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure progressed over time and the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were flashing on and off. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

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.

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.

Smoke comes out from the corner of the hood by the antenna and fumes come from the vents it makes my eyes burn and my throat sore. I'm afraid it might catch on fire. I have had the oil changed the power steering fluid changed I had the radiator changed. I don't know where it's coming from but I do know it is not safe.

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.

After talking to others and researching and reading reports this seems to be another ghost problem: Driving around town this issue doesn't usually occur but, on a long drive and coming to a stop or near stop such as a traffic light and/or in traffic my van starts to die. Depending on how long I am going to be stopped or slowed down to a crawl I either have to keep one foot on the brake while accelerating or switch to neutral. When switched to neutral I have to keep a foot on the accelerator while switching back into drive. Sometimes turning the ignition off and back on helps, usually not. The danger is the risk of being rear ended or stalling when pulling into traffic.

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.

Greenway CDJR in Florence Alabama did the T33 airbag recall on my Grand Caravan. I recently found out while investigating another issue that they had taken a shortcut and the work wasn't properly or thoroughly done. The recall was to correct an issue with exposed wiring and the remedy was to install a protective sleeve. Rather than remove the retaining clip to install the whole length of sleeve they cut the sleeve to fit up to the clip leaving wiring unprotected. Greenway is under new ownership as Singing River CDJR. I contacted the general manager and sent pics and informed him I couldn't put the air bag assembly back in until the work was done. On October 31st this year he said he would have an advisor contact me to schedule an appointment. I haven't been scheduled nor heard back. I fear this has happened to more vehicles than just my own. In addition to not having a driver side airbag now I also don't have a horn as it is part of the assembly. The sleeve is supposed to be 6mm. It was cut short.

While driving around 30mph, the van completely shut down. With nowhere to pull over on the right, and to avoid an accident, I turned left onto a side road. I quickly realized I had no power steering or brakes. I had 2 children in the vehicle and school had just let out. Luckily there was no accident. With no brakes, I just coasted until I came to a stop on the side of the road. I wasn’t able to move the shifter into park. After a few minutes, everything came back to life. I was able to shift to park, start it up and drive away. No warning lights came on. No check engine light. This situation could have become really bad, really quick.

Van stalls while driving it has happened serval times and getting worse. I have had it to mechanic they can not figure out what's wrong. Two of these incidents of this van stalling while driving almost caused me to get hit. Am scared now to even drive it I have my grandbabies with me quit a bit and refuse to take chances with them. Something needs to be done. Dodge needs to FIX this issue.

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.

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.

The key fob is loose in the ignition and the car stalls out when I'm driving even on the freeway cause it losses conection and it happens every time I drive it

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.

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

Engine stalls soon after I start driving. Lights are still on on the dashboard. I put the car in Park, turn the key to the off position, and turn the key to ignition. Engine starts without issue. This problem happens irregularly. Sometimes happens after a few months, sometimes after a few weeks.

Vehicle started having rough shifting., code for shift relay (P0760) . Relay was replaced .sometimes drives ok other times just goes into neutral when driving, even the shifter in on D position.

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.

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.

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!

Engine cooling system has failed multiple times causing the engine to overheat, it has been reproduced by an independent service provider and is available for inspection upon request. To attempt to remedy the issue, the following have been replaced or inspected: thermostat, thermostat housing, radiator, hoses, water pump, oil filter adaptor/coolant bypass, fan, wiring and other associated electrical components. There were no warning lamps or other symptoms of the problem prior to the system failure. Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. I have attempted contacting Chrysler several times and have been given the run-around regarding a safety recall that matches the symptoms, year, make, and model of my vehicle and have been told that my vehicle's VIN is not part of the recall and that there is no way to get it evaluated and added to the recall. I am unable to upload the repair invoices I have amassed so far with this issue at this time, but can furnish them at a later date if required.

The driver and passenger side slide door when turn the child safety lock on the door can still be opened by children by the door button beside the door.

Can just does every month or so. Starts again in about 30 minutes

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.

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated he was unable to start the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

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

The driver's side sliding door Left Door Actuator/Left Door Latch failed and the door wouldn't close causing a major safety hazard.

When driving the car will randomly shut off losing power. When trying to start it randomly it will turn on then shut back off. When it turns off as I’m driving it’s always under 50MPH but I lose steering. Very scary.

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.

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.

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.

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

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle intermittently stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact self-diagnosed the vehicle with a faulty fuel pump relay for the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.