Model year guide

2012 Dodge Grand Caravan

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1,269 on record.

2012 Dodge Grand Caravan — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 Dodge Grand Caravan at a glance

Safety recalls6
Owner complaints583
Overall safety4 / 5 ★
Combined20 mpg
Typical price$9,667

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Dodge Grand Caravan recalls 6

Air Bags:frontal NHTSA Campaign #17V376000 · 13/06/2017

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may unexpectedly deploy if the air bag wiring harness gets chafed within the steering wheel and short circuits.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag wiring within the steering wheel, replacing it if necessary. A protective cover will also be installed. These repairs will be made free of charge. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number …

Electrical System NHTSA Campaign #14V234000 · 07/05/2014

Chrysler Group, LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured August 25, 2010, through October 31, 2013. The affected vehicles may experience overheating of the vent window switch in the driver's door armrest.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vent window switch with a newer version, free of charge. The owner notification letter was issued and the remedy campaign launched on on December 31, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number …

Suspension:rear NHTSA Campaign #12V141000 · 03/04/2012

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 TOWN AND COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 21, 2011. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH RIGHT REAR HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE NOT FULLY MACHINED.

Fix: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT REAR HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Engine And Engine Cooling NHTSA Campaign #11V487000 · 29/09/2011

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHRYSLER VEHICLES, INCLUDING 200 AND TOWN AND COUNTRY MODELS, DODGE VEHICLES, INCLUDING CHARGER, DURANGO, GRAND CARAVAN AND JOURNEY MODELS AND JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 31, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 13, 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH 3.6L ENGINES. THESE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE CONNECTING ROD BEARING FAILURE DUE TO DEBRIS INSIDE THE ENGINE BLOCK.

Fix: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ENGINE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Equipment NHTSA Campaign #12V191000 · 02/05/2012

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 TOWN AND COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 9, 2012 THROUGH MARCH 12, 2012. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A RIGHT SIDE LIFTGATE PINCH SENSOR THAT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. AS A RESULT, INCREASED FORCE MAY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO STOP THE POWER LIFTGATE DURING FINAL CLOSING STAGES.

Fix: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE LIFTGATE PINCH SENSORS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 18, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Equipment Adaptive/mobility:wheelchair Restraints/securement:latch/anchor: NHTSA Campaign #25V876000 · 17/12/2025

Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing t…

Fix: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2012 Dodge Grand Caravan common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 583 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.

2012 Dodge Grand Caravan safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan VAN FWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2012 Dodge Grand Caravan MPG & running costs

Combined20 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,100

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan worth?

Low
$7,100
Typical price
$9,667
High
$12,100

From 1,264 comparable 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,500
Depreciation (5 yrs)$6,300
Total$21,800
Per mile$0.29

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($9,667) with the same model 5 model-years older ($3,366), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 Dodge Grand Caravan trims & engines on record

Trims
SXT · American Value Package · Crew · SE · R/T
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl 283 hp

2012 Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles on record

Other Dodge Grand Caravan model years

2012 Dodge Grand Caravan — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan?

Based on 583 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, engine, fuel/propulsion system.

What is the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan an overall crash-test rating of 4 out of 5 stars (frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 4★).

What gas mileage does the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan at about 20 mpg combined (17 city / 25 highway).

How much is a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan worth?

Comparable 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan listings run roughly $7,100–$12,100, typically around $9,667 (from 1,264 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.