Is the 2012 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN reliable?

The 2012 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN has 816 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.5x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (336 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (120 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (75 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SUSPENSION:REAR, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY:WHEELCHAIR RESTRAINTS/SECUREMENT:LATCH/ANCHOR:. Contact any Dodge dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to charge a 2012 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN?

The 2012 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN has an EPA rating of 20 MPGe. At the current US average residential electricity rate, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $3842. State rates vary significantly — see the interactive calculator on this page.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN is approximately $1,781/year (ev-mainstream class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Does the 2012 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN qualify for tax credits?

The federal EV tax credit (Section 30D) expired for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. If purchased before that date, the 2012 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN may still qualify on the 2025 tax return. State-level incentives remain active in 13+ states — see the incentives section on this page for details.

2012 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN has 816 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.5x the segment average of 531. The most common issue is electrical problems (41% of all complaints), specifically: i was driving from one destination to the other and when i got to my other destination i smelled smoke. i looked down and notice the cigarette port which was empty was smoking, i pulled my gerber out and pulled the port out and there was a fire. i alerted a co worker and they got a fire extinguisher. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 16 fire reports filed.

16 fire reports 5 crash reports 2 injuries

816

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

336 complaints

41%

• I WAS DRIVING FROM ONE DESTINATION TO THE OTHER AND WHEN I GOT TO MY OTHER DESTINATION I SMELLED SMOKE. I LOOKED DOWN AND NOTICE THE CIGARETTE PORT WHICH WAS EMPTY WAS SMOKING, I PULLED MY GERBER OUT AND PULLED THE PORT OUT AND THERE WAS A FIRE. I ALERTED A CO WORKER AND THEY GOT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER
• AT 11:30 PM THE CAR ENGINE STARTED (THE KEYS WERE IN THE HOUSE),HORN WAS BLOWING, HEAD LIGHTS WERE ON, WIPERS GOING AT FULL SPEED FOUR WAY FLASHER GOING THERE WAS A RED GLOW UNDER THE CAR AND SMOKE WAS BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE CAR AND THE DOORS WERE LOCKED. WE WERE ABLE TO GET A KEY FROM THE FOB AND
• NO ACCELERATION WHEN GAS PEDAL PUSHED, RPMS RACED BUT NOT ABLE TO PROCEED. WARNING LIGHT INDICATING ELECTRONIC THROTTLE PROBLEM. PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY, TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, SAT FOR 5 MINUTES. RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALERSHIP. TOLD THEM TO CALL ME WHEN IT WAS CO

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 11 fire reports

“I WAS DRIVING FROM ONE DESTINATION TO THE OTHER AND WHEN I GOT TO MY OTHER DESTINATION I SMELLED SMOKE. I LOOKED DOWN AND NOTICE THE CIGARETTE PORT WHICH WAS EMPTY WAS SMOKING, I PULLED MY GERBER OUT AND PULLED THE PORT OUT AND THERE WAS A FIRE. I ALERTED A CO WORKER AND THEY GOT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN

Based on 547 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 97K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 100-150K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

134

100-150K

215

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

Earlier than typicalmedian 50K mi · 18 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

Earlier than typicalmedian 37K mi · 34 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Earlier than typicalmedian 57K mi · 22 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

Earlier than typicalmedian 49K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Reported earliermedian 76K mi · 39 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Reported earliermedian 96K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (6)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL13/06/2017

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.

Risk: Unexpected deployment of the driver's frontal air bag increases the risk of a crash or driver injury.

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 for this recall is T33.

Charging Cost Calculator for 2012 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local electricity price)

Per year

$3,807

Per month

$317

Per mile

31.7¢

kWh/mi

1.69

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,781

Full coverage / month

$148

Liability only / year

$665

vs US avg

+6%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (ev-mainstream)1.18x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1781

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Dodge New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Dodge. If you're buying a used 2012 GRAND CARAVAN, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Dodge dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

EV Incentives for 2012 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN

Updated 2026-07

Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30

Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.

State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)

CaliforniaUp to $12,000

Clean Cars 4 All

ColoradoUp to $5,000

Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit

ConnecticutUp to $4,250

CHEAPR (Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate)

DelawareUp to $2,500

Clean Vehicle Rebate

IllinoisUp to $4,000

Illinois EV Rebate Program

MarylandUp to $3,000

Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Electric Vehicles

MassachusettsUp to $3,500

MOR-EV

New JerseyUp to $4,000

Charge Up New Jersey

New YorkUp to $2,000

Drive Clean Rebate

OregonUp to $7,500

Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate

PennsylvaniaUp to $3,000

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate Program

Rhode IslandUp to $2,500

DRIVEEV

TexasUp to $2,500

Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive

VermontUp to $5,000

Incentive Program for New Electric Vehicles

See full state-by-state EV incentive details

Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 816 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: I WAS DRIVING FROM ONE DESTINATION TO THE OTHER AND WHEN I GOT TO MY OTHER DESTINATION I SMELLED SMOKE. I LOOKED DOWN AND NOTICE THE CIGARETTE PORT WHICH WAS EMPTY WAS SMOKING, I PULLED MY GERBER OUT AND PULLED THE PORT OUT AND THERE WAS A FIRE. I ALERTED A CO WORKER AND THEY GOT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: DRIVING IN A SMALL TOWN, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THIS. I AM A MEDICAL COURIER AND WE HAVE 4, MAYBE 5, GRAND CARAVANS OPERATING OUT OF OUR FACILITY. TWO HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE HEADS REPLACED, BOTH WITH THE PENTASTAR V-6. I HAVE THIS ENGINE IN MINE AS WELL . I WAS TOLD BY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: AFTER HAVING TROUBLE USING THE KEY TO START THE VEHICLE FOR A COUPLE DAYS MY CAR JUST TURNED OFF WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MILES PER HOUR. DEFINITELY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF AS IF I TURNED IT OFF WITH THE KEY.[NO DASH LIGHTS OR RADIO] I WAS ABLE TO COAST AND MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: CPCS: I1440342A. CAR CHARGER. CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD THE CHARGER PLUGGED INTO THE OUTLET IN HER 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, AN IT STARTED SMOKING WITH NO DEVICE PLUGGED INTO IT. *LN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Dodge dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)