2012 Dodge Grand Caravan
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

- Class
- Minivan - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr Van FWD Cvp/Sxt/Crew/Crew P
- Engines
- 3.6L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- FFV
- MPG (best)
- 20 combined · 17 city / 25 hwy
- Length
- 202.4 in
- Curb weight
- 4,321 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 6 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Many owner complaints527 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 86 for similar models — most often about the electrical system.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 8 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan is a minivan offered with a 3.6L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 202 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 121-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,321 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (17 city / 25 highway), 6% worse than the 2012 minivan average of 21.3 MPG, for an estimated $3,350 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 527 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2012
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Grand Caravan — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Grand Caravan →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Van FWD Cvp/Sxt/Crew/Crew P | 202.4 in | 78.7 in | 67.7 in | 121.3 in | 65.7 / 65 in | 4,321 lb | 56/44 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Caravan FFV | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | -6% | $3,350 | 444 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan.
Similar 2012 minivans
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan (this car) | 20 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2012 Toyota Sienna | 21 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2012 Kia Sedona | 21 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2012 Honda Odyssey | 22 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2012 Chrysler Town and Country | 20 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2012 Nissan Quest | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Routan | 20 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (6)
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility › Wheelchair Restraints/Securement › Latch/Anchor › · Dec 17, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V876000 · 86 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 the wheelchair from being properly secured.
- Risk
- An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
- 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.
Air Bags › Frontal · Jun 13, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V376000 · 209,135 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
Electrical System · May 7, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V234000 · 644,757 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An overheated switch may result in a vehicle fire.
- 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 for this recall is P25.
Equipment · May 2, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V191000 · 471 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- THE POWER LIFTGATE DOOR MAY CLOSE ON AN APPENDAGE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
- 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.
Suspension › Rear · Apr 3, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V141000 · 289 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- THIS COULD RESULT IN A DECREASE IN DURABILITY, WHICH MAY LEAD TO WHEEL SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- 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 · Sep 29, 2011
NHTSA campaign 11V487000 · 667 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- CONNECTING ROD FAILURE MAY LEAD TO ENGINE SEIZURE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- 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.
Not every 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 315 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine — 113 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 68 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 100,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Grand Caravan years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Grand Caravan | 20 | 202.4 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 20 |
| 2019 Grand Caravan | 20 | 202.4 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 245 |
| 2018 Grand Caravan | 20 | 202.4 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 271 |
| 2017 Grand Caravan | 20 | 202.4 in | Not rated | 3 | 414 |
| 2016 Grand Caravan | 20 | 202.4 in | Not rated | 6 | 1,002 |
| 2015 Grand Caravan | 20 | 202.4 in | Not rated | 4 | 281 |
| 2014 Grand Caravan | 20 | 202.4 in | Not rated | 5 | 334 |
| 2013 Grand Caravan | 20 | 202.4 in | Not rated | 4 | 435 |
| 2011 Grand Caravan | 20 | 202.4 in | Not rated | 4 | 441 |
| 2010 Grand Caravan | 20 | 202.4 in | Not rated | 6 | 635 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Dodge. How we calculate this →