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2012 Dodge Grand Caravan SE

The 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan SE is a 283-hp 3.6-liter V6 with a 62te 6-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $22,995 MSRP and is rated at 20 mpg combined.

It makes 283 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway (20 mpg combined).

The Grand Caravan measures 202.8 inches long on a 121.2-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 4,510 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeMinivan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$22,995 ($32,550 *)
MSRP with Destination$23,930 ($33,873 *)
Destination Charge$935
Engine
Engine Type3.6L Pentastar 60-degree DOHC 24-valve V6
Displacement3.6 L
Horsepower283 hp @ 6,400 rpm
Torque260 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm (SAE net) rpm
ValvetrainDOHC, 4 valves/cylinder (24 total), chain-driven
Bore and Stroke96 x 83
Compression Ratio10.2:1
Injection TypeSequential multi-port fuel injection (SMPI)
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission62TE 6-speed automatic with variable line pressure (VLP)
1st Gear4.12
2nd Gear2.84
3rd Gear2.28
4th Gear1.45
5th Gear1
6th Gear0.69
Reverse3.21
Final Drive3.16
Fuel Economy
City17 MPG
Highway25 MPG
Combined20 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded gasoline
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent MacPherson strut, coil springs
Rear SuspensionTwist-beam axle, coil springs
Brakes
Front Brake Disc11.9 x 1.1 in vented disc, 4-wheel ABS standard
Rear Brake Disc12.0 x 0.5 in solid disc, 4-wheel ABS standard
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front17 x 6.5 in, aluminum
Wheels Rear17 x 6.5 in, aluminum
Tires FrontP225/65R17
Tires RearP225/65R17
Dimensions & Weight
Length202.8 in
Width78.7 in
Height67.9 in
Wheelbase121.2 in
Front Track65.6 in
Rear Track64.8 in
Ground Clearance5.6 in
Cargo Volume33 ft³
Curb Weight4,510 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front39.8 in
Headroom Rear39.3 in
Legroom Front40.7 in
Legroom Rear36.5 in
Shoulder Room Front63.7 in
Shoulder Room Rear64.1 in
Hip Room Front58.4 in
Hip Room Rear65 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Similar cars

Rivals to the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan SE with similar size, power and price from around the same years.

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall ★★★★★
Frontal crash ★★★★★
Side crash ★★★★★
Rollover ★★★★★ (16.4 % risk)
Tested variant: 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan VAN FWD

Recalls

6 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Dec 17, 2025 · EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY:WHEELCHAIR RESTRAINTS/SECUREMENT:LATCH/ANCHOR:

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.

Consequence: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 25V876000

Jun 13, 2017 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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.

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

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 17V376000

May 7, 2014 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Consequence: An overheated switch may result in a vehicle fire.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 14V234000

May 2, 2012 · EQUIPMENT

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.

Consequence: THE POWER LIFTGATE DOOR MAY CLOSE ON AN APPENDAGE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 12V191000

Apr 3, 2012 · SUSPENSION:REAR

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.

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A DECREASE IN DURABILITY, WHICH MAY LEAD TO WHEEL SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 12V141000

Sep 29, 2011 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

Consequence: CONNECTING ROD FAILURE MAY LEAD TO ENGINE SEIZURE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 11V487000

584 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2012 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN

Owner Complaints

584 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN (7 mention a crash, 14 a fire, 8 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Electrical System337
Engine119
Fuel/Propulsion System68
Unknown Or Other60
Power Train48
Service Brakes38
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Oct 7, 2026 · Electrical System, Engine
“Randomly shuts off Says key is in the ignition when it isnt”
Apr 14, 2026 · Power Train, Electrical System, Fuel/Propulsion System
“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…”
Feb 19, 2026 · Electrical System, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion System
“The fuel pump would run all night and going down the road the van would cut off...had it checked the tipm was bad”
Nov 26, 2025 · Electrical System
“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”
Nov 16, 2025 · Electrical System, Unknown Or Other, Engine
“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…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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