2012 Dodge Grand Caravan Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 48about this part
- Share
- 8%of 584 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 73,050miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 48 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan, 8% of the 584 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,050 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“There is a loud thud when it is put into any gear, and you can even feel it. Also, the transmission bogs down a lot and doesn't like to shift into gear when you are driving, it's very sluggish. It's been like this since we first tried it out. We even had it reprogrammed because there was some sort of service bulletin, and that didn't help at all.”
NHTSA complaint #10566825, filed 2014-03, 500 miles“Notice a noise that was sort of like a grinding/groaning noise when idling and it would get worse if I turned on the AC. The sound was also present at lower rpms but would disappear after the vehicle got up to speed. Turns out the flex plate is broken. The noise has been getting worse over the past month and after visiting multiple shops to be told, it was a rock in the brakes, to maybe transmission we found a shop that identified the actual issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11268942, filed 2019-10, 130,000 miles“My car was in for a recall 2 years ago where my car would not switch gears when driving. Prior I complained several times before to the dealership and they said nothing was wrong until I found the recall or concern on line. My car is now showing the same signs as before along with stalling when I hit the break and making a ticking noise. How do I get this resolved since obviously it is a manufacturer issue with the car. This happens on highways, city streets when the car is in motion.”
NHTSA complaint #11203053, filed 2019-04, 91,000 miles“While driving today on a busy street at 40 MPH car just shut off. No warning, no check engine light, nothing. No power steering, gas, etc. Just stopped working. Was able to pull over and turn key off. Car turned back on after. I believe the cause of this is a bad tipm. This is our family's primary vehicle and I am lucky that nothing happened and my kids were not in the car with me today had previous problem with car not starting when key turned. This is still an intermittent problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11181577, filed 2019-02, 92,500 miles“I had to change the transmission after 60 k miles although I took very good care of the car.the mechanic and other customers were reporting the same issue with same model! Gear doesn't shift from first to second gear. While driving on normal road and normal speed. This car mainly used to commute to school nearby. Never off-road and never missed a maintenance required.no cushion light but there is a code and a replacement or transmission rebuilt is required, my poor family lost thousands of dollars on this job. …”
NHTSA complaint #11072026, filed 2018-02, 60,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10228020Apr 2, 2022Customer Satisfaction Notification V51 Reprogram Powertrain Control Module
- 10212248Mar 30, 2022Oil Filter If a Mopar Oil Filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds USCAR36 specification and is compatible with semi and full synthetic oils. Recommended…
- 10221231Jun 16, 2021PLATE, TORQUE CONVERTER DRIVE For 3.6L with 62TE NOTE: FOR ALL PROMASTER (VF) 3.6L/62TE EQUIPPED VEHICLES: IF THE TRANSMISSION BRACKET TO THE TRANSMISSION CASE FASTENERS ARE…
- 10212513Jun 16, 2021PLATE, TORQUE CONVERTER DRIVE For 3.6L with 62TE NOTE: FOR ALL PROMASTER VF 3.6L/62TE EQUIPPED VEHICLES: IF THE TRANSMISSION BRACKET TO THE TRANSMISSION CASE FASTENERS ARE…
- 10221150Apr 16, 2021Gear Ratio DTC?s, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
- 10221097Apr 7, 2021Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during…
- 10051775Jan 1, 2013Dodge/chrysler: see document search button for owner letter. Due to software programming causing poor automatic transaxle shift problems, a new pcm software is available to…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 8 | 40% |
| 2019 | 49 | 20% |
| 2018 | 23 | 8% |
| 2017 | 37 | 9% |
| 2016 | 221 | 22% |
| 2015 | 77 | 27% |
| 2014 | 19 | 5% |
| 2013 | 36 | 8% |
| 2012 | 48 | 8% |
| 2011 | 43 | 8% |
| 2010 | 40 | 5% |
| 2009 | 20 | 4% |
| 2008 | 68 | 5% |
| 2007 | 23 | 13% |
| 2006 | 12 | 4% |
| 2005 | 22 | 2% |
| 2004 | 3 | 3% |
| 2003 | 28 | 13% |
| 2002 | 42 | 14% |
| 2001 | 29 | 10% |
| 2000 | 95 | 21% |
| 1999 | 72 | 17% |
| 1998 | 81 | 14% |
| 1997 | 81 | 14% |
| 1996 | 209 | 18% |
| 1995 | 24 | 22% |
| 1994 | 56 | 28% |
| 1993 | 51 | 18% |
| 1992 | 37 | 15% |
| 1991 | 17 | 13% |
| 1990 | 27 | 49% |
| 1989 | 11 | 46% |
| 1988 | 2 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan
337 complaintsEngine
119 complaintsFuel system
74 complaintsOther or unknown
60 complaintsBrakes
38 complaintsVehicle speed control
24 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsElectronic stability control
18 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsSeats
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology