The 2012 Grand Caravan with the 3.6L Pentastar V6 is a workhorse minivan with transmission weak points and upper-engine oiling issues that can escalate to catastrophic failures. When maintained properly it's reliable, but deferred maintenance or aggressive driving invites expensive repairs.
Transmission Oil Cooler and Cooler Line Failure (62TE Transmission)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid mixing with coolant creating 'strawberry milkshake' appearance in reservoir, Transmission slipping or erratic shifting after coolant cross-contamination, Check engine light with trans temp codes, Coolant loss with no visible external leaks
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler (inside radiator) and flush entire cooling system and transmission. If contamination went unnoticed, transmission rebuild or replacement required. Cooler-only fix: 3-4 hours labor. Trans rebuild adds 8-12 hours.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200 for cooler/flush; $2,800-4,500 if transmission damaged
Left-Side Cylinder Head Failure and Rocker Arm Issues (3.6L Pentastar)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Misfires on cylinders 1, 3, or 5 (left bank), Ticking or tapping noise from left-side engine, Check engine light with multiple misfire codes, Metal shavings in oil or oil starvation evidence on left head
Fix: Early Pentastar engines had oiling issues to left-bank rocker arms causing premature wear or rocker failure. Repair requires left cylinder head removal, rocker arm replacement, and often valve work. 12-16 hours labor if caught early. Severe cases need complete head replacement or short block if debris circulated.
Estimated cost: $2,500-4,000 rocker repair; $4,500-7,000 for head replacement
Transmission Motor Mounts (Front and Rear)
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from park to drive or reverse, Excessive engine movement visible when accelerating, Vibration at idle that disappears under load, Harsh engagement into gear
Fix: Hydraulic transmission mount fails allowing excessive drivetrain movement. Front mount accessible in 1.5 hours; rear mount requires subframe drop adding 2-3 hours. Replace both while you're in there.
Estimated cost: $350-650
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) Failures
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: Fuel pump not priming or intermittent no-start, Wipers or windows operating on their own, ABS or airbag warning lights with no fault found, Electrical accessories dead or working intermittently
Fix: The TIPM (fuse/relay box) has internal relay failures, particularly fuel pump relay. Dealer reprogramming sometimes helps temporarily, but replacement often required. 1-2 hours labor, but part is $400-600 and usually not rebuildable despite aftermarket claims.
Estimated cost: $600-900
Rear Suspension Trailing Arm Bushings and Springs
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from rear, Rear end feels loose or wanders on highway, Visible cracking or separation of rubber trailing arm bushings, Sagging rear end especially when loaded
Fix: Trailing arm bushings crack and separate causing rear suspension slop. Often accompanied by weakened rear springs. Replace bushings (2-3 hours) and inspect/replace springs if sagging. Alignment required after.
Estimated cost: $450-800
Alternator Failure (136-160 Amp Units)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Battery warning light or voltage gauge reading low, Electrical accessories dim or sluggish, Whining noise from serpentine belt area, No-start with new battery
Fix: High-output alternators common on Grand Caravans (Stow'n'Go equipped especially) wear out voltage regulators or bearings. Replacement straightforward but access tight. 1.5-2 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $400-650
Owner tips
Change transmission fluid every 50,000 miles regardless of 'lifetime fill' claims—the 62TE doesn't tolerate old fluid
Use only Mopar MS-9602 spec ATF+4 fluid; aftermarket 'equivalents' cause shift problems
Monitor coolant reservoir for ANY discoloration—catch transmission cooler failure before contamination destroys trans
Keep up with oil changes using 5W-20 synthetic; the 3.6L has tight oiling tolerances and sludge buildup accelerates rocker arm failures
Inspect motor mounts annually after 60k—cheap insurance against transmission damage from excessive movement
Solid family hauler if maintained religiously, but the transmission cooler and potential Pentastar head issues make pre-purchase inspection critical—budget $1,500 reserve for deferred maintenance on any high-mileage example.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Be the first to unlock repairs for the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan
Procedures haven't been generated for this vehicle yet. Become the founding sponsor and we'll generate expert-grade, step-by-step repair walkthroughs for every common job on it — free for every mechanic and DIYer who looks it up after, forever.
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · 17V376000
2017-06-13
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · 14V234000
2014-05-07
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.
EQUIPMENT · 12V191000
2012-05-02
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.
SUSPENSION:REAR · 12V141000
2012-04-03
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · 11V487000
2011-09-29
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.
Building an app?
Free API access to all this data — 50 requests/day, no card required.