general problems of the 2012 Dodge Caravan

Four problems related to service brakes have been reported for the 2012 Dodge Caravan. The most recently reported issues are listed below.

1 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 09/18/2018

My wife while driving slammed on the brakes and the van shut off it however restart right away. This was very scary and could put her life in danger if someone had run into her van back.

2 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 06/24/2016

Faultly brake calipar - keep hanging up and causing tire to get hot and smoke comes out very hot.

3 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 05/26/2014

After smelling brakes during a 10 mile trip to local store I looked at rear drivers side rotor to see it glowing cherry red in the night. Extreme heat was coming from the wheel well and wheel camber appeared to be affected from excessive heat. Working on trying to get it in for a warranty check, but to me this is ridiculous for a vehicle 2 years old with 25k miles. Sounds like mechanical failure of the caliber which I could replace myself, but from what I've read online this is a repetitive issue and a huge money pit.

4 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 07/08/2013

I purchased a new van on July 5, 2013. On July 8, 2013, I drove 4 miles, and stopped at a red light. I accelerated to approx. 40 mph, when suddenly the van shifted to the right momentarily, upon which I regained control immediately. Suddenly, the van jolted right again, jumped the curb, climbed an embankment, and would not stop accelerating. I kept pushing the emc controls forward. . . . But it would not stop the vehicle. It is not that the vehicle kept accelerating, but rather, the vehicle would not stop accelerating. As a result, the vehicle only stopped when I crashed through a large evergreen tree (front right passenger area). The van continued to accelerate until I ran head first into a hardware store, which ultimately stopped the vehicle. There was an analysis performed, and I expressed great concern over the lack of information disclosed in the report. The accident occurred on July 8, 2013. Today is December 31, 2013, and I cannot believe that it is taking this long to replace a new van. There was information discovered from the initial mechanic who received the van after the accident, inclusive of photographs, who was told by adjusters to withhold and not disclose the noted information. This concerns me greatly. I do not want another person to endure what I endured, or worse, an innocent person hurt by equipment, or installation of equipment, that may cause a driver not to have control over his/her vehicle. In the report, the specialist used language indicating that the driver "lost control over the vehicle. " that is a completely erroneous statement. A thorough investigation needs to be engaged to determine why an experienced driver, who has an excess of 13 years driving experience with emc/aevit controls was placed in a perilous situation, where the braking system would not stop the vehicle, and the van continued to accelerate, until impact.


Other Service Brakes related problems of the 2012 Dodge Caravan



Fuel Economy of Caravan Vehicles
Caravan Service Bulletins
Caravan Safety Recalls
Caravan Defect Investigations