Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2012 Dodge Caravan
NHTSA data on file today
The 2012 Dodge Caravan has no NHTSA recall campaigns and 87 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 47 complaints
- Engine 19 complaints
- Service Brakes 9 complaints
- Unknown or Other 8 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 6 complaints
- Air Bags 4 complaints
Of the 87 complaints on file, 3 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 87 complaints, owners report 4 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$9,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2012 Dodge Caravan faces frequent electrical issues and some engine complaints, suggesting notable reliability concerns. Buyers should plan for electrical system repairs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| electrical system | 50,000–70,000 miles | $200–$800 | very common |
| engine | 70,000–100,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | common |
| brakes | 60,000–90,000 miles | $300–$600 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 5,000 miles
- Brake pad replacement every 40,000 miles
- Tire rotation every 7,000 miles
- Coolant flush every 60,000 miles
- Transmission fluid change every 100,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Fluctuating electrical power
- Engine stalling or rough idle
- Unusual brake noises
- Delayed engine start
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2012 Dodge Caravan at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.