FaultScore

2012 Dodge Grand Caravan airbag problems

18 of the 816 complaints about the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan are about the airbag system — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 96,100 miles.

B

18

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

AIR Bags 18 100.0%

Airbags across every Dodge Grand Caravan year

1992 11 0.7%
1993 13 0.8%
1994 20 1.2%
1996 214 12.7%
1997 111 6.6%
1998 105 6.2%
1999 84 5.0%
2000 30 1.8%
2001 48 2.8%
2002 62 3.7%
2003 24 1.4%
2005 107 6.3%
2006 55 3.3%
2007 16 0.9%
2008 295 17.5%
2009 138 8.2%
2010 144 8.5%
2011 19 1.1%
2012 18 1.1%
2013 34 2.0%
2014 47 2.8%
2015 24 1.4%
2016 22 1.3%
2017 21 1.2%
2018 12 0.7%
2019 12 0.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Hebron, CT

AIR BAGS

The driver's seat active headrest spontaneously deployed while my wife was operating the van. Luckily this did not cause an accident, but being hit in the back of the head by the headrest certainly can cause an accident in the future. Inspection shows the internal plastic latch mechanism broken, thus the spontaneous, unintentional deployment of the active headrest.

NHTSA complaint #11670987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Florence, AL

AIR BAGS

Greenway CDJR in Florence Alabama did the T33 airbag recall on my Grand Caravan. I recently found out while investigating another issue that they had taken a shortcut and the work wasn't properly or thoroughly done. The recall was to correct an issue with exposed wiring and the remedy was to install a protective sleeve. Rather than remove the retaining clip to install the whole length of sleeve they cut the sleeve to fit up to the clip leaving wiring unprotected. Greenway is under new ownership as Singing River CDJR. I contacted the general manager and sent pics and informed him I couldn't put the air bag assembly back in until the work was done. On October 31st this year he said he would have an advisor contact me to schedule an appointment. I haven't been scheduled nor heard back. I fear this has happened to more vehicles than just my own. In addition to not having a driver side airbag now I also don't have a horn as it is part of the assembly. The sleeve is supposed to be 6mm. It was cut short.

NHTSA complaint #11626362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

AIR BAGS

SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME IS PERIODICAL ACTIVATED WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND SEAT BUCKLE IS ENGAGED.

NHTSA complaint #11405490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,015 miles Jackson, TN

AIR BAGS

THE AIR BAG ON THE RIGHT FRONT HAS CAME OUT AND THE FUEL PUMP RELAY IN THE FUSE BOX NEED TO BE UNDER WARRANTY FOR THE DEALER MAKING IT LIKE THAT

NHTSA complaint #11385618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 115,000 miles Front Royal, VA

AIR BAGS

2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FRONT PASSENGER HEADREST DEPLOYMENT 4 MONTHS AGO. VEHICLE UNOCCUPIED, IN DRIVEWAY. NO REAR-END IMPACT [OR ANY OTHER] IMPACT OF ANY KIND. DEALERSHIP QUOTES $822 TO REPLACE THE HEADREST, EST. $129 LABOR. I SEE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS VS. CHRYSLER ALLEGING DEFECTIVE DESIGN OR MATERIALS. NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS SHODDY WORKMANSHIP AND CAVALIER ATTITUDE.

NHTSA complaint #11364181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Spring, TX

AIR BAGS

WE WERE DRIVING DOWN A CROWDED HIGHWAY WHEN EVERYTHING ON THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. ALL THE LIGHTS SHUT OFF AND WE LOST POWER STEERING. I HAD TO FIGHT MY WAY OVER THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC WITH NO TURN SIGNALS AND HAD NO POWER STEERING. WHEN THIS HAPPENED WE WERE GOING UPHILL AND AN 18 WHEELER WAS BEHIND US. WE WERE RAPIDLY SLOWING DOWN AND COULD HAVE BEEN HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. WE CAME TO A STOP AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND IT STARTED RIGHT BACK UP. A FEW DAYS LATER MY WIFE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO HER WHILE DRIVING ON A DARK ROADWAY. SHE WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS AROUND HER AT THAT TIME. R03/NHTSA 14V-373. RECALLS GRAND CARAVAN YEARS 2008 TO 2010. MY PROBLEMS SOUND AND LOOK EXACTLY LIKE THIS AND SEEING COMPLAINTS AROUND THE INTERNET IT LOOKS LIKE MANY OTHERS WITH MY YEAR MODEL ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. I THINK THAT RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THE 2012 MODEL YEAR AS WELL.

NHTSA complaint #11315390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 135,000 miles Syracuse, NY

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT STATED THEIR DAUGHTER OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WHEN THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED TO THE OFF POSITION WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR, STARTER, SENSOR REGULATING SYSTEM, AND BATTERY. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIN MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WAS STILL PENDING. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V373000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIRBAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11298440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 118,000 miles Saint John, ME

AIR BAGS

THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD GO ON AND OFF AS I TURNED THE WHEEL STARTED IN 2016 AND NOW DEC 2019 ITS ON ALL THE TIME AND MY HORN DOESN'T WORK AND THERES A CRACK IN THE INTERIOR WHERE THE HORN IS.MY FEAR IS WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEXT COULD THE AIRBAG GO OFF WHILE IM DRIVING ALSO I NEED MY HORN WHERE I WAS OUT DRIVING 35 MINS AGO IN MY CITY A CAR ALMOST SIDE SWEEP ME I TRIED TO HONK THE HORN AND NOTICE I HAD NO HORN I HAD TO THINK FAST AND WENT HALF WAYS INTO THE ON COMING TRAFIC LANE THANKFULY THE LANE WAS EMPTY I DONT BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULDNT HAVE BROKEN

NHTSA complaint #11291562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Sinking Spring, PA

AIR BAGS

EVERY TIME WE START TO VEHICLE AND DRIVE IT FOR A LITTLE BIT THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON DINGS MUST BE A MALFUNCTION USUALLY COMES ON LOW SPEED SOON AFTER WE START

NHTSA complaint #11267183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Leominster, MA

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON ANY TIME

NHTSA complaint #11242050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 83,000 miles Myrtle Beach, SC Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

MY FAMILY AND I WERE INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION AFTER SLIDING ON BLACK ICE ON A HIGHWAY. WE WERE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH AND SLID INTO THE GUARD RAIL, IMPACTING THE PASSENGER FRONT QUARTER PANEL, AND BOUNCED OFF. THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE CAME OFF OF THE RIM FORCING US INTO THE GUARD RAIL A SECOND TIME IMPACTING THE REAR PASSENGER QUARTER PANEL OF THE VEHICLE. WE RICOCHETED OFF, CROSSED TRAFFIC AND CAME TO REST IN THE PASSING LANE BERM OF THE ROAD NEAR THE MEDIAN. WE DID NOT ROLL OVER, BUT BECAUSE OF THE FORCE OF IMPACT, SHOULDN'T THE AIR BAGS HAVE DEPLOYED? SOME OF THE PASSENGERS SUFFERED WHIPLASH AND BROKEN NOSES.

NHTSA complaint #11171206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,200 miles Jackson, NJ

AIR BAGS

I SEND MY VEHICLE TO FREEHOLD DODGE DEALER AFTER MANY DAYS THE DEALER DIDN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE MY VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY AND THE CORPORATE DOESN'T PAY WELL TO THE DEALER I DON'T KNOW WHERE I CAN FILE COMPLAIN

NHTSA complaint #11032199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clanton, AL

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STOKES AUTOMOTIVE LOCATED AT 86 PEACH TOWER RD, CLANTON, AL 35045 (205) 351-4382 TO BE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V376000 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO A THE SERVICE MANGER WHOM INFORMED HIM THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FAILURE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. ...UPDATED 10/23/17 *BF UPDATED 10/27/17

NHTSA complaint #11020541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 34,115 miles Philadelphia, PA

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN AND OTHER UNKNOWN FUNCTIONS OF THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,115.

NHTSA complaint #10766336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooklynn, NY

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. MA 10/16/15 THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAF WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 12/09/15.

NHTSA complaint #10761619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,000 miles Lords Valley, PA

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000. MA 10/22/2015

NHTSA complaint #10758762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Unionville, TN

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V234000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. MA 9/25

NHTSA complaint #10749391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Green BAY, WI

AIR BAGS

THIS MORNING THE FIRST THING I NOTICED WAS THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK. THIS AFTERNOON, I WENT TO A LOCAL HARDWARE STORE, PURCHASED SOME ITEMS THEN WENT TO MY VAN. WHEN OPENING THE DRIVER DOOR, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE IS NO SIGN OF ANY DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. I DID NOTICE THAT WHEN I STARTED THE VAN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN BUT I COULD NOT STOP THEM. WHEN THE WRECKER CAME AND THE CAR WAS STARTED, THE WIPERS DID NOT COME ON BY THEM SELVES AGAIN GLAD THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR WAS MOVING..

NHTSA complaint #10617433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan problems

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