Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge grand caravan. While driving at approximately 10 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and became stuck causing the vehicle to increase in speed. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,700. Updated 3/13/15 *cn
2012 Dodge Grand Caravan cruise control problems
severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
3crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 13 cruise control complaints filed for the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 8 model years of Dodge Grand Caravan we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 13.
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2012 Grand Caravan has a documented history of unintended acceleration and stuck accelerator pedals that dealers struggle to diagnose or fix, creating serious safety hazards. If you're considering this model, expect potential throttle control issues across a wide mileage range and be aware that dealer diagnostics may be inconclusive.
Owners of the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan report a pattern of unintended acceleration and throttle control failures that occur unpredictably from parking lot speeds to highway speeds. The vehicle accelerates hard on its own, sometimes reaching 80+ mph or 5,000+ RPM, without the driver depressing the accelerator. These events happen while parked, at traffic lights, during merges, and even with cruise control engaged. Applying the brake temporarily stops the surge, but acceleration resumes the moment the brake is released.
In other cases, the gas pedal itself becomes stuck in a depressed or open-throttle position. Owners report having to physically pull or press the pedal to unstick it and regain control. Some note they had to stand hard on the brake or manually manipulate the pedal—one owner even had to reach under the pedal while driving 90 mph on a busy highway to regain control.
Electronic throttle control (ETC) warning lamps illuminate in some cases, and diagnostic code P2138 (accelerator pedal position sensor) appears in at least one repair attempt. Most owners who took vehicles to dealers report that technicians could not reproduce the problem or found no fault. One dealer initially quoted over $300 for ETC repair; another could not diagnose at all. The failures occur as early as 13,000 miles and as late as 110,000+ miles, sometimes recurring months or years apart. Temporary relief comes only by turning the engine off and restarting.
Same Dodge Grand Caravan cruise control reports on nearby years: 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended Acceleration—Vehicle Accelerates on Its Own
Engine suddenly accelerates hard without driver depressing the accelerator pedal, or accelerates beyond what the driver intended. Occurs at low speeds during parking/stopping, at highway speeds with cruise control on, and after releasing the brake at traffic lights. In some cases, stepping on the brake temporarily stops the acceleration, but it resumes when the brake is released.
When: Low mileage (13,000–20,900 mi) through high mileage (110,000+ mi); occurs unpredictably at any speed from slow parking maneuvers to 65+ mph highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Engine surges hard, vehicle lurches forward unexpectedly; Vehicle accelerates to 80+ mph or 5,000+ RPM without driver input; Acceleration stops only when brake is applied; resumes when released; Occurs while parked, merging, at traffic lights, on highway with cruise control; Dealer unable to reproduce or diagnose the failure
Codes mentioned: P2138
Repairs/costs cited: One owner paid $100 (after dealer goodwill discount; repair cost was originally $300+) for accelerator pedal position sensor replacement under electronic throttle control repair. Most owners report dealers could not diagnose or repair the issue.
Accelerator Pedal Stuck—Pedal Does Not Return or Release
Gas pedal becomes stuck in a depressed position or stuck open in throttle, preventing the driver from releasing throttle control. Physical manipulation of the pedal (pulling up on it, pressing it further) is sometimes required to unstick it.
When: Mileage range from 38,000 to 75,500 miles; occurs while accelerating on highway and during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Gas pedal stuck and unable to return to idle; Pedal stuck in fully depressed/open throttle position; Requires manual pulling or pressing of pedal to release and regain control; Floor mat checked and confirmed not to be the cause; Failure may recur multiple times
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs reported; owners used manual pedal manipulation to restore control. One dealer inspection found no diagnosis available.
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Malfunction
Electronic throttle control system fails to manage engine acceleration properly, causing independent speed increases without driver input. Vehicle continues to accelerate even after cruise control is disengaged or accelerator pedal is released. ETC warning lamp may illuminate.
When: Low mileage (13,000 mi) and mid-range mileage (38,000–120,000 mi); can recur months or years apart
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates independently without foot on accelerator; ETC warning lamp illuminates; Acceleration continues after cruise control is disengaged; Acceleration resumes immediately after brake is released; Temporary fix: turn vehicle off for 10 minutes, then restart operates normally until failure recurs
Codes mentioned: P2138
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in narratives. Temporary workaround: shut off engine, wait, and restart.
Cruise Control Failure—Stops Functioning
Cruise control ceases to operate. One complaint notes cruise control stopped working in conjunction with ABS and traction control light activation.
When: Approximately 60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control will no longer engage or function
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 37,000 and 116,312 miles, with the median around 59,700. A quarter of owners report trouble before 37,000; a quarter make it past 116,312. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Dodge/Grand Caravan.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.