Recall 12V191 covers 471 2012 Chrysler Town And Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans for faulty liftgate pinch sensors. Free repair at any franchised Chrysler dealer.
Chrysler is recalling 471 2012 Town And Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans because the right-side liftgate pinch sensor does not work properly. The power liftgate can close on a person's hand or arm, increasing injury risk, and the dealer repair will be free once Chrysler makes it available.
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What's wrong?
On the 2012 Town And Country and Grand Caravan, the right-side liftgate pinch sensor is part of the power liftgate system. Its job is to detect resistance at the edge of the liftgate while it is closing and tell the system to stop before the gate keeps pressing against an object or body part.
In this Chrysler recall, that right-side sensor does not function properly during the final closing stages. The liftgate still moves under power, but the sensor does not respond as designed when resistance is applied. As a result, more force is needed to stop the liftgate near the end of its travel.
There is no warning sign before failure. The liftgate can open and close normally, so the problem shows up only when something presses against the right side as the gate finishes closing.
Who's affected?
This recall is scoped to two related minivan nameplates under the same Equipment component category.
| 2012 Chrysler Town And Country | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan | Equipment |
| Units affected | 471 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific minivan is included.
What's the safety risk?
A power liftgate that closes on an arm, hand, or other appendage increases the risk of injury. Keep hands, children, and cargo clear of the liftgate path, and schedule the recall inspection so the right-side pinch sensors are checked and replaced if needed. Repair will be free at any franchised Chrysler dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Chrysler Town And Country or Dodge Grand Caravan is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Chrysler dealer and ask about recall number 12V191.
- Schedule the right-side liftgate pinch-sensor inspection and replacement, which fixes the power-liftgate sensor that fails to stop the door with normal force.
- Bring the recall notice if Chrysler sent one. If not, reference recall number 12V191 when you call.
- Keep hands, arms, and cargo clear of the power liftgate until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Chrysler technician inspects the right side liftgate pinch sensors and replaces them if they do not function properly. The work addresses the sensor that stops the power liftgate during the final closing stages. The dealer repair will be free once available. Ask the service desk to confirm the repair applies to your VIN before the vehicle is written up.
Timeline
| May 2, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 18, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V191?
Recall 12V191 covers 471 2012 Chrysler Town And Country and Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles with a right-side liftgate pinch sensor that does not function properly. The power liftgate door can close on an arm, hand, or other appendage, increasing injury risk. Chrysler dealers will inspect and replace the sensor for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Chrysler Town And Country or Dodge Grand Caravan is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 12V191. If it is, contact a franchised Chrysler dealer to schedule the liftgate pinch sensor inspection and replacement. Reference recall number 12V191 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Chrysler says dealers will inspect and replace the right-side liftgate pinch sensor free of charge. The safety recall began on May 18, 2012.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is injury from the power liftgate closing during its final closing stages. If the right-side pinch sensor does not work properly, increased force is required to stop the liftgate, and it can close on an appendage.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2012 Chrysler Town And Country or Dodge Grand Caravan is included, then call a franchised Chrysler dealer with recall number 12V191.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V191000 |
|---|---|
| Chrysler customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V191 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V191000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →