This problem has been intermittent and getting worse. sometimes it happens when we' driving and sometimes when it's parked with the engine off. the engine dies, horns blow, wipers go crazy and lights go on. all you can do is coast to a safe spot, wait for a while ,then restart the van.today as my husband drove to work, the power brakes went out. he was able to stop but it was very hard and dangerous. i don't know if it's related but we have had a problem with the blower for the air conditioner/ heater going out since about 2010. updated 07/03/14 ma updated 07/11/2014 *js
June 2012, while driving the vehicle from a restaurant from dinner, the vehicle suffered a power failure which immediately caused the vehicle to power down while driving on the highway. i was forced to make a best attempt to pull over to the side of the road, which was made difficult by the fact that the brakes were powered by the electrical systems as was the steering. i subsequently called a mechanic who came and checked out the minivan but, no work was performed because when the mechanic arrived, the car started and drove perfectly and all of the voltages for the electrical systems tested okay. a month later, after arriving home and parking my car, i noticed that the cooling fan was still operating although the vehicle has been shut off. i then immediately started the car and did every check possible to make sure that i had not left anything on. after checking under the hood and closing the hood itself, the fan shut off on its on.within a matter of weeks, this same problem began repeating itself and would only stop once the battery ran down. i eventually had the fan relay/starter replaced after a mechanic suggested that this was the issue. i have subsequently found that the fan no longer stays on. however, the vehicle continues to either shut down while driving with no apparent cause and i am still experiencing problems with the vehicle's battery draining, although nothing appears to have been left on. the electrical problems have continued to get worse and increasingly dangerous and i have called several dodge dealerships to speak with mechanics. to generalize, a majority of the mechanics have dealt with other consumers who have experience some or all of the same issues and suggest that the tipm is faulty and that this is a common issue on chrysler and dodge minivans of the same year and being that this is the case that they expect to see a recall issued. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge grand caravan. the contact stated that the brakes had to be replaced prematurely. the rear brakes were originally replaced at 41,000 miles. the contact stated that the brakes failed shortly after the replacement due to the rear calibers not releasing. the failure caused the rear rotors and brake pads to wear prematurely. the dealer advised that the parts needed for the repair were on backorder to the issue being widespread for the make and model. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was not available. the failure and the current mileages were 41,000.
While driving on the freeway, the traffic was very heavy, hence i had to apply the brakes frequently over a distance of approximately 15-20 miles. as a result of overheating of the brake drums, one of the brake calipers 'froze' (i.e. the brake piston stuck in extended position) and created even more overheating and excessive wear on the brake pad and rotors. in extreme cases, this can cause the rotor to lock up with loss of vehicle control. in my opinion, the brakes design is insufficient for the weight of the vehicle. this is confirmed by the fact that chrysler replacement procedure/parts now specify a semi-metallic brake pad, similar to what is often used on race cars to handle the excess heat. *tr
We were driving on the freeway when a strong odor was coming into the vehicle. i pulled off on the next exit ramp to check were the smell was coming from. the back rotor failed (locked up), on the rear drivers side, turning the rotors white hot and causing them to smoke. drove vehicle home after a half hour and vehicle was fine but this keeps occurring for the next two months every time the vehicle is driven over 15 minutes. bring vehicle into dodge dealership and ask why the braking system keeps failing and the told me a tsb has been issued and is a known problem. dealership stated they are having numerous problems with the brakes on this model. they agreed to replace the front brake pads/rotors for $100 but i had to pay to have the rear brakes/rotors replaced. it is now two weeks later and i am having the same problems with the rear brakes !!!!!!!!!!! i have never experienced so many problems with a vehicle as this vehicle. five recalls and various other issues with this poc !!!!!!!!!!! there are numerous complaints about the brakes of this vehicle please google and see for yourself. the brakes on this vehicle need to be recalled before someone is killed.....please look into this issue and have the brakes on this vehicle recalled before someone dies !!!!!!!!!!! i have three children and do not feel safe in this vehicle but like most americans i can not afford to purchase another new vehicle !!!!!!!! this is a major safety issue !!!! i have bailed out dodge twice now and no more.....start protecting the consumer and not corporate america !!!!!!!!!!! thank you !!!!!!!!!!! *js
We have been replacing our brakes every 4 months our mechanic says the braking system for this van was designed too small love the van but will trade in for something more safe we do have 4 children in our van daily and with the brakes wearing out so quickly we don't know when the brakes are gonna go out next...very disappointed there has not been a recall of some sort. *tr
On going problem. i've never had so much trouble with brakes. i change them out atleast twice a year, which in my opinion is crazy. i have had a set replaced for free due to the lifetime warranty on the brakes. i have changed out rotors and all. something needs to be done about this. *tr
I wanted to register a complaint about the brakes on our 2008 dodge grand caravan. they are not designed properly for the vehicle they are on, as they are having to be replaced every 3,000 - 4,000 miles. chrysler knows it is an issue, but they will not offer an effective solution. they blame it on our driving style, but that is not correct. we currently own a ford taurus which is driven more than the van, and the brakes last 40,000 miles plus. we have owned 10-15 cars in our driving life, and they all have the brakes replaced around 40,000 miles. the caravan also has to have the rear brakes changed quite often, which typically only happens 1 time in the 100,000 mile life of our other cars. i did a google search for "brake life expectancy", and the third link pulled up was the following forum where many other drivers have complained about the same issue. http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f1bbe4a just wanted to pass along my concerns. thanks!! *tr
Purchased used 2008 grand caravan 2/12/10 with 29,695 miles, all four rotors and pads needed to be replaced by 39,471 miles on 03/23/11. now at 52,500 miles and 10/10/12 all rotors and pads need to be replaced again. brakes should not wear like this. dodge is aware of the problem and does nothing. *tr
We purchased vehicle with @ 15k miles in may 2010 - in january 2011 at @ 30k miles we had to replace the brakes and rotors the whole way around. i spoke with 3 mechanics who 1) said rotors at this low mileage was unheard of and 2) this was a known problem with dodge grand caravans. then, just 3 weeks ago, at 55513 miles, my left front axle / cv joint snapped. from (plenty of) online research, i learned 2 things - 1) this break should not occur in a vehicle so new and 2) all 2008 chrysler / dodge vehicles are known for this! in fact there was a recall in 08 for a lot of vehicles (not the caravan) for just this! when i called chrysler/dodge - they first said that this wasn't a part of the powertrain warranty (um, it's an axle!!! attached to the drive shaft) and second - if i was the original owner, it'd be covered, but since i'm not, it wasn't. this was a $500 repair job. 2 weeks later!!!!!!! at @ 56000 miles, i started having front end problems again - back to the garage - this time, i'm surprised with the fact that i need brakes and rotors the whole way around again. and, abs sensors, a new caliper and brake hoses. new brakes - again?!?!? here comes the online research again... i found a website (carcomplaints.com) that had 1027!!! entries from 08 grand caravan users that have had to repair or replace their brakes and rotors at an average of every 10000 miles - that is not normal! *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge grand caravan. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal noise emitted from the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the caliper was jammed on the rotor. as a result, both needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred on two other occasions. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 80,000.
We are having to replace our brake pads and rotors and calipers way too often!! it started in 9-2010 and just continues to guess worse. we have taken the van to the dealership for some of the repairs and my husband who is a mechanic and has done some of the repairs himself. either way this is a serious design flaw on chrysler part and they need to step up and protect their loyal customers and our families!!! hello chrysler-most of us who have a mini van do so because we drive our children in them!!! unfortunately for our family who lives paycheck to paycheck we did not know about the brakes issues on these 2008 models until about a week ago when we were researching what could keep going wrong with our brakes. i have driven chrysler vehicles most of my life and suffered thru the "mini van transmission issues" on 2 of those but they were older models and years ago so we thought we would be safe from those issues when we purchased our "used" 2008 van but instead we just traded those problems for brake issues!!! i hate to say this because we have been long long long time chrysler buyers, but no more~~~~~we have had this van since 2009 and never heard of this problem until i discover this web site, so cudos and thank you very much nhtsa!!!!! buyer beware!!!! *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge grand caravan. the contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph with the brakes engaged, burning fumes were emitted into the cabin and the vehicle started making a loud grinding nosie. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front and rear brakes and rotors needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired. the contact stated that the failure reccurred approximately 8 times in the last 3 years. the manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. the failure mileage was 68,000 and the current mileage was 116,000.
I have replaced brake pads and rotors 3 times in the last three years and i now have to bring in my van to have brake pads and rotors replaced yet again. chrysler says they don't have an issue, however they have numerous complaints on the web plus they did one recall where all they did was replace the pads. they would not replace pads on my van since i had already done so. the pads had been replaced once before i purchased the van also. i have about 80,000 miles on my van and this will be the fifth or sixth set of brake pads on this van. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge grand caravan. while driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle began to shake as the contact was depressing the brake pedal. the contact noticed the brakes would hesitate to respond and there was also a burning smell present. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. the technician replaced the front brakes, the hubs, the wheel bearings and the tie rod. after the repairs the contact noticed that the rear brakes would hesitate to respond. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostics. the mechanic advised the contact that the brake pads and rotors would have to be replaced due to excessive corrosion and pitting. the vehicle was repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 57,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge grand caravan. the contact stated that the vehicle experienced numerous brake failures. the front and rear brake pads and rotors were replaced several times however, the failure was not corrected. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for routine maintenance and the dealer advised that the rear brakes were not releasing. in addition, the rear brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 26,000 and the current mileage was 66,000.
I have to have my brake pads and rotors replaced many times. i just had new pads put on in july 2012 and will need new pads again in december 2012. my pads don't even last a year. this is very unsafe as the brakes start to deteriorate so rapidly i need to have them checked every three months during an oil change. *tr
Heavy vibration coming from front brakes when braking from highway speed. squealing in rear brakes also. had to replace all 4 rotors and all pads. we are now at 95,000 miles and currently on the 4th set of rotors and pads both front and rear for the same problems every time. each set of rotors and pads only lasted about 20,000 miles. each time the problem happened we took it to the dodge dealer and were told all 4 rotors needed replacement as well as all pads at all 4 corners. the very first set was replaced free of charge for some reason, but every set of rotors and pads after that was out of pocket cost for me. this is excessive at best. *tr
Purchased new 2008 grand caravan. brakes started squealing at 18,000 miles, had dealer check and they said all was ok. at 37,500 miles, brakes failed. called dodge dealer who advised that warranty extended by dodge to 36000 miles had expired. i had brakes rebuilt at local master mechanic, who also found 2 faulty wheel bearings. cost was over $1,000. i contacted chrysler corp who agreed to pay 1/2 of the repair bill. since then we have had the brakes replaced 2 additional times, calipers stick heating up the wheel constantly. we finally traded in this vehicle 2 weeks ago, our 4th new and last dodge product. the brakes are underengineered on this vehicle. ps: the original dodge dealer told me that chrysler said if any vans come in under 36,000 mi to repair them at no charge but no recall was issued. the mfg warranty on brakes is 12,000 miles. 37500 miles on original sealed wheel bearings is unacceptable. also unacceptable is a brake system that cannot be relied on. *js
The brake system on this van is a constant problem and is costing us thousands of dollars in repairs. the brake system on this van is running very hot even on cold days. the brake pads and rotors fail prematurely and the wheel hubs fail from constantly overheating. the abs starts feeding too much pressure to the wheel calipers and causes the brake pads to constantly touch the rotors which creates excessive brake pad and rotor wear as well a overheating of the grease in the wheel hubs which causes them to fail. nobody should have to replace brakes every 7,000 to 10,000 miles. this is a factory defect in the design and chrysler is not going to do anything about it because it will cost them too much money.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge grand caravan. while driving at an unknown speed, the brakes made an abnormal noise when engaged. the failure recurred numerous times. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake pads, rotors, and calipers failed and needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. the brakes, brake pads, and rotors were repaired seven times and the failure recurred intermittently. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was approximately 12,500.
I purchased my van in march of 2009 from lee chrysler. it was a one owner with some warranty left on it. a week or two, maybe less my husband and i had problems with the keyless entry keys not opening the van. after several trips to the dealership that problem was resolved. from that time on, every few months there was another problem. i have all the documentation, as to when all the work was done and what. when i purchased the van the previous owners had already replaced the brakes and starter. i found this out when i had to replace the brakes october 2011 and the starter in the spring of 2012. since these items were under warranty in 2008, the first time they were replaced, i think it was the dealerships place to tell me that this work had been done. in july 2013 the ignition stopped working and i had to have it replaced. lee chrysler doesn't have cars to loan, i had to rent one at my expense. they ordered and repaired the ignition, then my keys would not program to the new ignition, so i had to wait, paying for the rental another 3 days for them to order new keys, at my expense. the company should have know that old keys, the type i have, would not program to a new ignition. this is just the things that i have receipts for. the recalls i don't have all of them, but you have that list. i think since the company sold me a bad van in the beginning that they should help me get into a vehicle i could afford to replace this one. ok i know you say why didn't i contact you or someone before now. i did write to chrysler co. in 2010 and they said they were sorry i was unhappy with my van, but there wasn't anything they could do. i also sent them a e-mail. they will not do anything, my van only has 70,000 miles on it. thank you for your time.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge grand caravan. the contact stated that the brakes were prematurely wearing and malfunctioned without warning. in addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was taken into the dealer for nhtsa campaign numbers: 14v373000 (air bags, electrical system), 11v394000 (air bags , equipment) and 10v611000 (equipment); however, the parts needed were not available for repair. the manufacturer was made aware of failure. the vehicle was repaired; however, the brake failure persisted. the failure mileage was 120,000. the vin was not available.
We bought this van new in april of 2008 and in august 2008 and with 16,000 miles i had to replace the brake rotors pads and one caliper. then two months later i had to replace the rear brakes which included the rotors, pads, and calipers. in late 2009 i have to replace both front and back brake systems do to failure. now it is september of 2014 and after replacing the brakes on both front and back axles 5 times there needing to be replaced again. i have taken the van to our local dodge dealer and was told it's just hard driving. i had to replace the rear evaporator at 89,000 along with rubber heater lines that you can only buy as a set at over $120.00. now the right rear door can only be opened from the inside and the door locks only work sometimes. went out 09-17-14 to move the van to my garage to work on it and all of the lights went out and the horn went off along with the wipers and wiper fluid pump. how long before someone is killed before they fix these issues. this is my last chrysler product after owning 5 good ones. this is do to there inability or negligence in fixing these problems. *tr