2008 Dodge Caravan

Above average

Owners filed 302 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
65,000 milesMedian miles at failure

222 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System122
150
Air Bags36
506
Service Brakes, Hydraulic34
010
Service Brakes14
100
Engine12
100
Unknown or Other8
000
Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems7
000
Power Train5
000
Visibility/Wiper4
000
Service Brakes, Electric4
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Suspension › Rear10V164000
Filed Apr 23, 2010834 vehiclesBraun Corporation

Defect. THE BRAUN CORPORATION IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE CARAVAN MOBILITY CONVERSIONS WHICH WERE ALTERED BY BRAUN BETWEEN JANUARY 21, 2009 AND MARCH 19, 2010. DURING CONVERSION, THE CHASSIS WAS RAISED AND THE FLOOR WAS LOWERED TO ACCOMMODATE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES. IN RAISING THE CHASSIS, THE REAR SPRING HATS COME INTO CLOSER PROXIMITY TO THE REAR TIRES. IN ROUGH OR AGGRESSIVE DRIVING SITUATIONS THE TIRES MAY INTERMITTENTLY CONTACT THE REAR SPRING HATS.

Risk. CONTACT BETWEEN THE TIRE SPRING HAT MAY WEAR A HOLE IN THE TIRE OVER TIME. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL IN THE EVENT OF TIRE PRESSURE LOSS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. BRAUN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BRAUN TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-488-0359.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap10V148000
Filed Apr 13, 2010843 vehiclesBraun Corporation

Defect. THE BRAUN CORPORATION IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE CARAVAN COMMERCIAL ENTERVANS WHICH WERE ALTERED BY BRAUN BETWEEN JANUARY 21, 2009 AND MARCH 19, 2010. DURING CONVERSION, THE CHASSIS WAS RAISED AND THE FLOOR WAS LOWERED TO ACCOMMODATE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES. IN RAISING THE CHASSIS, THE FUEL FILL PIPE COMES INTO CLOSER PROXIMITY TO THE LEFT REAR TIRE. IN ROUGH OR AGGRESSIVE DRIVING SITUATIONS, THE TIRE MAY INTERMITTENTLY CONTACT THE FUEL FILL PIPE.

Risk. CONTACT BETWEEN THE TIRE AND FUEL FILL PIPE MAY WEAR A HOLE IN ONE OR THE OTHER COMPONENTS OVER TIME. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL IN THE EVENT OF TIRE PRESSURE LOSS, OR A VEHICLE FIRE IN THE EVENT THE FUEL PIPE IS COMPROMISED.

Remedy. BRAUN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BRAUN TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-488-0359.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Jun 29, 2023IL

The van lunges the shuts off while driving happens any time any place, just had the crankshaft position sensor following the codes it was showing, and it still does it.

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed May 23, 2023200,000 milesWI

The contact owned a 2008 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, an unknown Toyota Minivan entered his driving route and crashed into the vehicle. The driver sustained injuries to his back, neck, and feet and bruising. Medical attention was provided. The passenger sustained injuries to his neck, back, and shoulder, and medical attention was provided. A police report was filed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to his resident. The air bags did not deploy. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. The VIN was not available.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Oct 25, 2022OH

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that the headlights appeared hazy and clogged. Additionally, the contact stated that the headlight failed to illuminate and provide proper illumination while driving. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 11, 2022MI

The problems we are experiencing is the airbag indicator light keeps coming on and off dinging every time it comes on. The other issue we have experienced is the engine is in need of repair but the check engine light does not come on to let mechanics find the problem. However once every three months the light will come in but once vehicle is turned off the light goes off never to come back on until the next time a few months later. The check engine light issue has been going on for two years.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 25, 2021180,970 milesNC

STARTED THE VEHICLE ONE MORNING AND DROVE UP TO A STOP SIGN. I WAS IN A CITY STREET MAKING A LEFT TURN. SAW CLEAR FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS OF ANY TRAFFIC.ACCELERATED AND THE BAS,ESP LIGHT, AND TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON. AT THIS POINT THE VEHICLE WANTED TO STALL, LOST POWER, AND STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT. STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND ACCELERATED AGAIN TO ABOUT 20 MPH AND THE VEHICLE REPEATED THE STALLING AND HESITATED TO ACCELERATE, ONCE ABOVE 30 MPH ALL LIGHTS CONTINUED ON AND THE VEHICLE KEPT DRIVING ACCORDINGLY. EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED UP AND DROVE FROM THAT DATE OF JAN.26,2021 THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONING CONTINUES. I FIND THIS TO BE A SEVERE MECHANICAL PROBLEM AND A DANGER TO ME, MY FAMILY, AND THE PUBLIC.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 30, 2020120,000 milesOH

HEADLIGHTS TURNING OFF DURING ANY DRIVING ,STATIONARY,CITY HIGHWAY NIGHT DAY RAIN COLD WARM ALL THE ABOVE ANTIME ANY CONDITION.FLICKERING SOMETIMES STAYING OFF MOST OF THE TIME NEED TO HOLD PASSING FLASH BRIGHTS ON TO STILL ATLEAST HAVE LIGHT SOMETIMES DOSENT WORK ALL THE TIME. MONTHS NOW.

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 3, 202050,000 milesPA

I HAVE HAD MY DODGE 2008 CARAVAN FOR SOMETIME. WAS ORIGINALLY TAKEN FOR REPAIRS TO THE SLIDING DOOR RECALL.

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 3, 202050,000 milesPA

ORIGINALLY HAD TAKEN CAR IN FOR RECALL. THE RECALL WAS FOR BOTH DOORS. THE DEALER HAD DELIVERED THE CAR AND TOLD ME I WOULD BE CONTACTED FOR REPAIR ON THE PASSENGER DOOR ONCE THE PARTS WERE IN STOCK. AFTER MONTHS OF WAITING I FINALLY CONTACTED THEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS WERE IN STOCK. I MADE THE APPOINTMENT AND WHEN I WAS SET TO DROP OFF THE VAN I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS GOING TO BE CHARGED BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN PUT IN AS COMPLETE IN THE DEALERS RECORDS BUT SHOWED PARTS NOT INSTALLED. I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT DODGE AND LEFT THE VAN THERE OVERNIGHT. THE NEXT DAY I SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THE PHONE TO GET THE RUNAROUND WITH DODGE. I PICKED UP THE CAR AND DIDN'T HAVE THE REPAIR DONE. MY FAMILY HAS USED THE VAN EVER SINCE. I HAVE ALWAYS PUT OFF REPAIRING IT BECAUSE IT WAS A RECALL THAT BROKE DOWN AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL VERBATIM AND IS A HAZARD FOR MULTIPLE REASONS AND I WOULD BLAME DODGE DIRECTLY IF ANYTHING WERE TO HAPPEN. I HAVE CONTACTED THEM SEVERAL TIMES THROUGH OUT THE LAST FEW YEARS TRYING TO RECTIFY THIS EGREGIOUS SITUATION. I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECORDS INDICATE ONLY ONE SIDE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER THE RECALL STILL TO THIS DAY SHOWS COMPLETE. I TAKE PRIDE IN BUYING AND MAINTAINING AN 'AMERICAN MADE' PRODUCT AND WOULD HAVE FIXED THIS SEVERAL TIMES OVER HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR PRINCIPLE. DODGE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE CONCERNED FOR A CUSTOMER WHO IS A FAMILY MAN. I PROTECT MY FAMILY WITH MY OWN LIFE. IT IS DIFFICULT TO ONLY USE ONE DOOR WHEN PARKING ON A BUSY STREET WITH 2-5 CHILDREN W

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Sep 22, 2020188,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY PARKED WHEN A NEIGHBOR NOTIFIED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WENT UP IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE REPORT WERE MADE FILED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTALED LOSS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V235000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. NO DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 188,000.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jan 28, 2020175,454 milesNY

ALL GAGES ARE FLASHING WITH A BINGING SOUND ALL GAGES ARE JUMPING AND TURNING SIGNALS ONLY WORK WHEN THEY WANT WHILE PARKED AND DRIVING. ALSO DRIVER SIDE WINDOW BUTTONS AND LOCKS ARE NOT WORKING.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 28, 2019163,876 milesNC

TIPM HAS FAILED STUCK IN LIMP MODE. CAUSED ENGINE LIGHT FUEL ISSUES AND STALLING

Electrical System
Filed Jul 9, 2019120,000 milesMO

THE 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IS A LAWSUIT WAITING TO HAPPEN IT SOMES WITH TOO MANY PROBLEMS THAT I BELIEVE THE CREATORS IF THIS VEHICLE KNEW ABOUT BUT PUT OUT FOR PRODUCTION ANY HOW FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY. TOO MANY LIVES ARE PUT AT RISK. IM REQUESTING A BRAND NEW CAR MY VHEICLE HAS ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT SHOULD NOT BE COMMON, IGNITION ISSUES TURN THE KEY, CAR STALLING, SLIDING DOOR ISSUES YOU WOULD THINK A GHOST IS TOILING WITH YOU ITS TERRIBLE, I DEMAND SOME HELP MY CAR WONT START DUE TO ELECTRICAL CONCERNS THAT I DIDNT CAUSE I TOOK GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLE BUT YET IT STILL FAILS. THIS CAR STALLED AND STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY, WOULDNT START ON CERTAIN OCCASIONS ITS SCARY

Electrical SystemFire
Filed May 23, 2019118,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE REAR MODULE IGNITED AND MELTED. AS A RESULT, ALL THE CONNECTING WIRES WERE DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST AND SUGGESTED THE VEHICLE BE SEEN BY A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN TO THE DEALER MILFORD CHRYSLER SALES (500 US-209, MILFORD, PA 18337 (570) 409-4046) AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE INSURANCE COMPANY USAA. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WENT TO THE DEALER, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND THEN DEEMED THE VEHICLE AS A TOTAL LOSS. THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000. *DT ATTACHED IS THE AUDIO.*JB *DT(7/30/19)*JB

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 9, 2019175,000 milesMI

TRAVELING 55 DOWN HIGHWAY SUDDENLY BRAKE ENGAGES AND BRAKE CAME UP ON DASH BOARD.BRAKE STAYS ON FOR A MINUTE OR SO THEN NOTICE THAT IT SOUNDS AS IF I AM OVER REVVING ENGINE. WHEN I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER I DID SO PUT IN PARK FOR A MINUTE WENT AGAIN AS SOON AS I REACHED OVER 35 IT STILL SOUNDED AS IF I WAS OVER REVVING ENGINE. WHEN I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER AGAIN I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AT THIS TIME THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS START GOING AND THE HORN IS SOUNDING OFF. I THEN GOT OUT DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY WAITED FOR 5 MINITES RECONNECTED. I THEN PRECEDED TO GO AGAIN AND STILL SOUNDED AS IF I WAS REVVING ENGINE PUT 4 WAYS ON AND PRECEEDED HOME AT 25 MILES AN HOUR ON A SECONDARY ROAD. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL OTHER TIMES WHEN TAKEN IN TO THE DEALER THEY COULD NOT FIND ISSUE THIS WAS WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE IT OUT.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Dec 6, 2018118,000 milesID

I WAS DRIVING EASTBOUND ON A CITY ROAD AT 30MPH. FROM THE NORTH, MY DRIVER SIDE A TRUCK RAN A STOP SIGN AS I WAS GOING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND MY VEHICLE STRUCK HIS CRUMPLING THE FRONT END OF MY VAN. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. WHILE MORE DAMAGE WAS DONE ON THE DRIVER SIDE THE ENTIRE FRONT WAS SMASHED BACKWARDS AND HIS VEHICLE HAD SPUN AND ALSO STRUCK THE PASSENGER SIDE BEHIND THE FRONT TIRE.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Sep 16, 2018104,000 milesCT

JUST RESOLVED AN IGNITION RECALL PROBLEM ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS WITH INDEPENDENT WIPERS GOING OFF, HORN GOING OFF,VEHICLE STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND DOORS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING..DODGE REPLACED IGNITION AND WIN MODULE BUT PROBLEM BEGAN WHEN I TRIED USING AC OR HEATER..I JUST BROUGHT THE CAR 2 MONTHS AGO AND IT HAS STALLED ON HGIHWAY 3 TIMES AND ON THE ROAD NUMEROUS TIMES. IM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON BUT GOES OUT INTERMITENTLY. SOUNDS LIKE THE ITPM PROBLEM EVERYONE IS HAVING ..CANT AFFORD ANOTHER 2000 DOLLARS TO FIX

Electrical System
Filed Jul 26, 2018IA

IGNITION SWITCHE WAS REPLACED ON A RECALL. BUT NOW THIS IGNITIN SWITCHES IS NOT WORKING RIGHT. SOME TIMES THE VAN WILL NOT START. I HAD IT CHECK OUT AND ITS THE IGNITION SWITCHE THAT WAS REPLACED ON MY CAR BECAUSE OF THE RECALL. WHAT DO I DO NOW TO GET THIS REPLACED AGAIN. THE VAN MAY SHUT OFF WHEN DRIVING.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 5, 2018100,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE KEY FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE'S ALARM WOULD AUTOMATICALLY SOUND WITH NO INTRUSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GINN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP (5190 US-278, COVINGTON, GA 30014) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Electrical System
Filed May 31, 2018MO

MY HEADLIGHTS ARE FLICKERING I SEE MANY CAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TIPM RELAY AND WANT IT FIXED UNDER THE RECALL I COULD HAVE HAD A CAR ACCIDENT THIS ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED

Electrical SystemCrash
Filed Dec 3, 2017158,000 milesNY

WAS DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT WHEN RANDOMLY MY LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, HORN STARTED BLARING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED GOING OFF, WASHER FLUID WAS SPRAYING EVERYWHERE. LOCKS WERE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING. I ENDED UP DRIVING INTO SOMEONE'S LAWN AS I COULD NOT SEE PROPERLY WITH POOR LIGHTING AND ALL THE DISTRACTIONS. ONCE I GOT HOME THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO BE POSSESSED EVEN WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET EVERYTHING TO STOP AFTER UNPLUGGING THE BATTERY. UPON INTERNET RESEARCH IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG TO REALIZE IT WAS TIPM FUSE BOX ISSUE, I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME BOX HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. I HAVE GONE TO THE JUNKYARD 3 TIMES AND GRABBED A USED TIPM FUSE BOX REPLACEMENT. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. SECOND REPLACEMENT THERE WAS A LOT OF TROUBLE LIGHTS ON THE DASH AND THE ODOMETER DID NOT WORK. WITH MY MOST RECENT REPLACEMENT THE HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK. SO INCLUDING MY ORIGINAL TIPM , THAT'S 4 FAULTY TIPMS. DO YOU NOTICE A PROBLEM OR PATTERN HERE?

20 of 302 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1996
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20171100Routine
20162000Routine
201523000Routine
201420000Routine
201330010Routine
201287030Routine
201178010Routine
2010172260Routine
2009118230Routine
2008 — this page302260Above average
200781411Fatalities reported
2006173620Routine
2005537900Above average
200465830Routine
2003195951Fatalities reported
200224510111Fatalities reported
20012571031Fatalities reported
20004701354Fatalities reported
199955514140Above average
199862914231Fatalities reported
199771415374Fatalities reported
19961,40318479Fatalities reported
1995489470High concern
1994644563Fatalities reported
19939491071Fatalities reported
199291311133Fatalities reported
199161711121Fatalities reported
1990278671Fatalities reported

Compare every Caravan year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 23, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.