2008 Dodge Grand Caravan complaints

I HAVE 44,000 MILES ON VEHICLE AND ON 3RD SET OF FRONT BRAKES WITH NEW ROTORS. ROTORS WERE TURNED AND BRAKES REPLACED AT 26,000 MILES AS WELL. THIS SEEMS EXCESSIVE AND REPAIR TECH SUGGESTED I INVESTIGATE RECALLS/COMPLAINTS ON THIS, OF WHICH THERE SEEM TO BE OVER 100. *TR

BAD OR INFERIOR BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR 2008 CARAVAN. AT 13,788 MILES IT BEGAN SQUEALING (KIND OF LIKE A SQUEAKING HAMSTER WHEEL) IN FRONT (LEFT) BUT SOMETIMES THE RIGHT FRONT. TOOK CAR SEVERAL TIMES, THEY FINALLY VERIFIED IT THERE WAS A NOISE AT 21,000 MILES AND COULD NOT FIND IT BUT RECOMMENDED PADS AND ROTORS ALTHOUGH THE FRONTS WERE JUST GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE THEY NEEDED REPLACEMENT. REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS, KEPT SQUEALING TOOK CAR ABOUT 6 TIMES TO MIDAS AND A FEW MORE TIMES TO CHRYSLER. NOW THE RIGHT FRONT OR RIGHT REAR? PASSENGER SIDE IS GRINDING AT 30K MILES. WE'RE AFRAID IT IS THE DRUM. THIS BEGAN AND HAS BEEN OFF AND ON FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS (TODAY'S DATE IS 3/17/10. I HAVE NEVER HAD PROBLEMS LIKE THIS BEFORE WITH BRAKES. THE MINIVANS I BOUGHT IN 1993 LASTED 63K UNTIL I NEEDED NEW PADS AND ONE I PURCHASED LATER AND AT 43K WHEN I TURNED IN ONE IN 2000 THERE WERE STILL NO ISSUES. *TR

AT LESS THEN 50K ON A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN, THE BACK ROTORS ARE COMPLETELY GONE AGAIN. WHEN WILL DODGE OR THE GOVERNMENT DO SOMETHING FOR US, THE CONSUMERS? SOMEONE WILL GET HURT OR KILLED SOON IF THIS IS NOT FIXED. *TR

THREE OF THE FOUR TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SENSORS (TPMS) VALVE STEMS HAVE FAILED ON MY 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. TWO OF THEM FAILED IN OCTOBER 2009 AND ONE IN JANUARY 2010, ALL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ADD AIR. ALL TIRES IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL AIR. THE VALVE STEM HOUSING (THREADED PORTION) SNAPPED OFF. THE THREE TPMSS WERE REPLACED BY THE LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP. BECAUSE I BELIEVED THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, I REQUESTED THAT THE FORTH TPMS BE REPLACED, HOWEVER, THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND CHRYSLER HQ CUSTOMER SERVICE ADAMANTLY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE REMAINING ONE. IF THE VALVE STEM WERE TO BREAK OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE RESULTS COULD BE DISASTROUS, AS THE TIRE WOULD RAPIDLY DEFLATE. *TR

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN BRAKES AND ROTORS ARE OF POOR QUALITY. EVERY 6 TO 9 MONTHS THE FRONT ROTORS/PADS HAVE BEEN RESURFACED/CUT OR REPLACED. I HAVE 27,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THE FRONT ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES AND REAR ONCE ALREADY. THE DEALERS ADMIT THAT CHRYSLER HAS PLACED "THIN" AND POOR QUALITY ROTORS CAUSING SIGNIFICANT PULSATION. THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN SHAKES AND REDUCES BRAKING PERFORMANCE MAKING FOR AN UNSAFE SITUATION ESPECIALLY IN RAIN AND ADVERSE WEATHER AND TRAFFIC. IT IS ALSO INCONVENIENT AND COSTLY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED SO OFTEN. *TR

1.) STANDARD DRIVING CITY AND HIGHWAY NOTICED SQUEALING COUPLE DAYS AGO 2.) AT 22,000 MILE OUR VAN HAS NO PAD AND ROTOR IS DEFECTIVE ON PASSENGER SIDE, AND DRIVER SIDE BRAKES PADS ARE WORN BUT ROTOR SHOWING SIGNS OF WEAR. 3.) WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE BRAKES. *TR

TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SENSOR FAILURES IN THREE 2008 & 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVANS. THE VALVE STEM ON THE TPMS SNAPS OFF AT THE THREADED PORTION, CAUSING A RAPID DEFLATION OF THE TIRE. THIS OCCURS WHEN DRIVING ON SNOWY OR SLUSHY ROADS, OR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE VALVE STEM COVER. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON THREE FLEET VEHICLES OVER THE LAST TWO MONTHS. ALL THREE VEHICLES REQUIRED PURCHASE OF NEW OEM TPMS AND REPROGRAMMING OF THE NEW TPMS BY THE DEALER. TWO VEHICLES REQUIRED TOWING DUE TO UNSAFE LOCATION AT TIME OF FAILURE. ONE VEHICLE ALSO REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF BRAND NEW TIRE THAT WAS DESTROYED AT TIME OF RAPID DEFLATION. *TR

I NOTICED A LOUD GRINDING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. CAR WAS INSPECTED AT DEALER AND FOUND TO HAVE COMPLETELY WORN OUT BRAKES AND DAMAGED ROTORS AS A RESULT OF METAL TO METAL CONTACT. REPAIR COSTS ARE $230. DEALER STATES THIS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT IS PREMATURE BRAKE AND ROTOR WEAR. VEHICLE IS ONLY 14 MONTHS OLD WITH 16,000 MILES. *TR

PREMATURE BRAKE FAILURE AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT 22,000 MILES ON NEW 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. *TR

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN BRAKES WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW. AT 26,000 MILES OUR VEHICLE REQUIRES NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO VALVE STEMS HAVE FAILED; THE SHAFT OF THE VALVE STEM BROKE OFF. THE FIRST TIME, HE WAS ALERTED BY A TIRE SHOP WHEN HE WAS HAVING TIRES INSTALLED. IN FEBRUARY 2010, WHEN HE CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE, A VALVE STEM POPPED OFF AND THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE BECAME FLAT WITHIN MINUTES. HE WAS UNSURE OF WHAT TIRE THE FIRST STEM CAME OFF OF. THE TIRE SHOP INFORMED HIM THAT THE VALVE STEM FAILURE MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO CORROSION. AFTER THE LATEST FAILURE, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER TIRE SHOP AND IT WAS REITERATED THAT THE VALVE STEMS WERE CORRODED. THE CONTACT HAD THE TWO VALVE STEMS REPLACED. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT SINCE THE REPAIR WAS MADE THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST HELP BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT SEE THE FAILURE. HE WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE OTHER TWO STEMS BECAUSE THEY HAD NOT FAILED AT THAT POINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED SINCE THE BRAKES BEGAN WEARING WITH SUCH LOW MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE WARRANTY WAS ONE YEAR OR 12,000 MILES AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO PAY HALF OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE DEALER DID NOT INFORM THE CONTACT WHY. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF RELATED FAILURES FOR HIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE CURRENT THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 25,000.

HIGH PITCH SOUND TURNED OUT TO BE BRAKE PADS NEED REPLACED. SERVICE MAN IS SURPRISED THAT THE PADS ARE WORN OUT WITH ONLY 21K MILES ON THE VAN. REAR ROTORS ALSO RUSTING BAD. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT. CHRYSLER DODGE SHOULD UPGRADE THE BRAKES SO THE PADS WILL NOT WEAR OUT FAST. THE PADS ARE ALSO VERY EXPENSIVE COMPARED TO OTHER VEHICLES. ARE THEY GOING TO WAIT UNTIL AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS BEFORE THE BRAKE IS FIXED? *TR

I AM A MECHANIC OF 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE AND FEEL THE NEED TO REPORT A POSSIBLE DEFECT THAT EXISTS ON 2008 DODGE CARAVANS. DURING THE LAST FIVE MONTHS I HAVE REPLACED THREE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM PRESSURE SENSORS. WHAT MAKE THIS PROBLEM ALARMING IS THAT ALL THREE FAILED IN THE SAME MANOR. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHEN THE PORTION OF THE SENSOR CALLED THE VALVE STEM FRACTURES AND DETACHES FROM THE REST OF THE SENSOR CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRE. I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS AND HAVE SAVED TWO OF THE SENSORS THAT HAVE FAILED. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS EITHER A CORROSION ISSUE OR A WEAK MATERIAL USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE PRODUCT CAUSING IT TO FRACTURE EASILY IN ICE AND SNOW. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE BRAKE WEAR WITHIN A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT BOTH THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST HIM. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 14,369.

PREMATURE WEAR OF BRAKES AND ROTORS. ORIGINAL FRONT-END OEM BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED REPLACEMENT BEFORE THE VEHICLE EVEN REACHED THE 20,000 MILE MARK. SAW THIS SAME PROBLEM REPORTED BY MANY, MANY OWNERS OF SAME MODEL/YEAR VAN. OTHERS HAVE STATED WHEN DEALERSHIP REPLACES ROTORS/BRAKES, THE NEW BRAKES/ROTORS WEAR JUST AS FAST. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE NEW OWNERS ARE NOT EXPECTING BRAKE PROBLEMS SO SOON, AND THUS MAY OVERLOOK SQUEALS FROM BRAKES AS BEING CAUSED BY BRAKE DUST, OR GLAZING, NOT REALIZING THEIR BRAKES/ROTORS ARE COMPLETELY WORN AND IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT (LIKE I DID). I DO HAVE THE BRAKES/ROTORS THAT WERE REPLACED, I ASKED TO HAVE THEM RETURNED TO ME FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHEN THEY WERE REPLACED WITH NEW PARTS. *TR

I HAVE A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. I STARTED NOTICING THAT MY BRAKES WERE AT ACTING FUNNY, THEY WOULD MAKE A STRANGE NOISE EVERYTIME I STOPPED. THIS WAS AT 15K MILES. I TOOK IT IN TO A DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND ASKED THAT THEY ALSO CHECK THE BRAKES. I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. AT 19K MILES MY BRAKES WENT FROM MAKING THAT NOISE, TO COMPLETELY BEING METAL TO METAL. THERE WAS NOT A DODGE DEALERSHIP ANYWHERE AROUND AND I NEEDED THIS FIXED ASAP, SINCE I HAD THREE SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO MIDAS. THEY SHOWED ME BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK BRAKES. THE BRAKE PADS WERE COMPLETELY GONE, AND THE ROTORS WERE HORRIBLE. I HAD TO GET EVERYTHING REPLACED. THIS WAS 6 MONTHS AGO, AND NOW THE BRAKES ARE SQUEAKING. I NOW HAVE 30K ON MY CAR. THE GUY'S AT MIDAS INFORMED ME THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS BROUGHT IN THE NEWER MODEL GRAND CARAVAN IN FOR A NEW BRAKE JOB. THEY SAID THAT EVER SINCE THE BODYSTYLE HAS BEEN CHANGED, THEY HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN THEIR CUSTOMERS. I DON'T WANT TO SHELL OUT $700 EVERY 6 MONTHS FOR BRAKES. THIS TIME I AM TAKING IT TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. BUT SEEING THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THE ISSUE, I THINK IT'S SOMETHING TO LOOK INTO. *TR

BRAKES STARTED GRINDING AND SQUEALING LOUDLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP. VAN HAD LESS THAN 20,000 MILES HOWEVER WHEN I HAD THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN LOOK AT IT, I WAS LUCKY I HADN'T LOST BRAKES ALTOGETHER. I HAD TO PURCHASE NEW BRAKES AND NEW ROTORS AS THE ONES THAT CAME FROM THE FACTORY WERE SO WORN DOWN THAT IT WOULDN'T EVEN HELP TO SIMPLY TURN THEM. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS AND YET ANOTHER PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VAN SINCE I BOUGHT IT. ALL OF THE ISSUES I HAVE ENCOUNTERED ARE VERY UNSAFE AND I AM THANKFUL THAT SO FAR I HAVEN'T HAD MY CHILDREN WITH ME DURING THESE EPISODES. I BELIEVE CHRYSLER SHOULD BE REIMBURSING ALL OWNERS FOR THE COST OF THE BRAKES AND ROTORS AS THE ONES THAT WERE FROM THE FACTORY ARE QUITE OBVIOUSLY FAULTY AND DEFECTIVE. *TR

THE BRAKES ON 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVANS ARE A JOKE, AFTER 17,00 MILES AND SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH CONCERNS ABOUT SQUEAKING BRAKES, THEY SAY THE VAN NEEDS ALL NEW PADS AND ROTORS! AFTER 17000 MILES!!! *TR

HEARD TERRIBLE GRINDING NOISE FROM BRAKES WHEN STOPPING. TOOK IT TO LOCAL TIRE SHOP FOR BRAKE INSPECTION. WAS TOLD THE PADS WERE COMPLETELY WORN AND ROTORS NEEDED REPLACED. VEHICLE HAD 24,000 MILES ON IT. REPLACED PADS BUT NOT ROTORS. NOW AT 30,000 MILES, I'M HEARING THE HIGH PITCHED WHISTLE THAT SAYS THE PADS ARE ABOUT TO NEED REPLACED. WILL REPLACE ROTORS THIS TIME ALSO IF A SECOND MECHANIC STATES THEY NEED REPLACED. *TR

MYGIG RADIO SYSTEM STOPS FUNCTIONING ALONG WITH THE BACKUP CAMERA. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY. SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING WILL SOMETIMES MAKE THEM WORK AGAIN. MOST TIMES IT HAS TO BE LEFT OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE THE EQUIPMENT WILL FUNCTION AGAIN. TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR THIS AND AN AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEM. WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT WOULD CORRECT BOTH PROBLEMS. UPDATE HELPED FOR A WHILE, BUT THE RADIO/BACKUP CAMERA PROBLEM HAS RETURNED AGAIN IN THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. *TR

GETTING READY TO REPLACE THE BRAKES ON MY 2008 DODGE CARAVAN VEHICLE FOR A SECOND TIME. I HAVE 52,000 MILES AND NOW THE BRAKES AND ROTORS NEED REPLACED. I UNDERSTAND CHRYSLER IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT THEY KNOW THE BRAKES ARE NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH FOR THIS VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION TO BE DONE BECAUSE I THINK THIS COULD BECOME A SERIOUS PROBLEM DUE TO THE BRAKES NOT BEING ADEQUATE ENOUGH FOR THIS SIZE OF VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE WHENEVER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT NOISE WAS METAL TO METAL AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE COMPLETELY WORN OUT. THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR COST WAS $356.56 AT THE OWNER EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE HAS LOW MILEAGE AND BELIEVES THAT IT IS TO SOON TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17484 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17520.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH SHE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE, THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AT AN EXPENSE OF $357.10. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 17331.

I HAVE A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN ANT THE BRAKE PADS WENT OUT AT 14756 WITH NO WARNING. IT WAS CHRISTMAS EVE MY WIFE WAS NINE MONTHS PREGNANT AND I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN. THERE WAS NO WARNING THEN SUDDENLY THE BRAKES WERE METAL TO METAL AND NO PARTS STORE OPEN WE WERE STRANDED. THEY WOULD NOT TOW IT UNDER WARRANTY. SO I HAD TO WAIT FOR A TOW ON CHRISTMAS EVE. DEALER SAID NOT UNDER WARRANTY NOT OUR PROBLEM I WAS LUCKY TO GET 14,000 OUT OF THEM THAT'S PATHETIC. THANKS CHRYSLER...... LAST ONE I EVER BUY.. *TR

SQUEAKING BRAKES AT 18,000 MILES. NEED MY ROTORS TURNED AND NEW PADS. I WAS APPALLED!! THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING SAID WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE LIFE OF THESE BRAKES. CALLED CHRYSLER AND GOT THE "12 MOS. OR 12K, I'M SORRY" I'M NOT BUYING IT!! IMAGINE HOW MANY PEOPLE DO NOT REALIZE THIS IS NOT NORMAL. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE CHRYSLER BUILD OR BUY A BETTER QUALITY PRODUCT THAT WILL LAST AT LEAST 36,000. I PAID ALOT OF MONEY FOR MY NEW VAN SO I WOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THIS KIND OF NONSENSE SO SOON. PLEASE, I PLEAD WITH EVERYONE WHO HAS THIS SAME COMPLAINT TO TAKE IT AS FAR AS YOU CAN. DON'T LET THE "CUSTOMER SERVICE" AT CHRYSLER JUST TELL YOU NOTHING CAN BE DONE, TAKE IT AS FAR AS YOU CAN. THERE IS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS PEOPLE, THIS IS AMERICA. WE CAN BUILD A CAR THAT LASTS 100,000 MILES WITHOUT AN OIL CHANGE, BUT ROTORS AND PADS ONLY LAST 13K TO 20 K, THAT'S JUST BOLOGNA AND WE ALL KNOW IT!! *TR

THE DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IS A GOOD CAR WHEN IT WANTS TO BE. WE BOUGHT IT THINKING IT WOULD BE A GOOD CAR FOR THE KIDS AND TURNED OUT TO BE A LEMON. TWO WEEKS AFTER WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE RUNNING MID DAY. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DODGE DEALER BECAUSE EVERYTIME I STARTED THE CAR AND PUT IT IN DRIVE IT WOULD STALL. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE THE NEXT MORNING AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I PICKED IT UP AND TOOK IT HOME. ON THE WAY HOME IN THE HOT PART OF THE DAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON ME ON THE HIGHWAY. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TOO THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM THEY NEEDED TO FIX IT. THEY CALLED ME A DAY LATER AND ACCUSED ME OF PUTTING ETHANOL IN THE VEHICLE. I TOLD THEM TO GO '!@#$% THEMSELVES BECAUSE THERE ISN'T A GAS STATION WITH ETHANOL WITHIN 60 MILES OF MY HOUSE. I TOLD THEM TO DO WHAT THEY HAD TO DO TO FIX IT. THEY DRAINED THE FUEL SYSTEM AND TOOK OUT THE NEXT MORNING WITH NO PROBLEMS. I TOLD THE MANGER TO LET IT GOT HOT AND DRIVE IT TO AND FROM THE DEALERSHIP. HE DID JUST THAT AND TO HIS SURPRISE HE DIDN'T MAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. IT TURNS OUT IT WAS A COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE THAT WAS '!@#$% UP. WE HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES BECAUSE OF BROKE LINKAGES AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN THE VEHICLE. IT HAS NOW BEEN 6 MONTHS SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE DEALER. IT HAS BEEN WORKING FINE "KNOCK ON WOOD". *TR

I WAS GOING ON A HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND A TRUCK PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD ABOUT 2 SECONDS TO HIT MY BRAKES AND HIT THE VAN HEAD ON INTO THE SIDE OF HIS TRUCK. NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT DIDN'T LOCK DOWN. MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER ALMOST HIT HER HEAD ON THE DASH. THE TOWTRUCK DRIVER AND OTHERS HAVE SAID THAT MY AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. IT IS VERY DISTURBING TO KNOW THEY DIDN'T. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS VAN. *TR

I OWN A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN. IT HAS 16,234 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT IN TO BE SERVICED FOR ITS FIRST MAJOR SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP CAME OUT TO TALK TO ME AND SAID THAT THE PADS, SHOES AND ROTORS WERE NEAR FAILURE. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THAT CONDITION. THIS WAS A DODGE DEALERSHIP AND I ASSUME THAT THEY KNOW THEIR PRODUCT. I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE FAILURE SO I LOOKED INTO IT AND FOUND THAT THIS WAS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM FOR OWNERS OF THIS CAR. *TR

DURING THE WINTER LAST JANUARY 2009, I DROVE FROM KENOSHA WI TO MINNEAPOLIS MN. IT WAS THE NEW YEAR WEEKEND AND ON THE TRIP BACK, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD BECAME CAKED WITH FROST ON THE BOTTOM. MOSTLY OUTSIDE. THE DEFROSTERS DID NOT CLEAR THE BOTTOM 6 - 8 INCHES OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS CAUSES TWO PROBLEMS, ONE THE FROST STARTS TO BUILD ON THE INSIDE AND BEGINS TO DRIP AND THERE IS WATER ON YOUR DASH, SECOND BECAUSE THE OUTSIDE IS CAKED YOUR WIPERS BEGIN TO FREEZE UP. EVEN IF YOU CLEAN IT RECURS QUICKLY. THE WIPERS BEING CAKED CAUSES THEM NOT TO WORK WELL CLEARING THEY JUST PRODUCE WATER STREAKS ACROSS YOUR WINDSHIELD, YOUR VISION BECOMES MORE AND MORE OBSTRUCTED BECAUSE THEY CAN;T WORK. I CALLED MY CHRYSLER DEALER AND HE SAID THEY WOULD ADDRESS THE NEXT TIME I COME IN. I CAM IN THIS FALL BECAUSE I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO SHOW THEM IT HAPPENING. THEY NOW STATE THAT ALL THE DODGE VANS ARE LIKE THAT AND THEY CANNOT ADDRESS IT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR

BRAKES NEEDING REPLACEMENT UNDER 20,000 MILES ON A NEW VEHICLE LESS THAN 2 YRS OLD. THIS IS A COMMON & COSTLY PROBLEM TO HAVE ON THIS VEHICLE DESIGNED TO TRANSPORT FAMILIES. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES THAT DODGE/CHRYSLER NEEDS TO ADDRESS ASAP AND ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

I HAVE A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN THAT HAS HAD REPEATED BRAKE ISSUES. THE BRAKES WEAR OUT CONSTANTLY, WARPING THE ROTORS. TODAY, ON THE FREEWAY, THE BRAKES BINDED AND IT SMELLED LIKE WE WERE HAVING AN ELECTRICAL FIRE UNTIL WE REALIZED IT WAS OUR BRAKES SMOKING. THE VEHICLE HAS 26K MILES ON IT AND THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. WE REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS OURSELVES AT ABOUT 12K MILES AFTER HEARING A LOUD GRINDING SOUND AND THE VAN SHUDDERING ENOUGH TO SHAKE YOUR HAND BACK AND FORTH ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN STOPPING AT LOW SPEEDS. IT SEEMED TO WORK FOR A WEEK OR TWO BUT THE PROBLEMS QUICKLY RETURNED. WE THEN DECIDED TO HAVE THE ROTORS TURNED TO SEE IF THIS WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM AGAIN FOR A VERY SHORT WHILE. WE THEN PURCHASED AND INSTALLED BRAND NEW ROTORS WHICH AGAIN FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT WHILE. SEEING AS WE HAD FAILED TO FIX THE PROBLEM, WE DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THEM FIX OUR BRAKES. THEY OF COURSE SAID THAT THE BRAKES WERE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY BUT AS A GOODWILL GESTURE THEY WOULD REPAIR THE BRAKES FOR $50. THEY TURNED OUR FRONT ROTORS AGAIN, STATING THAT THE SHUDDERING WAS BECAUSE THE ROTORS WERE WARPED, AGAIN. AS I DROVE AWAY THAT DAY THE VAN DID THE SAME SHUDDERING. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THE BACK ROTORS WERE ALSO WARPED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEY DID THAT AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FAIRLY OKAY FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND THEN THE GRINDING NOISE SLOWLY CAME BACK AND

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE INSIDE OF THE REAR BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY WORN AND THAT THE OUTSIDE BRAKES LOOK BRAND NEW. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT HE HAS NO IDEA WHAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE BRAKES TO WEAR ON THE INSIDE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE CONTACT NEEDED TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKES. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED OF THIS USUAL SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT A CRASH COULD OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,200.

DETAILS: UNEVEN BRAKE WEAR. REAR BRAKE CALIPERS,DO NOT RETRACT EVENLY. CALIPER PISTON HANGS UP ON ONE SIDE. ONE SIDE WILL BE WORN DOWN ALL THE WAY TO METAL AND THE PADS ON THE OPPOSITE WHEEL WILL BE BARELY TOUCHED. DEALER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG. PARTS DEPARTMENT SAYS THEY ARE REPLACING MANY CALIPERS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. STABILITY CONTROL MASKS THE PROBLEM SO IT GOES UNDETECTED UNTIL THE SOUND OF METAL TO METAL CONTACT IS HEARD. VEHICLE IS INSPECTED EVERY 3 MONTHS AND PADS REPLACED WHEN NECESSARY. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER SAYS AFTER 12,000 MILES THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. *TR

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN BRAKE PROBLEMS THAT ARE COSTING A FORTUNE TO REPAIR. CONSTANTLY HAVING TO REPLACE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND NOW CALIPERS ON A VAN WITH 67,000 MILES ON IT. EVERYTIME I TAKE MY VAN IN FOR SERVICE, I AM TOLD THAT THE BRAKES HAVE TO BE REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE ISN'T SAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE THREE SMALL CHILDREN AND SAFETY IS MY NUMBER ONE CONCERN, BUT I CAN NOT AFFORD TO KEEP PUTTING MONEY INTO THIS VEHICLE THAT IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD. THE FIRST BRAKE REPAIR WORK THAT HAD TO BE DONE WAS WHEN THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 21,233 MILES ON IT. SINCE THEN, WE ARE PUTTING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS INTO BRAKES EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS. *TR

PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR. REAR BRAKE CALIPERS, ROTOR, AND PADS, WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT NO COST AT 19,000 MILES DUE TO ROTORS OVERHEATING. AT 19,400 MILES, FRONT BRAKES BEGAN TO SHUDDER WHEN APPLIED. DEALER SAID THE FRONT ROTOR AND PADS NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $390. THE DEALER SAYS AFTER 12,000 MILES THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. *TR

7 YEAR OLD CHILD TANGLED UP IN REAR SEATBELT, CAUSING US TO HAVE TO CUT SEATBELT, AS EACH ATTEMPT TO FREE HIM FROM SEATBELT CAUSED THE BELT TO TIGHTEN. *TR

I OWN A 2008 GRAND CARAVAN SXT. I REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES AND LEFT ROTOR ON MY VAN AT 21,000 MILES. WELL, IT IS 44,000 MILES AND I NEED FRONT BRAKES AND A LEFT ROTOR REPLACED AGAIN. I AM LEARNING THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER THAT IT WAS MY DRIVING WEARING OUT THE BRAKES. *TR

I OWN A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 30K MILES. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE PADS TWICE AND THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS NEED REPLACING. I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS IN THE INTERNET FROM CUSTOMERS WITH 2008 CHRYSLER MINIVANS THAT REPORT THEIR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WEARING OUT AT VERY LOW MILEAGES AND WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD THAT MAY HAVE ALREADY RESULTED IN ACCIDENTS. *TR

FRONT AND REAR DISC BRAKES AFTER 22,000+ MILES WEAR THE SEMI-METALLIC PADS TO "DUST," BREAKING-UP AND GOING METAL-TO-METAL DAMAGING THE DISC ROTORS. INITIAL QUOTE FROM WALT'S, A LOCAL CHAIN OF REPAIR OUTLETS IS $978.00. *TR

2008 DODGE CARAVAN...AT LAST THREE OIL CHANGES HAVE ASKED SERVICE STAFF TO INVESTIGATE ULTRA SQUEAKY BRAKES (18K, 22K, 26K MILES). UNABLE TO DETERMINE SOURCE OF EXTREME SQUEAKING. PADS ARE 1/2 WAY GONE ON FRONT AND SLIGHTLY MORE THAN THAT ON REAR. NO WAY SHOULD THIS LOW MILEAGE HAVE BRAKES THAT ARE SO WORN AND SO SQUEAKY. *TR

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE, VAN WAS SPECIAL ORDERED AT ADVANTAGE CHRYSLER JEEP AND DODGE, DES PLAINES IL FROM FACTORY WITH MYGIG VES, WE TOOK DELIVERY ON FEB 2008, OUR SALES GUY QUIT BEFORE WE EVEN GOT THE VAN. SAD. _____________ FIRST PROBLEM WAS WITHIN FIRST 6 MOS. LOUD WHISTLE NOISE COMING FROM WINDSHIELD ON WARM AND HOT DAYS AT 60+ MPH , DEALER RESEALED BUT PROBLEM STILL SAME. __________________ BRAKES HAD TO BE REDONE AFTER 14,000. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, JUDGING BY ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS, I WAS EVEN MORE PISSED OFF AFTER GETTING A $500 BILL AND A DOPEY EXPLANATION FROM THE SHOP MANAGER AT ADVANTAGE CHRYSLER JEEP AND DODGE. WE TOOK IT IN FOR A BREAK INSPECTION, THEY DID ALL THE WORK WITHOUT CHECKING WITH ME FIRST. _________________ THE NEXT THING TO STOP WORKING WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR AUTO LOCK. IT NO LONGER RESPONDS TO ELECTRIC OR REMOTE SWITCH. WE HAVE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK MANUALLY. THEY SUSPECTED A HARNESS BUT DID NOT HAVE ONE IN STOCK, 2 MONTHS FOR DELIVERY OF PART, I HAD NO TIME TO GO BACK. _________________ JUST RECENTLY OCT 2009 DURING A RAIN STORM, THE WIPERS STOPPED TO FUNCTION IN ANY POSITION, THE WIPERS WERE TURNED ON WHILE THE CAR WAS RUNNING, HAD TO PULL OVER SHUT OFF/ON, THEN THEY WORKED FINE. __________________ SPOUSE ALSO REPORTED THAT RADIO STOPPED WORKING, NO AUDIO OR VIDEO TEMPORARILY, IT ALSO STARTED TO WORK AFTER TURNING OFF THEN ON OF THE KEY. _________________ WE ARE '!@#$% AT CHRYSLER / DODGE FOR PUTTING OUT A C

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FRONT BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR REPLACEMENT AT 25K. FIRST TIME I'VE OWNED A "NEW" VEHICLE NEEDING FRONT PAD REPLACEMENT SO SOON, DESPITE LIGHT TOWN DRIVING. *TR

I HAD A DODGE GRAND CARAVAN THAT I PURCHASED THERE LESS THAN A YEAR BEFORE WITH BRAKE NOISE. MY WIFE COMPLAINED ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS BUT WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. WHEN THEY FINALLY LOOKED AT IT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY PERIOD AND THEY SAID THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED. IT COST US $471.98 TO REPLACE FRONT AND BACK PADS AND RESURFACE ROTORS. WAS NOT INFORMED THAT A TSB #05-006-08 HAD BEEN ISSUED. PART NUMBER RECOMMENDED IN TSB DOES NOT MATCH PART NUMBER ON MY INVOICE. NOW THEY NEED REPLACED AGAIN A YEAR LATER BECAUSE THEY WERE MAKING A SQUEALING NOISE AND OVERHEATING. WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, HE SAID MY LEFT REAR CALIPER IS LEAKING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. NO CALIPERS ARE AVAILABLE AS THEY ARE ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. I NOW HAVE A VAN THAT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE TO REPAIR IT. *TR

MY BRAKES AND ROTORS (FRONT AND REAR) NEEDED REPLACEMENT ON MY 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SXT AFTER ONLY 16000 MILES. THIS IS LESS THAN HALF THE USUAL EXPECTED LIFETIME OF BRAKES. DEALER WILL NOT COVER BECAUSE IT WAS OVER 12K MILES. DEALER SAYS 2008 AND 2009 VANS ARE HEAVIER THAN EARLIER MODELS, BUT THEY STILL USE THE SAME OLD BRAKE SYSTEM FROM EARLIER MODELS. THIS DOESN'T SOUND SAFE OR FAIR TO ME. *TR

25,000 MILES ON OUR 18 MONTH OLD GRAND CARAVAN AND THE BRAKES AND ROTORS ARE SHOT. NO WARNING, NO GRINDING, SQUEAKING, NOTHING. I AM READING HUNDREDS OF REPORTS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A RECALL IN THE MAKING. CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE TSB# 05-006-08 BUT CHOOSES TO DO NOTHING. *TR

2008 GRAND CARAVAN HAS BEEN HAVING BRAKE NOISE FOR A WHILE, DEALER SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING. WHEN REAR BRAKES BECAME METAL TO METAL THEY REPLACED REAR PADS AND ROTORS AND TOLD ME FRONTS WERE FINE. UPON LEAVING THE FRONTS WERE STILL DRAGGING, THE NEXT DAY I RETURNED WITH A SERVICE BULLETIN SAYING THEY ARE TO REPLACE ALL PADS AND ROTORS SO I FEEL CHRYSLER IS TRYING TO HIDE A MAJOR BRAKE ISSUE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. HE STATED THAT WHEN ACTIVATING THE CRUISE CONTROL BETWEEN 25 MPH - 55 MPH, THE ENGINE REVS UP TO 5,000 RPM'S. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE THRUST BEARING. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RESURFACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

I HAVE A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN THAT HAS NEEDED BRAKES AND ROTORS TWO TIMES IN 19000 MILES. I FEEL THIS IS WAY TO SHORT A TIME PERIOD. *TR

BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WARP AND WEAR AT AN ACCELERATED RATE, CHRYSLER RESURFACED THE ROTORS AND REPLACED THE PADS THE FIRST TIME AT APPROX 8000 MILES, THEN 7000 MILES LATER THE PROBLEM WAS BACK. CHRYSLER DIDN'T WANT TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE, BUT AFTER BEING PERSISTENT THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE PADS AND ROTORS WITH UPDATED PARTS IF WE PAID $50 OF THE BILL. WE WERE TOLD THIS WAS A ONE-TIME GOOD-WILL FIX. 10,000 MILES LATER WE ARE STARTING TO FEEL WARPED ROTORS AGAIN. SERVICE ADVISER HAD THE GALL TO SUGGEST DRIVER-ERROR AND IMPROPER BRAKING. *TR