2008 Dodge Grand Caravan complaints

BRAKES, TRANSMISSION, DOORS. *TR

BRAKE LIGHT FLASHED A FEW TIMES. WITHIN ONE WEEK OF LIGHT SPORADICALLY FLASHING THE BRAKES STARTED TO GRIND, METAL TO METAL. THE VAN IS ONLY 14MONTHS OLD WITH 10,000 MILES. OUT OF WARRANTY BECAUSE OF TIME LENGTH (MISSED BY ONLY TWO MONTHS). CHRYSLER WOULD NOT FIX SO HAD TO REPAIR AT OWN EXPENSE. BRAKE PADS REPLACED AND ROTORS TURNED. RESEARCHED ON-LINE AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT/PROBLEM ON THIS MAKE/MODEL AND YEAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED AND DAMAGED THE BRAKE PADS. THE BRAKES AND ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE WITHIN SEVEN MONTHS. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEFECT UNTIL THE BRAKE PADS WERE GRINDING AND FAILED INSPECTION. THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT THAT TIME; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECTS AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,667 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,700. UPDATED 09/15/09. *LJ UPDATED 09/16/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A REMOTE CONTROL THAT OPERATES THE REAR HATCH. THE REMOTE IS USED TO PLACE THE WHEELCHAIR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE LIFT. THE REMOTE CONTROL IS DEFECTIVE, AND OPENS AND CLOSES THE REAR HATCH AND SIDE DOORS WITHOUT WARNING WHETHER THE BUTTONS HAVE BEEN PRESSED OR NOT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE, BUT HE HAS NOT YET HEARD A RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE RESET THE REMOTE, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND UNATTENDED, IT COULD EASILY BE STOLEN DUE TO THE DOORS OPENING RANDOMLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE REMOTE CONTROL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 09/01/09. *LJ THE SLIDING DOORS WOULD OPEN ON THEIR OWN. UPDATED 09/03/09.*JB

I PURCHASED A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SXT USED FROM A FLEET SERVICE WITH APPROX 28K MILES ON IT. I WENT TO CHECK THE TIRES AND BRAKES MYSELF, AND HAVE DISCOVERED THE BRAKES AND ROTORS NEED REPLACING. THE PROBLEM IS, NO METAL IS TOUCHING THE ROTORS, YET THEY ARE WORE ON THE OUTSIDE EDGE DOWN TO THE MINIMUM THICKNESS OF 26.4 MM. THE PARTS DEALER WON'T TURN THEM, SO NEW ONES HAVE TO BE INSTALLED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PREMATURE WEARING ISSUE. *TR

MY COMPLAINT IS THAT YOU CANNOT SAFELY INSTALL MORE THAN 3 FRONT FACING CAR SEATS INTO A MINI VAN. I PURCHASED A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH SEATING FOR 7 THINKING THAT I WOULD BE ABLE TO PUT 5 CAR SEATS IN SAFELY. THERE ARE ONLY 3 TOP TEETHER ANCHORS, MEANING THAT I CANNOT PUT 4 FRONT FACING CAR SEATS INTO MY VEHICLE AS NEEDED. IT SEEMS THAT MOST MINIVANS ARE MADE THIS WAY, AND IN TALKING TO OTHER PARENTS, IT HAS LEAD ALOT OF PEOPLE TO INSTALL CAR SEATS WITHOUT USING TO TOP TEETHER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMOTE SLIDING DOORS AND REAR HATCH WOULD OPEN AT WILL WHEN THE KEY REMOTE WAS IN THE HIS POCKET. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. WHEN THE CONTACT WOULD BARELY TOUCH THE REMOTE, THE DOORS WOULD OPEN. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD ALSO NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,884 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,029. UPDATED 09/04/09.*JB

BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED AND ROTORS CUT AT 12,832 MILES. VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING WHILE BRAKING AND BRAKES ARE SPONGY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WITH 16,762 MILES ON IT. THEY TOLD ME THE ROTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY TELL ME THIS IS DUE TO HEATING FROM THE BRAKES. *TR

DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SXT 2008. BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS COMPLETELY WORN OUT AT LESS THAN 14000 MILES. COST ME CLOSE TO $400.00 TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW. IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED I WILL BE KEEPING THE PARTS THAT HAVE WORN OUT. *TR

DRIVING ON VACATION IN ST. LOUIS WE WERE ON HIGHWAY GOING 65 MILES/HOUR AND WE HEARD A RATTLING SOUND. THINKING WE HAD A FLAT TIRE, WE MOVED TOWARD EXIT AND NOTICED THE ENGINE HAD DIED. WE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY EXIT. WE JUST BOUGHT THIS BRAND NEW VEHICLE 2 WEEKS AGO!!! AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO SERVICE STATION, WE WERE INFORMED THE COMPUTER THAT TELLS THE ENGINE WHAT TO DO HAS MALFUNCTIONED. WE RENTED A VAN AND DROVE HOME TO MILWAUKEE. WE STILL DON'T HAVE OUR "NEW" VAN AND NOW THE REPAIR STATION SAID THEY WON'T GET THE PART FOR 5 MORE DAYS! THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE ABLE TO WORK ON IT. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS REPAIRED, WE WILL HAVE TO DRIVE BACK TO ST. LOUIS WITH A ONE-WAY RENTAL TO PICK UP OUR NEW, ALBEIT, DANGEROUS VAN. *TR

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN AND DISCOVERED THAT I COULDN'T GET ALL THE CAR SEATS IN. WE CALLED SEVERAL FRIENDS TO SEE WHAT THEY DO, AND THEY SAY THAT THEY GAVE UP AFTER GETTING BLOODY KNUCKLES TRYING TO PUT THE SEATS IN AND NOW DON'T USE ONE. THE CAR MANUFACTURERS CLAIM THAT BECAUSE THERE ARE 7 SEAT-BELTS THAT IT IS A SEVEN PASSENGER VEHICLE. THIS LEADS TO PARENTS GETTING FRUSTRATED BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIT THE CAR SEATS, SO THEY LET THEIR CHILD GO WITHOUT. THE BACK SEAT HAS 3 SEAT BELTS BUT IT IS IMPRACTICAL TO GET 3 CAR SEATS, OR BOOSTER SEATS IN. THERE IS A GAP IN WHAT THE SAFETY GUIDELINES REQUIRE AND WHAT THE MANUFACTURERS ARE SELLING. THIS LEADS TO PARENTS GIVING UP AND CHILDREN SUFFERING THE CONSEQUENCES. I AM A FIREMAN AND EXPERIENCE WON'T LET ME GIVE IN TO LETTING MY CHILDREN TRAVEL UNSAFELY. SURELY, THE MANUFACTURERS CAN ADD 4-5 INCHES OF HIP ROOM, ALLOWING 3 CHILD SEATS TO FIT WHERE THERE ARE 3 SEAT BELTS. *TR

GRAND CARAVAN , ~15,500 MILES, FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS ARE WORN, AND NEED REPLACED. OCCURS WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKES CAN HEAR SCREECHING SOUND AND GRINDING. CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE TSB# 05-006-08. *TR

THERE WEREN'T ANY SIGNS LEADING UP TO THE DEVICE FAILURE. DROVE INTO A STORE PARKING LOT AND INTO A PARKING SPOT WHERE I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO PARK WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER KNOB WHEN THE WHOLE KNOB POPPED OF INTO SEVERAL PIECES LEAVING ME STUCK IN DRIVE AND FORCED TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TURNED OFF AND I WAS ABLE TO GET IT INTO PARK. VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE PART IS UNAVAILABLE AT THE MOMENT. VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE, BUT TRICKY WHEN DEALING WITH THE SHIFTER KNOB. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE AND HAVE READ ELSEWHERE OF THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING WITH THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. *TR

02/23/2009- PURCHASED 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN- ON DAY OF PURCHASE I ASKED WHY BRAKES MADE A BARKING SOUND,WAS TOLD BECAUSE IT SAT IN PARKING LOT FOR A WHILE. ODOMETER-19230THE NEXT DAY THE VAN SHUT ITSELF OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I COULD STEER AND THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT I COULDN'T ACCELERATE AND ALL INSTRUMENT LIGHTING WAS OFF.I CALLED SALE AUTO MALL THE PLACE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY SAID CALL BACK IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN. SOMETIME IN MARCH TOOK IT BECAUSE THE STEERING KEEP PULLING ME TOWARDS THE CURB. THE SERVICE MANAGER OF SALE AUTO MALL TEST DROVE IT WITH ME IN IT AND DETECTED NOTHING WRONG. 4/01/2009- TOOK IT IN FOR OIL CHANGE. 04/06/2009 BRAKES FAILED COMING BACK FROM MOOREHEAD. CALLED SALE AUTO MALL, THEY REFERRED ME TO DODGE DEALERSHIP IN GREENVILLE, CALLED THEM AND ASKED FOR TOW, THEY REFUSED, THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT AS FAR AS I COULD. WHEN I GOT THERE THEY SAID IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT IT WOULD BE $370 TO FIX, I REFUSED AND THEY CHARGED ME $35 FOR LOOKING AT IT. 04/08/2009-TOOK IT TO BOYD'S HE REPAIRED BRAKES AND ROTORS FOR $150. 4/20/2009- BRAKES SPONGY AND SINKING CALL BOYD'S REFERRED ME TO DODGE DEALERSHIP IN NEW BERN, SEE THEM, SERVICE MANAGER STARTS THE TEST DRIVE WITH ME GOES TEN FEET AND HITS BRAKES,STOPS CAR SAYS I KNOWWHATS WRONG IT'S THE MASTER CYLINDER,ASKED ME TO GET OUT,SAYS HE WANTS HIS BRAKE MAN TO CHECK IT OUT. THEN THIRTY MINUTES LATER SENDS A MAN TO TELL ME THE PART HAS TO BE ORDER, HE GIVES ME MY KEYS AND TELLS ME THEY'LL CALL ME W

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A STRIP MALL, MY DRIVERS SIDE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO CONTACT OF ANY KIND WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE OR OBJECT ON THE PAVEMENT. MY RIGHT ARM WAS INJURED WITH LACERATIONS AND CONTUSIONS, ALTHOUGH NOT SERIOUS ENOUGH TO SEE A DOCTOR. THE NEXT DAY, I TOOK IT INTO THE DODGE DEALER FOR WHAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE A WARRANTY REPAIR. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT LOOKED TO HIM LIKE IT HAD A FRONT IMPACT. I COULDN'T SEE ANY DAMAGE OR INDICATION OF AN IMPACT , BUT HE WAS QUITE SURE AND SUGGESTED I CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER SAID THERE HAD BEEN A FRONT IMPACT. I HAVE NOT HAD AN IMPACT OF ANY KIND SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE APPROX. 6 MONTHS AGO. I, OF COURSE, CAN NOT SAY IT WAS NEVER HIT WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. I CAN SAY THE VEHICLE WAS NOT LEFT UNATTENDED IN A PARKING LOT FOR 48 HOURS BEFORE THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. I AM CONCERNED THAT AN AIR BAG CAN DEPLOY, WITHOUT WARNING, SEVERAL HOURS, DAYS, OR WEEKS AFTER THE IMPACT. IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHEN THE BAG DEPLOYED THERE COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN FATALITIES. BY THE WAY, THE DODGE DEALER CHECKED THE COMPUTER CONTROLLER AND SAYS THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ON IT. I HAVE ORDERED A NEW AIR BAG AND CONTROLLER. *TR

BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND ROTORS TURNED AT 13,000 MILES. ONLY MADE SOUND FOR ONE DAY GRINDING. NEVER HAD BRAKES ON ANY CAR I HAVE OWNED GO OUT WITH THAT FEW OF MILES. ESPECIALLY A NEW CAR. BATTERY WAS ALSO LEAKING AND INSIDE FUNCTIONS LIKE RADIO AND WIPERS, LOCKS , WINDOWS... SOMETIMES JUST DON'T WORK. IT ALSO FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS DRAGGING. THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY , I HAD TO PAY FOR THE BRAKES AND NOTHING WAS FOUND FOR ANY OF THE OTHER STUFF.. *TR

I AM WRITING TO CHRYSLER CANADA BECAUSE WE ARE VERY UNHAPPY WITH OUR 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, ONE THAT I WOULD CLASSIFY AS A RUNAWAY VEHICLE CREATING A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. CURRENT ODOMETER READING 25347 THIS VEHICLE WENT FOR ITS FIRST SERVICE FEBRUARY 9, 2009 TO A VEHICLE CHECK-UP PEACE OF MIND INSPECTION. PRIMARILY WITH AN INQUIRY TO CHECK THE BRAKE SYSTEM SINCE THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SOMEWHAT SPONGY WHEN APPLIED. THE INSPECTION INDICATED THE BRAKES PULSATED BECAUSE OF A WARPED DISK. THE WARPED DISK IS MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY HIGH HEAT GENERATED FROM PROLONGED BRAKING. THIS APPEARS TO BE IN CONTRADICTION WITH THE INSTRUCTION IN THE 2008 DODGE OWNER'S MANUAL PAGE 334 UNDER NOTE: TO SELECT THE PROPER GEAR POSITION FOR MAXIMUM DECELERATION (ENGINE BREAKING), SIMPLY PRESS AND HOLD THE GEAR SELECTOR LEVER TO THE LEFT (-). THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT TO THE RANGE FROM WHICH THE VEHICLE CAN BEST BE SLOWED DOWN. THIS IS CLEARLY NOT PROVIDING THE DESIRED RESULT. TO ASSIST THE VEHICLE IN MAINTAINING CONTROL DOWNHILL, SHIFTING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO 3RD GEAR (AT 60 KPH.) SHOULD ENABLE THE VEHICLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL WITHOUT HAVING TO 'RIDE THE BRAKES'. THIS IS NOT THE CASE; THE ELECTRONICS CONTROLLING THE SHIFTING SYSTEM IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DROPS OUT OF LOW GEAR (3RD) INTO HIGH GEAR (D) UNDER THE SLIGHTEST DOWNHILL MOMENTUM, THUS MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. PAGE 337 IN THE 208 DODGE OWNER'S MANUAL SPECIFICALLY WARNS THAT RIDING THE BRA

I HAVE A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 3.3 V6 ENGINE. I HAVE A HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION ON MY MINIVAN. MY HEADLIGHT WILL FLICKER ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, CITY STREETS AND SOMETIMES WHILE WAITING FOR A STOP SIGN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT WHEN YOU NEED YOUR HEADLIGHT FOR VISIBILITY. HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE BUT THE HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION HAS NOT BEEN SOLVED. MY VEHICLE HAS 35,600 MILES AND THE FIRST TIME THE MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WAS AT 33,100 MILES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECOND ROW BENCH SEAT HAS A LOCK IN THE BACK OF THE SEAT, BUT IT IS NOT LOCKING PROPERLY. THERE ARE NO INSTRUCTIONS IN THE MANUAL THAT STATE HOW THE SEAT SHOULD LOCK IN THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WERE DOING IT INCORRECTLY AND COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE CORRECT WAY TO LOCK THE SEAT IN PLACE. HE CALLED DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS AND THEY STATED THAT THE SEATS SHOULD BE LOCKED IN A DOWNWARD POSITION. THE PICTURE IN THE MANUAL DOES NOT EFFECTIVELY ILLUSTRATE HOW TO LOCK THE SEATS. SIX DIFFERENT MECHANICS COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PICTURES IN THE MANUAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,963.

WHILE AT A STOPLIGHT IN SMALL CITY TRAFFIC IN CONNELLSVILLE, PA, ON 31DEC2008, I DECIDED TO SEE HOW MY ENTERPRISE RENTAL VEHICLE, A 2008 DODGE GRANDCARAVAN, WOULD ACCELERATE. PULLING AWAY FROM THE LIGHT, I FLOORED THE PEDAL AND GOT UP TO ABOUT 45 MPH, THEN LET UP. NO REDUCTION IN ACCELERATION OCCURRED. I TOOK MY FOOT FROM THE PEDAL AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE. I WAS STILL GATHERING SPEED, SO I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH LOTS OF GUSTO. THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES THEN WORKED AGAINST THE ENGINE FOR PERHAPS A QUARTER MILE. THE VEHICLE SPEED WAS REDUCED TO ABOUT 20 MPH, BUT WHEN I DID A TEST LIFT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN STARTED TO ACCELERATE. BACK ON THE BRAKE, I SWERVED INTO A LARGE, EMPTY PARKING LOT. I TRIED NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE THEN TOOK OFF WILDLY, SO I SWITCHED OFF THE IGNITION. PAUSING A FEW SECONDS, I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND EVERYTHING BACK TO NORMAL, EXCEPT THAT THE ESP WARNING LIGHT THAT HAD COME ON WITH MY INTENSE BRAKING WAS STILL ON. I DROVE A FEW MINUTES AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF. I THEN RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE ENTERPRISE AGENCY, WHERE I SHARED MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE MANAGER. *TR

DODGE CARAVAN ALL THE DOOR LOCK STOP WORKING AND IS A VEHICLE SUBSTANDARD MANUFACTURING ISSUE. A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH ALL OTHER VANS IS ALREADY REPORTED ON THE WEB AND POOR MANUFACTURING IS THE RESULT OF THIS ISSUE. IT IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR AND IS AN ISSUE WHICH DODGE IS WELL AWARE OF IT AND HAS DONE NOTHING SO FAR. *TR

I HAVE A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SXT WITH 28,612 MILES (MOSTLY INTERSTATE). ON NOVEMBER 23, 2008 I WAS GOING EAST ON INTERSTATE 70. A FEW MILES FROM HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND THE CAR'S FRONT END STARTED TO SHAKE. I CALLED THE DODGE DEALERSHIP IN HAGERSTOWN. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CAR'S RIGHT FRONT AXLE HAD SNAPPED. THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK AND HAD TO ORDER IT. WHEN I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP ONE WEEK LATER THE SERVICE MANGER TOLD US THE CAUSE OF THE FAILED FRONT END AXLE HUB WAS DUE TO THE NUTS BEING LOOSE, THUS ALLOWING THE AXEL TO DISENGAGE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I DISCOVERED THAT DODGE HAS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH SOME OF THEIR OTHER VEHICLES. ACCORDING TO EDMUNDS INSIDE LINE, THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2008 DODGE CHARGER, MAGNUM, AND CHRYSLER 300. THE ARTICLE ON EDMUNDS INSIDE LINE STATED, 'THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYS 5,509 2008 DODGE CHARGERS AND MAGNUMS, ALONG WITH SOME 2008 CHRYSLER 300 VEHICLES, ARE BEING RECALLED FOR A PROBLEM THAT WAS FIRST SPOTTED IN MARCH ON A 2009 DODGE CHALLENGER PILOT VEHICLE UNDERGOING PRELAUNCH EVALUATION AT CHRYSLER'S CHELSEA PROVING GROUNDS. THE TORQUE RETENTION CRIMP FEATURE "WAS MISSED" DURING THE MANUFACTURE OF ONE LOT OF REAR AXEL HUB NUTS ON THE AFFECTED CARS. 'THIS COULD CAUSE THE NUTS TO LOOSEN AND ALLOW THE HALF-SHAFT TO DISENGAGE FROM THE WHEEL HUB,' SAID THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) IN ITS RECALL SUMMARY OF THE PROBLEM. 'TH

IN MARCH 2008, I PURCHASE A NEW 2008 DODGE CARAVAN. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, I STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN. WHEN DRIVING, ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE VAN WILL STALL. IT WILL IMMEDIATELY RESTART. HOWEVER, NO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WILL WORK. IE: HEADLIGHTS, HAZARD LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, BLOWER MOTOR, RADIO ETC. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD ME THE CAR AND ON OCTOBER 3. 2008. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. THEY RETURNED THE VEHICLE THE SAME DAY AND STATED THEY RECALIBRATED THE COMPUTER AND THAT SHOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. ON OCTOBER 15, 2008, THE VAN WAS BACK AT THE DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME THEY KEPT THE VAN UNTIL OCTOBER 29,2008 AT WHICH TIME THEY STATED THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER AND AGAIN STATED WE SHOULD BE FINE. ON APPROXIMATELY NOVEMBER 13TH, 2008 WE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THE THIRD TIME. WE TOOK THE VAN INTO THE DEALER AND ALSO CALLED CHRYSLER DIRECTLY. WE WERE TOLD THAT A CHRYSLER ENGINEER WOULD GET INVOLVED AND WE WOULD GET THE PROBLEM TAKEN CARE OF. IT IS NOW NOVEMBER 26,2008 AND THE DEALER CALLED AND SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THEREFORE THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THEY COULD DO. THEY STATED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN AND THEN RATHER THAN RESTART THE VAN, HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. MY HUSBAND SPOKE WITH THE DISTRICT MANAGER OF CHRYSLER, BRANDIE WAGNER, AND SHE TOLD HIM THAT THERE IS NOTHING SHE CAN DO. MY HUSBAND ASKED HER TO PUT HER FAMILY IN THIS SITUATION AND HOW WOULD SHE FEEL. SHE RESPONDED

LEFT FRONT BRAKE GRINDING DURING LOW SPEED STOPS. STARTED ALL OF THE SUDDEN ONE EVENING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING. WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS NOT GOING TO BE A WARRANTY COVERED REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS PAST THE 12,000 MILE LIMIT ON BRAKE REPAIR. THIS IS 15,000 HIGHWAY MILES AFTER ONLY 6 MONTHS. THE DODGE DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT GOING TO BE COVERED BY THE STANDARD WARRANTY OR THE 100,000 MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER EXTENDED WARRANTY. THIS WAS A "NORMAL" WEAR ITEM AND WOULD BE $270 TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND TO TURN BOTH FRONT ROTORS. I FIND IT SHOCKING THAT A MANUFACTURER WITH AS MANY COMPLAINTS AS THEY HAVE ON THIS EXACT ISSUE STILL FAILS TO EVEN GIVE "GOODWILL" COVERAGE ON SOMETHING AS SERIOUS AS PREMATURE BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

THE BRAKES GET REALLY HOT AND OVERHEAT ALL THE TIME. GAS MILEAGE VERY LOW 13 MILES TO THE GALLON HIGHWAY. AT 6800 MILES FRONT BRAKES WENT INTO ROTORS WITHOUT ANY WARNING, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THEY REPLACED PADS AND RESURFACED ROTORS. THEY GAVE ME KNOW EXPLANATION WHAT CAUSED THIS. STILL HAD PROBLEMS TOOK IT IN AGAIN IN JUNE TOLD THEM SOMETHING WAS STILL WRONG THEY SAID THEY CHECKED NOTHING WRONG. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO NOISE FROM BACK BRAKES TOOK IT IN GOT A ESTIMATE THEY SAID SOMETHING REALLY MESS UP IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM NEED WHOLE BRAKE JOB CALIBERS ETC. BACK TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED RADIATOR CAP LEAKING 3500.00 TO FIX. 15200 MILES ON CAR DECLARED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP TODAY THEY SAID MY 12000 MILE BRAKE WARRANTY WAS UP I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. LEFT CAR THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THE BACK BRAKES WHERE GETTING REALLY HOT BURNED UP STATED I MUST BE DRIVING WITH PARKING BRAKE ON NEED NEW PADS FRONT AND BACK IT WAS GOING TO COST LIKE 600 DOLLARS. SAID DON'T KNOW WHY FUEL MILEAGE WAS SO POOR THAT MY DRIVING HABITS WHERE CAUSING BRAKES TO WEAR OUT FAST. THE RADIATOR CAP WAS LEAKING BAD REPLACED THAT. TOLD THEM I WAS GOING TO GET A THIRD OPINION BECAUSE I DIDN'T BELIEVE IT WAS DUE TO MY DRIVING HABITS. SUPPOSED TO PICK UP TODAY CAME HOME RESEARCH COMPLAINTS ON DODGE CARAVAN 2008. WAS LOOKING TO FILE COMPLAINT ON DEALERSHIP AND CAR AND TO SEE WHAT MY OPTIONS WHERE SINCE I FELT I WAS GETTING MISTREATED AND WHAT THE LAWS WHERE SINCE I FELT THE CAR WAS A LEMON. *

GEAR SHIFT INTERLOCK DOES NOT DISENGAGE PROPERLY WHEN PUTTING GEAR SHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION CAUSING KEY FOB FROM NOT RELEASING FROM IGNITION SWITCH. IN ORDER TO RELEASE KEY PROPERLY THE GEAR SHIFT HANDLE MUST BE PUSHED UP WITH FORCE UNTIL A CLICK IS AUDIBLE THEN INTERLOCK ENGAGES AND KEY THEN CAN BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS QUITE OFTEN AND IS MORE OF A NUISANCE AND HEADACHE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER BUT THEY STATED THAT GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM NEEDED REPLACED AFTER ADJUSTING GEAR SHIFT CABLE. PART WAS LABELED AS RESTRICTED BY CHRYSLER AND DID NOT HAVE A EAT FOR PART AVAILABILITY. CALLED BACK DEALER AFTER A FEW DAYS AND THE SERVICE TECH STATED THAT PART WAS TO SHIP ON OR AFTER 11/1/08. *TR

BRAND NEW 2008 GRAND CARAVAN SXT ENGINE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW AND IS THREE WEEKS OLD. TOTAL MILES ON VEHICLE 834. ENGINE FIRE ENGULFED WHOLE VEHICLE FOR A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

POOR TRANSMISSION DESIGN ROBERT C HODGKISS GENTLEMEN: I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND WHILE GOING DOWN A LONG STEEP SECTION OF ROADWAY I DOWN SHIFTED THE TRANSMISSION TO SLOW THE VAN DOWN BUT BEING SUCH A STEEP GRADE THE VAN INCREASED SPEED CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT TO THE NEXT HIGHER GEAR, ENDING UP FREE WHEELING, LEAVING ONLY THE BREAKS TO SLOW THE VAN DOWN. (IF YOU ARE GOING TO FAST TO START WITH IT WON?T EVEN DOWN SHIFT). NOW I ASKED THE MECHANIC, WHAT HAPPENS IF I LOOSE MY BRAKES, THE ANSWER HE HAD WAS IT?S A DESIGN FEATURE, SO I CONCLUDED THAT IF I WOULD PUSH ON THE EMERGENCY BREAK, WHICH LOCKS, THAT WOULD PUT ME INTO AN UNCONTROLLED SLIDE WHICH MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED. WHAT IF YOU ARE COMING DOWN A MOUNTAIN ROAD WHILE TOWING A TRAILER, YOU WOULD HAVE TO APPLY THE BREAKS TO KEEP THE TRANSMISSION IN A LOWER GEAR. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR BREAKS FAIL, THAT?S RIGHT THE VAN SHIFT UP TO FREEWHEELING? LEAVING YOU TO DO WHAT, USE THE EMERGENCY BREAK WHICH LOCKS YOU INTO A SKID. BECAUSE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL HAS TO BE PUSHED THE SECOND TIME TO UNLOCK. NOW I ?AM SURE EVERYBODY CAN REMAIN CALM AND REMEMBER TO DO ALL THIS WHILE TOWING A TRAILER WITH YOUR WIFE AND SIX CHILDREN IN THE BACK OF THE VAN, SCREAMING WHAT IS THE MATTER? *TR

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN THE CAR DIES WHILE DRIVING,OCCASIONALLY WON'T SHIFT AFTER DYING AND RESTARTING. ALL WARNING LIGHTS GO ON AND SOMETIMES STAY ON OR FLASH ON AND OFF. HAVE RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. ALSO HAD SLIDING DOORS OPEN ON THEIR OWN HAD THAT FIXED THEN THEY WOULDN'T CLOSE WITH BACK ACCESS BUTTON, APPARENTLY CAUSED BY A LOOSE WIRE HAD THAT REPAIRED, THEN REAR BUMPER WARPED SO BACK DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN, HAD TO TAKE IT IN TO HAVE THAT FIXED, BASICALLY MY CAR IS IN FOR REPAIR MOST OF THE TIME AND I HAVE A SMALL RENTAL OF WHICH THIS TIME I HAD TO PAY FOR A CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND IT COSTS ME 50.00 EVERY TIME I HAVE TO RENT ONE. I HAVE 4 SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN WHO HAVE APPOINTMENTS UP TO 300 MILES AWAY FROM HOME. I AM A SINGLE MOM AND TRAVELING ALONE WITH MY CHILDREN AND NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING WITH THEM FOR THESE DISTANCES. THE LAS TIME THE CAR DIED I ALSO HAD TWO FOSTER CHILDREN WITH ME, SIX KIDS AND THE CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING IT AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT SO I BRING IT HOME SOMETIMES WITH 200 MILES ADDED ON IT AND AN EMPTY GAS TANK. I THINK IT'S TIME CHRYSLER CORP. TAKE THE VEHICLE OFF MY HANDS SO I CAN PURCHASE A RELIABLE VEHICLE. *TR

POWER LOCKS WON'T WORK FROM EITHER WITHIN VEHICLE OR BY THE REMOTE. JUST OVER 61,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. ONE TIME OWNER. *TR

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR NEARLY 12 HOURS. A FIRE STARTED NEAR OR BETWEEN THE BATTERY AND THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR

I BOUGHT A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SXT IN 3/2008. FROM THE START, I FELT THE VAN WOULD NOT START PROPERLY. THE ENGINE WOULD CONTINUE TO TURN OVER EVEN AFTER I HAD LET GO OF THE KEY AND IT TAKES AN UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF TIME TO COMPLETE START CYCLE. I WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THIS WA COMMON IN NEWER VEHICLES. ANOTHER PROBLEM WAS THAT THE INSIDE WINDOW,DOOR LOCK,AUTO DOOR OPENERS ONLY WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. LAST MONTH, WHILE DRIVING, THE DASH LIGHTS ALL LIT UP AND THE VAN DIED IMMEDIATELY. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE SEPARATE TIMES SINCE THEN. EACH TIME, THE VEHICLE RAN FINE ONCE RESTARTED BUT IT HAS BEEN SHEER LUCK IT HASN'T RESULTED IN N ACCIDENT. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, A NEW PROBLEM AROSE. I NOTICED THAT WHEN I STARTED THE VAN, ALTHOUGH IT WAS RUNNING, NONE OF THE SYSTEMS UP FRONT WERE WORKING. THE AIR CONDITIONING, RADIO, OR POWER WINDOWS AMONG OTHER THINGS WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. THE VAN NEEDED TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED TO GET IT TO WORK PROPERLY. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED REPEATEDLY SINCE. *TR

I HAVE A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JUNE 2008 WITH 16,XXX MILES ON IT. I HAVE PUT LESS THAN 4,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. 1) THE VEHICLE FIRST FAILED TO START IN THE FIRST PART OF JULY, CALLED CHRYSLER TO COME FOR A BOOST AS IT APPEAR BATTERY HAD GONE OUT, WHEN SERVICE ARRIVED IN PARKING LOT AT WORK, THE VEHICLE STARTED. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO GATOR CHRYSLER IN MELBOURNE, THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. 2) VEHICLE WOULD NOT START (BELIEVE THE DATE WAS JULY 30TH). VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GATOR CHRYSLER AGAIN BUT HAD ERROR CODES THEY COULD FOLLOW. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN UNTIL THEY PUT IN A WATCH SPRING WHICH THEY WERE CERTAIN THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED. 3) VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN DOWN A DARK ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 9PM WHEN VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND ALL ELECTRICAL WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. MANAGER OF SERVICE AT GATOR WOULD NOT CONTACT THE CHRYSLER REPRESENTATIVE AS HE BELIEVES ALL RIGHTS WERE LOST AS I HAD PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE. THE FACT THAT I PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE IT BEING OK FOR THE ENTIRE VEHICLE TO SHUT-DOWN WITHOUT WARNING AND RISK THE LOSS OF LIVES. I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS TO BE AN ISOLATED CASE WITH JUST THIS VAN AND IF SO, SHOULDN'T IT THEN FALL UNDER THE LEMON LAW. *TR

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SHUTS DOWN. THE CONSUMER STATED AT RANDOM TIMES, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE, INDICATING AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION. SOON AFTER, THE VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF. *NJ

DRIVING ON I96 NEAR COOPERSVILLE MICHIGAN, WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL ON. A SLOWER VEHICLE WAS AHEAD OF ME SO I HAD TO BRAKE TO STOP THE CRUISE FUNCTION. IT DID NOT DIS-ENGAGE. I HAD TO PULL OUT IN FRONT OF A FASTER VEHICLE TO MY LEFT, IN THE FAST LANE AND ACCELERATE. AT THAT POINT IT FULLY ACCELERATED. COULD NOT STOP VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. HEAVILY APPLYING THE BRAKE DID NOT DIS-ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL OR STOP THE THROTTLE FROM BEING FULLY ENGAGED. PULLED VEHICLE TO SHOULDER, 7,000 RPM. TURN OFF KEY TO SHUT OFF. POLICE IN COOPERSVILLE WITNESSED THE INCIDENT. DEALER CURRENTLY HAS VEHICLE IN ONTARIO WAITING FOR PARTS TO CORRECT PROBLEM. *TR

I AM WRITING ABOUT WHAT I FEEL WAS A SEVERE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. I WAS IN A CRASH THAT WAS HIGH ENOUGH IMPACT TO TOTAL MY RENTAL VEHICLE...SMASH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, AND TURN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE INTO AN ACCORDION; MOREOVER, THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE ENDED MY LIFE. I ESCAPED WITH TORN MUSCLES IN MY SHOULDERS, HAIRLINE CRACKS IN MY FRONT TEETH AND A BROKEN COLLAR BONE. AS THE DRIVER, I AM HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS ABOUT THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING IN SUCH A HIGH IMPACT INCIDENT. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN A MOTORIST RAN A REDLIGHT AND RAN INTO THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. WHERE ALL THE OTHER MOTORIST IN THE ACCIDENT HAD AIRBAGS DEPLOY, THE POLICE AND EMERGENCY CREWS WERE AMAZED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND DIFFERENTLY IN THE ACCIDENT.*TR

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE ON JUNE 25, 2008 AND THE VERY NEXT DAY IT STARTED MAKING A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH BOARD AREA. IT DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME. IT COMES AND GOES. IT IS LOUD AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS. IT IS GOING TO THE SHOP TOMORROW FOR THE 3RD TIME. THIS LOUD SQUEALING NOISE IS LOUD AND HAPPENS A LOT. *TR

OUR 2008 GRAND CARAVAN HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR 7 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. THE LAST OCCURRENCE ALMOST CAUSED MY WIFE TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT. THE TURN SIGNALS OF THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. ALONG WITH THAT THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT FUNCTION NOR WOULD THE AC. SHE HAD TO RESTART THE VAN TWICE TO GET THE TURN SIGNALS WORKING AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED ON ITS OWN WHILE IN MOTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT IT WAS THE IGNITION NODE AND REPLACED ON 6-19-08. WE HAVE REQUESTED A BUY BACK DUE TO SAFETY ISSUES BUT HAVE NOT BEEN GRANTED ONE AT THIS TIME. *TR

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN TRANSMISSION WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND WAS STUCK IN GEAR AND WOULD NOT SHIFT. I HAD TO EXIT TO SIDE OF ROAD, SHUT VEHICLE OFF AND THEN RESTART. VEHICLE STARTED SHIFTING BUT THEN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH A BURNING SMELL. DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT VEHICLE AND CLEARED CODES AND REPROGRAMMED PCM. DEALER STATED CODES WERE RELATED TO TRANSMISSION. *TR

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. TRANSMISSION STARTED BACK INTO LIMP MODE. TOOK TO BACK TO DEALER ON 05/03/08 FOR EVALUATION. DEALER KEPT VEHICLE FOR ONE WEEK AND FINALLY TORE TRANSMISSION DOWN AND REPLACED INTERNAL PARTS. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION OF OUR 2008 GRAND CARAVAN WAS HAVING ISSUES WHEN GOING INTO REVERSE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL OR PARK THE INDICATOR SHOWED THE VEHICLE TO BE IN ALL GEARS AT THE SAME TIME. ALSO THE BACK DOORS AND HATCH WOULD NOT OPEN DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE THOUGHT THAT IT WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS FOUND THAT THE PCM HAD INTERNAL FAILURES. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE PCM. *TR

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS WIFE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN SHE GOT HIT IN THE LEFT SIDE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT LUCKILY SHE CAME OUT WITH JUST INJURIES. *KB

CAR WAS PUT INTO DRIVE, AS I STARTED TO DRIVE, I NOTICED THE ENGINE RACING. I LOOKED DOWN AND SAW IT WAS IN FIRST GEAR. I SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE RACED, I ENGAGED THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN AND IT SLAMMED INTO DRIVE AND SPUN THE WHEELS FOR A MOMENT THEN DROVE NORMALLY. IT HAS BEEN ACCELERATING WHILE IN DRIVE ON ITS OWN ALSO. *TR