Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints (2008)

1,293 consumer complaints on file.

#10449146February 23, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
IN DECEMBER OF 2011, WE DECIDED TO CHECK THE OIL IN OUR 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN BECAUSE THE SOUND OF THE MOTOR SEEMED TO HAVE CHANGED. THE VAN SEEMED TO BE RUNNING A LITTLE LOUDER. WE CHECKED THE OIL, AND SURE ENOUGH THERE WAS NO OIL ON THE STICK. WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OIL. WE WASN'T SURE IF IT LEAKED OR BURNED. WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY ASKED IF WE NOTICED THE OIL LEAKING, WE SAID NO. THEY SAID IN SITUATIONS LIKE THESE WE DOCUMENT THE MILEAGE AND TOP THE OIL OFF AND HAVE YOU COME BACK UP TO 1000 MILES LATER. SO WE DID. WE DID THIS SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP ADMITTED THIS SHOULDN'T BE OCCURRING AND THE VEHICLE IS DEFINITELY BURNING TOO MUCH OIL. THEY KEPT THE VAN MADE A CLAIM WITH NAC OUR VAN WARRANTY COMPANY TO PAY FOR EXPENSES OF REPAIR, AND NAC SENT BACK A REPORT SAYING CHRYSLER VEHICLES ARE EXPECTED TO BURN UP TO A QUART TO A QUART AND A HALF OF OIL FOR EVERY 750 MILES DRIVEN. SO THEY SENT US AWAY WITHOUT REPAIRS. LITERALLY LESS THAN A WEEK AND ABOUT 550 MILES LATER WE WERE BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH MORE THAN 2 QUARTS OF OIL DOCUMENTED BEING BURNED. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT OUR VAN FOR REPAIRS AGAIN...THE WARRANTY REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS AND WE ARE DRIVING THE VAN AS IS...IM NOT SURE OF THE SAFETY ISSUES BUT IM SURE THERE ARE MANY THAT CAN BE ASSESSED. I'VE SEARCHED THE WEB AND WE ARE NOT THE ONLY CONSUMERS WHO ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WE CARRY OUR FAMILY OF SEVEN TO AND FROM SCHOOL ETC AND THE PURPOSE OF NEWER VEHICLES ARE TO ENSURE SAFETY AND ELIMINATE WORRIES OF PROBLEMS. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10448979February 22, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VISIBILITY
ON 4 OCCASIONS OUR 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS GONE INTO A MODE WHERE THE LIGHTS FLASH, THE HORN HONKS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON, WASHER FLUID SQUIRTS OUT, AND THE DOORS LOCK. WHEN MOVING, IT ALSO APPEARS TO DOWNSHIFT TO LOWER GEAR. ONCE IT STARTS, IT APPEARS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO LET IT RUN ITS COURSE WHICH CAN TAKE UP TO 10 MINUTES (DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY DID NOT MAKE IT STOP). DURING THE TIME IT IS HAPPENING THE KEY FOB DOES NOT WORK. OF THE 4 TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED, IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE WHILE DRIVING AND TWICE WHILE SITTING STILL (ONCE WITH KEY IN IGNITION AND ONCE WITHOUT). I HAVE IT AT THE DEALER AND SO FAR IN 2 DAYS THEY HAVE NOT FOUND ANYTHING WRONG. THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVANS WHO HAVE THIS EXACT SAME OR SIMILAR ISSUE. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ISSUE IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE MOVING WHEN IT HAPPENS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10446078January 31, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHEN UNLOCKING THE VAN, THE HORN STARTING BLOWING AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED GOING. AFTER DRIVING A FEW BLOCKS, THE VAN WENT INTO 2ND GEAR AT 4000 RPM. A MILE LATER, THE ENGINE CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I BARELY GOT OFF THE ROAD IN TRAFFIC. A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THIS THE HEATER DID NOT WORK ONE EVENING. FOLLOWING THAT INCIDENT THERE WAS AN EPISODE OF THE HORN BLOWING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS GOING, AND THE WASHER FLUID EMPTIED. THERE HAVE BEEN ABOUT 10 INCIDENTS SIMILAR TO THESE. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN A PARKING LOT. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE CAR FROM SHOPPING, IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAD TURNED THEMSELF ON. IT TOOK 15 MINUTES FOR THE INCIDENT OF HORN BLOWING AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHER FLUID GOING TO CLEAR ITSELF. DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY DID NOT MAKE THE HORN AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP CONCERNED ABOUT VAN STOPPING WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10445515January 26, 2012
TIRES, WHEELS
FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE VALVE STEM FRACTURED WHEN THE PLASTIC CAP WAS REMOVED, EXPOSING NEEDLE VALVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10443680January 13, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, STEERING
DRIVING ABOUT 60MPH WITH THREE KIDS IN CAR WHEN KEY SWITCHED TO OFF POSITION. STEERING HARD UNTIL I SWITCHED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED IT. THE KEY HAD DONE THIS ONCE BEFORE IN PARK AND ONCE WHILE DRIVING APROX 20MPH ON A DIRT RD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10441103December 23, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE IS STALLING. THIS HAS OCCURRED 5 TIMES IN THE PAST 6 WEEKS. 2 OF THE TIMES THE MINIVAN STALLED WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH. 2 TIMES THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING LOCALLY. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THE DEFECT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION. WHEN THE MINIVAN STALLS ON THE HIGHWAY ALL YOU CAN DO IS COAST TO THE SHOULDER. THANKFULLY, NO ONE HAS GOTTEN HURT YET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10438981December 8, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 58,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10437879November 30, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVING AT RANDOM TIMES, SPEEDS, ETC, THE LIGHTS WOULD SUDDENLY FLASH, WIPERS TURN ON HIGH, WIPER FLUID COME OUT AND THE HORN WOULD HONK. SOMETIMES THIS WOULD LAST ONLY 2-3 SECONDS, SOMETIMES UP TO 10 MIUNTES. TURNING THE KEY OFF AND THEN BACK ON WOULD NOT CLEAR THE PROBLEM. TAKEN TO DEALER IN NOVEMBER 2010. THEY RE-FLASHED THE PCM AND THE ISSUE DISAPPEARED FOR 12 MONTHS. PROBLEMS RESUMED IN NOVEMBER 2011. TAKEN TO DEALER. COULD NOT DIAGNOSE AND DECIDED TO CHANGE AN ACCESSORY CONTROL MODULE. SITUATION CAUSES VERY UNSAFE OPERATING CONDITION BY DISTRACTING DRIVER, OBSCURING DRIVERS VIEW, DISTRACTING OTHER DRIVERS, CAUSING SIGHT PROBLEMS FOR ONCOMING DRIVERS WITH UNCONTROLLED ILLUMINATION OF LIGHTING. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10436908November 23, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, ALL OF THE AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10436917November 23, 2011
WHEELS, TIRES
THIS IS THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. LOW TIRE LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN WE TRIED TO PUT AIR IN TIRE THE STEM WAS CRACKED SO COULD NOT PUT AIR INTO TIRE. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIRE ON THIS VEHICLE TO DO THIS. CALLED DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL- WE WERE TOLD NO RECALL. FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED IT WAS SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE THEY COULD REPLACE THE STEM FOR US BECAUSE THEY WERE ON BACK ORDER...THERE HAD BEEN SO MANY PROBLEMS THEY COULDN'T KEEP UP! THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. WE WILL CHANGE OTHER TWO TIRE STEMS RIGHT AWAY TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10436616November 21, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE GPS NAVIGATION SYSTEM, DVD PLAYER, AND RADIO FAILED TO OPERATE. THE MALFUNCTIONS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AT ANY GIVEN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE DVD PLAYER WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,700. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10436095November 16, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS GOING 70 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN, AND I CAME UPON AN AREA WHERE I NEEDED TO REDUCE MY SPEED TO 60 MPH. AS I WAS PUTTING MY FOOT BACK OVER FROM THE BRAKE TO THE GAS PEDAL MY SHOESTRING WAS SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON SOMETHING. I COULD NOT MOVE MY FOOT SO I QUICKLY USED MY OTHER FOOT TO TAKE MY SHOE OFF. THANKFULLY I WAS THEN ABLE TO USE MY BARE FOOT TO GET IN CONTROL OF THE PEDALS AGAIN. I STOPPED THE VAN TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND FOUND THAT THERE IS A CLAMP OF SOME KIND TO THE RIGHT OF THE GAS PEDAL AND MY SHOESTRING WAS CAUGHT IN IT. IN MY OPINION THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF I HAD BEEN BUMPER TO BUMPER IN THE CITY WHEN THIS HAPPENED I WOULD HAVE LIKELY REAR ENDED SOMEONE. THIS WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO REMOVE OR REPLACE THIS CLAMP ON THESE VANS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10435694November 15, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES ON MY 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE PURCHASED ON 11/14/2011. THE VAN ONLY HAS 69000 MILES ON IT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT EVEN AFTER THE BRAKES ARE REPLACED THE BRAKES MAKES SQUEAKING SOUNDS & GRINDING ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. I TAKE IT BACK AND THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. I WAIT A LITTLE LONGER AND THEY SAY BRAKE PADS & CALIPERS NEED TO BE REPLACED. GOOD THING I BROUGHT IT IN. THIS VEHICLE IS POORLY DESIGNED AND IF WE CAN'T TELL THEN THE BRAKES ARE GOING BAD, A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD RESULT. HAVE REPLACED BRAKE PADS 5 TIMES. AND HAVE ALSO REPLACED ROTORS AND CALIPERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10435121November 10, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REPLACED FRONT BRAKES AT 21150 MILES. TOLD BY SMITHTOWN DODGE & CHRYSLER(NEW YORK) THAT THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT NO RECALLS ON THE BRAKES. DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE 2008 DODGE CARAVAN. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF STORIES OF BRAKE REPLACEMENT WITH LOW MILEAGE.THE DEALER EVEN ADMITS THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT THE PADS ARE TOO SMALL FOR THE SIZE VEHICLE.THERE IS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BRAKES,WITH STORIES OF WHEELS LOCKING UP. BEING A RETIRED MECHANIC I THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. JUST CONSIDER A VAN FULL OF PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP, OR WORSE HAVE A WHEEL LOCK UP AT 55MPH ON A HIGHWAY. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM. PEOPLE'S LIVES SHOULD COME FIRST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10434798November 7, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY AND COULD NOT BE CLOSED. IN ADDITION, THE REAR HATCH OPENED INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10434218November 4, 2011
AIR BAGS
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROL COMPUTER MODULE FOR THE AIR BAG FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10432760October 25, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, HE HEARD A SQUEAKING COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BOTH REAR BRAKES WERE SMOKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ON ONE OCCASION, THE BRAKES UNEXPECTEDLY ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10430803October 19, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WORE PREMATURELY AND WERE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER MADE THREE ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10430694October 18, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK AND BURNING FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FAIL SPORADICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CALIPER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE REAR DRIVER CALIPER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,643.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10430180October 14, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TAKING HER VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE COOLANT SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,400.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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