Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints (2008)

1,293 consumer complaints on file.

#10332358May 26, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN REAR BRAKES. UPON VISUALLY INSPECTING BRAKE SYSTEM ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE UNEVEN WEAR WAS DETECTED MOSTLY ON THE INSIDE PAD. SEMI-METALLIC COMPOUND LOCATED TOWARDS THE BACK SIDE OF THE PAD WAS ALMOST WORN DOWN TO THE METAL WHILE THE FRONT SIDE OF THE PAD STILL HAD ENOUGH COMPOUND ON IT THAT THE WEAR INDICATOR IS NOT MAKING CONTACT WITH THE ROTOR. BRAKE FAILURE IS IMMINENT AND THE WEAR INDICATOR WILL IS NOT PROVIDING ANY SOUND WARNING THAT THE COMPOUND IS WORN DOWN TO THE METAL. DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ABLE TO EXPLAIN THE REASON FOR UNEVEN BRAKE PAD WEAR ON THE REAR BRAKES. THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO EXPLAIN WHY THE WEAR INDICATOR WAS NOT MAKING CONTACT WITH THE PAD EVEN THOUGH THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE PADS ARE 95% WORN. CHRYSLER OFFER TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE PADS AND ROTORS WITH SIMILAR MATERIALS. FRONT BRAKE PADS ARE ALSO WORN DOWN 95% AND DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED A TSB# 05-006-08 DID APPLY TO MY MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE HOWEVER THEY REFUSED TO APPLY THE SERVICE BASED ON THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE (27,288 MI). WHILE THE ISSUANCE OF THE TSB INDICATES A CONCERN FOR THE FRONT BRAKES ON THE VAN, HAVING MY DRIVING HABITS EXTEND THE BRAKE LIFE UP TO THE 27,288 MILE POINT DISQUALIFIED ME FROM HAVING SUCH TSB APPLIED TO THE VAN. MY CONCERN IS THERE IS NO PRIOR WARNING OF BRAKE FAILURE SINCE THE WEAR INDICATORS DO NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE ROTOR WHEN THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR HAVING METAL TO METAL CONTACT BETWEEN THE ROTORS AND PADS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10332138May 25, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
AIR CONDITIONER FAILED PREMATURELY, AT THIS TIME THE CAR HAS 45,000 THE FAILURE MUST HAVE HAPPENED BEFORE 40,000. COOLING A/C IS NOT WORKING, BLOWING WARM AIR. LOOKING ONLINE FOUND MANY 08 GRAND CARAVAN OWNERS WITH SAME COMPLAINTS. CAR AFTER WARRANTY WILL COST $135 TO INSPECT AND REFILL. I ASKED THE DEALER TO PRESSURE CHECK THE HOSES FOR LEAKS, THEY SAID THEY WILL DO A COLOR DYE CHECK ON THE A/C SYSTEM HOSES. BRAKES WERE DONE AT 12,000 MILES FAILED AGAIN AT 35,000, THIS TIME I AM NOT GOING TO HAVE THE DEALER FIX IT, I AM ORDERING REYBESTOS HYBRID ROTORS AND ADVANCED PERFORMANCE BRAKE PADS. WARNING - DODGE OEM BRAKES AND ROTORS ARE POS, DO NOT LET DODGE INSTALL THEM. I AM ALSO CONSIDERING REPLACING THE CALIPERS WITH REWORKED CALIPER FROM ANOTHER SOURCE. HORRIBLE NOISE FROM REAR BRAKES, WHEN DRIVING AND THE BRAKE IS NOT ENGAGED. SLIGHT RIGHT TURNS ALSO CAUSE SQUEAKS/GRIND NOISE THAT SOUND LIKE ITS COMING FROM REAR. WHEN BRAKE IS ENGAGED THE NOISE STOPS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10331799May 22, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS FAIL TO STAY OPEN WHEN PARKED ON A HILL AND HAVE CLOSED WHILE CHILD WAS GETTING IN. AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS FAIL TO CLOSE WHEN SITTING ON A HILL. THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN SITTING ON A HILL AND SOMETIMES WHEN SITTING ON FLAT SURFACE. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THESE PROBLEMS BUT NO RECALL. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR A CHILD GETTING IN OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE THINKING THE DOOR HAS LATCHED OPEN WHEN IT HAS NOT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10330515May 14, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN BRAND NEW FROM ROYAL CHRYSLER IN OWEGO NEW YORK. SINCE THAT TIME OUR FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED 4 TIMES, EACH. IT HAS BEEN AN ON GOING ISSUE WHICH HAS RESULTED IN COMPROMISED SAFETY IN OUR VEHICLE. OUR DEALER HAS STATED IT IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM, YET CHRYSLER/DODGE HAS ISSUED NO RECALL OR BULLETIN. I HAVE ALL RECORDS PERTAINING TO THIS COMPLAINT WITH DATES AND DETAILS. UPON SEARCHING THE WEB I HAVE DISCOVERED THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH THIS SAME ISSUES. THIS IS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10329865May 11, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CALIPERS HANGING UP CAUSING BRAKES TO HEAT UP. HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DODGE DEALER THEY INITIALLY STATED NOTHING WRONG. THEN 1 WEEK LATER STATE I NEED NEW CALIPERS, ROTORS TURNED AND BRAKE PADS. THEY STATE THE ONLY THING COVERED UNDER WARRANTY IS CALIPERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10328079April 29, 2010
STEERING, SUSPENSION:FRONT, STRUCTURE
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON MARCH 31, 2008 AND HAVE HAD IT FOR 2 YEARS. WE WERE HEADED OUT OF TOWN ON VACATION AND HAD TO STOP AT 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS A LONG THE WAY FOR THEM TO TRY TO CORRECT THE PULLING. NEITHER ONE COULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IN THE 2 YEAR TIME IT HAS BEEN BACK IN FORTH TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT SEVERAL TIMES FOR IT PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND EATING THE FRONT EDGE OF EVERY TIRE THAT HAS BEEN PUT ON THE FRONT. TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED REGULARLY AND CROSSED AND STILL HAS THE OUTSIDE TIRE WEAR FROM THE PULL. CAM BOLTS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED BY THE DEALER TO HELP CORRECT THE ALIGNMENT WITH NO RESULTS. IT STILL PULLS. I HAVE FILED A LEMON LAW COMPLAINT WITH CHRYSLER WHO HAS PERFORMED THE FINAL REPAIR ATTEMPT AND IT STILL PULLS. I HAVE TOOK IT TO 2 LOCAL TIRE ALIGNMENT SHOPS HERE AND BOTH HAVE SAID THE ALIGNMENT CAN'T BE FIXED. CHRYSLER'S POSITION IS THAT THE VEHICLE DRIVES AS DESIGNED AND NO FURTHER ACTION WILL TRANSPIRE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A VEHICLE CAN BE DESIGNED TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OFF THE ROAD TO THE RIGHT IF YOU LET GO OF THE STEERING WHEEL. IT IS NOT A DRIFT TO THE RIGHT. A DRIFT DOESN'T EAT TIRES FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND. MY HAND ACTUALLY FALLS ASLEEP WHILE TRYING TO DRIVE THE VAN FOR LONG DISTANCES BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO FIGHT TO KEEP THE VAN ON THE ROAD. WE HAVE DRIVEN 2 OTHER CHRYSLER VANS FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES AND THEY PULL TO THE RIGHT AS WELL BUT NOT TO THE EXTENT OF MY VAN. I AM STILL IN THE LEMON LAW PROCESS AND DON'T KNOW IF I WILL GET ANYWHERE WITH CHRYSLER BUT SOMEONE NEEDS TO CHECK THE STEERING AND ALIGNMENT OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL. YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FIGHT THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD. THIS ISSUE HAS MADE ME DESPISE THIS VAN AND IT WAS PERFECT FOR A FAMILY WITH 3 KIDS. BAD SAFETY HAZARD AND CHRYSLER SHOULD BE MADE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE AND NOT JUST PLAY GOD WITH THE FINAL STATEMENT OF "THIS VEHICLE PERFORMS AS DESIGNED". *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10327121April 23, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE BRAKES WERE SEVERELY WORN AND WOULD REQUIRE IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKES AND WITHIN ONE YEAR, THE EXACT FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,140 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,269.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10326322April 19, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
WHILE DRIVING, WITH NO WARNING, VEHICLE STALLS (ENGINE DIES) STEERING COLUMN LOCKS AND BRAKES ARE HARD, THEIR IS NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE AND CAN'T GET OFF THE ROAD. I ALMOST GOT INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, I WAS APPROACHING A MAJOR INTERSTATE HWY WHEN MY VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER MECH CAN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS, NOTHING RECORDS ON THE MEMORY OR FLIGHT RECORDERS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THE MECH WHILE ON A TEST DRIVE, THEY SAY THEY CHECKED ALL THE COMPUTER WIRES AND WANT TO GIVE THE VEHICLE BACK AND STATES IT IS SAFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10325878April 15, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, INTERIOR LIGHTING, PARKING BRAKE, POWER TRAIN, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I BOUGHT THE CAR ON NOV. 2008 , NEW FROM MCCUNE DODGE, AND FOR THE LAST YEAR THE CAR HAS STALL ON 4 DIFFERENT TIMES, HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT THE DEALER , NO SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON, ALSO HAVE BEEN HAVING DIFFERENT ISSUES WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE PAD, THE SHIFT GEAR , INTERIORS LIGHT ON CENTER-MAP LIGHTS FLICKER CONSTANTLY AND REAR DOME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10325631April 14, 2010
STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 20,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD A HARD VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL. THE ROAD CONDITIONS OR SPEED OF THE VEHICLE HAD NO AFFECT ON THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE S WERE APPROXIMATELY 20,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10325520April 13, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND THE FRONT BRAKES ARE WEARING OUT IN 14000 - 18000 MILES. THERE MUST BE A PROBLEM WITH THE CALIPERS. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH CHRYSLER BUT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO FIND A SOLUTION OR INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. MOST BRAKES LAST ATLEAST 30,000 - 40,000 MILES AND WHEN YOU HEAR A NOISE YOU THINK SOMETHING GOT CAUGHT IN YOUR BRAKES BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE. WALDORF DODGE SERVICE HAS HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BUT SAID CHRYSLER WON'T ALLOW THEM TO DO ANYTHING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10325243April 12, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
AT APPROX 45K MILES, I HAVE NOW REPLACED BRAKES AND ROTORS 4 TIMES!!! THIS IS ABSURD...YOU BUY A CARAVAN BECAUSE YOU HAVE KIDS, THEREFORE YOU DON'T HAVE THE EXCESS MONEY FOR THIS CONSTANT REPAIR...EACH TIME IT'S $350 OR MORE!! JUST HAD ROTORS CUT AGAIN....BRAKES ARE SQUEALING SOOOOOOOO BAD. THIS IS INSANE. I'VE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY ON THIS VAN. I WAS TOLD DODGE MAKES THE BEST CARAVAN...HONESTLY, IT'S A PIECE OF CRAP IF I'M GOING TO KEEP GETTING NEW BRAKES EVERY 10K - 15K MILES. CHRYSLER REALLY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. I DRIVE IN A MOUNTAINOUS AREA AND APPLYING THE BRAKES AND HAVING MY STEERING WHEEL SHAKE DOESN'T MAKE ME FEEL SAFE OR MY FAMILY! I ALWAYS HAVE MY KIDS IN THE CAR. DOES SOMEONE NEED TO GET KILLED BEFORE A RECALL IS MADE????? NO WONDER WHY AMERICAN CARS HAVE THE WORST REPUTATION....YOU PEOPLE DO NOTHING FOR THE CONSUMERS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10323755April 5, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
VEHICLE: 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, IN USE FOR 20 MONTHS, 17000 MILES. UNEVEN BRAKE PAD WEAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY PROBLEM RATHER THAN A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ISSUE IS BASED ON WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED AND WHAT DID HAPPEN. HERE ARE MY OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIENCES (1) IF THE MALFUNCTIONING REAR WHEEL BRAKE CALIPERS ARE UNEXPECTEDLY LOCKING UP THE WHEEL THE OPERATION OF THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) SAFETY SYSTEMS WILL BE COMPROMISED SINCE THE CONTROL COMPUTERS CANNOT FULLY UNLOCK THE REAR WHEELS ON SLIPPERY ROADS; (2) THE ROTATIONAL DRAG FROM LOCKING REAR WHEELS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXHIBIT VERY POOR STARTING TRACTION AND CONTROL ON SNOW AND A STRONG PROPENSITY TO GET STUCK ESPECIALLY IF THE REAR WHEELS WERE ON A LESS SLIPPERY SURFACE THAN THE FRONT WHEELS, IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO 'ROCK' OR PUSH THE VEHICLE FREE, TURNING OFF THE ESP AS RECOMMENDED IN THE OPERATORS MANUAL FOR STUCK SITUATIONS DID NOT HELP TO FREE THE VEHICLE; (3) THE DRAGGING ROTOR COULD OVERHEAT, REDUCE BRAKING PERFORMANCE AND CAUSE UNANTICIPATED DAMAGE TO BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS, MY REAR BRAKE COMPONENTS SHOW SIGNS OF WHAT LOOKS TO ME TO BE EXCESSIVE HEATING; (4) THE FAILURE OCCURRED ABOUT 5 MONTHS AND 5000 MILES AFTER FACTORY SERVICE INSPECTED THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS OR EXCESSIVE WEAR, THIS IS WELL UNDER CHRYSLER'S 12 MONTH OR 12,000 MILE INSPECTION INTERVAL RECOMMENDATION FOR BRAKES, THIS IS ALSO UNDER MY MORE STRINGENT 6 MONTH TIRE ROTATION AND BRAKE INSPECTION INTERVAL; (5) NONE OF THE ONBOARD DIAGNOSTICS FOR THE ABS OR ESP INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEMS, NO AUDIBLE WARNING CHIRPING DEVICES SOUNDED, THE GRINDING NOISE OF THE IRREPARABLY DAMAGED ROTOR AND CALIPER ON THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS THE FIRST INDICATION OF BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. I AM TRYING TO GET CHRYSLER TO INSPECT AND REPAIR THIS SAFETY DEFECT UNDER WARRANTY OUTSIDE OF THE STANDARD 12 MONTH 12000 MILE BRAKE WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10323675April 4, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
2008 GOLD COLOR DODGE CARAVAN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10322580March 29, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FRONT BRAKES REQUIED REPLACEMENT IN JULY 09 (16,613 M) AND AGAIN IN MAR 10 (25,097M); REAR BRAKES WERE ALSO REPLACED IN MAR 10. THIS IS DEFINATELY PREMATURE. IF NOT TAKING THE VAN FOR DEALER SERVICE & INSPECTION AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR, THIS CONDITION WOULD BE AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. MY DRIVING HASN'T CHANGED FOR OVER 40 YEARS AND I NEVER PREVIOUSLY HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES BEFOR APPROXIMATELY 24-30K MILES. VERRY SATISFIED WITH DEALER - BETTENHAUSEN DODGE, TINLEY PARK, IL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10322301March 26, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD RUBBING AND KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR POSSIBLE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 20,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10321592March 23, 2010
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
1 TPMS SENSOR FAILED (STEM BROKE) CAUSING TIRE TO GO FLAT INSTANTLY. STEM BROKE WHILE PRESSURE WAS BEING CHECKED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10321593March 23, 2010
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
1 TPMS SENSOR FAILED CAUSING TIRE TO DEFLATE IMMEDIATELY. SENSOR BROKE AT STEM WHILE TIRE PRESSURE WAS BEING CHECKED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10321595March 23, 2010
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
1 TPMS SENSOR BROKE ALLOWING TIRE TO DEFLATE INSTANTLY. SENSOR STEM BROKE WHILE TIRE PRESSURE WAS BEING TAKEN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10321314March 22, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES WITH FORCE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP. THE CONTACT WAS ONLY ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN HE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL GEAR; HOWEVER, THE RPMS CONTINUED TO RAPIDLY INCREASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16320. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16330.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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