2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND A FAILURE. THE BRAKE CALIPER WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Mileage: 65,000

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BRAKE ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE RIGHT BRAKE PAD AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. MANY OF THE REPLACEMENTS WERE DONE WITH LESS 12,000/15,000 IN BETWEEN. UPDATED 09/17/13

DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT FRONT AND REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MINIVAN IS NOT DRIVEN IN THE CITY, NO STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, MAJORITY OF MILES WERE DONE ON THE INTERSTATE.

Mileage: 52,437

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES MADE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE BRAKE FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND CALIPERS TWICE BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED AND THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED AND WOULD NOT BLOW COLD AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,296.

Mileage: 2,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT BOTH ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

Mileage: 13,000

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

Mileage: 14,000

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

Mileage: 21,150

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.

Mileage: 10,000

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.

Mileage: 12,000

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.

Mileage: 38,000

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES ON MY 2008 GRAND CARAVAN THREE TIMES SINCE PURCHASING IT IN 2009. IN ADDITION THE REAR BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED WAS IN OCTOBER 2009 AT 27,933, THEN 12/31/2010 AT 58,000 AND NOW AT 74,500 WE ARE REPLACING THEM AGAIN. THE REARS WERE REPLACED ON 10/29/2009 AT 28,653 AND NOW AT 74,500. UNDERSTAND THAT DODGE KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE I RECEIVED A LETTER IN 2010 SAYING THEY WOULD PAY A PERCENTAGE OF THE REPLACEMENT COST FOR THE FRONT BRAKES DEPENDING ON THE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER BESIDES REPAYING FOR SOME OF THE COSTS INCURRED FOR THE FIRST REPLACEMENT NOTHING ELSE WAS DONE BECAUSE THE PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURRING EVER 30,000 MILES OR LESS. *KB

Mileage: 27,933

ENCOUNTERED BRAKE FAILURE AT 11000 MILES. REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE. FAILED AGAIN AT ABOUT 23000 MILES, REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. FAILED AGAIN AT 37,000 MILES, MY COST. ALL CASES INVOLVED PADS AND ROTORS. *TT THERE HAS GOT TO BE DESIGN FAILURE WHERE CHRYSLER/DODGE DEVELOPERS UNDER ENGINEERED THE SIZE AND/OR COMPOSITION OF THE BRAKE CALIPER/PAD SYSTEM. CHRYSLER CONTINUES TO DENY THAT THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM, YET THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS HERE. WITHOUT A DOUBT, DESPITE OWNING CARAVANS SINCE THE ORIGINAL 1984 MODEL, NEVER AGAIN. ANYONE INTERESTED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT???

Mileage: 11,000

THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE ARE WEARING OUT RAPIDLY. THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS HAD TO BE CHANGED AT 13,000 MILES. WHEN THE SERVICE WAS DONE IT WAS NOTED THAT THE FRONT LEFT ROTOR WAS GROOVED AND WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BRAKE PADS. THE RIGHT FRONT ROTOR WAS NOT CHANGED. IT WAS ALSO NOTED THE FRONT END ALLIGNMENT WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER ROTATED THE TIRES AND NOTED TIRE WEAR WAS THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD 17144 MILES AND THE ALLIGNMENT WAS STILL PULLING. THE DEALER CHECKED AND STATED THE FRONT END WAS SET AT MANUFACTURERS SPECS. THE VEHICLE HAD 23,922 MILES AND THE FRONT BRAKES WERE SQEAKING AND GRINDING AGAIN. THE DEALER CHANGED THE FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. THE VEHICLE HAD 28,343 MILES AND THE FRONT END WAS SQEAKING AND SHUDDERING WHEN BRAKING AT ANY SPEEDS. THE DEALER CHECKED THE ALIGNMENT AND RESET THE TOE. BY THIS TIME THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE COMPLETELY WORN BELOW 3/32 TREAD DEPTH. THE DEALER STATED THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. THE DEALER CHANGED THE FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKES DUE TO THEM BEING GROOVED AND WARPED. THE DEALER WAS TOLD THE NOISE SOUNDED AS THOUGH IT WAS COMING FROM THE REAR BRAKES. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THE PADS WERE SEVERELY WORN AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOT EVEN INSPECTED AT ANY TIME WHEN THE FRONT BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY GROUND DOWN TO METAL. THE DEALER COULD ONLY TELL ME THE REAR BRAKES WERE NO LONGER UNDER THE WARRANTY. PLEASE HELP!!! *TT

Mileage: 13,096

CONSISTENT BRAKE AND ROTOR FAILURE..SCRAPING, GRINDING, LOCKING AND SHIMMEYING OF THE WHEEL WHEN BRAKING. WAS INFORMED BY CHRYSLER CORPORATION THAT THIS YEAR, MAKE, MODEL HAS A KNOWN "DESIGN" FLAW IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THEIR SOLUTION IS TO TEMPORARILY KEEP REPLACING THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS, HOWEVER AFTER 36000 MILES THE CONSUMER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FULL REPLACEMENT AND PAYMENT OF THESE PARTS EVERY SINGLE YEAR AS THEY FAIL TO OPERATE CORRECTLY EVERY 12,000 MILES. CHRYSLER CORPORATION KNOWINGLY SOLD THIS VEHICLE TO CONSUMERS AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING BUT PUT A BANDAID ON THIS ISSUE. THEY SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND COMPLETELY REHAUL THE BRAKING SYSTEM OR GIVE THE CONSUMERS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE AND REIMBURSE FOR ALL EXPENSES SURROUNDING THIS ISSUE. THEY ARE PUTTING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AT RISK AS WELL AS OTHERS. *TT

Mileage: 7,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIRS THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

Mileage: 7,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE WEARING PREMATURELY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. IN FEBRUARY 2009, THE DEALER REPAIRED THE BRAKE PADS AND IN OCTOBER AND DECEMBER 2010, THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE YET NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 18,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR CALIPERS BEGAN TO HEAT UP AND THE REAR WHEELS ALSO LOCKED. THE TREAD CAME OFF OF BOTH TIRES BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THE CALIPERS FAILED AND WERE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

2008 DODGE CARAVAN PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2008. REAR BRAKES RUBBING CAUSING SQUEALING, A BURNING SMELL AND VERY HOT RIMS. DEALER REPLACED BOTH REAR BRAKES IN AUGUST 2009 AT ABOUT 11,000 MILES. SAME THING OCCURRED IN 2011. DEALER REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ON PRICE AND WANTED $401. THEY CLAIMED CORROSION WAS THE PROBLEM. CAR NOW HAS 27,000 MILES. REAR BRAKES ONLY LASTED 16,000 MILES. THERE IS A DEFECT. EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT. SOMEBODY IS GOING TO DIE. RIMS WILL HEAT UP AND CAUSE A TIRE TO BLOW. JUST A MATTER TO TIME. *TR

Mileage: 27,025

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS WERE WEARING PREMATURELY AND EXCESSIVELY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS IN JULY 2010 AND THE ROTORS WERE WORN AGAIN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 33,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD HUMMING SOUND COMING FROM THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE NOISE WOULD BEGIN TO SOUND WHILE DRIVING ABOVE SPEEDS OF 60 MPH AND CEASE ONCE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. ONCE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE NOISE WOULD RESUME. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 40,000. UPDATED 11/16/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE HUMMING NOISE CEASED. UPDATED 12/02/11

WE OWN A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 45K MILES ON THE VAN. THE VAN HAS BEEN THROUGH 4 COMPLETE BRAKE REPAIRS WITHIN THE 45 K AND MOST RECENTLY WE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER. WE WERE OVER 1000 MILES FROM HOME ON JULY 20TH IN MIAMI WHEN BOTH BRAKES AND MASTER CYLINDER WENT OUT. BY LUCK I NOTICED THE PROBLEM AND BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE, THIS HAD THE POTENTIAL TO BE LIFE THREATENING FOR MY YOUNG KIDS, MY WIFE AND I. WE ARE LOOKING TO YOU FOR HELP BEFORE WE OR SOMEONE GETS HURT. WE ARE AVERAGING THE NEED FOR BRAKES EVERY 12K MILES. WE HAVE PAID FOR ALL OF THE REPAIRS AND DODGE FINALLY ISSUED A REPAYMENT FOR A PERCENTAGE OF THE COST. THESE BRAKES ARE UNDERPERFORMING AND I BELIEVE IT IS AN ENGINEERING ISSUE. PLEASE RESEARCH THIS ISSUE. THERE IS A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO MAKE SURE THE PUBLIC IS PROTECTED. I APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS, WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A SECOND TIME APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

Mileage: 34,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE EXCESSIVELY WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY 20,000 AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE AGAIN REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A THIRD TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

Mileage: 36,000

BRAKES "BURNING" AGAIN. *KB

Mileage: 37,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR BRAKES FAILED PREMATURELY. THE BRAKES, FRONT BRAKE PADS AND CALIPERS ON THE FRONT WHEELS WERE REPLACED AT 22,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE REAR BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THE VIN WAS NOT ACCEPTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,6000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,986. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED AGAIN AT 28,000 MILES. UPDATED 03/08/12

Mileage: 22,600

FRONT BRAKES WORN OUT AT 18K MILES - NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY - NOT CONSIDERED DEFECTIVE? PADS GONE - ROTORS HEAVILY GROOVED. *KB

Mileage: 18,500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE REAR BRAKES, ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,550. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,500. UDATED 8/29/11 *CN UPDATED 09/21/11

Mileage: 20,500

I BOUGHT A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IN JUNE 09 WITH 5,000 MILES. AS OF TODAY, AT 57000 MILES IT IS ON IT IS NEEDING ITS FIFTH SET OF BRAKES AND ROTORS. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 20 YRS AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES AT A RATE LIKE THIS. BY THIS TIME I SHOULD HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MAYBE ONE SET AT A MAXIMUM. CHRYSLER HAS FAILED TO ADMIT THEIR MISTAKE IN UNDERSIZING BRAKES WHICH CLEARLY ARE BEING "EATEN UP" AT A RATE 5-6 TIMES WHAT THEY SHOULD. CHRYSLER DID REIMBURSE ME $100 FOR A $500 BRAKE JOB ONE TIME STATING THAT THEY REALIZED THAT ORIGINAL BRAKES WERE BASICALLY SHODDY, BUT THEY HAVE FAILED TO ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THE VAN ITSELF. IN FACT, THEY BLAMED THE PROBLEM ON THE EPA NO LONGER ALLOWING ASBESTOS IN THE BRAKES. IF THIS IS THE CASE, WHY ISN'T EVERYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD REPLACING BRAKES AT THIS ASTRONOMICAL RATE? I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CARS, BOTH NEW AND USED, AND I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES LIKE THIS. I AM VERY ANGRY REGARDING THIS AND FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE PUBLICIZED SO AS TO NOT PUT OTHERS AT RISK FOR BECOMING VICTIMS OF THE SAME DISAPPOINTING SITUATION OF A VAN. I PERSONALLY PLAN ON TRADING THIS VAN AS SOON AS I AM ABLE. *TR

Mileage: 18,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE BRAKING, THE CONTACT NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED THE FAILURE OCCURRED A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE AND NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A THIRD TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.

Mileage: 19,000

DRIVER SIDE REAR BRAKE CALIBER MECHANISM. I HAS THE CALIBER REPLACED IN MARCH AND HAD NEW BREAK PADS AND ROTORS INSTALLED. I DROVE ABOUT LESS THAN 3000 MILE AND HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN. IN THIS LAST EPISODE I HAVE PAID OUT $1300 IN JUST PARTS, NOT TO MENTION LABOR COSTS, AND TWO $100 TOW BILLS AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT FIXED. I HAVE REPLACED THE ENTIRE BREAK CALIBER FULLY LOADED MECHANISM AND DROVE 20 MILES AND HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED DUE TO THE BREAK CALIBER FREEZING AGAIN. THIS ISSUE IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE DEATH OF MYSELF MY PASSENGERS, AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK AND FAMILY EVENTS. I GOT THIS CAR BECAUSE OF IT SIZE AFFORDABLE FOR ME AS A SINGLE MOTHER OF THREE LIVING ON A FIXED INCOME. I THOUGHT BECAUSE IT WAS NEWER THAT I WOULD BE ABLE TO DRIVE IT FOR AWHILE BEFORE MAJOR ISSUES WOULD HAPPEN. I HAVE ONLY THIS CAR A YEAR AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT MORE THAN 20 MILES BEFORE HAVING IT TOWED TO A GARAGE SINCE THIS LAST ISSUE. I HAVE HAD THE PAD AND ROTORS REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE OF IT IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS. THIS LAST TIME I HAD TO TOW IT TO MY HOME AS I CANNOT PUT ANY MORE MONEY INTO IT YET I STILL HAVE 6 YEARS OF PAYMENTS LEFT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. IF THEY CANNOT FIX IT THAN THEY NEED TO GIVE ME A NEW VAN. *TR

Mileage: 81,000

I HAVE A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 16,700 MILES. DESPITE THE FACT THAT MY BRAKE PADS WERE NOT READY TO BE CHANGED, I HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS IN BOTH FRONT TIRES. I WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY BRAKING AT 35 MPH. *TR THE VAN WAS DRIVEN ONLY ONE HALF OF A MILE TO THE MECHANICS AND THE MECHANIC MEASURED THE TEMPERATURE OF THE AIR NEAR THE FRONT TIRES AT 198 DEGREES F; THE REAR TIRES MEASURED 140 DEGREES.

Mileage: 16,700

2008 DODGE CARAVAN SE... BRAKE CALIPER SEIZED UP. CAUSED PREMATURE WEAR AND TEAR ON BOTH THE BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR. VEHICLE BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AT 30 MPH+. THE CALIPERS CAUSE BRAKES TO WEAR OUT BETWEEN 8000 MILES TO 14000 MILES, FAR SOONER THAN NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR WOULD CAUSE. DEALERSHIPS ARE REPAIRING FAULTY CALIPERS UNDER "GOOD WILL" TICKETS, WHICH ARE TREATED LIKE A WARRANTY REPAIRS IN RESPECTS TO CHARGES TO THE VEHICLES OWNER. TECHNICIANS AT THE DEALERSHIP ALLUDED THAT THE 2008 AND 2009 MODEL YEAR FOR DODGE CARAVANS AND CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VANS ARE KNOWN FOR SEVERE BRAKE PROBLEMS. SEIZED CALIPERS CAN ALSO CAUSE SEVERE SHIFTS IN THE STEERING WHILE BRAKING, WHICH COULD CAUSE COLLISIONS OR ACCIDENTS. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDELY KNOWN TO OWNERS WHO HAVE REPORTED IT TO MANY WEBSITES AND DEALERSHIPS. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE IN WISCONSIN DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH, THE LEFT REAR BRAKE ON MY DAUGHTER'S VAN SUDDENLY SEIZED. WHEN I PULLED OFF THE INTERSTATE, THE ENTIRE WHEEL WAS TOO HOT TO TOUCH AND THERE WAS A STRONG BURNING SMELL. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS A CHRYSLER DEALER RIGHT THERE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE LEFT REAR CALIPER 'HUNG UP' ON THE BRAKE. THEY SAID THAT THE CALIPER ADAPTER WAS NEW TO THIS MODEL (2008), THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE AND THAT CHRYSLER HAS A NEWER DESIGN BUT THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PADS, CALIPERS AND ROTORS ON BOTH REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY CLEANED AND LUBRICATED THE BRAKES AND I CONTINUED TO CHICAGO TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE THERE. LATER MY DAUGHTER TOLD ME THAT IN APRIL 2011, THE SAME THING HAD HAPPENED BUT ON THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE. AGAIN THIS WAS ON THE INTERSTATE. SHE HEARD A VERY LOUD SQUEALING. AFTER TAPPING THE BRAKES A FEW TIMES THE SOUND WENT AWAY AND SHE CONTINUED. THIS IS WHY THE DEALER SAID THAT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE PADS, CALIPERS AND ROTOR ALSO NEEDED REPLACEMENT. WORSE, MY DAUGHTER'S BROTHER-IN-LAW BOUGHT THE SAME MODEL CARAVAN IN 2008. ON A TRIP TO VIRGINIA, ALSO ON THE INTERSTATE, THEIR BRAKES SEIZED IN THE SAME MANNER. WHEN WE GOT TO CHICAGO, I TOOK THE VAN INTO ROESCH CHRYSLER IN ELMHURST ILLINOIS. THEY REPLACED THE CALIPERS UNDER WARRANTY BUT CHARGED ME TO REPLACE THE PADS AND ROTORS. THE FACT THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE ON MY DAUGHTER'S VAN, THAT IT ALSO HAPPENED ON HER BROTHER-IN-LAW'S SAME MODEL/YEAR VAN, THAT THE CALIPER DESIGN WAS NEW IN 2008, THAT SINCE THEN A NEW CALIPER DESIGN HAS BEEN RELEASED ' LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE ORIGINAL CALIPER/BRAKE DESIGN IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. MOREOVER, CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THESE VEHICLES AS A SAFETY ISSUE GIVEN AN OVER HEATED WHEEL COULD HAVE CAUSED A HIGH SPEED BLOWOUT.

Mileage: 35,569

I HAVE REPLACED MY BRAKES 3 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT UTTER AND MOTORS 1 TIME THEY GET VERY HOT AND SMELL LIKE THEIR BURNING ALSO A POSSIBLE HUB BEARING IS GOING OUT ON PASSENGER SIDE LAST BUT NOT LEASE MY LIGHT ON RADIO IS NOT WORKING AS WELL. I'VE OBSERVED ON THE WEB SITE SEVERAL DODGE GRANDCARAVANS HAVE BEEN HAVING. *TR

Mileage: 89,002

THE BRAKES ON OUR 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SXT COMPLETELY RUSTED AT 26,500 MILES. AS OF 5/26/2011. PRIOR TO THAT (05/27/2010) THE BRAKES RUSTED AND LOCKED AT 19,844. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED ON A PLATFORM TRUCK BECAUSE TIRES, WHEELS ASSEMBLIES WERE COMPLETELY LOCKED AT THAT TIME. BRAKES HAVE BEEN PULSATING AND STARTED TO MAKE HARMONIC SOUNDS IN THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT. BRAKES WERE SPONGY WITH THE PULSATING CREATING VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL. HAVE FORMALLY FILED A COMPLAINT TO CHRYSLER. CLERK AT CHRYSLER INDICATED UNUSUAL NUMBER OF CALLS BUT NO DETAIL, JUST THAT THEY'RE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES INVOLVING DODGE CARAVAN AND TOWN AND COUNTRY. VAN IS AT DEALER BEING REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. *TR

Mileage: 26,500

I BOUGHT A USED 2008 DODGE CARAVAN WITH 34,000 MILES ON IT. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BRAKES AND ROTORS AT 38,000, CARMAX NEVER TOLD ME THAT. I ENDED UP REPLACING MY ROTORS TWICE SINCE NOV 2010 AND MY BRAKES 4 DIFFERENT TIMES. I SENT DODGE CHRYSLER A LETTER WITH MY INVOICES FOR REFUND WITH NO RESPONSE. AND NOW AGAIN DODGE IS TELLING ME THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE ROTORS AND BRAKES. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY, AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CONTINUE TO PAY FOR THIS. I DRIVE A SPECIAL NEEDS DAUGHTER AND TWO SONS IN THIS VAN AND FEEL IT IS UNSAFE BUT ITS THE ONLY CAR WE HAVE AND NO ONE WILL HELP US. THANK YOU *TR

Mileage: 38,000

HERE WE GO AGAIN. FRONT BRAKE PROBLEMS AT 18,000 MILES ON A 2008 GRAND CARAVAN. THEN THE RECALL, NOW THE REAR BRAKES AT 35K. AFTER DISCUSSION WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER HE STATED THE REAR BRAKES COULD WEAR OUT AT 8K MILES(R U KIDDING ME) SOME SERVICE MANAGER. BACK BRAKES SHOULD LAST AT LEAST 40-50K WHEN NOT TOWING. THE REAR BRAKE CALIBERS AND PADS HAVE THE SAME DEFECTS AS THE FRONT. I CHANGED THE REAR PADS AND 1 GLIDE WAS MISSING AND THAT PAD WAS WORN ALOT MORE THAN THE OTHER 3. THANKS DODGE, GREAT VEHICLE. ALSO WHO WAS THE GENIUS THAT CAME UP WITH THE 225 65 16 TIRE SIZE, NICE JOB. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NON-FUNCTIONAL AND THE ENGINE, ESC AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED IN JANUARY 2009 AND THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK INTERMITTENTLY. THE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE AND WERE REPLACED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. IN 2010, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING; THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND TURN SIGNALS ALSO DID NOT FUNCTION. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED ASSISTANCE WITH THE OTHER ISSUES ASIDE FROM THE SPEEDOMETER AND LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE SPEEDOMETER AND LIGHT FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

MY WIFE CAME HOME FRIDAY(3/11/11) COMPLAINING THAT HER FRONT BRAKES WERE MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. SO THE FOLLOWING DAY I JACKED THE 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN UP TO INSPECT FOR A PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE WORN DOWN WITH METAL TO METAL CONTACT FROM THE BRAKE PADS. THE VAN HAS ONLY 29,000 MILES ON IT. BACK DURING OCTOBER WE GOT A LETTER FROM DODGE STATING WE NEEDED TO BRING OUR VAN IN FOR A BRAKE INSPECTION FOR THE FRONT BRAKES BECAUSE THERE WERE ISSUES OF PREMATURE FRONT PAD FAILURE SO WE COMPLIED. AT THAT TIME THEY NOTICED NO PROBLEM,BUT NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT ROTORS AND FRONT PADS ON A VEHICLE THAT ONLY HAS 29,000 MILES. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FROM DODGE, BUT THEY STATE THERE IS ONLY A 12 MONTH 12,000 MILE WARRANTY FOR BRAKE PARTS/PROBLEMS. *TR

Mileage: 29,000

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE DOWN THE ROAD, IT HAD BEEN ABOUT 10 MINUTES SINCE I HAD LEFT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER TO HAVE MY A/C SERVICED. MY REAR BRAKES HAD BEEN SERVICED LESS THAN 6,000 MILES PREVIOUSLY AND HAD BEEN CHECKED THE NIGHT BEFORE BY A JUST BRAKES TECHNICIAN. AS I WAS DRIVING I BEGAN TO HEAR SOME SQUEALING. WHEN I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT I NOTICED A HUGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE POURING OUT OF THE REAR OF MY CAR. I WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE ENOUGH TO COAST IN TO THE JUST BRAKES SHOP WHERE TECHNICIANS LOOKED AT MY VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED A TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE OF MY REAR BRAKES. THE TEMPERATURE HAD REACHED SO HIGH THAT THE ASSEMBLY ITSELF WAS WHITE HOT AND SMOKING. HAD I NOT BEEN CLOSER TO THE SHOP MY BRAKES MIGHT HAVE FAILED BECAUSE THE PADS WERE TOTALLY DESTROYED WHEN THEY TOOK THEM OFF. I HAVE THE OLD PADS IN MY POSSESSION. *TR

Mileage: 46,270

2008 DODGE CARAVAN BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE OR UNDER ENGINEERED. HAD TO REPLACE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS @ 22K MILES AND AM NOW HAVING TO REPLACE FRONT AND REAR @ 35K MILES. VERY NERVOUS AS TO STOPPING ABILITY NOW. *TR

Mileage: 22,000

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. CONSUMER STATES THERE HAVE BEEN FIVE RECALLS FOR HER VEHICLE AND HAD PROBLEMS BEFORE THE RECALLS WERE ANNOUNCED. SHE WOULD LIKE TO TERMINATE HER LEASE EARLY. *KB IN JUNE 2009, THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AT ONLY 15,000 AND AGAIN IN AUGUST 2010. IN THE SPRING, THE VEHICLE HAD NO AIR CONDITION. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE PART WAS MANUFACTURED TOO SHORT AND FROZE DURING THE WINTER, WHICH CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK OUT. THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED AFTER 3 WEEKS. IN JUNE 2010, THE SAME HOSE RUPTURED AND AGAIN THE CONSUMER WAS LEFT WITH NO A/C. THE RADIATOR CAP HAD TO BE REPAIRED WHICH WAS WHY THE CONSUMER HAD TO KEEP ADDING COOLANT. THE WASHER FLUID SENSOR WAS NOT WORKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN AUGUST 2010, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR STOPPED FUNCTIONING FOR DAYS. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. HOWEVER, TWO MONTHS LATER A RECALL WAS ISSUED. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE ALSO EXPERIENCED POWER FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. EACH TIME THE PROBLEM OCCURRED THE ENGINE WOULD RUN, BUT NOTHING ELSE IN THE VEHICLE WORKED, SUCH AS THE WINDOWS, LOCKS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS ETC. THE PROBLEM WAS SPORADIC AND EACH TIME THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE. THE CONTACT WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN TO VIBRATE ABNORMALLY AND THE BRAKES WERE EXHIBITING AN UNUSUAL CHATTERING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON IN HIS YEAR, MAKE AMD MODEL VEHICLE BUT UNLESS THE MANUFACTURER WAS WILLING TO ASSIST, THERE WAS NOT MUCH HE COULD DO TO ASSIST. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

Mileage: 12,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE AND BEGAN TO SMELL A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE ODOR WAS COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE HAD LOCKED UP. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 27,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. UPDATED 02/23/11 *BF UPDATED 02/28/11

Mileage: 27,000

WE PURCHASE OUR 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN NEW ON 12/22/2008. WE HAVE HAD TO GET OUR FRONT PADS REPLACED AND FRONT ROTORS RESURFACED AT 20,306 MILES AND CHRYSLER SENT OUT A FRONT BRAKE LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION SO WE RECEIVED A REFUND BACK MINUS THE 50.00 DEDUCTIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR. HOWEVER NOW WE'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH OUR REAR CALIPERS & REAR BRAKES WHICH WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE OUR REPAIR REFUNDED OR A RECALL DONE ON THIS MATTER. HERE IS THE INFO: FIRST COMPLAINT:--THE REAR CALIPERS SEIZED WHICH CAUSED THE SECOND COMPLAINT-- THE PADS WORE OUT QUICKLY. THE REAR CALIPERS SEIZED AND THE REAR BRAKES FAILED AND BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE REAR ROTORS AND DRUMS HAD TO BE RESURFACED AT OUR EXPENSE($446.38 PARTS & LABOR, NOT INCLUDING TAX).

Mileage: 35,827

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN BRAKING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE SINCE RECURRED TWICE. AFTER EACH FAILURE, THE BRAKES WOULD EITHER BE REPLACED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 02/09/11*LJ UPDATED 05/09/11

Mileage: 10,000

APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES FRONT BRAKE RECALL LETTER RECEIVED, TOOK TO LOCAL DEALER AND REPAIRS MADE. AT 23,000 MILE REAR LEFT LOCKED, TOTAL REPLACEMENT AT THE COST OF $299.29 TO REPAIR ONE BRAKE, ROTOR AND CALIPER. VERY DISAPPOINTED, WAS INFORMED BY DEALER REPAIRMAN THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE REARS SOON. TOLD TO KEEP RECEIPT FOR REIMBURSEMENT. *TR

Mileage: 20,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON AUGUST 18, 2009 WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH SOMEONE ADVISED HIM THAT HIS WHEEL WAS SMOKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT BOTH REAR CALIPERS WERE LOCKED THE DEALER REPLACED CALIPERS, ROTORS, AND REAR BRAKE PADS AT 14,768 MILES. ON OCTOBER 25, 2010 WHILE DRIVING HE SMELLED SMOKE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE RIGHT REAR CALIPER WAS FROZEN, THE LEFT REAR CALIPER WAS STICKING AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE OVERHEATED AND CRACKED. THE REAR CALIPERS, AND BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AT 29,979 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A RENTAL VEHICLE WHEN THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,768. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,979. UPDATED 01/18/11 *BF UPDATED 1/19/2010 *CN UPDATED 03/31/11 ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE REAR CALIPERS WERE NOT RELEASING PROPERLY AND THE REAR ROTORS WERE DISCOLORED. UPDATED 06/01/11

Mileage: 14,768

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 32K MILES FRONT BRAKES WERE SQUEAKING SO WE TOOK IT TO LOCAL DODGE DEALER. SAID THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS CAR IS NEW AND THE FIRST BRAKE JOB NEEDS ROTORS? WE PAID FOR IT AND LATER DODGE SENT OUT A REIMBURSEMENT LETTER IN THE SUMMER TO PAY HALF OF THE COSTS. I WONDER IF THEY PUT THE SAME JUNK ROTORS BACK ON? NOW, 6K MILES LATER THE FRONT RIGHT BRAKE SQUEALS LIKE THE PAD IS LOW BUT THE DEALER SAID IT IS OK AND THAT IS "NORMAL". IT IS NOT NORMAL TO HEAR A GRINDING PAD ON ROTOR SOUND WHEN THE PAD IS GOOD! THE ONLY THING HE SAID THEY COULD DO WOULD BE TO RESURFACE THE ROTOR AND PUT STOP SQUEAL ON THE PAD. IT WOULD COST AROUND 120.00 BUCKS. POOR PARTS ARE OBVIOUSLY ON THIS CAR...I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER DODGE OR SUGGEST ANYONE DO SO. OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS NEW CAR SO FAR ARE: 1. WHEN FIRST BOUGHT, TRANS FLUID LEAK, WARRANTY FIXED THAT. 2. ROTORS AND PADS ON FRONT (AS DESCRIBED ABOVE), REIMBURSED FOR HALF 3. NOW AT 38K MILES, THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING IS BAD, HAVE TO REPLACE, 220.00 DOLLARS, I AM TALKING TO CHRYSLER TO SEE IF THEY WILL PAY FOR OR NOT. TWO DEALERS AND TWO REPAIR SHOPS CANNOT GET THIS PART FOR A WEEK TO A MONTH, THEY ARE ON BACKORDER. *TR

IN JULY2010, I HAD THE FRONT BRAKES REPLACE AFTER ONLY 30000 M ILES. ALSO A FRONT CALIPER WAS REPLACED DUE TO IT NOT RELEASING AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES. IN AUG, 2010 ON A RETURN TRIP FROM FLORIDA, THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS FROZE , WOULD NOT RELEASE, CAUSING THE REAR BRAKES TO OVERHEAT, CAUSING REAR BRAKE FAILURE. REPAIR OF THE REAR BRAKES COST APROX.$ 580.00. A COMPLAINT TO CHRYSLER CORP. WAS INITIATED, AND THEY REIMBURSED A TOTAL OF$280.00. I WAS TOLD BY 2 DEALERS THAT THERE HAS BEEN AN ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE CALIPERS ON THE CHRYSLER/DODGE VANS. SINCE WE WERE TRANSPORTING OXYGEN THAT MY WIFE NEEDS FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES A FIRE OR OTHER FAILURE OF THE REAR BRAKES, IE FIRE, SEIZING OF THE BRAKES CAUSING A WRECK, OR BEING DISABLED ON THE HIGHWAY, MILES FROM A REPAIR FACILITY COULD HAVE HAD SERIOUS RESULTS. AT THE PRESENT TIME THE ONLY REMAINING CALIPER HAS FAILED, FROZE TO THE ROTOR, AND IS IN NEED OF REPAIR WHICH HAS BEEN SCHEDULED AT A NON DEALER SHOP. THE COST HAS BEEN ESTIMATED AT $100.00. CHRYSLER CORP HAS NOT GIVEN ANY ACKNOWLEDGMENT AS TO THE CAUSE OR WHY THIS IS OCCURRING, ONLY THE $280.00 REIMBURSEMENT. THE QUESTION IS: WILL THIS HAPPEN IF I PURCHASE ANOTHER CHRYSLER VAN AND HAS THE BRAKE CALIPER BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED AND FIXED? 4280.00 REIMBURSEMENT. *TR

Mileage: 35,000

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 27,000 MILES ON IT NEEDS TO HAVE ALL FOUR SETS OF BRAKE PADS AND FRONT ROTORS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE FRONT PADS HAVE WERE REPLACED 13,000 MILES AGO AND HAVE ALREADY WORN DOWN SO FAR THAT THEY ARE CUTTING GROOVES INTO THE ROTORS. I AM A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC AND HAVE NEVER SEEN BRAKES WEAR OUT IN 12,000 MILES. DODGE REFUSES TO REPLACE THE BRAKES CITING THAT THEY ARE WEAR ITEMS. THEY SHOULD WEAR OUT IN 50,000 MILES, NOT 12,000. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM AS EVEN WHEN NEW, THE BRAKES ARE SERIOUSLY UNDER ENGINEERED. I HAVE TO PRESS THE PEDAL ALMOST TO THE FLOOR FOR NORMAL STOPS AND IN THE EVENT OF PANIC STOPS, I HAVE HAD MORE THAN ENOUGH NEAR MISSES WHERE THE VAN JUST DIDN'T STOP IN TIME AND I WOUND UP OFF THE ROAD ON THE SHOULDER. *TR

Mileage: 12,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE WHEEL VIBRATED CAUSING DIFFICULTY WHEN THE CONTACT TRIED TO STOP. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALL FOUR ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS HAD FAILED; THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE REAR PARTS WERE REPLACED AT A REPAIR SHOP AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,817 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000.

Mileage: 25,817

GOING ON MY 3RD SET OF BRAKES AT 32K MILES. DODGE SERVICE CENTER SAID THEY KNEW OF THIS BEING A PROBLEM ON ALL GRAND CARAVANS 2008 AND LATER. TOLD ME I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY . AT THIS RATE I WILL HAVE OVER $3000 IN BRAKES IN LESS THAN 4 YRS. NEED TO BE A RECALL FOR A LONGER LASTING BRAKE. THIS IS TO DANGEROUS AND COSTLY FOR THE OWNER AND MOTHERS WHO DRIVE THEIR CHILDREN. *TR

Mileage: 32,000

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. 90,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM REAR WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. INVESTIGATED AND FOUND BOTH REAR WHEELS, INSIDE DISCS PADS WERE COMPLETELY WORN. OUTSIDE PADS WERE STILL GOOD. REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS. BELIEVE ITS THE DESIGN OF THE CALIPERS, NEVER SEEN CALIPER PISTONS THAT TURNED OUT WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. HAD TO HAVE A SPECIAL TOOL TO TURN THE PISTONS BACK IN TO REPLACE PADS. I DON'T THINK THAT THE PISTONS CAN RETRACT VERY WELL BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN CAUSING MORE PRESSURE ON THE INSIDE PADS. THE NEW PADS ALSO SMOKED FOR A FEW DAYS AFTERWARDS. AFTER TALKING TO A DEALER NO INFO OR REASON COULD BE FOUND FOR THE EXCESSIVE WEAR. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

WE BOUGHT A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN BRAND NEW AND AT 12,000 MILES IT NEEDS BRAND NEW BRAKES. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN MAKING A GRINDING NOISE FOR MONTHS. CHRYSLER HAS EXTENDED THE WARRENTY ON THE BRAKES FOR THAT YEAR. WE BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL! THEY ALSO DON'T HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM SO I AM DRIVING ON BAD BRAKES WITH 4 CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 12,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE FRONT BRAKES DETERIORATED SOONER THAN NORMAL CAUSING THE FRONT ROTORS TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE CONTACTED RECEIVED A REFUND FROM THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE FRONT BRAKE DEFECT REGARDING THE MATERIAL PREPARED BY THE FACTORY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO ADVISE THEM THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ALSO FAILED. A REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE REAR BRAKE AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

Mileage: 29,000

PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR. REAR BRAKE PADS REPLACED (15000 MILES). FRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED TWICE IN 32000 MILES. ROTORS REPLACED AT 32000 MILES. NOW ROTORS ARE WARPED AGAIN. TRAVEL AROUND TOWN AND MINOR HIGHWAY ONLY. NO HEAVY BREAKING, ETC. NO ACCIDENT YET! *TR

Mileage: 32,093

BRAKES PADS WEAR OUT FAST AND ROTOR KEEP WARPING. HAVE HAD BRAKES REPLACED 5 TIMES ALREADY. I AM ONLY UP TO 54,000 AND I NEED BRAKES AGAIN. THE LAST BRAKE AND ROTOR JOB WAS AT 39K. *TR

Mileage: 54,002

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS A BRAKE DESIGN FLAW WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKES TO FAIL PREMATURELY. THE FIRST SET WORE OUT BEFORE 25K MILES AND CAUSED MY WIFE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT WHEN SHE COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AGAIN WITH LESS THAN 30K ADDITIONAL MILES. THIS IS TOO OFTEN FOR BRAKES. *TR

Mileage: 24,000

NEW 2008 DODGE CARAVAN REAR BRAKES BURN & SQUEAL SINCE NEW. PADS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND CALIPERS TWICE. PROBLEM CONTINUES TO REPEAT USUALLY NO CHARGE SINCE CAR STILL IN WARRANTY (29000 MI). BUT I NEED RELIABLE BRAKES. DEALER SAYS IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 2008 BUT CAN'T STOP THE PROBLEM FROM RECURRING. RECENTLY THE ABS & THE HYDRAULIC MODULES WENT AND I HAD TO BE TOWED. *TR

Mileage: 8,000

ON A RECENT TRIP FROM FLORIDA, OUR 2008 DODGE VAN EXPERIENCED REAR BRAKE FAILURE. WHILE TRAVELING ON I-75, AT HIGHWAY SPEED, 70MPH, THE REAR BRAKES SEIZED, CAUSING SMOKE , THE ROTORS HEATING TO THE POINT BEING RED HOT, ALL CAUSING DIFFICULTLY IN STOPPING. AFTER LETTING THE BRAKES COOL AND MAKING OUR WAY TO A REPAIR FACILITY, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE REAR CALIPERS HAD SEIZED, FROZEN IN PLACE CAUSING THE BRAKES TO OVERHEAT AND BURN. THE COST OF REPLACING THE BRAKES, CALIPERS AND OTHER PARTS COST OVER $575.00 PLUS THE LOSS OF A DAY TRAVELING AND OVER NIGHT STAY. WE WERE TOLD THAT T THE BRAKES WERE FAILED AND COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED A FIRE DUE THE AMOUNT OF HEAT GENERATED OR A CRASH. *TR

Mileage: 38,600

HAD FRONT BRAKES DONE AT 7,000 MILES FOUND OUT THEY WERE GOING TO BE COVERED BECAUSE THERE WAS A SATISFACTION NOTICE THAT JUST CAME OUT...NOW I HAVE 10,386 MILES AND THE REAR BRAKES HAD TO BE DONE. NEVER HAD TO HAD TO DO REAR BRAKES UNTIL I NEEDED MY THIRD SET OF FRONTS DONE....THIS IS MY THIRD DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. DEALER SAID THEY DON'T KNOW OF ANY PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 10,386

I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CHRYSLER/DODGE LLC, INFORMING ME ABOUT A DEFECT IN THE BRAKE COMPONENTS OF MY 2008 DODGE CARAVAN. IN THE LETTER IT STATES THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING MY OWN BRAKES REPLACE BECAUSE MY WARRANTY HAVE EXPIRED. THE BRAKES PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A LOCAL DODGE DEALER THE ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACE AND I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR 1 YEAR AND 7 MONTHS. I HAVE CALLED CHRYSLER/DODGE LLC REPEATEDLY ONLY TO RECEIVE EXTREMELY BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE. I DON'T FEEL LIKE I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKE. *TR

BRAKE PROBLEMS,BRAKE CALIBERS FREEZING TO ROTORS, REPLACED BRAKES AT 31,000 MILES ON 2008 DODGE CARAVAN HAVE TO PUMP BRAKE PEDAL TO GET CALIBERS TO RELEASE, AT 36,000 MILES NEEDED NEW PADS, BRAKES STILL STICKING TO ROTORS AT 47,000 MILES. *TR

Mileage: 28,000

BRAKE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 2008 GRAND CARAVAN. *TR

BRAKES HAVE BEEN WORN OUT TWICE IN 24K MILES. *TR

Mileage: 24,000

NOISE STARTED AT 13,188 MILES WITH 2008 CARAVAN. TOLD TO FIX FRONT BRAKES, I DID. STILL A NOISE. AT 30K MILES THEY FINALLY FOUND THAT 1 REAR BRAKE CALIPER WAS STICKING THE OTHER WAS FROZEN. I BELIEVE THIS LED TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. THE REAR BRAKES ARE ALSO A PROBLEM ON THIS CAR. *TR

Mileage: 13,188

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. 3 INCIDENT OF PREMATURE BRAKE FAILURE. ROTORS AND PADS METAL TO METAL AT 27250 MILES. REAR BRAKES 90 GONE AFTER 11,000 MILES. *TR

DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS NOTICED THE VEHICLE FELT WITH LESS POWER THAN USUAL. I CAME UP TO A TRAFFIC JAM AND HAD TO REDUCE SPEED TO 0 MPH. AT THIS POINT I NOTICE A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL AND BEGAN NOTICING A BURNT BRAKE SMELL. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE AND SAW THE BRAKE PADS WERE SMOKING PROFUSELY. VISUAL INSPECTION SHOWED THE ROTOR HAD ACQUIRED A LIGHT BLUE COLOR ALL AROUND. ROTORS AND PADS HAVE LESS THAN 300 MILES SINCE BEING INSTALLED, I HAD INSTALLED AFTERMARKET CERAMIC PADS INSTEAD OF DEALER'S SEMI-METALLIC COMPOUND, NEW ROTORS ARE ALSO AFTERMARKET SINCE I REFUSED TO GIVE DODGE ANY MORE MONEY FOR WHAT I CONSIDERED SUB PAR COMPONENTS SINCE I HAD TO DO A TOTAL BRAKE REPLACEMENT WELL UNDER 30,000 MILES AND MY PREVIOUS REQUEST FOR SERVICING BRAKES UNDER WARRANTY WENT UNANSWERED.. VAN WAS INSPECTED BY TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS BEFORE BRAKE REPLACEMENT AND BOTH DEALERS SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM , THAT IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CALIPERS AND OR OTHER BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. ONCE BRAKE PADS STOPPED SMOKING I RESUMED MINIMUM HIGHWAY SPEED UNTIL REACHING AN EXIT TWO MILES AHEAD. VAN DID NOT FEEL SLUGGISH AT THIS POINT AND BRAKES DID NOT SMOKE AGAIN. THIS COULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME AGAIN BECAUSE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM PREVIOUSLY AND THEY HAVE NO KNOWN ROOT CAUSE FOR THIS FAILURE. IN MY OPINION THIS HAS TO BE RELATED TO WHAT I CONSIDER A PREMATURE BRAKE REPLACEMENT DONE EARLIER THIS MONTH. *TR

Mileage: 27,800

PREMATURE AND IMMEDIATE BRAKE PAD FAILURE. NO INDICATOR WARNING AND SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. ALL BRAKE PADS FAILED WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNING THE VAN AND STILL NO RECOGNITION FROM DODGE OF MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN IS OF NO CONCERN TO DODGE. *TR

Mileage: 20,000

WE OWN A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AT 20,000 MILES. TO WHICH THE MECHANIC SAID THAT WAS ABNORMALLY SOON TO NEED NEW PADS. NOW AT 35,000 MILES THE PADS NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AND IT APPEARS THE ROTORS ARE WARPED. A RECENT DISCUSSION WITH A FRIEND WHO OWNS THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL HAS THE SAME SITUATION OF PREMATURE BRAKE PAD EROSION AND NEEDS A SECOND REPLACEMENT WITH EVEN LESS MILES THAN WE HAVE ON OUR VEHICLE. ORIGINALLY WE BELIEVED WE WERE JUST HARDER ON OUR BRAKES THAN NORMAL BUT WITH TWO REPLACEMENTS AND WARPED ROTORS WITHIN 35,000 MILES WE BELIEVE THERE'S A BIGGER ISSUE. ADDITIONALLY THERE ARE STRANGE NOISES FROM THE FRONT BRAKE AREA AND THERE'S A CONCERN THAT THERE COULD BE OTHER ISSUES. DUE TO THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND HOW QUICKLY THE 2008 GRAND CARAVAN'S ARE FAILING WE BELIEVE IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL SOMEONE IS HURT DUE TO THIS ABNORMAL CONDITION. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 20,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FELT VERY SPONGY WHEN THE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND WOULD FALL FURTHER ONTO THE FLOOR BOARD THAN USUAL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY. THE REAR BRAKES BEGAN TO EXHIBIT THE SAME FAILURE AND THE DEALER STATED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST HAD TO BE PERFORMED BEFORE REPAIRING THE VEHICLE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE DEALER PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ASSUMED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD ASSUME LIABILITY FOR THE REPAIRS; HOWEVER, HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD BE MADE AT HIS EXPENSE. THE CONTACT DECLINED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. HE STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED WHEN THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,200.

Mileage: 8,000

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

Mileage: 27,288

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

Mileage: 40,000

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

Mileage: 3,300

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

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.

Mileage: 14,140

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.

Mileage: 20,000

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.

Mileage: 20,000

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

Mileage: 16,000

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

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

Mileage: 17,000

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.

Mileage: 16,613

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.

Mileage: 20,000

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

Mileage: 44,000

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

Mileage: 13,788

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

Mileage: 49,000

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

Mileage: 10,536

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

Mileage: 22,350

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

Mileage: 16,000

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

Mileage: 22,815

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

Mileage: 26,000

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.

Mileage: 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

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.

Mileage: 14,369

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.

Mileage: 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

Mileage: 19,000

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

Mileage: 19,000

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

Mileage: 20,000

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

Mileage: 17,521

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

Mileage: 24,000

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

Mileage: 26,000

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.

Mileage: 17,484

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.

Mileage: 17,331

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.

Mileage: 17,331

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

Mileage: 14,756

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

Mileage: 18,000

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

Mileage: 16,000

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

Mileage: 19,250

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 THE SHUDDERING HAS RETURNED. IT HAS ONLY BEEN 3 MONTHS SINCE THE WHOLE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD BEEN REPAIRED! I HEAR A TSB HAS ALREADY BEEN ISSUED ON THE BRAKE PROBLEMS ON THIS MODEL WITH NUMEROUS CONSUMER COMPLAINTS. I WILL BE TAKING THE VAN TO THE DEALER TOMORROW TO SEE WHAT THEY SAY. *TR

Mileage: 12,000

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

Mileage: 20,000

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

Mileage: 67,000

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

Mileage: 19,400

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

Mileage: 44,180

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

Mileage: 20,000

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

Mileage: 22,000

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

Mileage: 26,900

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 CAR LIKE THAT. WE BUY ONLY AMERICAN BUILT CARS TO SUPPORT OUR ECONOMY, AND WE GET '!@#$% WITH COUNTLESS REPAIR BILLS. GET TOUR STUFF TOGETHER CHRYSLER / DODGE!!!!!!!*TR

Mileage: 6,000

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

Mileage: 25,739

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

Mileage: 28,521

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

Mileage: 16,000

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

Mileage: 25,000

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

Mileage: 16,300

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

Mileage: 18,000

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

Mileage: 8,000

BRAKES, TRANSMISSION, DOORS. *TR

Mileage: 15,000

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

Mileage: 10,360

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

Mileage: 11,667

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

Mileage: 35,000

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

Mileage: 16,762

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

Mileage: 14,000

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

Mileage: 15,500

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 WHEN THE PART IS IN.4/23/09- DEALERSHIP CALLED ME SAID PART WAS IN, COULD I COME IN TODAY, TOLD HIM I WAS AT WORK, WHEN COULD I COME IN HE ASKED,I TOLD HIM MONDAY, HE SAID FINE. 04/24/2009- COMING HOME FROM WORK GOING 40 ON ARRLINGTON BLVD.SEE A LINE OF CARS IN FRONT OF ME START TO SLOW DOWN, SUDDENLY ALL CARS IN FRONT SLAM ON BRAKES TO A DEAD STOP,I SLAM ON MY BRAKES,BUT THEY GO ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM OF FLOOR AND THE RATE OF SPEED DOESN'T CHANGE.I HIT THE SUV IN FRONT OF ME AT FULL SPEED. HELP! *TR

Mileage: 25,034

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 BRAKES CAN LEAD TO BRAKE FAILURE AND POSSIBLY AN ACCIDENT. AS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED TO OUR HORROR ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS DRIVING ON THE WEST COAST (VANCOUVER ISLAND), WHILE TRYING TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE CONTROL ON A DOWNHILL STRETCH OF PAVED ROAD, THIS 4 SPEED ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM IS INCAPABLE OF PROVIDING ANY ENGINE BRAKING ASSISTANCE WHATSOEVER. THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE IS TO RIDE THE BRAKES TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE CONTROL. *TR

Mileage: 1,583

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

Mileage: 15,000