2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN Service Brakes Problems

Replacing brakes ever y 18,000 miles normal is every 40,000-60,000 miles

I guess started with noticing oil being used at a faster pace then normal then a decent tick began along with AbS light which prevented cruise control from working. At this point We seemed Professional advice from a licensed Mechanic who then preformed a small job of dropping transmission pan to clean metal shavings out! And replacing tires and brake pads assured us routers were fine. He was concerned with the fact that the abs light continued to be on so we the paid to get wiring for abs redone (not sure what was called). After this the cruise control worked abs went off but we noticed the brake pads went quick! Then the insane knock out of nowhere began loud metal on metal had harmonic balancer pulley replaced didn’t do it any good. The. Was told cracked fly wheel was most likely the problem I continued to drive for about a month when the brake fluid light came on. I added fluid but every 3-4 days it came on again and of course brake pads again but this time the extremely loud knock went away and all was left was a quiet tick. That lasted couple months the out of no where wiring started shorting in dash and radio display. This lead to battery issues then out of no where motor is stuck in first gear and will not shift up but will shift between drive neutral and reverse. Idles extremely rough when in drive lights do not dim I had alternator checked. Now my family of six is with out a vehicle thank you for hearing my concerns

2017 I purchased my car. I had several problems with the key lock and car starting. Immediately tried to return the car but dealer wouldn’t allow it. I have now found out there were 2 recalls in 2017 I was not aware of this until now. Even though dodge has stated to me they were fixed as a consumer if my car was presenting issues so early on after these recalls I should have had a grace period to give the vehicle back if other issues were presented. Currently car is smoking on the drivers side with a heavy burning smell. Car is over heating as well as the car would not stop while I was driving it on8/23/22 in a mall. Car was shutting off a lot. I was under warantiy and took it to AAmco and found out there were transmission issues. My warranty company at the time let my car sitting at AAmco despite the major issue and refused to fix it as well as let my warranty expire. Now I am scared to drive this car concerned the vehicle won’t stop.

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF RANDOMLY. AT THAT TIME WE LOSE POWER BREAKS AND POWER STEERING. MY WIFE AND CHILDREN WERE ALMOST IN A COLLISION DUE TO THIS. IT HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES NOW AND HAS NO PROBLEM RESTARTING AFTER COMING TO A STOP AND PUTTING THE VEHICLE BACK INTO PARK.

Mileage: 140,000

VAN HAS FAILED TO TURN ON MULTIPLE TIMES, PARK TURN OFF VEHICLE AND IN AS LITTLE AS 10 MINUTES LATER IT WOULD NOT START. I REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY APPARENTLY AFTER GOING TO MULTIPLE MECHANICS THAT DIDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM WITH DIAGNOSTICS I FOUND OUT IT WAS NEITHER IT WAS A FAULTY TIPM. 6-8 MONTHS LATER STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CAR STALLING OUT AND HAVING AN ISSUE TURNING BACK ON. I HAVE STALLED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS ON THE FREEWAY I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE AND THE RECALL IS NOT FOR MY YEAR OF VEHICLE. PARTS FOR THIS ARE EXPENSIVE ALONG WITH LABOR. DODGE NEEDS TO RECALL THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED TO ME I WAS DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY CAR BEHIND ME WAS CLOSE AND MY VAN STALLED COULD OF GOT HURT OR KILLED AND SO COULD THE OTHER DRIVER. BRAKES NEED TO BE CHANGED OFTEN AS WELL MORE THAN I'VE EVER HAD TO CHANGE THEM FOR ANY OTHER VEHICLE.

Mileage: 135,000

I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A HIGHWAY IN TEXAS IN MY GRAND CARAVAN AND MY ENGINE STALLED AND LOST POWER AND STEERING AND BRAKES, IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND I WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH AND THE WAS A SMALL SHOULDER ON THE SIDE AND MY FAMILY COULD HAVE GOTTEN HURT, IF I HAD GONE INTO A DEEP DITCH, IT WAS SCARY AND DANGEROUS!

Mileage: 133,460

ALL BRAKE CALIPERS ARE DEFECTIVE THE PISTON SEIZES UP CAUSING THE BRAKES TO WEAR THE PADS OFF IN A SHORT TIME , OVERHEATING AND SEIZING UP THE WHEEL. THE MOST RECENT REPAIR ONLY HAD ABOUT 20,000 MILES ON THE BRAKES I HAVE REPLACED EVERY CALIPER, ROTOR, AND PADS ON ALL FOUR WHEELS THE MOST RECENT ONE WAS JUST TWO MONTHS AGO, NOW I AM BACK TO THE FIRST WHEEL AGAIN. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR WEAR BRAKES LIKE THIS SEVERAL DIFFERENT MECHANICS AT DIFFERENT GARAGES. THIS IS A DEFINITE DESIGN FLAW AND SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. THE ONGOING REPAIRS ARE COSTING ME APPROXIMATELY 500. PER WHEEL EVERY OTHER YEAR OR SO AND PRECLUDES ME FROM USING THE VEHICLE TO TOW, WHICH IS WHY I BOUGHT IT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF BRAKE REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS GARAGED IN WINTER.

Mileage: 50,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND FOUND THEM TO BE HOT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,800.

Mileage: 28,800

MY VAN WILL DIE AT TIMES GOING DOWN ROAD OR JUST NOT START, AFTER PARKING IT. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE AND STABILITY CONTROL FLASHES ON DASH. WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK. THEN IT MAY START RANDOMLY AND RUN FOR A FEW WEEKS OR COUPLE OF MONTHS AND DO SAME THING AGAIN. WE HAVE PUT NEW BRAKES, BATTERY, CHECKED FUEL PUMP, AND PUT NEW TIRES AND HAD CENSORS ON WHEELS CHECKED. STILL DOES NOT START. T

CALIPERS SEIZED UP GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY HAD TO STOP BACK RIGHT TIRE WAS SMOKING VAN IS IN THE SHOP BEING REPAIRED

Mileage: 111,000

DRIVER REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP ON ME TODAY. HAD FUEL RELAY SWITCH GO OUT BUT HAD IT REPLACED, FUEL PUMP WENT OUT HAD IT REPLACED. SOMEONE TOLD ME THE BRAKES SYSTEM IS UNDER RECALL.

Mileage: 137,000

WHEN WE FIST GOT THE VAN WE EXPERIENCED SOME ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS SUPPOSED TO TAKE CARE OF IT BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND WE WENT TO A RECOMMENDED MECHANIC. THEN THE FOLLOWING MONTHS WE HAD SOME ISSUES WITH THE MOTOR MOUNTS. ONCE AGAIN WE HAD TO REPLACE THEM AND THEN WE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRONIC COMPUTER AND WE HAD TO RE-LEARN SOME OF THE ALREADY INSTALLED PROGRAMS. I WOULD LIKE FOR WHOEVER APPROVES THE RECALLS TO GO AHEAD AND APPROVE THE OTHER ISSUES BECAUSE FOR IT BEING A SIX YEAR OLD CAR IT DEFINITELY HAS MORE ISSUES THAN IT SHOULD.

Mileage: 105

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ONCE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED AFTER A STOP, SMOKE WAS NOTICED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BY THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ON THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE VEHICLE MOVED SLUGGISHLY AS IF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WERE ENGAGED, BUT IT WAS NOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO ATLANTA WEST CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (1251 THORNTON RD, LITHIA SPRINGS, GA 30122 (678) 534-7470), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH STICKING CALIPERS. TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE CALIPERS WERE NOT RELEASING WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES, THE FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES, AND THE FRONT CALIPERS WERE REPLACED ONCE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

Mileage: 82,000

THE REAR BRAKES BURNING CAUSE BY THE CALIPERS HANGING UP. DEALER REPLACED LEFT REAR DISC BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLED 2 NEW CALIPERS AND ADAPTERS AND PADS ONLY BECAUSE I WAS ON VACATION OUT OF STATE WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTED PRIOR TO 17000 MILES . CHARGED 100 DOLLAR DEDUCTABLE

Mileage: 23,473

AFTER ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP, MY BRAKES STARTED TO SCREECH A LITTLE. WITHIN DAYS, IT WAS A NON-STOP GRINDING. ON MY WAY TO TAKE IT TO THE GARAGE FOR BRAKE INSPECTION, SOMETHING FELL OFF OF THE VAN. THE REPAIRMEN TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A CALIPER ISSUE AND THEY COULD NOT EVEN LET ME DRIVE OFF THE LOT WITHOUT GETTING IT REPAIRED BECAUSE IT WOULD BE THAT DANGEROUS. $774.00 LATER, I HAD TO HAVE CALIPERS, BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED.

Mileage: 81,082

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, COMING TO A STOP, OR ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE BRAKES SEIZED. THE FRONT BRAKES MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS OFF FOR A WHILE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

Mileage: 59,000

WE HAVE REPLACED THE ROTATORS AND PADS OUT OF POCKET 4 TIMES ON THIS VEHICLE. ANOTHER TWO WERE REPLACED IN WARRANTY BEFORE 36,000MILE. THE FIRST REPAIR MADE OUT SIDE OF WARRANTY WAS AT 37,000MILES. THE CALIPERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BRAKES CLENCH DOWN AND WON'T RELEASE. WE HAVE REPLACE THE HOSES, CALIPERS, ROTATORS, PADS AND BLEED THE SYSTEM FOR ALL WHEELS IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. THE BRAKES ARE CURRENTLY CLENCHED DOWN AND WON'T COME UP. THE MECHANIC NOW HAS TO GO INTO THE VEHICLE TO FIND WHAT EXACTLY IS WRONG. BECAUSE HE HAS LOOKED AT THE WHOLE BRAKE SYSTEM AND CAN'T FIND WHAT IS WRONG. FIRST DATE OF OCCURRENCE IS 12-2013 FOR OUT OF WARRANTY REPAIR ON A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

Mileage: 37,000

ON JUNE 30TH, 2016 MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON I-91 IN MASSACHUSETTS BETWEEN EXITS 14 AND 15. THE REAR BRAKES BEGAN TO MAKE A NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED (~65 MPH) AND NOT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. MINUTES LATER A THUMP WAS HEARD SIMILAR TO WHEN AN OBJECT OR ROADKILL IS RUN OVER. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. I COULD SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL. WE LATER FOUND OUT THAT ONE BRAKE PAD HAD BROKEN THROUGH/BEEN THROWN FROM THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL, AND BRAKE FLUID WAS POURING OUT FROM THAT BRAKE ASSEMBLY. WE EXITED THE HIGHWAY AT EXIT 15 AND DROVE SMALL LOW-TRAFFIC ROADS HOME. DODGE WAS CONTACTED BUT REFUSED TO ASSIST IN TOWING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR ASSESSMENT. WE REPLACED THE BRAKES, CALIPERS, AND ROTORS IN OUR DRIVEWAY. ATTACHED PHOTOS SHOW THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY BEFORE IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE FOR REPLACEMENT. THE CAR WAS THREE YEARS AND 10 MONTHS OLD, WITH ~48,660 MILES, AND ON ITS SECOND PAIR OF REAR BRAKE PADS. THIS IS AT LEAST THE 21ST COMPLAINT ON NHTSA ABOUT THE SAME COMPONENT (REAR BRAKE PADS ON 2012 GRAND CARAVAN WEARING TOO QUICKLY). DODGE REFUSED ASSISTANCE BOTH AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT AND AFTER I FOLLOWED UP WITH OUR DEALER, WITH NO REASON GIVEN FOR THE REFUSAL. (CASE #29615622) GIVEN THE MANY OFFICIAL AND HUNDREDS OF UNOFFICIAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN REAR BRAKES, I HOPE THE NHTSA WILL INVESTIGATE FURTHER AND PRESSURE DODGE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THIS PART. THANK YOU.

Mileage: 48,660

RUBBING NOISE IS COMING FROM BREAKS WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IT STARTED WITH REAR BREAKS. WAS TOLD BREAKS ARE GETTING STUCK BY THE DEALER. REAR BREAKS WERE REPLACED AND PROBLEM WENT AWAY. FEW MONTHS LATER FRONT BRAKES STARTED MAKING SIMILAR NOISE. AGAIN TOLD BREAKS ARE GETTING STUCK. REPLACE THE BREAKS. NOISE CAME BACK WITH IN A 3 WEEK. SO FAR THEY REPAIRED THE FRONT BREAKS 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS. AFTER EVERY REPAIR, NOISE GOES AWAY FOR FEW WEEKS AND COMES BACK AGAIN.

Mileage: 35,000

BRAKE PADS, ROTORS & CALIPERS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES. CAR IS NOW AT 57,000 MILES. IF EVEN GENTLY USING THE BRAKES IN STOP & GO TRAFFIC BACKUP ON HIGHWAY, WHEN CAR NEEDS TO ACCELERATE, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES BADLY AND TROUBLE GETTING CAR UP TO SPEED. OBVIOUS THAT SOMETHING IS STICKING REGARDING THE BRAKES. WHEN FINALLY UP TO SPEED, PROBLEM DISAPPEARS (60MPH). VERY FRIGHTENING & POTENTIAL SERIOUS ACCIDENT PROBLEM. I DRIVE LONG DISTANCES AT NIGHT TO & FROM WORK EVENTS & DON'T NEED TO BE STRANDED ON A DESERTED HIGHWAY SOMEWHERE AT MIDNIGHT. WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO RECALL ON A PROBLEM THAT EVERYONE, INCLUDING THE DODGE MECHANICS, KNOW ABOUT! THIS HAS BECOME AN ONGOING ISSUE, FIRST ON FEB. 14, THEN FEB. 16 AND AGAIN FEB. 26. REAR BRAKE PAD AFTER FEB. 14 WAS TOTALLY BURNED OFF ~ WAS REPLACED & STILL THE ISSUE IS OCCURRING, NOW ON THE FRONT BRAKES.

Mileage: 57,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND APPROACHING A RED LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLIED EXCESSIVE FORCE ON BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE PUMP AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,661.

Mileage: 51,661

PREMATURE BRAKE PAD WEAR, BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS. ROTORS WARPING PREMATURELY. THESE ISSUES REQUIRE YEARLY REPLACEMENT AT SIGNIFICANT COST. I HAD TO PURCHASE HIGH END, VENTED ROTORS AND CERAMIC PADS, AT SIGNIFICANT COST, TO PREVENT THE OEM PART FAILURES.

Mileage: 29,714

MY MOTHER BOUGHT THIS VAN OCT 25,2013 AND THE BRAKES WERE OK AT FIRST THEY STARTED MAKING A DRAGGING SOUND I HAD THEM LOOKED AT AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE FINE INSPECTION CAME AROUND A MONTH AFTER I HAD THEM LOOKED AT AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION (FRONT)I HAD THEM FIXED MIND YOU THIS IS IN SEPTEMBER LESS THEN 5 MONTHS LATER I HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES AND ROTORS IN THE FRONT BECAUSE THEY WERE DRAGGING AGAIN 4 MONTHS LATER THE BRAKES AGAIN SEPT ROLLS AROUND FOR INSPECTION AND AGAIN THEY WILL NOT PASS I HAD THEM FELINES AND IT IS NOW OCTOBER AND THEY ARE STARTING TO SQUEEL WHICH MEANS AGAIN I WILL HAVE TO CHANGE THEM MORE I AM NOT BIG ON DRIVING FAR OR ILUSE THE BREAKS AS LEAST AS POSSIBLE AND I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS .

Mileage: 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

Mileage: 18,000

A LOUD SQUEAL IN THE FRONT LEFT (DRIVERS) BRAKE SYSTEM. THE FACTORY CALIPER HAS FAILED TO RELEASE CAUSING CONSISTENT "RUBBING" OF BRAKE PADS ON ROTOR. SYSTEM GENERATES EXCESSIVE HEAT AND POTENTIALLY COULD CAUSE A FIRE.

Mileage: 60,000

I STARTED TO SMELL BURNING BRAKES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I GOT OUT WHEN WE PARKED AND FELT ALL THE WHEELS. THE REAR WHEELS WERE SO HOT YOU COULDN'T TOUCH THEM, THE REAR ROTORS WERE GLOWING RED, AND IT SMELLED LIKE BURNING BRAKES. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP SINCE ITS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND 16K MILES. WAS TOLD ITS A WEAR ITEM AND THEY WONT COVER THEM, ONLY THE CALIPERS, AND NO LOANER SINCE WE DON'T HAVE A SERVICE CONTRACT. LAST DODGE I EVER BUY. *TR

Mileage: 16,012

REAR BRAKE PADS COMPLETELY WORN DOWN AFTER 40000 MILES. REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP AND CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE RELEASED MANUALLY. PADS AND CALIPERS REPLACED DUE TO REAR CALIPERS NOT RELEASING FULLY. CALIPERS, PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ON 1 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

AROUND 37,000 MILES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASED, LIGHT WOULD GO OFF AND ON PERIODICALLY. AFTER A SEVERAL WEEKS LIGHT STAYED ON AND STARTED BLINKING, AT THIS TIME VAN WAS VIBRATING AND SOUNDED LIKE IT WOULD CUT OFF. DEALERSHIP ENDED UP REPLACING ENGINE HEAD UNDER WARRANTY. A FEW MONTHS LATER LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, VAN DID NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE, DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH VAN. AT TIMES VAN DOES NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE AS IT SHOULD. AFTER A DELAY, IT WILL ACCELERATE, BUT NOT LIKE IT SHOULD. AROUND 60,000 MILES, ABS LIGHT AND TRACTION LIGHT HAVE COME ON AND CRUISE CONTROL WILL NO LONGER WORK. BACK HATCH DOOR OF VAN LOCKED WHILE OPEN AND WOULD NOT SHUT. THE DOOR HAD TO BE TIED DOWN FROM THE INSIDE IN ORDER TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP SAYS HINGES HAVE BEEN BENT. HINGES HAVE NO MARKS OF ANY KIND, AND THERE HAS BEEN NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THERE'S A WHOLE LOT GOING WRONG FOR A 2012 VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 37,000

I NOTICED A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. SAW LARGE AMOUNTS OF BLACK DUST ON LEFT REAR HUBCAP, AND WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HOT. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC VERIFIED BRAKE PADS IN CONTACT WITH ROTOR ONLY ON THAT ONE WHEEL, AND HAD BEEN WORN COMPLETELY OUT. BRAKES ON ALL OTHER WHEELS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AS WOULD BE EXPECTED AT ONLY 20,000 MILES. TOOK TO DEALER EXPECTING WARRANTY REPAIR AS BRAKE HAD NO MOVEMENT. DEALER DIAGNOSIS: BRAKE PADS FROZEN IN SLIDES. DEALER REFUSED WARRANTY REPAIR AS "BRAKE PADS ARE NOT COVERED AND THE CALIPERS FUNCTIONED ONCE WE PUT THE VEHICLE ON THE LIFT AND MANUALLY POPPED THEM OPEN. THEREFORE NO MECHANICAL DEFECT" MY ARGUMENT THAT IT WAS NOT DRIVER CAUSED (OTHER 3 WHEELS FINE) WAS NOT ACCEPTED, ALTHOUGH FURTHER FIRM DISCUSSION DID RESULT IN SERVICE MANAGER CHARGING HALF PRICE FOR TOTAL REAR BRAKE JOB. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, BRAKE DESIGN THAT ALLOWS THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED.

Mileage: 20,424

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

Mileage: 35,000

VEHICLE HAS ROUGHLY 36000 MILES, WHEN BRAKING THE STEERING SHAKES HARD, VIBRATING. WORRIED ONE DAY ONE OF MY TIRES IS GOING TO FALL OFF OR THE STEERING STOP WORKING AND LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. EVEN DODGE HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, THE DEALERSHIP WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THEY SAY IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT ADMITS THAT IT IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE VEHICLE BEING BUILT WITH SUBSTANDARD PARTS. *TR

Mileage: 36,000

SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF PURCHASE BRAKES STARTED MAKING SQUEAKING NOISE, BRAKES GOT CLEANED AT A LOCAL SHOP; AND STARTED MAKING NOISE AGAIN IN ABOUT 6 MONTHS, TOOK TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AT ABOUT APX. 8,000, DON'T REMEMBER EXACT DATE; THEY DID A COMPLETE BRAKE JOB NEW PADS ROTORS AND ALIGNMENT, AT 6 MONTHS BREAKS STARTED SQUEAKING AGAIN. HAD BRAKES CLEANED AT A MECHANIC SHOP, NOISE STOPPED. THEN AGAIN AT 23,340 MILES, IN AT THE SHOP AGAIN, THEY TELL ME BRAKE PADS ARE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND ARE NOT COVERED; BUT NOW THE FRONT AXLES ARE MAKING NOISES WHEN THE WHEEL TURNS AND REGULAR DRIVING WITHOUT BREAKING, LIKE A CLICK, CLICK, CLICK SOUND AS THE FRONT WHEELS TURN. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO SHAKE A BIT AND MAKES SQUEAKING NOISES WHEN BRAKING. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND DO NOT TOW ANYTHING WITH IT, JUST NORMAL DRIVING TO AND FROM WORK; BUT THE BRAKES ISSUE SEEMS TO BE A CONSTANT ISSUE EVERY 6 MONTHS TO A YEAR. IT WILL BE REQUIRING ANOTHER BRAKE CHANGE AND PROBABLE AXLE REPAIR; AM WAITING FOR RESOLUTION UNDER FILE NO. 25141204 WITH DODGE, AM WAITING TO HEAR BACK. BUT IT SEEMS TO BE A BRAKES DEFECT IN THE 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VAN. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE BRAKES ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT'S BECAUSE THEY ARE MOPAD PADS, AND THAT THEY ONLY LAST ABOUT 12,000 MILES AND WEAR OUT ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, BUT THE BRAKES PROBLEM IS A RECURRING THING; THEY SEEM TO START MAKING NOISE AT ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER EACH FIX AND BRAKE PADS BEING WORN OUT WITHIN A YEAR. DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. *TR

Mileage: 8,500

DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2012; NOTICED ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO THAT THE REAR ROTORS WERE BECOMING SO HOT THAT YOU COULD MELT A STICK OF BUTTER BY JUST HOLDING IT NEAR AFTER DRIVING (30 MINUTES NON-INTENSE DRIVING). ONE TIME THE ROTORS WERE EVEN SMOKING AFTER. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED BOTH REAR ROTORS/BRAKES TWICE AND JUST BOUGHT THE CAR (USED) IN DEC 2012. I DO NOT DO ANY DISTANCE DRIVING, AND MOST IS NOT CITY. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A MECHANIC WHO RECOMMENDED A COMPLETE CALIPER/ROTOR/PAD REPLACEMENT AT AROUND $600. SEEMED LIKE A GENERIC FIX. I DECLINED, AS I CAN DO THIS WITH A FREE WEEKEND, AND HAD NO GUARANTEE OF FIXING THE PROBLEM LOOKING AT OTHER REPORTED ISSUES. THE ROTORS CONTINUE TO GET HOT (USUALLY NOT BOTH AT THE SAME TIME, BUT RATHER ONE MORE THAN THE OTHER EACH TIME), AND AM AFRAID TO DRIVE ANY FARTHER THAN THE 30 MIN COMMUTE TO WORK. I HAVE READ SO MANY STORIES OF THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRING TO DODGE/CHRYSLER OWNERS, AND ONES GOING ALL THE WAY BACK TO 2008 MODELS. I CAN'T FATHOM HOW THIS WOULD STILL BE AN ISSUE IN A 2012 MODEL, AND THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO HELP THE CONSUMER AND CORRECT THE MISTAKE. EVEN THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE ROTORS ARE TOO SMALL TO HANDLE THE HEAT. I HAVE NIGHTMARES OF THE DAY THAT IT GETS SO HOT THAT SOMETHING IN THE ASSEMBLY OR TIRE GOES AND SENDS MY FAMILY OF 4 AND 2 UNBORN CHILDREN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS SEIZE UP CAUSING EARLY DISK AND PAD DAMAGE. THE DEALER SAID THE CALIPERS ARE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOT THE PADS OR DISKS. I HAVE THE MINIVAN SERVICED REGULARLY AND THE BRAKES WERE OK. THERE WAS A POP SOUND WHEN THE CALIPERS RELEASED, BUT THE PADS AND DISKS WERE BADLY DAMAGED. I NOW HAVE A $1000 BRAKE PROBLEM CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE CALIPER THAT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR OR MY FAULT. *TR

Mileage: 22,000

THE BRAKES CALIPERS/BRAKES ARE SEIZING UP, AFTER COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF ALL BRAKE COMPONENTS, THIS PROBLEM RECURRED IN LESS THAN 5000 MILES, AT THE SAME TIME, THE AXLE BOLTS WERE LOOSE AND THE CAR BECAME VERY UNSTABLE. *TR

Mileage: 37,000

CHRYSLER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM OF THE DODGE GRAND CARAVANS. I PURCHASED A NEW 2012 GRAND CARAVAN FROM A DEALERSHIP. ON JULY 31, 2013, QUIRK DEALERSHIP IN BRAINTREE, MA REPLACED REAR ROTORS ON THE VAN AT 17,000 MILES BECAUSE "REAR ROTORS WERE VERY MARKED UP AND HAD RUST RINGS." ON JANUARY 18, 2014, SAME DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT ROTORS WERE PITTED AGAIN AT 27,000 MILES AND HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR $502.00 (OUT OF POCKET). WHEN I PROTESTED THAT MOPAR PARTS SHOULD NOT FAIL IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS, THE SERVICE PERSON TOLD ME THAT "DODGES ARE KNOWN FOR THESE PROBLEMS." I CONTACTED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER THEIR DEFECTIVE PARTS AND HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE TOTAL RUN AROUND. CHRYSLER OFFERED ME $60.00 OFF THE PRICE OF THE BRAKE JOB BUT I DECLINED BECAUSE FACTORY PARTS SHOULD NOT FAIL SO QUICKLY. I CHECKED THE INTERNET (LEMON LAW BLOG, CAR COMPLAINTS, ETC.) AND FOUND HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE FOR PREMATURE BRAKE FAILURE IN 2006-2012 CARAVANS & TOWN AND COUNTRY'S. CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND IS TRYING TO AVOID RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIRING THIS KNOWN DEFECT BY PASSING THE COST ON TO AMERICAN CONSUMERS. A RECALL SHOULD BE ORDERED FOR THESE VEHICLES BASED ON PREMATURE BRAKE FAILURE THAT CHRYSLER IS DELIBERATELY IGNORING. *TR

Mileage: 27,048

I PURCHASED THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE 08/18/12 WITH APPROXIMATELY 17,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD THE BRAKES HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES, I WAS TOLD THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. NOW, AT 60,000 MILES, I'M BEING TOLD, ONCE AGAIN, THAT THE BRAKES NEED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER OWNING MULTIPLE VEHICLES THROUGHOUT MY DRIVING EXPERIENCE (28 YEARS), I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH ANY VEHICLE I'VE EVER OWNED. EXTENSIVE ONLINE RESEARCH REVEALS THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THE MAJORITY OF DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY AND VOLKSWAGEN OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED AS WELL, AND I WOULD IMAGINE THIS IS NOT THE FIRST COMPLAINT YOU'VE SEEN REGARDING THIS ISSUE? I HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I SHOULD ALSO ADD THAT THE BRAKE WORK DONE AT APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES WAS DONE BY A FAMILY FRIEND WITH OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN THE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR INDUSTRY, DUE TO AN EXTREMELY HIGH ESTIMATE FROM THE SHOP I CURRENTLY USE. (IN EXCESS OF $650.00). *TR

Mileage: 17,101

THE REAR BRAKES ON THE DODGE MINIVANS WERE DESIGNED POORLY. THE CALIPERS DO NOT RELEASE PROPERLY, AND THE CLEARANCE ON THE BRAKE PADS IS TOO TIGHT AND CAUSES THE PADS TO GET STUCK. LAST NIGHT WE HAD THE BRAKE HANG ON ONE OF THE REAR BRAKES AFTER USING THE PARKING BRAKE. THE PADS STAYED CLOSE TO THE CALIPER AND CAUSED THE ENTIRE ROTOR TO HEAT UP FROM THE EXCESSIVE FRICTION. PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED LAST WEEK, FULL BRAKE FLUID REPLACEMENT DONE AT DODGE DEALERSHIP THIS WEEK. EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT, NOW CALIPER IS JAMMED. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS ARE ON THE INTERNET FOR THE 2008 - 2012 (AND SOME 2013+) MODEL GRAND CARAVANS DUE TO POORLY DESIGNED REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. *TR

Mileage: 41,000