7.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$450
Average Mileage:
30,450 miles
Total Complaints:
120 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace calipers, rotors & pads (54 reports)
  2. replace brake pads (32 reports)
  3. not sure (12 reports)
  4. Dodge refused to cover the cost & lost customer forever (11 reports)
  5. replaced pads & turned rotors (5 reports)
  6. Dodge fixed without charge!! (4 reports)
2008 Dodge Grand Caravan brakes problems

brakes problem

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2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Owner Comments (Page 4 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #60

Aug 132008

Grand Caravan 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,427 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My company van which I got from brand new was the new style grand caravan.With in the first four months I noticed some brake problems. When I sent in in for service they told me that it needs new brakes all around, even the rear brakes. The front brakes were not covered but the rear were covered. Not being my van I had to get approval. the cost was close to $600 dollars and the van only had 23,000 km They told me that it was normal wear!!! since then the van has had two sets of brake pads and only has 64,000km on the van I told Chrysler that if this was my personal van I would drive it right threw the window of there showroom and blame it on the brakes!! Ridiculous

- gregontario, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

problem #59

Jan 052010

Grand Caravan SE 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,340 miles

Unfortunately Chrysler Canada told me to piss off because I didn't have the work done until 44,000 km ( I couldn't believe it could be the brakes).

- M O., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

problem #58

Jul 242010

Grand Caravan SE 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,908 miles

I am extremely pissed! I think this will be the 3rd time for changing our brakes since February when we purchased our vehicle!! 1.) We bought the parts to change our brakes the first time and brought it to a back yard mechanic when we noticed the vehicle brakes squealing. That was May 15th/10. We traveled up North to visit family the following weekend and on our way home (May 24th) the vehicle was emitting an acrid smell and the brakes weren't responding correctly. So we pulled over just outside of Sudbury and the right brake was smoking as it was sticking! We went to the nearest Dodge dealership. 2.) They told us the right rotor was screwed (it was white hot!) but it would get us home so we could deal with the person who put the brakes on and get him to replace it as they said it was an installation problem. So they replaced the front brakes and lubed the sliders and sent us on our way with another $254.49 gone outta our pockets. (we spent $96.75 on parts and $80.00 on labor the first time we replaced the brakes one week prior)

Once we got home we changed the rotor and lubed up the back brakes. Here we are 2mths later. Brakes sticking again. Same side, same smell. So obviously not a installation prob sounds like a warranty prob. So we call the dealership(s), not open, go figure. I will definitely do more in depth homework for the next vehicle we purchase.

- Jason G., Durham, Ontario, Canada

problem #57

Jul 012010

Grand Caravan 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

It's crap. Dodge sucks. I have had this vehicle for 2 years and 5000 miles have been on one road trip. The rest of the time my wife drives the kids to school. That's it. And.......the brake pads need replacing as well as the rotors. Is this covered under warranty? Nope!!!! Bullshit.........period. The brake pads and rotors are too soft. The funniest thing is that all four brakes wear out evenly.......never heard of that before. I can't believe there is no recall. I will never buy a domestic piece of crap ever again. Anyone have any ideas????

- napoli426, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

problem #56

Jun 172010

Grand Caravan SE 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,855 miles

For all you who have problems with Grand Caravan premature brake pad wear or warped rotors, my mechanic who owns his own shop and was previously a Chrysler mechanic says that there are after market rotors and pads that are cheaper and longer lasting than what Chrysler will install. Be sure to check out this option before opting to have Chrysler replace them. You will save HUNDREDS of dollars!!

- comndr, Toronto, ON, Canada

problem #55

Jul 142010

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,000 miles

5 sets of brake pads, one set of rotors, two sets of wheel bearings and two sets of tires can't possibly by normal wear and tear. What a piece of crap this Dodge is! I will never recommend anyone to buy a Dodge again. I love the stow n go. But the vehicle itself is crap.

- Jan W., Sioux Falls, SD, US

problem #54

Oct 012009

Grand Caravan SXT 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Excessive front brake wear...pads and rotors replaced at 24,000 miles. Now, at 34,000 miles front pads and rotors need to be replaced again. Dodge issued extended warranty admitting problem and will replace front pads and rotors for a fee of $100 up to 36,000 miles. So in the future I must expect to replace the front brakes every 10-20,000 miles for as long as I own this vehilce?

- Chis S., Truxton, NY, US

problem #53

Jun 242009

Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,188 miles

The original noise started at 13,188 miles a couple days after it was in for in 12000 mile service on June 23, 2009. Thought it was due to the tire rotation I just had so when I got back from vacation it had 18164 miles on July 22, 2009. They told me only thing they could figure was the front brakes - I had Midas do them for cheaper (different story). After going back to midas many times for the 'still same noise' We tried everything. i started going back to Chrysler because obviously it wasn't the front brakes. Sometimes they noted my complaint, sometimes not on the vehicle ticket. Could not always verify my concern but couldn't fix it. At 30,976 miles on March 22, 2010 they discovered by my rear brakes - 1 caliper sticking, 1 caliper frozen, severe corrosion and wear. They replaced my calipers for free but I had to pay $375 for the new pads and rotors. THE NOISE WENT AWAY. I believe the brake pads and rotors should have been covered under warranty because I believe the problems with the calipers were the reason for the problems with the rear brakes. Note: I bought the car on Jan 31, 2009 with 5664 miles.

- Mary Anne H., North Riverside, IL, US

problem #52

Apr 012010

Grand Caravan SXT 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,000 miles

Normal wear and tear at first. I ripped out calipers and could close: I had to put back on 'piece of dooodooo' and bring back to dealer for him to cover new caliper: I had to cover pads and rotors. Collateral damage is not in Mopar's vocabulary.

At 28K. Dealer told me front were thin and needed pads, rotors.. I did myself with the cheapest pads available because of the frequency I will be changing them. I just got a letter stating my front break warranty has been extended, So I paid for pads, after they said "not covered" and now they won't warranty whats on the "piece of dooo dooo".

Lifetime Warranty.... ya... Keeps you in the car for stuff that's not covered.

Now my bearing and hubs are gone at 36K. I'm upside down and dumping it. 1st and last Mopar

Update from Sep 14, 2014: 7'th set of front pads and rotors going in on 9/14/20`4. 3rd set of rear pads and rotors. 90K miles

- thibault, North Kingstown, RI, US

problem #51

Jun 242010

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles

I will NEVER buy another Dodge/Chrysler again!!!!!! No WONDER they are barely hanging on!!!! Customer service is t

- junger26, Brownstown, MI, US

problem #50

Apr 092010

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

wheel bearings went out and were replaced under warranty at 12,000 miles. at 16,000 miles the brake pads were wore out and needed replaced, they would not cover them under warranty. i complained to dodge and they had a customer service rep call my house several time, always during the day while i was at work, the brain surgeon was not even smart enough to leave a return number. this is my first dodge product and will be my last, they have poor quality parts on there vans and the worst customer service i have had to deal with.

- Keith B., Martinsville, IN, US

problem #49

Jun 012010

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles

Same problema as everyone else. 21000 miles less than 2 years old. Brake and rotor failure. Dealsership says this is normal wear and tear and will not help me with the issue. BOOOOO Dodge where's the recall?????. I bought this Dodge replacing my 10 year old 100,000 mile one. WIll never buy a Dodge again.

- Connie B., Moorpark, CA, US

problem #48

Nov 102009

Grand Caravan SE 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,500 miles

The brakes on my van started making noise around 20k so I took it in and low and behold; the brakes were shot. This van was driven on trips and the brakes were not rode hard. Its retarded to need to replace the brakes on a brand new vehicle after having it a year and a half. Dodge needs to do something about this! I don't think I will buy another Dodge product after dealing with all of the costs my Dodge has incurred!

- Jeramiah D., Las Vegas, NV, US

problem #47

Aug 292009

Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,369 miles

We bought a 2008 Dodge Caravan May 2009, so just over 1 year ago. We had to have new brakes and rotors install in August 2009, $1300 later after the install, oil change and other regular maintenance we walked out with empty wallets and very upset. This vehicle was an employee€™s vehicle we were told therefore assumed it was in tip top shape. Three months in and all this, now we need new brakes again. We were at the dealership for an oil change and brake inspection as per the 70,000km maintenance schedule and we were told the brakes are at 15%. Almost all of our driving is highway so why are we going through yet another set in just 9 months. Apparently the 2008's have issues with brakes we were told, of course we were never informed of that upon purchasing the vehicle! After all the research and blogging we did before purchasing that was the one thing thus far, that we did not read about. Our assumption of it being an employee vehicle therefore it would be in tip top shape was not realistic we were told it is considered a used vehicle and purchased as is. This is our very first time EVER buying a brand new or as close to new vehicle as we could. Our last two vehicles have been 6+ years old as we could never afford a newer one in the past. All our savings gone for this van, how disappointing! Like others have mention, do we continue or do we sell?!

- Brenda Lee C., Brampton, Ontario, Canada

problem #46

May 222010

Grand Caravan 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

Front pads stick and not sure why? I installed new pads and rotors 6 months ago and my pads are sticking so bad the wheel heats up so hot you could cook an omelet on it. I'm concerned that the front tire my blow from the heat build up. The tire now has a bulge in the side wall from this....

I tore everything down (ASE Certified tech) and everything is operational? I cleaned the slide (on the pads) and added anti-seize hoping this helps...

- dbethke, Pinckney, MI, US

problem #45

May 012010

Grand Caravan LX 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

had real bad shaking up front. had bad shoes front and back.and broking tie rod.and people wonder why every thing mad over seas.my next car is going to be made over seas!well Americas cant put the q.a in it.

- John M., Bunker Hill, IL, US

problem #44

Oct 202009

Grand Caravan SE 3.3L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,806 miles

Rear brake pads wore out at 19000 kilometers. Dealer would not cover under warranty because I was over time period for coverage by one month. Had new pads installed at private garage. At 21000 kilometers rear brakes seized while highway driving now in private garage for expensive repairs. Will be trading in for a new Toyota Seinna after repairs. F@&! Dodge.

- dpenton, Gander, NL, Canada

problem #43

Feb 062009

Grand Caravan SE 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,500 miles

the front brakes onlt about six months. the back maybe a year. the back brakes smoke at times.

- tokish, Jefferson, PA, US

problem #42

Apr 092010

Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,900 miles

We took the van in for noises coming from the brakes -- in my wildest imagination I would not have suspected that the front pads and rotors were already worn out. We have had the car for less than a year and only 15,900 miles -- a lot of them highway. We went to the dealer where we bought the car thinking that whatever the problem was it would be covered. No such luck. From the way the dealer acted they have seen this happen before and, but hope that "it would get to 25,000 before needing new brakes". We were NOT given the option (available to other Dodge vehicles serviced there) of the LIFETIME warranty on the new brakes and rotors. We walked out $400 dollars later with new "improved" front rotors and pads - with only a 12,000 mile warranty. Very disappointed. First time we have bought a new car and went American in a meaningless act of patriotism. I will probably have to learn how to replace the brakes myself or sell the car -- because this will likely be happening again soon.

- jonathanca, Bakersfield, CA, US

problem #41

Apr 152009

Grand Caravan SX 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,641 miles

I purchased a 2008 Dodge Caravan, 3.3L with the stow and go feature. I took it in to the mechanic at the Chrysler dealer because of obvious vibration on the front area of the wheels. I was informed that the brakes had received premature wear. I voiced my concern and frustration with this and the dealer agreed to absorb the labor costs and I would only have to buy the parts (pads). No problem! A year later, the rear brakes have begun to squeal badly and I will be bringing it again for service of the brakes, rear this time I'm sure. Dodge needs to take a serious look at the brake problem on these vehicles as it is a tremendous safety factor. Nothing more crucial than braking performance on any vehicle, and in my opinion Dodge has not been very good in this area. The brakes are a piece of junk. I will be getting my brakes done away from the dealer. As a matter of fact, anything outside the powertrain (warranty), it's going to another mechanic and will be equipped with decent brakes. Shame on you Dodge.

- robontario, Chatham, Ontario, Canada

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