8.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$550
Average Mileage:
78,900 miles
Total Complaints:
26 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (22 reports)
  2. short in a power module (2 reports)
  3. replace faulty ignition switch (1 reports)
  4. replace wireless control module (1 reports)
2008 Dodge Grand Caravan engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

Apr 012017

Grand Caravan SXT 3.8V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

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

Only drive if absolutely nescessory. Life threatening!

- Gwen H., Huntsville, AL, US

problem #25

Apr 012017

Grand Caravan SXT 3.8V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

Unbelievable. Life threatening! Random. Same as the thousand other complaints!

- Gwen H., Huntsville, AL, US

problem #24

Aug 032015

Grand Caravan 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

Usually in the morning and not more then a mile from the house, sometimes in the neighborhood, I feel the engine acceleration stop, the traction light indicator comes on and then I lose power steering and power brakes. I usually put the hazards on when this occurs and fight to keep the van from veering to the other lane. This could result in a crash. I have taken it to the dealership many times and every time the dealership says they cannot duplicate the problem. Once they thought that a recall might fix it, (ignition switch and keys change), but it continues to happen after that recall was completed. Right now, I have asked them to keep it a couple of days so they can try to duplicate the problem. The problem seems to happen frequently when the weather is colder, as now November is here and it has happened to me five times this month.

If anyone knows the problem or solution to this it would be much appreciated.

- Jerry T., Albuquerque, NM, US

problem #23

Jul 012016

Grand Caravan 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 181,000 miles

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

WHEN I BOUGHT THE VAN, I WASN'T INFORMED OF THIS PROBLEM ON 3RD DAY I WAS DRIVING EARLY IN THE MORNING, I WAS BEHIND AT 18 WHEELER AND MY HEADLIGHT STARTED TO GO OFF AND THE ENGINE DIES, HAVING NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES TO PULL OVER, WHEN I PULLED OVER I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND STARTED UP AGAIN. IT REPEATED AS LONG AS I WAS DRIVING. WHEN GOT IT TO THE DRIVEWAY AND LET IDLE IT WANTED TO DIE AND LIGHT WAS FLICKERING. I OPENED THE HOOD I COULD HEAR WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A ELECTRICAL SHORT, I CUT THE TAPES AND TOOK OFF COVERS FOR THE WIRES TO SEE IF THERE WAS A SHORT, WHICH THERE WASN'T. THE SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE FUSE BOX. I OPENED THE FUSE BOX AND SOUND WAS MORE PRONOUNCED I TOOK OUT THE FUSE BOX AND TURNED IT OVER AND UNPLUGGED THE PLUGS AND REPLUGGED THEM. THE SOUND WAS GONE. IT MAY HAVE BEEN A LOOSE CONNECTION UNDER FUSE BOX. IM HOPE THAT IT DOESN'T COME BACK.

- Har C., Saint Louis, MO, US

problem #22

May 012016

Grand Caravan SXT 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 153,246 miles

The stalling first started happening a couple of years ago, and only once in a while. My wife drives the van most of the time, and she told me about it, but it never happened when I drove it. At first.

When it first happened to me last year it caught me by surprise. I couldn't put my finger on any specific cause....other than it is getting more frequent. It's as if someone turned the key 1 click to the left - the engine dies, the tachometer goes to 0, power steering and brakes vanish, etc.

Since it happens more to my wife, I started really thinking about how our driving habits/styles differ, and I've come up with a couple of REALLY solid findings:

1. It happens a LOT more often when the engine is cold 2. It happens a LOT more often at slower speeds (not highway, although it did happen to my wife last week while at highway speed) 3. From what I've seen, it happens ALMOST ALWAYS while decelerating. I've started watching the tach when I'm in the van, especially when taking my foot off the gas, and I've seen the typical behavior on more than 1 occasion - the tach drops way down (maybe 500 RPM), then appears to "stutter" for a second as if it's trying to recover, sometimes bouncing back up to near 1000 RPM, then dies. This almost always happens within the first 5 minutes of driving, and we have had several close calls while turning at a light (Today I was turning left at a light and I was intentionally keeping an eye on the tachometer - the van died halfway through the turn, and if it had been my wife driving, I doubt she would have been able to manually turn the wheel to get through the intersection as I did.....all while putting it into neutral and restarting it).

The fact that it had been happening to my wife more than to me makes sense, simply because of our driving styles (she is on and off of the gas and brakes more than I am, which is what caused me to start considering this at all).

We have had the ignition recall done TWICE, the most recent just being maybe 4 months ago. It's NOT the key fob or ignition switch that's causing our van to die. I don't have anything heavy hanging from my BRAND NEW fob, and in fact, I don't have ANYTHING on it at all (this was one of Chrysler's concerns). It almost appears to be a fuel delivery problem, maybe a quirky fuel pump or something.

Due to how we had this van financed, I can't just abandon it - I still owe (way too much!) money on it. However, I may have no option soon but to just let it sit and have my wife drive my other car (which is a pain because we have kids to haul around). I'm thinking about seeing if I can adjust the idle on it a bit to see if it helps at all - if I do, I'll post my findings here.

- Dan M., Forest Lake, MN, US

problem #21

Apr 102016

Grand Caravan SXT 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 155,500 miles

Car dies with no warning or symptoms, rendering steering, braking VERY hard and dangerous condition.

Today, occurred 8 times on two trips. Happens when stopping, when cruising at highway speed, when engine hot and cold. No pattern that I can identify.

My wife has been keeping log of occurances as well over several days and same issues; can't identify any common issue--totally random.

Car will re-start once in Neutral, but is dangerous and frustrating.

Ignition has been replaced as part of recall procedure and it has gotten worse than before.

Anyone aware of any Dodge/Chrysler dealer bulletins on this issue?

Update from Apr 16, 2016: Replaced ERG valve; too soon to say if final fix but last couple days no shut down...

- wiguy33, Pleasant Prairie, WI, US

problem #20

Aug 192015

Grand Caravan SXT 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,001 miles

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

About 4 months after having our vehicle, we began experiencing start failures. Upon going to dealer the failure was intermittent and could not be duplicated. One failure I had it towed in and Dodge agreed to replace he ignition switch. New ignition and keys and all-after about 8 months of ownership. (1st fix) shortly thereafter we still had problems...again it was intermittent and knew they dealership would not believe me. We discovered we could start the car by putting into neutral and turning ignition.

The problem occurred often-usually once a week. appx Jan of 2014 I go in for an oil change an I was informed of ignition key recall. They place a foam ring around the keyhole (2nd fix). Problem still occurs....NOW however we have started to have the car SHUT off WHILE driving-for no reason. This causes all systems to be inoperable (no power steering, no gas, NO BRAKES, or very difficult to steer and brake...and no air bags) I then an freaked out and upset and called Chrysler Dodge, they inform me that the real has been upgraded and the whole ignition switch will be replaced. so I go in and have the second recall done (3rd time being fixed) not even two weeks later, the car does not start upon crank....happens a lot still.

One month after the upgraded recall fix (new keys and all again) the care shuts down twice while driving! I filed a complaint with NHTSA (highway traffic safety). I cannot afford a new car, I have bad credit and I paid too much for this vehicle and too much interest to do it again...all because Chrysler/Dodge put junk in their vehicles....I don't understand why they don't convert them to push start...I mean that would eliminate any wireless key communication!! Dodge is being irresponsible and negligent....it is now owned by Fiat....so Fiat is just not stepping up...

- Shannon E., Anaheim, CA, US

problem #19

May 012014

Grand Caravan EXT 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

I assumed my engine shut down was as a result of the TIPM that nobody seems to want to fix. Not to long ago I got a letter saying now they were looking into the ignition switch issues which has plagued so many. I was told to wait for a letter for a recall and never received it or got a recall notice.

- Lauren T., Churchville, PA, US

problem #18

Jul 152014

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

I can be driving down the road and the windshield wipers will come on, horn will start blowing, and engine will stall. Pull over, wait 30 minutes and car starts back up.

- Adam F., Louisville, KY, US

problem #17

Sep 152014

Grand Caravan ES 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

I almost got broadsided as a result of my van dying as l was making a left turn into traffic. This occurred five times since September of this year with that incident being the scariest as l narrowly avoided an accident. After receiving a recall notice, l brought my van into the Dodge dealership in Lansing ll. only to be told no parts are available to make the repairs, and l was only sent the notice to fulfill Chrysler's legal obligation. What????

Can you furnish me with the names of any attorneys who might be handling any class action lawsuits? l feel this is a problem which should be addressed by the manufacturer and not one l should have to repair out of my own pocket.

- Joe G., Crete, IL, US

problem #16

Jun 092013

Grand Caravan ES

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

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

On my way to work. Afternoon shift, stopped at red light, made my left hand turn once the light turned green, and the engine just died/ cut out. I have no idea how I didn't get rear ended. We were living in Oregon at the time, so there was a slight uphill start to the turn. Luckily I was able to coast over the hill, and into a gas station. My heart was pounding so hard it was all I could hear. I turned off the ignition, thanked my lucky stars no on was hurt, turned ignition off, rest, then restarted, then off to work wondering WTF just happened. I fully expected to end my shift that evening to a dead car, but it started as if nothing happened. When we got the oil changed a few days later at the dealership, I told them about it. Nothing was said, just pure silence....Thought that was a bit odd, but they were never ones to talk much.

- R S., Chesapeake, VA, US

problem #15

Jun 162014

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,500 miles

The stupid van keeps shutting off while I am driving. So scary. Just got this stupid van. Bought it used from dealership. It just randomly shuts down when I'm driving. All the gauges and everything.

- Jennae H., Upper Darby, PA, US

problem #14

Jun 122014

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,500 miles

I just bought my 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan used from Cherry Hill Mitzubishi. And the engine started shutting off while driving on day 3 after I bought it. Took it to a mechanic and he thought it might be the battery so I replaced the battery with a brand new one. The problem still keeps happening. It just shuts off while I'm driving. Over bumps especially and around turns. So dangerous.

- Jennae H., Upper Darby, PA, US

problem #13

Jun 302013

Grand Caravan Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,000 miles

My 2008 Dodge Caravan has stalled 4 times within the past 3 months while driving. The dealer replaced my battery but it continues. They tell me they cannot find the problem - no code is registering in the computer - I am afraid to drive the van for fear it will stall on highlway.

- lap, Valley Cottage, NY, US

problem #12

Apr 052013

Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L

  • Manual transmission
  • 41,010 miles

Mon vehicule tout en conduisant sest ettouffer, une chance que je conduisait a basse vitesse, je lai ammener sur le concessionnaire mais il me dise quil ne voit aucun probleme meme si cest la deuxieme fois que je lammene pour le meme probleme. Quand le vehicule setouffe tout les lumiere sallume et devienne folle, une fois arreter je reussi a redemarrer la voiture et je suis bloquer en deuxieme vitesse et sur un autre redemarrage tout vas bien comme sil ny avais aucun pprobleme. Jai peur de conduire avec un vehicule comme celui ci, cest une vrai bombe a retardement et le pire dans tout ca cest que le c oncessionnaire ne trouve rien meme si la lumiere de lengin indique plein de codes (aucune communication entre lordinateur et le vehicule) quant aller vous reagir, je dois descendre a montreal de quebec est ce que je vais staller en plein traffic, cest epeurant et personne na lair de prendre tout ca au serieux meme apres tout les commentaires que je vois sur linternet !!!!!!!!!

- Steeve T., Halifax, NS, Canada

problem #11

May 072013

Grand Caravan LX 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

This is a repetitive, almost daily problem. When vehicle is first driven in the mroning, it stalls during driving after about 1 to 2 miles of travel. This stalling has occured daily at speed around 30 mph, and i have to quickly push control to neutral, try to restart ignation (usually starts in about 2 to 3 seconds) to regain power steering and power brake controls. This condition has almost caused an accident on several occasions as steering and braking is significant reduced as engined stalls (i.e. no power). I saw in reading interenet stories, that 2010s were recalled after 2 accidents. I fear I may be an accident, and have taken vehicle to repair, but no trouble has been found yet. If Chrysler/Dodge know about a faulty/defective problem, I really hope they will notify me immediately. I have sent an email to Dodge Customer service in hopes of getting an answer quickly. Meanwhile, i'll try to anticipate the stall as much as i can to avoid an accident, as I have a need to continue to drive this vehicle even with this faulty condition.

- nynuk230, Duluth, GA, canada

problem #10

Oct 162012

Grand Caravan SXT 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles

For over a year our 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan would stall while driving, starting at 48,000 miles. This would leave you without power steering or brakes, creating a potentially dangerous situation. The dealer initially cleaned the throttle body and told us to run a bottle of fuel injector cleaner through with the next few tanks of gas. The problem stopped for awhile, but returned three months later We carefully documented each occurrence, including whether the engine was cold or hot, under load or coasting, road speed, level of fuel in gas tank, etc. There was no pattern to the problem. It went away during the summer months, but returned growing progressively worse during the fall months. Eventually the dealer replaced the torque converter in the transmission, although this did not solve the problem (63,000 miles) The repairs were covered under our Chrysler Max-Care warranty. Interesting that the warranty also covers a rental car while repairs are being made, but NOT during diagnostics, but that's another story...

A few weeks later, we began to have electrical problems, as reported by so many others at this forum. All the dashboard warning lights would come on, the windshield wipers would activate, the gauges would zero out, and the seat belt chime would sound. Sometimes this lasted for a few seconds, other times for a few minutes. The stalling problem also continued, although thankfully they did not occur at the same time. The dealer diagnosed a problem with the bus wire, but could not specify what or where. They checked all the wiring harness/module connections and returned the car to us. Not a mile down the road, it happened again.

Back to the dealer and this time the TIPM (Total Integrated Power Module) was replaced, Again, no success; the problem was back two days later. On the next visit, they replaced the instrument cluster, but still no resolution to the problem. At this point we have been without our van for nearly a month, each time bearing the cost of a rental care at $35/day, despite our extended warranty that is to cover this. Fearing for the safety of my wife and kids who typically ride in this van and seeing no end to the problem in sight, we traded the car in today, taking a significant loss on its value. This problem was reported to Chrysler but there has been no follow up other than assigning us a case number. Apparently all contact with Chrysler has to be through the dealership network.

- Andrew B., Irwin, PA, US

problem #9

Jun 062012

Grand Caravan 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,558 miles

There needs to be another option added in the cost question on here, i had to put (didn't get fixed) which makes me sound irresponsible, it can't be fixed if no one can find out whats wrong. Chrysler needs to step up to the plate and get this figured out SOON!!!!

- 2008 grand caravan, Belgrade, MN, US

problem #8

May 242012

Grand Caravan 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

This is something that Chrysler better look into soon. Someone is going to get seriously hurt. When the van just stalls on you in traffic its very dangerous. Lawsuits waiting to happen.

- 2008 grand caravan, Belgrade, MN, US

problem #7

Aug 082011

Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles

Wife was driving to work and the engine quit and check engine light came on. Fortunately, she was able to get it through an intersection and over to the side with no power steering or brakes. Took it to the dealership. The computer showed an error code not in dealers database and none of their mechanics had seen before. They called Chrysler. Service Mgr described the code as "erroneous" code but Chrysler Engineering had seen this before and recommended replacing the Wireless Control Module. Obviously, the Service Manager couldn't say that this would fix the problem because they couldn't reproduce it. He wasn't sure why the wireless control module would cause the symptom. I see one other complaint here and another complaint on another site for 2008 but under 2010 Grand Caravan on this site there are many more similar incidents.

- L M., Carol Stream, IL, US

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