Brakes and rotors are having to be replaced at least twice a year. The brakes start making noises after about a month. Then each time the rotors are so worn, they cannot be spun anymore and have to be replaced. We have spent more on this van than we have on any car we have had, ever.
Ever since we bought the van new, the brakes have prematurely worn out. I have never owned a car where I had to replace both the rotor and pads so frequently! Around every 15k miles I am needing to have new pads and rotors put on. This time I have to have the brakes repaired within a month of the last repair. My wife took a trip to Ohio and back and the breaks seem to be shot already. Dodge should come out publicly and explain that they under engineered the breaks for the weight of the vehicle.
My van only has 74,000 KM on it and on my third set of pads and second set of rotors, second set of calipers. Chrysler only warranties front brake pads but not the rear ones.. WHY?
Mechanic said its a common problem with Caravans... body too heavy !!!
This is the third time the in 72000 miles the brakes, rotors and calipers have to be replaced. Shame on Chrysler. There should be a recall on the braking system. My mechanic claims I am not the only one.
- Leon P.,
Smithtown, NY, US
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2010 Dodge Caravan--- Bought it used 3 years ago. We have changed front & rear brakes about 5 times. About 4 months ago, grinding noise in front- told that its my ABS!!!! What the heck? How much more it this going to cost us? -- We just replaced it with a new engine-- maybe we should not have-- anyone else has the same issue?- how much was the fix?
Rear brakes completely gone on 1 pad, both sides. Metal on metal. 21,000 km. St. Albert Dodge dealership told us it isn't covered by warranty even though the vehicle has 60,000 km bumper-bumper warranty. The repair/service was also on sale! for about $700 CDN. Replaced all parts myself for about $150. Apparently, Dodge now has a modified caliper bracket that's supposed to help get some longevity from the brakes. I was looking for an aftermarket version of that when I found this site. Haven't found the bracket yet ...
We had this car for a year and the brake pads were worn out, already!! We have been driving normally as a family would out on the road, rural driving!!
I have replaced brakes 3 or 4 times since new, O.K. For around town, but on the highway shakes and grinds, must be when hot. I tried not to use the brakes if not necessary, but the highway off ramps and braking at higher speeds seem to heat the rotors and warp them. It's not my driving.They must need larger rotors and brake parts on these vans. I love the Van, but never had a vehicle that went through brakes like this. You'd think Chrysler would address this issue, it is a safety issue. Disappointed Customer
Since I have had this vehicle I have to replace the brakes on the front from 12-18 months. Unreal. This Caravan just eats brakes and I am not a hard driver.
Started having this squealing noise at the rear of the van a month ago. Bought the van brand new December of 2010, barely used it which is the reason why it only has 39,000 km on it. Mechanic friend looked at it and saw that the rotors and the pads on both rear needs replacing. Dodge should recall this brake issue.
Family just bought a brand new Dodge Journey last month. I will closely monitor on how Dodge will address this brake issue on my van since its pretty evident that there's a lot of people experiencing this same problem and ethically Dodge should issue a recall on this. Future purchases of Dodge and Chrysler vehicles will strongly depend on how this will turn out.
We purchased the Van brand new in 2010. At the 16 000 km marker I noticed rear brakes sqeaking and heating up. Dodge said there was a recall and replaced brakes free of charge....at the 30 000 km marker they needed to be replaced again. Dodge said they extended the warranty to 40 000 km so I was covered.
This scared me thinking I would have to replace the Brakes every 15-16 000 km.....that's crazy!!!
So since then I have had 2 more brake jobs out of my own pocket at $ 750.
At 23000 miles, driver's side rear brakes grinding, took to dealer. Dealer said it was normal wear. I don't buy that story, and wanted $542.00. I repaired myself. New pads and cut rotor. 22000 miles later same problem, rear driver side worn down again. Replaced and cut rotor again. At 63000 mile, it did it again. This time replaced pads, rotor and new caliper at cost of $225.00. So, if you have the problem; make sure you get caliper replaced.
So now, 112000 passenger side doing the same thing. Going to replace pads, cut rotor and replace hardware, making sure I cleaned and lube caliper slide. Let's see if it's caliper again!
My original brakes on my 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan wore out quite quickly. There was a recall by Chrysler on them and they were replaced, though I was still charges money by the dealer for what should have been a free job. My brakes have since been back twice for servicing due to bad grinding noise,once for regrinding the discs and once for a cleaning. I am now going to replace all 4 rotors & pads yet again due to serious grinding noises. AT 35,000 Km total, this is VERY PREMATURE WEAR. It is not at all normal that brakes rust out so very quickly, particularly with such low mileage. Chrysler needs to improve their act dramatically. I certainly would avoid them for any new mini-van purchase.
In addition to a leak in the A/C that has set us back on a vehicle we have maintained in good shape with only 41000 km in mileage, our brakes and rotors had to be replaced a second time because the steering vibrates when we brake. We picked the vehicle up from the dealer today and to our frustration the issue is still there! What a waste of time and money!
Anyone out there....please think twice before considering! I'd be happy to join any class action suits against them.
Had to replace both my front and rear brakes under 20k miles. For the front I paid $100 and dodge paid rest as part of the recall.The van has now 44k miles and I am experiencing the same brake issues again.
The back brakes wore out at 19,000 miles. The dealership replaced them but now at 46,000 miles I'm having the same issue and it looks like it is going to cost around $800.00 to get the back brakes fixed.
We have had other cars that we have only replaced the back brakes once and the car has over 200,000 miles.
Brakes being replaced twice with under 50,000 miles seems a little ridiculous.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Brakes and rotors are having to be replaced at least twice a year. The brakes start making noises after about a month. Then each time the rotors are so worn, they cannot be spun anymore and have to be replaced. We have spent more on this van than we have on any car we have had, ever.
- melnjess, Fountain, US