This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- Finksburg, MD, USA
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chrysler refuses to acknowledge a serious defect in the braking system of the Dodge Grand Caravan. 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 (out of pocket). When I protested that mopar parts should not fail in less than 6 months, the service person told me that "Dodge 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 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 Caravan & 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.
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).
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 Caravan due to poorly designed rear brake system.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- San Juan, PR, USA