7.8
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$363.00
Average Mileage:
20,643 miles
Total Complaints:
11 complaints
Most common solutions:
- complete replacement of pads and rotors (6 reports)
- repair a warranty failure myself (3 reports)
- replaced pads and turned rotors (1 reports)
- this is the third set of brakes (1 reports)
brakes problem
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Dodge dealer.
Helpful Websites About 2008 Dodge Caravan premature brake failure
2009Aug 20
Caravan SXT 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 32,000 miles
My Dodge Caravan has 26,000 miles on it. I went to get the oil changed (this time at adifferent location since the dealer lost their Dodge affiliation) and they told me there was only 6000 miles left on the brake pads. I just had the brake pads replaced and the roters resurfaced 6 months ago at 16,000 miles. Replacing brakes every 16,000 miles is totally unacceptable. Before it was just front brakes, now its all four wheels. There is something wrong with this picture.
2009Jul 25
Caravan SE 3.3L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 16,166 miles
I got better mileage on my other Doge Caravans (1996,2001,2004) on what I am told are the same brake pads. I am loosing confidence in the Chrysler products. Family members had a similar problem on their vans.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jun 18
Caravan SXT 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 14,000 miles
At 14000 miles my front brake pads and rotors had to be replaced as they were completely worn out. All Chrysler would say to me was that it was out of warranty after 12000 miles. I have a 2006 vehicle with 36000 miles on it and all of the brakes work great and it is not a Chrysler. Where is the recall on the 2008 Dodge Caravans?????
2009May 07
Caravan 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 34,000 miles
Brakes were worn out at 34,000 miles and 90% of our commute is highway miles. The brakes and rotors were replaced under warranty because one of the pads (drivers front inside) was metal to metal while the others were about 1/4". Now the van is back at the dealer shop getting the transmission rebuilt because there are 58 factory tranny's on back order. They also have to look at the brakes again because the drivers front rotor has a groove cut in it already even though the pad and rotor only have about 6000 miles on them since being replaced.
2009May 02
Caravan SE 3.3L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 15,346 miles
click to see larger images
Complaint Photos
The brakes were grinding on a 15 month old brand new off the lot vehicle. I brought it in for repair, assuming this is covered under warranty. Nope!
They lied to me and told me that the sound was just the 'squealer' indicating the brakes were getting low then told me it was going to be about $300 to repair. I chose to drive it home to repair it myself since I can get parts at a reasonable price.
It turns out that the brakes were completely worn out, and worn out unevenly. The squealer was never reached on the pad so there was no warning. The outside pad, which has no squealer, had worn down to nothing and was grinding on the rotor.
I couldn't get rotors for my van because they aren't available. Who manufactures rotors for a one year old vehicle? NO ONE!
I talked about this nonsense to the service manager at my dealer and he was not willing to pay for the repair. After some discussion he agreed to talk to Chrysler and then agree to do the repair for the cost of one rotor at $106. I'm sure the mark up on this part is at least 50%!! So Chrysler is still making money on me!
Chrysler provides no service to anyone. I love the interior of the van, but I hate the fact that it's a piece of junk that is falling apart after just over a year!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Apr 13
Caravan SXT 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 18,860 miles
I'm very unhappy with Chrysler! I can understand having to replace the brake pads after 18,860 miles. However, it is absolutely ridiculous to need brand new rotors at this kind of mileage.
My wife took the minivan into a local repair shop. They were appalled by the condition of the brakes and after reviewing the mileage on the vehicle, suggested she call the local Chrysler dealership. They even offered to tow the vehicle to the dealership.
It would have been a waste....The Chrysler dealership said the brakes are only covered for 12,000 miles. They really didn't want to talk about the fact we needed new rotors after less than 19,000 miles.
FACT: In Chryslers effort to reduce cost, they continue to increase their parts purchases with LCC's (Low Cost Countries) such as China. In many cases, these low cost countries use inferior materials and manufacturing processes in their products. Also, these same countries are not subject to the same stringent quality requirements of U.S. suppliers. Trust me, I know as I have worked in the auto industry for 26 years.
Although no one can tell me the country of origin for the rotors on my vehicle, I can just about guarantee you the rotors are made overseas.
Chrysler needs to wake up and realize that consumers are not going to buy their vehicles if they continue to use inferior parts that end up costing their customers big money in the form of excessive repair and replacement charges!
2009Mar 11
Caravan SE 3.3L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 16,000 miles
The brakes failed on my 2008 Grand Caravan already! It only has 16,000 carefully driven miles. The funny thing is all the Dodge dealers I called said that this was normal (apparently I'm stupid) and that they normally are only good for 9,000-10,000 miles. Every mechanic I have dealt with however, said that Dodge uses brake pads and rotors that were too soft, and that there should be a recall. A lot of mechanics have been saying the same thing. Screw you Dodge, where's the recall!
2009Jan 19
Caravan SXT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 27,000 miles
This van is a POS, this is the third set of brakes put on it, and twice the disks had to be replace.
Dodge would not cover this because it a wear items but when you have it back in 3 month intervals it has to be a problem.
All we got for Chrysler is it nopt covered, when it come time to replace this van I will be going to another brand.
2008Oct 15
Caravan SXT 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 30,000 miles
I have an 08 Caravan that got 30K on the brakes. I drive 35,000 miles a year so most of my driving is Hwy. I have had this job nearly 20 years and 5 different vehicles.. Chrysler has a problem and we need a bail-out!
2008Nov 04
Caravan SXT 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 15,000 miles
When the left front brake started grinding during low speed stops I took the van to the Dodge dealer right away. They had it 3 days and finally told me that at 15,000 miles the failure of the left front brake pads and rotor was not going to be covered by the factory warranty or the bumper to bumper 100,000 mile extended warranty. They wanted me to pay $270 to have the pads replaced and rotors turned. As a former master mechanic I knew that 15,000 miles of highway driving was not responsible for one set of front brake pads to fail. I didn't want a 6 month old vehicle with 15,000 miles on it with turned rotors. That's ridiculous!!!! The dealer refused to repair it under warranty and after spending 40 minutes on the phone with Chrysler Customer "Doesn't" Care they were not going to support their vehicle either. We bought this van in May just 6 months ago. I parked the van and we started driving the 07 Tahoe with 41,000 miles on it. The Tahoe has been driven just like the Van except for the fact that it does have the 41,000 miles on it with no brake maintenance so far. Dodge just lost me as a customer. Going back to Chevy!!!!
We have partnered with JustAnswer to offer online auto repair help and advice from expert professional automotive technicians. You describe your brakes problem or ask your question and they try to help you figure it out. The fee is typically $9 to $15, but you can offer to pay more for really tough questions. You will usually receive an answer in 10 minutes or less, and you do not have to pay anything unless you accept the answer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Sep 23
Caravan SE V6
I took my van in to the dealership cause I was hearing some strange noises from the brakes. The service guy tells me that he will have to take my van and put it up on the hoist, which i was ok with. Half hour he comes back and asks,how hard do you drive the mini van? I told him I dont drive the thing hard at all, why? whats the problem, I ask.He tells me that my brakes need to be replaced pads and rotor in the front. Thats when i mention to him that I only have 8,700 miles on the van. He told me that its a wear and tear part and i will have to pay about $450 to replace them and its not going to be covered under warranty. He also tells me that the rear brakes only have 3,100 miles on them left b4 changing . The nice fellow he is , suggest that i get all around brakes for $900 . After arguing for about 20 minutes with this guy, I end up telling him to just put the wheels back on my van and im leaving without new brakes. 10 minutes later the service advisor comes back and tells me that they decided to cover the brakes under warranty but they will only do the fronts. I told them fine. so now i have new brakes in the front.Next week i will go to another dealership and make up a story that my back brakes are making strange noises.Maybe i will get them replaced too.
buckwild188
Brampton, Ontario, Canada
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