brakes problem
6.9
fairly significantTypical Repair Cost:
$5,769.00
Average Mileage:
27,441 miles
Number of complaints:
13 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (7 reports)
- go to an independent mechanic rather than the dealer (2 reports)
- re-surfaced all 4 rotors, replaced all pads (2 reports)
- Pep Boys is the best (1 reports)
- replaced factory rotors and pads with aftermarket (1 reports)
Helpful Websites About 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan rotors wear out prematurely
2007Mar 01
Grand Caravan SE 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 33,000 miles
We bought this thing in March, 2007. We test drove it. The front tires seemed to shake. The dealer looked at it and replaced all 4 tires. Everything was fine, so we bought it. Now, if you go anymore than 45 mph the steering wheel starts shaking. Whenever you push on the brakes the whole van shakes, really bad. I haven't had it looked at yet but I'm going to have to look into it. When tax time comes this piece of crap is being traded in, and not for another DODGE either.
2007Mar 08
(reported on)Grand Caravan SXT 3.2 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 10,662 miles
This van has been nothing but trouble since I purchased it new on 9/10/05. On 9/21/05 I took it in to Dependable Dodge in Reseda California, where I purchased it, because the driver side electric window would not open or close, Dependable Dodge said the regulator was bad and had to replace it. I was given a rental for two days. (I have the extended warranty that provides a rental car)
On 5/25/06 I took the van in to Dependable Dodge for a problem with the brakes at 10,662 miles. I also had a problem with the air conditioner which was making a squealing noise . I told them I heard a loud squealing noise when I applied the brakes. Dependable Dodge told me that the rotors were completely shot, they were metal to metal and that they replaced both the pads and the rotors under warranty because the car was less than a year old. Although they said they did it as a favor to me but the reason they were worn out was because of my driving habits. I called them several days later and informed them that the car was still making a squealing noise although it wasn't as bad as before and was told by Dodge that all cars make some noise in the brakes and that it was because they were new and I had to break them in. I continued to drive the van and although it didn't get worse, it didn't get better either. I was given a rental car.
On 8/29/06, at 13,635 miles, I took the van in again and told them that the van was still making a squealing noise in the brakes, they said they would check them out. I was told they were fine, at 50% and that again, all cars make some brake noise, it was normal. In addition to this, I had to leave the car in the shop so that they could perform numerous other repairs. There was an underbody heater hose and a windshield wiper motor recall that needed replaced. The car was also making a buzzing noise and was hard to start if it was over 100 degrees in the summer heat. The rear AC had also stopped working and would only blow out hot air. They found a faulty H-Vac module and had to replace that. The driver side electric door would also not open and close unless it was done manually. Again I was given a rental car.
Today, 3/08/07 at 20,415 miles (only 9,753 miles after a complete rotor/pad replacement) I called Dependable Dodge once again for the same squealing noise that is coming from the brakes which by now, is very loud and was told “sorry, but your car is out of manufacturers warranty , if you want the brakes fixed you will have to pay for them. We already fixed them once for you for free“. I explained that the original problem has never been FIXED, I was told they had no record of any complaints, which is a lie, they just did not DOCUMENT them. I was told that it would cost $29 to have it checked out and that I would have to pay to have it fixed. Although after further discussion I was told that they would check them for free but if there were any problems I would have to pay to have them fixed. I was told the reason the brakes were bad again was because most of my driving was done in town.
Honestly, this van has been nothing but a headache from the very beginning. I have been inconvenienced and I feel that the safety of my family is being jeopardized by driving this piece of junk. I will never recommend this car to anyone, this was a very bad purchase and not worth the price or headaches that go along with it.
2006Jul 01
(reported on)Grand Caravan
- 17,000 miles
There is definitely a problem with the brake system on the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. I have never replaced rotors before 40,000 miles and I am already on my second replacement at 43,000 miles. When I went into the dealer at 17,000 miles they did not know what the problem was and could not feel or hear the issues I was having. The problem was when I would brake there would be a type of metal grinding and a pull to the right. After being sent home twice and driving my children around in the vehicle for several days, I took it back for the third time with my husband. This time they said that of course there was a problem, that they could see just by looking at it, that the brakes were shot, that there was metal on metal--NO KIDDING! Pretty much what I had told them the two previous times! And now here we are again at 43,000 miles and when the brakes are applied my steering wheel shakes. Again, I need new rotors and pads. They also told me that it appears there is something wrong with the way the brakes are working as the rear brakes were in great shape, only the front ones were bad. The first time the front brakes were much worse than the rear ones. Also I have noticed when you are traveling at a speed say 45 mph and you take your foot off of the gas, you do not slow down for quite some time--you stay at a constant 45 mph even though you have taken your foot off of the gas. This makes it necessary to use the brakes more often than normal.
2007Feb 13
(reported on)Grand Caravan Limited 3.2
- Automatic transmission
- 12,000 miles
I had 12,000 miles on a new purchase of 2005 Grand Caravan when I need to have the brakes, rotors and pads put on. I asked why, as I never had this problem before. The mechanic indicated that I must be driving and stopping to fast. I complained of noise in the break area immediately after the repair and again for the next 6 months and they gave me a new set of breaks finally. I now have 28,000 miles and AGAIN NEEDED Rotors, Pads and Breaks both times it cost me $485.00+ to have this repair. I also need to have the tie rods replaced the last time. I'm making a sizable payment and at this point not happy with this situation, otherwise, I love the stow-N-Go seats. I may be having transmission problems, as I can't feel it kick in when traveling up hill.
2006Nov 19
(reported on)Grand Caravan SE 3.3L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 6,170 miles
I'm outraged and amazed that any car would require $520 worth of brake work after a mere 6,170 miles, and just over 1 year old. We hardly drive the car, we never ride the brakes or do any maneuvers that put unusual strain on the brakes. I've read in Consumer Reports that this car has a "much worse than average" repair history for brakes (among many other problems). Well, now I'm now first-hand that their verdict is true.
I believe this car was mis-engineered from the beginning, providing an inadequate braking system for a car of its weight, and a vehicle that is seriously front-heavy (engine, front-wheel drive transmission, etc.). But other manufacturers of minivans, notably Toyota and Honda, apparenlty figured out how to make their cars right.
I hate to say this, but I really believe that the Japanese car makers, down to the assembly-line worker, would be embarassed and ashamed to sell a piece of junk like the Dodge Grand Caravan. They take honor and pride in their work; Detroit stopped doing that a long time ago.
Don't by a Dodge.
2006Dec 30
(reported on)Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 35,000 miles
I can see what other people were talking about now! My rotors wore out too! Why I don't know but at first there was a grinding noise and then it started vibrating really bad in the steering wheel and then I got them turned. About 5,000 miles later they started doing it again.
2006Dec 20
(reported on)Grand Caravan Special Edition 3.8L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 21,500 miles
For low mileage you should not be replacing rotors nor brake pads for regular driving. Here is the dealer's excuses hmm you drove allot of city didn't you... Wow what an observation but YO idiot I have never had this problem in all my years of driving my other 26 cars I have owned, I average twice the distance with those Non Dodge vehicles. Wow sometimes people need to think but of course that is their job to piss you off and now I will not by a Dodge again because this is the 2nd time I had brake issues with a Dodge vehicle you see a pattern DODGE you need better quality controls and you better start with your dealers' customer service...
2006Nov 17
(reported on)Grand Caravan SXT
- Automatic transmission
- 19,000 miles
We started to notice squeaking when turning, especially the left. The problem progressed rapidly and we had it looked at by a neighbor who is a mechanic. He noticed uneven wear on the brake pads and uneven wear and warping on the rotors. We took it to a local Chrysler Jeep dealer to verify the problem and decided to just let them fix it (that is a whole other story). All four brake pads and rotors had to be replaced, but they used better material this time around.
Turns out, we were the second customer in two weeks with the same problem. The other customer only had 13,000 miles on their van. Both vans were fixed at owners expense, and because we live in Germany with American cars, it was not cheap.
2006Oct 31
(reported on)Grand Caravan
- Automatic transmission
- 70,000 miles
dodge is known well for brakes going bad frequently
2006Jul 13
(reported on)Grand Caravan
- 21,500 miles
the front brakes were shot. both rotors and pads were completely gone. for convenience and saftey we had the problem fixed locally with better parts. had to replace rear shocks also. the brake light came on and we didn't address it earlier. we still like the van and stow-n-go. what are cars for except to break down. ha ha
2006Mar 22
(reported on)Grand Caravan
- 30,000 miles
Brake light came on and I took the van in for new brakes. I only had to pay for the new brakes. They replaced the rotors under warranty no charge.
2006Feb 27
(reported on)Grand Caravan LX
- 35,898 miles
The rotors are shot in under 36,000 miles. I went to the dealer with this problem. I said there was something wrong with the brakes, would you please have a look at them. They said I was over my warranty and they couldn't help me.( This is where I bought the car, not just a dealership.) I just wanted to know if the damage to the rotors was normal and they wouldn't even look my way. I tried to explain that the calipers were not releasing properly and that they needed to be adjusted.
After I got no where with the dealership, I took it to another mechanic, who not only replaced the rotors and pads but said in writing that this was not normal wear and tear and that they created hot spots and uneven wear.
Now what I am trying to figure out is do I have a case? I mean, I have had 5 new cars in a row and I never had to replace the rotors once. Has this happened to anyone with a Dodge Grand Caravan under 36,000 miles?
Not to mention the customer service at Chris's Dodge World is horrible!
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2006Feb 28
Grand Caravan 3.3L V6
Left front rotor metal to metal contact and destroyed the rotor. The Right front rotor
warped also and replaced it too. I used lifetime pads from AutoZone and they have not been much better. They next time this happened was about 20-25 thousand more and the aftermarket rotors warped slightly. I had them turned down and replaced the pads again. I just replaced them again at about another 25K. The first time I thought it might be the wife's driving habits as she does tend to follow a little close, but it's a constant vigil to keep up with the brakes on this vehicle. The left front wears faster than the right one and it has done the same thing on my Dodge Ram 1500, but not nearly as bad. Other problems include suspension noise, door locks fail, inner and outer tie rods ends along with an occasion nagging right tail light going out but not being burnt out. It's done thins on two occasions. I'll put the door locks in another post.
I hope this is helpful... Dodge has not been.
Darrell
Nixa, MO
D F.
Nixa, MO, USA
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