This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Dodge dealer.
8.0
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$420.00
Average Mileage:
26,123 miles
Total Complaints:
60 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace brake pads (27 reports)
- replace calipers, rotors & pads (12 reports)
- not sure (9 reports)
- Dodge refused to cover the cost & lost customer forever (6 reports)
- Dodge fixed without charge!! (4 reports)
- replace (2 reports)
brakes problem
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2009Aug 01
Grand Caravan
- Automatic transmission
- 21,000 miles
Brakes went out early leading to early rotor and tire replacement. Dodge sent a check to cover cost of brakes but never issued a recall.
2011Nov 04
Grand Caravan
- Automatic transmission
- 14,913 miles
A notice was sent out a year and a half ago letting people know that there was premature wearing out of brake pads. Our millage was too low to qualify but after 1 year, 5000 km of driving our brakes went from 60% to 3%. They will not honor replacing them even though they acknowledged the pads were defective. Our next vehicle won't be a Chrysler.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2011Sep 02
Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 60,770 miles
Third brake re-build in three years, despite constant brake inspections at every oil change. Had second set of rotors, pads and flush done in Dec. 2010. Began making noise by May. (Dealership closed..second of four I've dealt with in these three years.)
Next dealership inspected brakes in June. I was told the brakes were fine. ( 80% front / 70% back...just brake dust...) Noise continued, got worse. In the shop today a couple of months later and metal to metal! I might add that the same thing happened last year..."Brakes are fine"...metal to metal three weeks later.
I've been driving since I was 16 (now 60) and HAVE NEVER had ANY car have this kind of wear issue. I'm a repeat customer (WAS) and expected better treatment from Dodge Chrysler...no such luck..just BS excuses from the dealerships. Even my last vehicle (Dodeg Caravan 2002) only required new rotors after five years.
I purposely wanted to buy North American vehicles to keep jobs going here. It's extremely evident by the attitude of Dodge Chrysler, that they are only interested in taking your money, and forgetting you exist afterward.
....Losing repeat customers is one hell of a way to run a business
2010Nov 18
Grand Caravan SXT
- Automatic transmission
- 23,000 miles
I have never had a vehicle with so many problems in my entire life....Every time you turn around it is back in the shop or suffer with the problem! I will never buy a DODGE again.
2011Jun 20
Grand Caravan
- Automatic transmission
- 42,000 miles
My husband and I purchased this car in November 2010. At the start of 2011 we experienced two problems: a metal to metal "grinding" sound and thumping coming from underneath the car. Sounded so bad I thought something would fall OFF the bottom.
We got it into the shop and there was talk about calipers and rotors. Everything was fixed under warranty. So....
June 2011 the same metal grinding sound started happening again. Now I'm told the rotor and caliper need to be replaced. We've got an extended warranty and have to pay our $100 deductible.
It's irritating because I've NEVER purchased a new OR used car that I immediately started having problems with. I'll probably never buy a Dodge again because of this.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Sep 16
Grand Caravan
- Automatic transmission
- 4,880 miles
We had a high pitched squeal in the rear wheel. They resurfaced the rotor and deglazed the pad. Little did I know that this was just the beginning of my mini van problems. See next 3 complaints for this car.
2010Aug 12
Grand Caravan
- Automatic transmission
- 18,164 miles
This repair was the front brakes. Brakes and rotors. They also replaced a rear brake sensor. This is now the third time I've had this clunker in for brakes. (almost every time I get an oil change.) The "Front Brake Limited Warranty Extension" covered all but $100.00 of the cost but Who ever heard of Three brake problems in 18,000 miles? This wasn't the end... more problems to come...
2008Jul 21
Grand Caravan SE
- Automatic transmission
- 40 miles
We have had this van 2 years it has 52,000 miles we have went through 3 sets of brakes and 2 sets of rotors! That is ridicules!
2008Oct 03
Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 21,091 miles
Purchased vehicle Feb, 2008 with 18,132 kms
Front Brake Kit & Rotors - Oct 3, 08 @33,942kms Cost 447.53 Cdn
Rear Brake Kit & Rotors - May 13, 09 @ 42783 kms Cost $517.77
Front Brake Kit & Rotors - May 13, 09 @ 42783 kms Cost - $0.00
Further front brake problems - extreme shuddering
Rear Front Brake Pads & Rotors - February 25, 11 @ 91543 kms Cost 678.47
So...Do ya think Dodge Grand Caravan has brake issues!!!!!!! As said in other complaints --why has there not been a recall on this issue!!!
I would have listed each of these incidents separately, by man oh man...I have better things to do than deal with poor vehicle design...like work, work, work to pay for the darn repairs!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2011Mar 10
Grand Caravan
- Automatic transmission
- 80,000 miles
Send time of replacing brakes and rotors in less than 20,000 miles and 6 month time frame. Something is wrong!
2011Feb 28
Grand Caravan ES
- Automatic transmission
- 46,000 miles
My 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan has had both the front and rear brakes fail to the point of requiring the rotors to be either replaced (front) or sanded down (rear) and the drums, calipers and pads replaced in the front and rear brake systems. I've also had to have an Air Condition hose replaced ($400+), my battery replaced due to a blown cell after only 1.5yrs, the lines to the rear window sprayer replaced TWICE in less than 15,000 miles and the mygig radio system intermittently shut off for 30 minutes at a time irregularly (since the vehicle was about 8 months old). I contacted customer service, who informed me that this is considered "regular wear and tear" for a vehicle less than 3yrs old with 46,000 miles. They insist this is "normal", and that I should have purchased an extended warranty. Anyone else considering a class action lawsuit, or is this normal for a Dodge Grand Caravan??
2010Jan 10
Grand Caravan ES
- Automatic transmission
- 12,000 miles
Front brakes went out after only 12,000 miles and 8 months of owning the car. I called my local Dodge Dealer (Bankston Dodge of Grand Prairie, Texas), who unbeknown to me was almost finished with the process of closing and spoke with the ONE individual in the dealership who was answering phones. This individual informed me that they no longer had anyone to service the vehicle and told me to take my car to a local brake repair shop to have the work done and then call the 800 Customer Service number when the repairs were done to have the work authorized. I did as they asked, and lo and behold when I called the Customer Service number they REFUSED to reimburse me and told me that "Nobody in one of our Service Departments would tell you to do that." I escalated my complaint and spoke to a VERY RUDE person who informed me that THEY made all final decisions regarding complaints, and that they would NOT help me resolve my problem. I got nowhere with them and ate the cost....MONTHS later I get a letter in the mail telling me of a recall for the front brakes, and after a few days of calling and working my way up the chain I finally got reimbursed for my front brakes...They however refused to reimburse me for the brake problems I was experiencing on my rear brakes...Oh, it gets better...a few days ago I am driving back from the service department of another Dodge dealer on the way to my local Just Brakes to have the brakes checked for squealing (Since I had just had them replaced and warranted there less than 6,000 miles ago) and as I stop at a local light I see TONS of white smoking coming from my rear brakes (No warning lights, no squealing, NOTHING)!! Luckily, I was less than a block away and when I pull in the technician has me drive up to the bay...when they pull off the wheels to look at the rear brakes they are WHITE HOT! The pads are destroyed, the calipers destroyed and the (ball bearings?) had locked up causing the entire right rear brake to basically burn itself up...I had to replace everything except the rotor (which they were able to sand down)...Of course, when I contacted Dodge support about the myriad of problems I have had with my car they stated that this was all "Normal Wear and Tear" for a car less than 3yrs old with 46,000 miles. They were TOTALLY unwilling to work with me at all, and said they would only partially reimburse for the cost of parts...
2010Dec 06
Grand Caravan 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 29,000 miles
We have had this 2008 caravan 11 months... We replaced the brakes and had the rotors turned 3 months ago... Now here we are its time to do it all over again... I hardly drive the car... I'm a stay at home mom... So its not driven all the time... I absolutely can not believe I have to pay for this again... Where is the recall....
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2010Apr 01
Grand Caravan LX 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 40,000 miles
Had a complete brake replacement at 40,000 miles.
Wasn't covered under warranty due to mileage.
Then got letter from Chrysler saying there was potential brake problems but wasn't a recall.
I sent them a copy of my repair bill and they politely called me back and said they wouldn't pay for it.
I at least asked them to give me a credit I could use towards a new van purchase.
They refused that compromise as well.
Chrysler knows they have a bad batch of brakes in those models. It stinks that they won't compromise something
2010Nov 12
Grand Caravan SXT
- Automatic transmission
- 52,000 miles
need rear brakes went to midas had them do rotors and pads they pulled it out of the bay and now no brake pedal pressure right to the floor,they looked at it for awhile and couldn't figure it out and told me to tow it to the dealership.okay at the dealership the told me i needed front brakes and rotors i said i just had them done 8 months ago here he said ok lets put new ones on anyway ,ok they told me to come and get it still no pedal pressure,ok now they say midas screwed up calipers ok new calipers still no pedal pressure now its the master cylinder and its on back order may take several weeks are you kidding simple brake job gone tottaly wrong had brakes before i went there now i don't. why
2008Sep 01
Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 15,000 miles
This thing eats pads like crazy!!! WTF I have replaced the pads 3 time. It now has 45,000 and the lease is up. It need pads on the front again. F*ck it. They can replaced them.
This was one of many problems we have had on this van. It is a shame. These vans have the best features but they are made so cheap. We chose Chrysler (before the second buyout) to help America. To hell with that. We are buying a used Honda Odyssey when our lease it up. They may not have all the same features but they are built much much better. Shame on you Chrysler. You can do better.
2010Nov 04
Grand Caravan V6
- Automatic transmission
- 32,200 miles
I was told in August 2010 that my front brakes were very lo and that the back brakes were still ok. I received the extended warranty letter stating it wold cost $100.00 deductible up to 36,000 miles to fix the front brakes. As I was gong to drive to Florida in October I had the front brakes replaced on 10-1-10 at which time the back brakes were checked again they still were ok. On 11-4-10 I started to hear a humming or screeching sound.I took it to the Dodge dealer where I faithfully have my van maintained and the service person said hat the back brakes were shot ad the rotors were gone and needed to be replaced. I thing this is awful since I only have 32,200 miles on my van. I never owned a car or van where brakes and rotors went like this. This problem should be covered by dodge since its seems its a problem they are having in several grand caravans. I love my van and I am not rich especially in todays economy. Please help! This repair cost me $374.00
2010Jan 28
Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 24,855 miles
Noticed a grinding sound up front approx 7 months after I got the van. Got new pads from NAPA and then when I removed the caliper on both side and measured the rotors for thickness noticed they too were out of spec. So I had to run back in and get 2 rotors. Easy jobs to do but a pain in the rear to do so soon.
Sometime in the late winter of 2010 I thought I'd have a look at the back brakes and I did and found out that those pads and rotors needed replacing. Again an easy enough job to do but a pain in the rear. THAT BEING SAID I DIDN'T KNOW THE REAR BRAKE PISTON IN THE CALIPER IS A SCREW TYPE PISTON AND MUST BE SCREWED IN TO RETRACT IT AND HAVING THE SPECIAL TOOL IS HANDY HOWEVER NOT NEEDED AS I JUST USED A PAIR OF NEEDLE NOSE PLIERS DUE TO IT BEING 1130 AT NIGHT WHEN I WAS DOING IT.
So sometime in early September of 2010 I had the front drivers side brake pads stick and cause the rotor, rim and tire to heat up very very hot! Got home let it cool and took it apart to inspect, piston retracted with the ol' c clamp with ease and the pads were cracked from overheating. Ordered in some pads from NAPA again and had to let it ride as was until I could get around to fixing it again. The caliper locked on again a few days later and then let off on its own. So I ordered in a new caliper assembly and changed that and the pads and things are braking smooth now. Knock on wood hopefully it continues that way.
Overall, this braking business is a major pain in the ass and for whatever reason it hasn't cleared itself up yet. Hoping that the Master cylinder isn't next (Sh*t I shouldn't have said anything lol.)
2010Nov 07
Grand Caravan SE 3.3
- Automatic transmission
- 13,000 miles
13,000 miles and all four pads and rotors went. I heard squealing and reported it to my local Monro Muffler Brake. They said probably just a pebble in there with only 13,000 miles. They and I were shocked to find all four pads gone and rotors shot. It's hard to believe. What a piece of junk this car is. No wonder Chrysler is going under. My other car is Korean. I try to buy American for at least one vehicle out of a sense of patriotism, but NEVER a Chrysler product again! Ford and maybe GM for me from now on. Loved my Ford Fusion!
2010Sep 22
Grand Caravan 3.3L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 25,529 miles
Replaced front brakes Nov. 2009 (pads, rotors, calilper, etc) $759.00; mechanic said poor quality brakes.
Phoned Dodge Canada - rear brakes (pads, rotors, caliper, etc.) repaired Sep. 22/2010. 41,085 km. I explained the brakes were squelling 6 wks ago, my father died August 12 and our son died August 22, 2010. Also, we have a handicapped daughter which I have had to drive everyday because DATS was not available as yet for her transportation needs. We bought a new van so that I would be able to accommodate both my father and our handicapped daughter. They said I was 1085 km over the limit. I told them if I would have had the opportunity to fix the brakes 6 wks ago, I would have done so. I can send the death certificates plus authorization about DATS for our daughter. There was absolutely no compassion. Fixing a car was not high on my priority list, especially since I thought we had the brake problem fixed a year ago; I did not realize the back brakes now needed fixing. We will never deal with DODGE again. Why did I replace my Montana van?
2010Jul 24
Grand Caravan
- Automatic transmission
- 39,000 miles
Well this is set # 3 including factory set. The back brakes were just about paper thin. for the small price of around $350 dollars in parts and the work of a friend. All rotors and pads were changed. And the fun continues.
2010Aug 30
Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 32,000 miles
My car was inspected in December 2009 (23000 miles) and I was worried that I would need new brakes and rotors after reading posts on this forum. At the time, I was told that my breaks looked "good as new" - I'm usually pretty gentile with vehicles and their brakes, so I thought I got a good set. Fast forward 8 months and 8000 miles, and I was told that both front brakes and rotors were shot. I was pretty surprised as my driving habits have not changed. Fortunately Chrysler offered a "Front Brake Limited Warranty Extension" which allows front brakes and rotors to be replaced with a $50 deductible for vans with 12k-24k miles/12 - 24 months, or with a $100 deductible for vans with 24k-36k miles/24-36 months.
2010Aug 27
Grand Caravan
- Automatic transmission
- 25,462 miles
O.K., so I replace my brakes, and rotors at 18000 and now they are shaking and making a squek noise at 25400. Is this normal??? There is a definate problem here.
2009Dec 10
Grand Caravan
- Automatic transmission
- 18,000 miles
I drive my boys to school and then go to work, it is a 5 mile trip every day. How could breaks only last for 18000???? There really has to be something wrong with the way this van made for breaks to go this quickly on your vehicle.
2009Jan 08
Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 24,000 miles
Original brakes completely gone at 24K miles!?! Really?!? Worst car I've ever owned. It's not like we stomp the brakes and slide to a stop every chance we get.
2010Jun 20
Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 54,000 miles
First set of brakes lasted less than 25K. Second set lasted almost 30K. Will not keep this van long enough to put another set on it. This is ridiculous.
2010Jan 05
Grand Caravan SE 3.3L
- Automatic transmission
- 27,340 miles
Unfortunately Chrysler Canada told me to piss off because I didn't have the work done until 44,000 km ( I couldn't believe it could be the brakes).
2010Jun 17
Grand Caravan SE 3.3L
- Automatic transmission
- 24,855 miles
For all you who have problems with Grand Caravan premature brake pad wear or warped rotors, my mechanic who owns his own shop and was previously a Chrysler mechanic says that there are after market rotors and pads that are cheaper and longer lasting than what Chrysler will install. Be sure to check out this option before opting to have Chrysler replace them. You will save HUNDREDS of dollars!!
2009Oct 01
Grand Caravan SXT 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 24,000 miles
Excessive front brake wear...pads and rotors replaced at 24,000 miles. Now, at 34,000 miles front pads and rotors need to be replaced again. Dodge issued extended warranty admitting problem and will replace front pads and rotors for a fee of $100 up to 36,000 miles. So in the future I must expect to replace the front brakes every 10-20,000 miles for as long as I own this vehilce?
2009Jun 24
Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 13,188 miles
The original noise started at 13,188 miles a couple days after it was in for in 12000 mile service on June 23, 2009. Thought it was due to the tire rotation I just had so when I got back from vacation it had 18164 miles on July 22, 2009. They told me only thing they could figure was the front brakes - I had Midas do them for cheaper (different story). After going back to midas many times for the 'still same noise' We tried everything. i started going back to Chrysler because obviously it wasn't the front brakes. Sometimes they noted my complaint, sometimes not on the vehicle ticket. Could not always verify my concern but couldn't fix it. At 30,976 miles on March 22, 2010 they discovered by my rear brakes - 1 caliper sticking, 1 caliper frozen, severe corrosion and wear. They replaced my calipers for free but I had to pay $375 for the new pads and rotors. THE NOISE WENT AWAY. I believe the brake pads and rotors should have been covered under warranty because I believe the problems with the calipers were the reason for the problems with the rear brakes. Note: I bought the car on Jan 31, 2009 with 5664 miles.
2010Apr 01
Grand Caravan SXT 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 26,000 miles
Normal wear and tear at first. I ripped out calipers and could close: I had to put back on 'piece of dooodooo' and bring back to dealer for him to cover new caliper: I had to cover pads and rotors. Collateral damage is not in Mopar's vocabulary.
At 28K. Dealer told me front were thin and needed pads, rotors.. I did myself with the cheapest pads available because of the frequency I will be changing them. I just got a letter stating my front break warranty has been extended, So I paid for pads, after they said "not covered" and now they won't warranty whats on the "piece of dooo dooo".
Lifetime Warranty.... ya... Keeps you in the car for stuff that's not covered.
Now my bearing and hubs are gone at 36K. I'm upside down and dumping it. 1st and last Mopar
2010Jun 24
Grand Caravan
- Automatic transmission
- 28,000 miles
I will NEVER buy another Dodge/Chrysler again!!!!!! No WONDER they are barely hanging on!!!! Customer service is t
2010Apr 09
Grand Caravan
- Automatic transmission
- 16,000 miles
wheel bearings went out and were replaced under warranty at 12,000 miles. at 16,000 miles the brake pads were wore out and needed replaced, they would not cover them under warranty. i complained to dodge and they had a customer service rep call my house several time, always during the day while i was at work, the brain surgeon was not even smart enough to leave a return number. this is my first dodge product and will be my last, they have poor quality parts on there vans and the worst customer service i have had to deal with.
2009Nov 10
Grand Caravan SE 3.6L
- Automatic transmission
- 23,500 miles
The brakes on my van started making noise around 20k so I took it in and low and behold; the brakes were shot. This van was driven on trips and the brakes were not rode hard. Its retarded to need to replace the brakes on a brand new vehicle after having it a year and a half. Dodge needs to do something about this! I don't think I will buy another Dodge product after dealing with all of the costs my Dodge has incurred!
2010May 22
Grand Caravan 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 48,000 miles
Front pads stick and not sure why? I installed new pads and rotors 6 months ago and my pads are sticking so bad the wheel heats up so hot you could cook an omelet on it. I'm concerned that the front tire my blow from the heat build up. The tire now has a bulge in the side wall from this....
I tore everything down (ASE Certified tech) and everything is operational? I cleaned the slide (on the pads) and added anti-seize hoping this helps...
2010May 01
Grand Caravan LX 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 38,000 miles
had real bad shaking up front. had bad shoes front and back.and broking tie rod.and people wonder why every thing mad over seas.my next car is going to be made over seas!well Americas cant put the q.a in it.
2009Oct 20
Grand Caravan SE 3.3L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 11,806 miles
Rear brake pads wore out at 19000 kilometers. Dealer would not cover under warranty because I was over time period for coverage by one month. Had new pads installed at private garage. At 21000 kilometers rear brakes seized while highway driving now in private garage for expensive repairs. Will be trading in for a new Toyota Seinna after repairs. F@&! Dodge.
2009Feb 06
Grand Caravan SE 3.3L
- Automatic transmission
- 1,500 miles
the front brakes onlt about six months. the back maybe a year. the back brakes smoke at times.
2010Mar 01
Grand Caravan
- Automatic transmission
- 26,240 miles
Back brake had to be totally replaced within a few months of purchase. The other back brake had to be replaced shortly after. What make the replacement brakes any better?
2010Apr 19
Grand Caravan
- Automatic transmission
- 29,120 miles
Both back brakes had to be totally replaced within a few months of purchase. Why won't the new brakes be exactly the same??
2010Apr 09
Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 24,440 miles
Warranty page #5 claims only items not covered is Tires and Unwired headphones. Took to Dealer where Van was purchased and they claim brakes are not covered. Only thing service writer could say its not a dealer problem its the manufacturer. He gave me an 800 number to call and apparently Dodge only deals with customer issues M-F.
Update from Apr 21, 2010: Dodge agreeed brakes should not have failed and replaced pads and rotors without charge!!!! It took almost two weeks but I am very happy with outcome.
2009Aug 18
Grand Caravan V6
- Automatic transmission
- 50,000 miles
My question here is the factory warranty is for the vehicle o only for the first owner because, I am the second owner and the dealer do not honored the warranty for my Grand Caravan justbecause I am the second owner.
2010Jan 20
Grand Caravan SXT
- Automatic transmission
- 12,089 miles
Chrysler refused to cover any of the cost due and this REALLY came out of the customer service reps. mouth... the dealer told her that "the reason the brakes failed at such low miles was because of rust and corrosion due..." AND THIS IS THE GODS HONEST TRUTH "...to lack of use by the customer"!!!!!!!!!!!
I could not believe what I heard. I of course asked to speak to her manager she said why it wont change anything they have to go by what the dealership tells them. I asked what if they are wrong tough luck......Chrysler Corp. thinks this is how to get back into car selling busn. yikes who ever owns them now is in for rude wake up. I have since called dealership and asked how they could have missed this since they saw this car every 4 to 6 months since it was purchased in 10/08. by their award winning 5 STAR SERVICE certification plus car was looked at by two other mechanics before I took it to dealer and guess what they both said defective brakes and also they saw and heard there is aproblem with early wear on caravan brakes but the dealership didnt know anything. Chrysler Corp. doesnt know but thousands of other people due. Gee ...I wonder how they will be in busn. GUESS what dealership called me back and they said call rep back have her call them and everything will be taken care of .......gee I wonder WHY...... cann ya stand it . i am nit finished yet I am going to blog , email and call write anyb ody I can cuse I am sick of BIG CORPS walking all over us little guys. Anybody has a problem start calling and pushing this back into their faces!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2009Oct 08
Grand Caravan
- Automatic transmission
- 14,440 miles
I took my van in October to have the brakes looked at because they were making a screeching noise at 14000 miles and the dealership ended up replacing the two front rotors and pads.
I have since taken it back to them because it is pulsating when you come to a stop.
The dealership said they resurfaced the rotors yet it is still pulsating.
I then took it to a tire shop and they inspected the brakes and state that the resurfacing was never done and that it needs to be done.
I guess I will be on the phone and computer with the manufacturer for the next few days to get them to take care of this issue considering it is out of the "brake warranty" and I refuse to pay for anything or take it back to that dealership.
2009Nov 14
Grand Caravan SE 3.3L
- Automatic transmission
- 26,000 miles
Well I really didn't think too much about having to replace my front brakes at around 26,000 miles, 1 month past warranty expiration, but then I visited this website and saw that this is definitely a recurring problem. They were pretty bad but we just bought new pads for $56.00 and my husband did it himself it was really very easy. Otherwise though I really love this car. It has actually changed my life.
Update from Apr 6, 2011: Well now after having this van for a lil over 2 yrs I ave gotten used to the front and rear brake replacement twice a yr. I have done calipers once but i can feel the rotors will need to be serviced pretty soon, cause I just put 4 new tires on and they vibrate a lil bit like there is gravel inte tread but there isnt any gravel. So far as the brake "area" of this van Its not really been that expensive but in a crap economy its getting to a point where I am considering having to think about selling before blue book takes a dive and purchasing a different vehicle. We are at around 56,000 miles now and a lil bit of a "gremlin" has set in with it. Not even three weeks ago my husband is changing the oil, so its up on ramps (FYI the front bumpers' ground clearance makes getting on/off ramps suck) he finishes and decideds to reset the change oil light on dash pannel, press gas pedal slowly but completely to floor 3 times in a minute or whatev, and then backs it off the ramps. Then he decided to run to e-z mart so he never turned it off an hour later he has walked home and tells me the van wont start. Also its parked right at the doors and you cant even put it into nuetral. Did some online research and went to check it out nothing looks damaged or loose and te keyless entry still unlocks and locks the doors but when i turned the key nothing no radio no shifting nothing. I freaked how was a tow truck going to get it withou being able to get to the front but they used dollys for front wheels and pshed the front end around but thats a huge "extra"fee. anyway the dealership was rude with me on the phone until the van showed up they said they'd call me in hr with diagnostic results.. 45 mins later they say the wireless control module must be replaced and the will charge $270 plus tax. # days later I go to pick it up and I was so happy cause they also repaired all the active recalls on it without me having to ask. Lil did I know as soon as I pulled in my drive way i smell some type of fluid burning off the motor come to find out its the heater core and is outragously expensive is it possible they messed it up and how do i prove it if they did.
2009Dec 18
Grand Caravan SE 3.3L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 50,000 miles
Brakes wear out way too quickly. Brakes were wearing uneven and passenger side front pads were metal to metal before 20,000 miles. They were not covered by warranty because vehicle was over 12,000 miles. I took the vehicle to the dealer after I had replaced the pads and showed them. They checked the braking system and siad it was just a bad pair of pads from the factory. Now at 50,000 miles I had to replace front brake pads, front rotors, and rear brake pads. Rotors had to be replaced because they are below limits and cannot be turned again. From what I have seen searching online, this seems to be a problem with the new body style and Chrysler needs to get off their bankrupt butts and do a recall.
2009Dec 28
Grand Caravan SE 3.3L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 15,373 miles
After being faithful Dodge Caravan owner for more than 15 years (the 2008 was my 4th), Chrysler has lost me as a customer forever. Brakes failed after only less than 16,000 miles and pads wore all the way to the metal without any warning and scored the rotors. Front pads and rotors had to be replaced and Chrysler customer service refused to cover the cost even though the dealer told me that this is a common problem with the 2008 Grand Caravans that Chrysler is aware of.
It is no wonder that Chrysler is in such trouble. They do nothing to try and retain once faithful customers even when they build a faulty product and are completely at fault. I am now putting this van up for sale and will never buy another Chrysler product again.
2009Nov 03
Grand Caravan SLX 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 33,800 miles
I have a degree in diesel mechanics and have been around auto mechanics my whole life. I have a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan that I purchased new in December of 2007. I have had the to replace the front brakes and rotors twice in 33,000. miles, totally unacceptable!! What is going on at Dodge?? I have a 2000 GMC pick up, just turned a hundred thousand miles (88,000 I put on myself) and have never had to replace the brakes. I know this is absolutely the exception but... I can buy (understand) front brake pads maybe every 25-30 thousand but two sets of front rotors and pads is insane! I am telling everybody steer clear of Dodge. Dodge,step up and fix this.
2009Aug 12
Grand Caravan SE 3.3L
- Automatic transmission
- 14,913 miles
Our van needed front brakes after less than 25,000Kms and my ex-wife, not thinking, brought it to a local garage who charged her $540.00 to replace both sets of front pads and both front rotors. Then the rear brakes went and she brought it to a Dodge dealer and they soaked her for another $500.00 or so. This is on a vehicle with LESS THAN 25,000kms!! Then I called a friend of mine who is a Dodge mechanic, and he informed me that Dodge knew about the issue, and issued two TSB's, one for the front brakes and one for the rear, specific to premature brake wear. In fact, for the rear, at first the dealers were told to rebuild the calipers because they were binding, then they were told in an update to replace the rear calipers with a newly designed caliper. Both the Ex and I have contacted Chrysler over 10 times, and they refunded her about $300.00 and closed the issue. I tried to have the issue reopened but the "Customer Service Manager", also known as front line message taker, REFUSED to open another issue. Can you believe that??!! This is from an auto maker who is trying to re-establish themselves?? I for one will never purchase another Dodge/Chrysler again and I hope this email serves to notify other owners of 2008 and newer Grand Caravans, that they should not have to pay for any repairs related to premature brake wear.
Update from Nov 22, 2009: As of two weeks ago, Dodge finally refunded the balance of what the ex paid to have the brakes done. This after numerous compliants from me and persistance on her part. She enlisted the assistance of CAMVAP, Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan. Link below.
http://www.aiamc.com/policies/submissions/camvap.html
It's a free service and one I would recommend to ALL Canadians who have issues with their vehicles.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Aug 15
Grand Caravan Cargo 3.2L
I thought it odd to have a brake problem so soon. (the right front brake pads grind off at an angle. Left front and rear brakes wear normally) But after the 19th time (Yes 19 times) it gets a little old. A normal question from my son is "What kind of rent car do we have this week?"
To date the pads have been replaces 19X , Rotors 5X, calipers 4X, slides 2X, soft hoses 2X, Hard lines 1X master cylinder 1X, ABS computer and pump 1X.
They said it must be the way I drive...... I will be happy to teach them how I can put my big toe on the peddle and grind off the right pads ONLY.
Could the steering knuckle been machined badly causing the slider to hold the caliper at an angle? The dealer refused to even think about that. Not very open to suggestions.
Believe it or not I like the van . Powerful motor, ok transmission, handles like a dream and it can handle the weight. But I don't think my boss will buy another Dodge.
Ka M.
Austin, Texas, USA
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