10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
82,083 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan steering problems

steering problem

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2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #33

Mar 312015

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • 95,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Call switched from on to acc. There are no additional keys nor key chains on the fob. Why is it taking so long for recall repairs to be made"??????"

- Avondale , PA, USA

problem #32

Sep 132014

Grand Caravan

  • 81,000 miles
This relates to Chrysler safety recall L25 for wireless ignition node. Our van shuts off while driving without any warning and there is no steering and braking. This is the primary vehicle we carry 2 young children in and it is extremely upsetting that this recall has not been addressed. Our van shut off 3 times in the last 2 weeks while carrying our kids. The local dealership reports there is a national back-order and no parts are available to fix it. How is this possible" what are we supposed to do" this is very unsafe and totally unacceptable! please help!

- Duncansville, PA, USA

problem #31

Oct 102011

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • 25,000 miles
While driving down the road at slow speed in the neighborhood, the car randomly shuts off. The power steering, the power brakes and the engine stop working. It is happening now more frequently - twice today and my wife and kids nearly had a head on accident. Luckily the other car was able to swerve to miss our van otherwise there would have been a head-on. I took the car to my dealership several times over the last few months based on a recall notice that was issued for the van. I was told that they do not have the parts to fix it and that they have no idea when the parts will be available. How many people need to be hurt by this issue before they start delivering the parts to fix it?

- Coeurdalene, ID, USA

problem #30

Feb 172015

Grand Caravan

  • 96,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that a loud noise was heard near the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the hose on the power steering was cracked. The dealer informed that the VIN was not included in a manufacturer's recall related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.

- Quincy, MI, USA

problem #29

May 132013

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • 92,000 miles
When the problem first occurred, the car power would blip: The gauges would go to zero, the clock would go off, the lights would flicker on and off. I took it to the dealer and they said they fixed some wiring. After the car was returned, the problem persisted and worsened. Now, when the car slowed down (at a stop sign or light) the power would turn off completely, the engine would stall, light would go off, clock would go off, etc. I had to turned the key off and on to start the car again. I took it back to the dealer. They replaced two different parts - the ABS module and the main fuse panel for the car. When the car was returned, the problem persisted and got worse again. Now the car, when stopped or slowed down, power would shut down completely, shutting everything down as before, but now the key wouldn't turn. I couldn't turn it off or on or do anything for minutes at a time. The car power would suddenly turn back on it's own. So, once again, I took it to the dealer. This time they did a software update to several modules. I just received the car back from that visit on 12/17/14. The problem still persists. On 12/22/14, I lost power in the car while driving at a normal speed (30 mph) going down a hill. The power steering and brakes went out and I had trouble getting the car to a stop. I was finally able to put enough pressure on the brakes to slow the car and pull to the side of the road at the bottom of the hill. Since then, I've lost power twice when stopped at stop lights. I've been able to turn the key off and then back on. I called the dealer again. They said that it's most likely related to a recall and there was nothing they could do because they didn't have parts. They advised me to remove all other keys and rings from the ignition key. Even after that, I still lost power once so far.

- Beaver, PA, USA

problem #28

Dec 202014

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • 41,357 miles
Vehicle just quits. Only thing showing is the anti lock brake light. Have taken to dealer and there have been no codes associated with these continuing problems of the engine quitting. This has happened on numerous occasions.

- Belleville, IL, USA

problem #27

Aug 292014

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My vehicle stops running while driving down the road.......this happened occasionally but is happening more frequently. This morning it happened while driving around a curve and I nearly wrecked.

- Winchester, OH, USA

problem #26

Aug 182013

Grand Caravan

  • miles
Several times since approximately August of 2013 the vehicle power has cut off while driving causing loss of power steering. I had the ignition replaced once at my own cost but it did not fix the issue. It has happened several times since then with the latest being in October of 2014. I am aware of the recall but what is the point if there is no fix? the fact that we are still waiting on a fix is unacceptable. This is a safety issue not an inconvenience issue. I have three young children and it is unacceptable that I have to drive them around in an unsafe vehicle because Dodge doesn't yet have a fix.

- Locke, NY, USA

problem #25

Oct 242014

Grand Caravan

  • 133,122 miles
Was stuck with no way to start vehicle because plastic fob key was cracked and wouldn't start van. There's a recall on the plastic ignition module but parts are not yet available and this recall is from June 2014. The ignition switch has moved a few times while I was driving from on to acc. Causing hard brakes and steering. Luckily it was at low speeds and no traffic around. Called dealer to see if there's a way to start with metal door key and I was told no. Also dealer wants to charge me to fix even though there's a recall out on it. Dodge is the cheapest pos and unsafe cars period !!!

- Littleton , NH, USA

problem #24

Jun 022014

Grand Caravan

  • 97,000 miles
The van dies while turning at slow speeds, typically in traffic. Van will easily restart after putting in park/neutral and cranking. Has happened 3 times in the past few months.

- Edmond, OK, USA

problem #23

Aug 292014

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • 102,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 18yr son was driving the van at highway speeds (65 mph) when he described a sudden inability to control the vehicle. The steering became hard to control and the brakes here hard to push. He thought the brakes had failed. Due to the inability to control the van he drifted into the passing lane where a car to the rear of him struck his rear quarter panel, causing his van to spin out of control. The vehicle spun and came to rest in the meridian. The police report stated" no evidence of brakes locking up" as there was no skid marks in the road way until the vehicle was leaving the road sideways. The air bags did not deploy. The damage to the vehicle includes substantial front, side and rear panel damage the front and rear tires are out of alignment, exhaust pushed up into rear quarter panel and the force caused the battery to slide out of place. The engine warning lights were all on to include the air bag light. We called Chrysler because we saw the recall on line. Meanwhile 5 days after the accident we received the recall notice in the mail stating it was fine to drive the can until the recall was performed.they sent an investigation team to examine the van and determined the brakes were at fault. However the brakes were new including rotors 2 weeks prior and upon having my own inspection done the brakes were found in working order, no warped rotors or burnt pads that would suggest a brake lock up at 65mph, tires(snow tires as my son was heading to college in northern Maine ) are in good condition with no evidence of flat areas (as one might expect with brakes locking up) we had engine diagnostics checked and found an yaw warning at the time of the accident with no other engine codes noted. All engine lights were lit up at the time of the accident much like what happens when you shut the ignition off while the vehicle is in motion only to reset upon normal restart.

- Dedham , ME, USA

problem #22

May 172014

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • miles
Van began making loud, grinding noise. Noise seemed louder when steering more to the right. On visit to dealership for ignition recall issue, they looked at where noise was coming from - since they heard it when they drove van back to the service area. They said it was a wheel bearing / hub on right front. Dealership said van was not safe to drive. It could cause an accident. It was a safety issue. Is this a safety issue enough to be a recall issue?

- Farmington, NM, USA

problem #21

Nov 092013

Grand Caravan

  • 85,000 miles
The van completely shut down while I was in the middle of making a U turn. The engine, the electrical just stopped working and the steering wheel got really tight but I was able to glide to the side of the road. I turned the key to the off position put the van in park and then I was able to restart it. I took it to Dodge and they repaired the power steering saying that was the problem. Not so, this has happened 3 times since the first and nothing has been done to repair the problem. Today is 8/29/2014 and I am stranded because it won't turn on at all. Waiting for aaa.

- Beaumont, CA, USA

problem #20

Aug 102014

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
On Sunday I started my van with the remote and pulled out of my driveway. Once in the busy street, the engine died and the steering wheel locked, leaving me unable to control the vehicle. Fortunately there were no cars coming and I was able to restart the car. I believe the problem was that the ignition didn't recognize the key, and therefore shut off after the prescribed time of letting the engine run through the keyless start. I want to make you aware of the problem because it seems it could be quite dangerous. I have also reported this incident to the manufacturer so they can be advised of it as well.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #19

Jul 182014

Grand Caravan

  • 59,500 miles
My van shuts off without notice - no warning light, no hesitation - just shuts off. I took to fullerton dealership - car was returned to Monday 07/14. I asked for the part they fixed, they refused to give it to me. Today, 07/18 while driving thru a parking lot, the van shut off again. This is a life and death situation as I could get rammed from behind and myself and children may be killed. I spent $580.73 of money I use to feed my children because I need transportation and it is not fixed. I want my funds returned and I want my car fixed or I want another car. I desperately need your help

- Somerset, NJ, USA

problem #18

Aug 042012

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • 93,000 miles
Purchased this vehicle 6/30/2012 1st incident 8/2012 driving down highway at 65 mph at night in wooded area so it was pitch black and headlights shut off, wipers running and spraying fluid, horn started blaring, outside lights went crazy, gauges went nuts, and power steering went out. Pulled over when we were able (two lane road w/no shoulders) and after a few minutes went back to normal and ran just fine. The second time it happened was in 10/2012 basically same thing was returning from son's football game on a Friday night at midnight and headlights went out, wipers going crazy, and horn blaring, lights going off. Didn't do it again for awhile then since 3/2013 about every 2 to 3 weeks we have this same issue, van can be sitting in drive and still does it. I have had my children in the car on numerous occasions when this has happened and it scares us all to death. We have almost been hit from behind on more than one of these occasions when power steering went out while making a turn, (it slowed the vehicle down to manually turn it) which I could barely do, and almost received a ticket for faulty equipment due to the brake and reverse lights going off on their own (cop gave me a warning this time) after looking up the issue and talking to a mechanic it is a faulty tipm (totally integrated power module), which by the way has been on "backorder" for more than 18 months cause I've been calling on it since 10/2012. I have researched and apparently this is an ongoing issue with this vehicle, there are over 200 of the 420 complaints on this site about this very issue and thousands more online, yet there has not even been an investigation? I guess the NHTSA is not as concerned about safety as they claim to be! there needs to be a recall done for this model and the years affected for the faulty part that's going to end up with someone seriously injured or dead!

- Fruitvale, TX, USA

problem #17

May 262014

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • 101,730 miles
As I was driving home from the store this morning, I was taking a turn onto my street when the engine shut off and I lost power steering and brakes. I was barely able to muscle the steering wheel to complete the rest of the turn and avoid hitting another car that was turning to go the way that I was coming from. The lady in the other car was looking at me in fear with her arms raised like "what are you doing!?" I tried to turn the engine on several times with no luck as I coasted down my street forcefully pumping the brakes to slow down and stop in front of my house. Once I took the key out of the ignition and tried to restart the engine, it started. I did some research on the internet and this seems to be a problem with other models as well. There is even a recall on Dodge Grand Caravan that were manufactured from 3 August 2009 to 17 June 2010 for this exact problem. I have read on this website and many others that this issue exists outside these dates though and that the Dodge company is not doing anything. I have not consulted with my dealership yet but I am hopeful because they seem to be great people. Whatever the case, I do not feel safe having my wife drive my children around. I do not feel as if she would be able to muscle the steering wheel without power steering during a turn in the event that the car turned off in the middle of a turn as it did to me. This is a huge safety issue and there should be a recall issued to encompass all the years that are affected and not just the ones where people have been killed.

- Lake Stevens, WA, USA

problem #16

May 152014

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
While driving at low speeds the vehicle loses power and shuts off resuling in loss of power steering making manuevering and controlling vehicle difficult. Mechanics unable to diagnose problem. Have driven and experienced problem but have no solution.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #15

May 052014

Grand Caravan

  • 89,352 miles
Wife was driving around 40 mph when traction control light came on and she lost power steering and brakes. She was finally able to stop in the middle of the intersection, luckily there was no car coming. She then turned the van off and restarted and everything was fine. She said she is never driving it again because it is unsafe. Last year we had the tipm replaced after the seemingly common problem of horn honking, windshield wipers going and solvent spraying randomly several times. Not sure how Chrysler can get away with having all of these life endangering issues without having recalls and fixing them. But what I do know is we will never buy a Chrysler product again.

- Burt, MI, USA

problem #14

Feb 112014

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • 129,100 miles
The vehicle displays steering esp bas brake ABS and the esp symbol will illuminate. A 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan while driving 10 mph, the esp and traction control warning lamp was illuminated. That immediately after the brakes engaged independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer wanted to charge for diagnostics and replace steering sensor. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage is 129,700.

- Warner Robins, GA, USA

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