Like clock work every September, sometimes sooner, i have to replace brakes and rotors. by the time you notice it, ( noise) it's all gone! rotors too! It's a caravan thing, everyone I've talked to that owns one complains about it too!
If you don't want to spend a couple thousand a year on tires, brakes, rotors and front ends don't buy a caravan!
Leased a 2005 Caravan in February of 2006. Replaced entire front brakes in November 2007 at a cost of $581. Today told that they need to be completely redone again and that there are only 2 mm left on the back ones. The fronts have the pads only under warranty so the cost of doing them is $310. The rear have not been done and they estimate about $800 for them. The lease is up in February, so I'm loathe to dump a bunch on money into the rear brakes if they haven't gone yet.
Any suggestions for ekeing out another few months?
Front brake pads wore out at 20K miles. Never had to replace anything on brakes so soon. Entire rear brakes replaced one year later -- calipers frozen due to failure of silicon piston. Gave up on dealership -- useless! AAA rated independent repair shop says Dodge is using some assembly with silicon(e) piston which is cheapo. We replaced this assembly with aftermarket assembly having a metal piston. No more problems with rear brakes. Front brakes now squeaking again. Shame on Daimler-Chrysler!
- janem,
Jamul, CA, US
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I bought a new Dodge Caravan 2005 in April 2005. Four years and 51,000 miles later, I am into my fourth expense for the brakes. This time I had to replace the pads, and resurface the front rotors and rear drums for a cost of $360.
It all started in October of 2006 where I had to change the front rotors and pads after 21,000 miles for $365. Then in July 2007 at 30,000 miles, I had to service the front brakes for $70. July 2008 at 41,000 miles, I had to change the front rotors and pads again, replace the left rear cylinder, and service the rear brakes for a total of $550. I thought my garage was not doing a good job but I see by the previous comments that it is a problem with Dodge. And no, I have not seen, and probably will never see, a recall.
This was our 3rd time replacing the brakes and rotors. first for the line. The problem was the fluid dried out so the brakes went fast. We heard them start squealing a little and before we could get into the get them fixed they started grinding. May suggestion to anyone looking into a van DO NOT BUY Dodge.
We have had to replace the brakes and rotors on this van three times. The first time the rotors were under warranty, but the brake pads weren't, the second time neither was under warranty and the brakes only lasted about 1 1/2. My son changed my brakes and rotors less then a month ago and now they need replaced again. I am the only one who drives my van.
Ihave had my van since Dec 2005 and this will be the third time that I have had to change my brakes. On other cars I have had to change my brakes once in 10 years. This is the third time in 3 years.
I have 46K on my van and have had to replace the brakes twice and the rotors once. It is still making a clipping sound and no one knows where it is coming from. I hate this van
This will be the third time with the brakes. Had to replace pads and front rotors at 13000 miles. Then had to replace pads and get front & rear rotors resurfaced at 29000 miles.
Now today with no warning brakes were grinding every time brake was applied. (44500miles)
NEVER had such problems with the two Toyotas I owned before. Is this a problem with all vans?
I found a few after-market vendors that make high quality replacement rotors for the Caravan. I specifically contacted a Brembo brake component dealer and was told that Dodge makes their rotors from a ridiculously soft metal that overheats, warps and wears out way too quickly. Now - If only I had the $250 to buy the rotors and get them shipped to my house. sigh.
Dodge has got to fix this problem! Brakes -- pads, rotors, calipers -- are totally shot. Waldorf Dodge (where we bought this hunk of junk) says that brakes are only made to last 18,000 miles -- bull! We have 22,000 miles on the vehicle and none of this is covered under warranty. This is our 3rd Caravan...and our last! We've never had problems with our other Caravans. Dodge needs to stand behind their vehicles -- we're done with Dodge. After reading other complaints about the brakes on this vehicle, why isn't there a recall? Hopefully it won't take a serious accident (because the brakes failed) before we see a recall. We are transporting too many children in these Caravans to overlook this problem.
Brakes pad wore out at about 9K miles. The dealer told me it was our fault because we didn't bring the car in earlier. Their brakes are only covered for 12K miles. Paid $450 for a complete brake job. 1 year later had the same problem. Took the vehicle to Just Brakes and they fixed it for $200. Have not had a problem yet. We have had so many problem with this van since we bought it. Will never buy American made again. Sorry
My Caravan has only 50,000 miles and I've replaced the brakes four times already! The 1st and 2rd times I turned the rotors and the 2nd and 4th times I bought new OEM style rotors. The rear rotors had to be turned on the 4th go around. This is COMPLETE crap! Most of my other vehicles would go 35-40,000 miles between brake jobs. I've heard many other Dodge owners complain about this issue. I'm going to try Brembo performance rotors next.
I love the rig, but I'll probably bypass the Dodge dealership on my next car purchase unless they come up with a satisfactory fix. They've been at this for 100 years, can't they make good brakes yet?
Started getting the "whistling" sound from the brakes. Took it to the dealer to inspect. Couldn't believe brakes were completely worn out at such low mileage. Dealer had no explanation for premature brake wear.
I had to have the brakes completely redone. Could not believe they wore out that quickly and it was not covered. The dealer then tried to tell me that was the normal milage for the brakes to wear out and it was my fault the rotors needed to be replaced. There was no warning until the rotors started to grind at which point I had the dealer look at it and then replace the system. I am already having brake problems again and it has only been 15,000 miles.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
i replaced the brake pads at the dealer and still have the problem
- Gabe H., Hallandale, FL, US