10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
74,834 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.

2009 Dodge Grand Caravan brakes problems

brakes problem

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2009 Dodge Grand Caravan Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #10

Oct 102014

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • 129,000 miles

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

I have had to replace the brakes four times in about two years.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #9

Aug 112011

Grand Caravan

  • 40,000 miles
My van turns off while driving it numerous times since this date. It also wont start at times and I am stranded anywhere from five to 30 minutes.power steering gets stuck sometimes and when braking at high speeds the whole car shakes.

- Pinole, CA, USA

problem #8

Jul 312014

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • 56,500 miles
While driving on the fwy my van turned off. It was after driving over a part of the freeway that seemed to have a dip. My gauges went to "0" & I felt a loss of power. I turned the key fob in the ignition & it seemed to start back up. The gauges went to the max and all warning lights flashed red as my car does when I initially start it. On 8/11/14 I was exiting a driveway, the same thing happened crossing a 2 lane road. I didn't turn the key fob this time as my van turned off & then back on by itself. I dropped my van off to have it checked out, but they didn't find a recall on anything with the ignition or engine turning off. I looked up the info & found recall code L25 describing exactly what was happening. I spoke to a rep named crystal at the recall phone number given & she confirmed my vehicle will be included in the recall & notices will be going out as they just updated the notice this morning. Since the recall was just updated, I have to pay for the inspection on the wireless ignition node, keep all work orders & receipts, wait for the recall notice & get reimbursed because this is dangerous. I have to borrow the $ as I cannot run the risk of driving my 3 kids around & have an accident. I am also having a problem with my engine running hard, sounding like marbles are rattling against metal as I accelerate & it making a glug glug sound & running hard. I just paid $412 to replace my calipers & brake pads as they were not releasing & caused the brake pads to crumble (replaced 2 weeks prior) & as I was braking it sounded like metal scraping against metal. This was due to the friction and heat from the calipers not releasing. Luckily my rotors weren't warped (also brand new & placed 2 weeks prior). My vehicle has 57,576 miles & I keep up the maintenance on it as well.. this is very concerning. Never had issues like this on a vehicle with less than 100,000 miles.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #7

Jul 212014

Grand Caravan

  • 31,250 miles

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

The entire vehicle shook when the brakes were applied as if there was a blowout of a tire.

- Evansville, IN, USA

problem #6

May 102014

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
Driving 45 mph and vehicle shut off losing power steering and brakes. No check engine light. Pulled over and restarted. Happened again twice 2 days later. Thought it was bad gas. Filled up and added heat. Seemed to be ok for about 10 days, but still was running harsh. Engine shut off again 5/20 and then again on 5/21. Did see briefly a check engine light on one of the occurrences otherwise no clues. Had already filled up twice so ruled out gas. Took it to mechanic and the only code he could pull up was the egr valve and maybe the spark plugs, but couldn't guarantee that was the cause. Replaced plugs and valve and so far the engine has not shut off and that includes one 1000 mile rt, and two 200 mile rts since then, but I'm still not totally convinced. However after reading about all the complaints about engines shutting off, I thought I better log this for the safety of others and the expense I paid to replace the egr and spark plugs.

- Lenexa, KS, USA

problem #5

Mar 282014

Grand Caravan

  • 72,000 miles
2009 Dodge Grand Caravan - dallas, tx while pulling out of a parking lot into the middle median to merge with traffic the vehicle lost all power. The engine died in the middle of the freeway and the steering and brakes failed to work. The vehicle has had this incident occur 3 times in 2014 each time resulting in the same outcome, engine dies, steering is lost due to no power steering and brakes fail. In each incident I was traveling at the speed limit and resulted in severe loss of control of the vehicle resulting in muscling the vehicle to the side of the road as it coast while quickly throwing the gears in neutral all at highway speeds. These incidents are not isolated to the more than 260 complaints over the last 11 years about General Motors vehicles that suddenly turned off while being driven. This is clearly the same issue and will result in more deaths or sever injury if our regulators do not take action. Taking the vehicle to the dealer after each incident only resulted in the dealer finding no trouble codes and being unable to duplicate the problem releasing the vehicle back into my care to drive in its impaired condition. Chrysler was contacted on the 3rd loss of power incident and case# [xxx] was opened. This is clearly related to the GM ignition switch recalls evidenced by more than 100+ complaints here: www.carcomplaints.com/Dodge/grand_caravan/2010/engine/engine_shut_down_while_driving.shtml www.safercar.gov www.carcomplaints.com/Dodge/Caravan/2006/engine/intermittent_loss_of_power_while_driving.shtml www.carcomplaints.com/news/2014/Chrysler-investigation-ignition-switch.shtml information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Athens, TX, USA

problem #4

Mar 272012

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • 44,875 miles

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

Rear brakes are not releasing completely causing the brakes, rotor, bearing, and wheel to become super-heated. Driver's side is the most significant issue. The brakes make a screeching sound, smoke and smell of burnt rubber come from wheels. If water is poured on the wheels, it vaporizes immediately. It does not do this with every trip, but is becoming more frequent. Driver's rear caliper has been replaced twice and brake line once with no improvement. Brakes on driver's side only last 11,000 miles. Have contacted local dealer, but doesn't acknowledge that they've heard of this issue before. I see many examples searching this site and other sites. This is a major safety issue. Vehicle now has 71,000 miles.

- Greenville, IN, USA

problem #3

Feb 242010

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • 15,000 miles
At approximately 15000 miles the drivers side rear brake pads had worn out to metal to metal contact. The dealer replaced pads and rotors at no charge, now at 33000 miles, again, the drivers side pads are worn (outside pad) to point of needing replaced. The wheel becomes extremely hot due to the brakes dragging. Afraid tire will blow out due to extreme heat melting the bead.

- Oskaloosa, IA, USA

problem #2

Jun 142012

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,719 miles
Exited highway (70 mph) then drove 55 mph for 3 miles to our home. Noticed heavy brake burning smell that stayed with me until arrived at home. Noticed smoke coming from driver side rear wheel/brake assembly. Husband(ex-ase master tech) came out to inspect and noticed all other brakes seemed ok in temp but left rear was extremely hot, smoking and rotor was discolored from over heat(black/blue). No metal on metal van was just in less than 1000 miles and dealer replaced front pads, rotors under tsb with $100 deductible. I was told at this time that rears had approx 20% pad left. Way to soon for rear brakes to wear out (before 36K miles?) took van into rochester hills Chrysler Dodge and they stated issue was left rear brake pad stuck in slides causing overheat. They stated that the brake bracket/clip/pads clearance is too tight and doesn't take much corrosion or brake dust collecting to cause sticking pads. I am aware of a new Chrysler brake bracket design for these vans and that they are on national backorder at the time of this report and that the redesign has additional clearance to eliminate this problem. But instead I was charged $174.80 for new pads and turn both rotors. I fear that this issue will happen again and wonder if it will be worse next time (pad/brake fire, brake/wheel lock up or possible loss of control). This is not safe especially on a vehicle that is primarily used to Transport kids, people etc. Lots of families out there with these. Please help! thank you.

- Lake Orion, MI, USA

problem #1

May 312012

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • 61,450 miles
Traveling down a street, the esp and traction warning lights came on. Checked the owners manual, it states not to drive over 30 mph when that occurs if the lamps cannot be reset. Reset lamps, lamps came back on, speed was reduced to 30 mph and after traveling a short distance, without touching the brake pedal, the brakes on both front wheels applied and brought the vehicle to a complete stop in the middle of the street in traffic. The brakes would not release until the motor was shut off and restarted. We were not hit by other vehicles, but it could have been very tragic. We were told by the dealer that failure of the steering angle sensor in the steering column will cause the brakes to engage and stop the vehicle. The cost for replacing the failed sensor and realigning the system was $712.45.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

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