8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$680
Average Mileage:
37,450 miles
Total Complaints:
13 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace calipers, rotors and pads (7 reports)
  2. clean sliders (2 reports)
  3. not sure (1 reports)
  4. purchase special tool (1 reports)
  5. replace calipers (1 reports)
  6. replaced both rear brake cable lines (parking brake) (1 reports)
2012 Dodge Grand Caravan brakes problems

brakes problem

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2012 Dodge Grand Caravan Owner Comments

problem #13

Oct 122012

Grand Caravan LX 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,474 miles

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

We had purchased this vehicle when new. Since our purchase we had the brakes/rotors/calibers replaced three times under warranty and since the warranty ran out we have replaced them twice more with a third time coming up again.

Our local dealership blamed it on us not driving the vehicle too much, 8 yrs old and 112,000 km.

I have a really hard time that blame is on a vehicle that isn't driven too much. I blame this on a issue with the complete braking system.

Chrysler didn't want to correct the issue, they only did want was necessary to get the van passed warranty.

In past, I have purchased more Chrysler vehicles than any other brand of car out there. Unfortunately once its due to buy again, it won't be another Chrysler brand. I have also told my family and friends to stay away from buying this brand

- Mike C., Sutton West, ON, Canada

problem #12

Jan 192017

Grand Caravan SE 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles

Rear brake caliper seized on the driver side 8,000 miles after replacing the rotors/pads in the rear. Had to replace them again.

- Keith J., Saint Paul, MN, US

problem #11

Nov 132014

Grand Caravan SE V6 Pentastar

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,955 miles

Since I bought the vehicle I regularly utilized the E-brake since I parked on a sloped driveway. While I was out one evening I parked in a sloped space and engaged my ebrake as normal. When I returned, I started my vehicle, disengaged the ebrake and put into reverse. I wasnt naturally rolling backward so I double checked myself put into park and reverse still nothing so I stepped on the gas and very slowly and loudly reversed. I put into park, turned off my engine and tried again same thing so I drove around the parking lot like this to exit but I didn't want to drive onto the road. I again put into park engaged my e-brake turned off ignition and then restarted same thing. Thank god there was a Blaskin lane in the in the same lot so I pulled in there, they took me right away did a test drive and found the same problem. They kept it to look at the next day. By the way..... this was 30 below and I had 2 babies with me. We cabbed it home. The next day.. diagnosis was Seized E-brake new rear brake pads new rear rotors new rear calipers brake fluid flush replace park brake cable I did not allow them to re attach the e-brake cable at the time as that would have added 450.00 to my already 960.86 bill.

Why it seized.... don't know, mech. said it happens more commonly in Dodge vehicles even if its utilized might have been the cold weather.

- justineab, Calgary, AB, Canada

problem #10

Jan 142017

Grand Caravan SXT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,873 miles

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

The repairmen said that this is not an uncommon problem, and that they are surprised that they have not yet seen a recall on this. I'm not sure what has to happen for a recall, but I'd love to recoup these expenses! He said that even normal wear and tear should not create this problem with the caliper issue.

- Stephanie M., York, PA, US

problem #9

Mar 282016

Grand Caravan 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

If people are being told there calipers are seized and they need to be replaced. It is most likely not true. I replaced rear brake pads on our van, I could not get the pistons to recess back, usually they can be pushed or squeezed back in. I called the local Dodge dealer and the told them I couldn't get my pistons to go back in and they said I would have to replace the calipers because the pistons seize and they couldn't tell me why it is an ongoing problem for these vehicles. No warranty, no recall....

So I called my local auto store and priced out new calipers, I told the manager what my problem was and that I couldn't get the piston to push back in, he said "first of all, you won't get them to push back in because they screw in." And told me about a special tool that I bought for $12, screwed in the pistons and put back together, brakes are working perfect.

The pistons rotate and kind of work like a ratchet, every time you use the brakes and the pads wear down the cable causes the piston to move along with the wear....

- favorite100, Crooston, MN, US

problem #8

Sep 192015

Grand Caravan SXT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,500 miles

There is a TSB for rear brake caliper issues for 2010 - 2013 models. Go directly to dealer for this issue as other repair shops may know about the TSB but they may not be able to diagnose it properly. Most shops will replace the calipers (and brake pads and turn/replace rotors) to attempt to resolve this issue. It may work for a short period of time but the issue may not be in the calipers themselves. Initially only one caliper (rear passanger) was dragging. After $500.00 at Sears to replace caliper and pads 3 days later out of state on vacation both rear calipers started to burn the brake pads. Had to be towed to dealer to prevent damaging rims and tires due to excesive heat.

Update from Sep 24, 2015: Dodge dealer also replaced both rear brake cables (for parking brake system). These cables along with the booster repair appear to have solved the issue for now. Drove 500 miles immediately after picking up van to get back home and had no issues.

- flitdude, Saint Petersburg, FL, US

problem #7

Jan 132015

Grand Caravan SX 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,612 miles

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

My 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan has 38,000 babied km on it (mostly trips to and from Florida). A few weeks ago, we heard chirping coming from the left rear wheel which we assumed was ice buildup in the wheel well (it's that time of year, basically half of the year where we live). Then this week, a horribly loud scraping sound from that wheel. I looked at the wheel and it was covered in orange-brown brake dust. Looking thru the wheel arches I saw that although the rotor still had plenty of use left, it was grooved - obviously the pad was completely worn out and that wheel was “metal on metal”.

At the dealership, they said the obvious and of course threw down a complete rear brake job, to the tune of $550. They said that they had to replace BOTH rears at the same time, giving some weird-ass excuse that it would cause "uneven braking" (funny how even with NO pads remaining on the left, the car braked absolutely fine but for the noise). I asked WHY the pad had burned thru at 38k km and he said it had just worn out... ok, seriously now, do they TEACH Dodge repair guys to be rip-off artists??? ALL of my other rotors are practically PRISTINE, with the kind of wear expected on light highway driving for my mileage. The brakes all work perfectly fine with the exception of the left rear... I asked if the caliper was seizing and he said "No way to know unless we take the wheel off and look; we can look at it tomorrow morning." RIIIIGHT... so you didn’t even look to see why the pad was prematurely worn and expect me to believe that it is entirely natural to expect to wear out one set of REAR pads down to the metal on a front-engine, front-wheel drive mini van without trying to figure out WHY it did it? I mean, it’s EXPECTED???

I’ve had enough of the lack of care at this dealership, I’ll take it to a brake shop and I’ll report back.

IN the meantime, if one of the brakes in your low-mileage Dodge Grand Caravan starts to chirp, even when covered in winter ice, there’s a good chance you have a problem that will invite the dealership to make a nice chunk of money off of you.

- thomaskr, Ottawa, ON, canada

problem #6

Dec 252014

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,904 miles

This van was bought brand new with barely 15 KM. In August 2014, the back caliper seized which resulted in having to replace calipers, pads and routers. The vehicle was approximately at 50,000 KMs. Had to pay out of pocket as we were on a road trip with no Chrysler dealership nearby. 6 months later, the same problem again, now at 61,000 KM's, the back calipers seized, resulting in having to change all 3 as well as the front pads and routers. No warranty available, now have to pay $1,400.

Will be looking to trade this in and never deal with Chrysler or Dodge again as I have read that this is a common problem and I am not looking at paying $1,400 every 6 months to fix this issue. A recall should be done as I now find that many with this vehicle are experiencing the same issue.

- Chantal M., Sturgeon Falls, Ontario, canada

problem #5

Nov 072014

Grand Caravan 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,419 miles

Noticed rear brake rotors not being used and front beginning to wear aggressively during routine check-over. Because both rears were not being used, and made slight noise under application, I figured someone had accidentally pressed the parking brake (which we never use). Parking brake worked fine. Removed calipers and checked the sliders weren't seized (neither side was) but discovered BOTH rear calipers were seized almost solid. Really strange for both to go at the same time.

Original dealer was not going to cover the rotors and pads (as is usual) but was good for the calipers. After I explained that the rotors and pads failed prematurely due to the calipers, it should all be covered. They said no. I went to another dealer across town with a better reputation and it was all covered. DON'T get fooled into thinking what they say is gospel, get another opinion.

- William C., Halifax, Nova Scotia, canada

problem #4

Nov 182014

Grand Caravan CVP

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

Calipers seized. Will be replaced under warranty. I have to pay $410 for brake pads and rotors

Had this problem last year- they replaced the pads/rotors , paid for labor only - parts were 'good-willed'

Squeaky brakes ...The service tech said they get a lot of them

I think Chrysler should issue a recall on brake - at least for rear calipers replacement

- litzcan, Whitby, Ontario, canada

problem #3

Apr 102014

Grand Caravan 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,855 miles

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

Holy sh*t 2012 dodge grand caravan 40,000 km after the second oil change, oil cooling modual blew out. wife drove from dealer to school to pick up kids got home half a liter of oil left in engine. flatbed took it back to dealer awfully coincidental it was right after oil change. next squeeling brakes. next itermitent heat and defrost driver side to passenger side back n forth . now the damned calipers seized well my mechanic says there seized dealer says not what the hells goin on you tell me does Canada need to implement the lemon law like the USA thanks Chrysler never again will we buy one even if 2 of my brothers and my son work for ya just wondering does your sales team inform potential buyers brakes need to be serviced every 20,000 km if not I will in a letter to the editor of our local newspaper Thanks for the headaches Chrysler !!! Sincerely yours Duane Maillett Lindsay Ont

- Duane M., Lindsay, Ontario, canada

problem #2

Jan 032014

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,321 miles

My back brakes are scoring at 15000 km had the same problem with my 2009 Caravan and of course there still is no call back on these calipers....check out all the complaints on the 2009 Caravan. Chryslers needs to do something about this before someone gets killed. I should not have to pay for rotors and pads this soon....normal maintenance my ass!!!!

- ha44er, Windsor, Ontario, canada

problem #1

Aug 012013

Grand Caravan Not Sure 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,427 miles

My 2012 Dodge caravan is a very well designed vehicle....too bad it has so many annoying bugs, this will

prevent me from buying another one. Worst part is trying to get something fixed under warranty.

My van has a problem with the calipers seizing and it's also making loud squealing noises when I drive but

my local dealer tells me this is something that needs to be maintained annually so they have to charge me to fix it......my van has 25,000 km!

- fordoverchrysler, Leamington, ON, canada

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