2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Complaint Log

I HAVE A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN THAT HAS NEEDED BRAKES AND ROTORS TWO TIMES IN 19000 MILES. I FEEL THIS IS WAY TO SHORT A TIME PERIOD. *TR

TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAILURE. SIMPLY BROKE OFF COMPLETELY WHILE WASHING CAR. POSSIBLY EFFECTED BY ROADSALT. ONLY 3 YRS OLD MADE FROM ALUMINUM? NEVER SAW A METAL SHREDDED VALVE HOLDER FAIL. LUCKILY FAILED WHILE NOT MOVING. BUT SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. *KB

BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED AND ROTORS CUT AT 12,832 MILES. VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING WHILE BRAKING AND BRAKES ARE SPONGY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WITH 16,762 MILES ON IT. THEY TOLD ME THE ROTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY TELL ME THIS IS DUE TO HEATING FROM THE BRAKES. *TR

PURCHASED NEW 2008 GRAND CARAVAN. BRAKES STARTED SQUEALING AT 18,000 MILES, HAD DEALER CHECK AND THEY SAID ALL WAS OK. AT 37,500 MILES, BRAKES FAILED. CALLED DODGE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT WARRANTY EXTENDED BY DODGE TO 36000 MILES HAD EXPIRED. I HAD BRAKES REBUILT AT LOCAL MASTER MECHANIC, WHO ALSO FOUND 2 FAULTY WHEEL BEARINGS. COST WAS OVER $1,000. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER CORP WHO AGREED TO PAY 1/2 OF THE REPAIR BILL. SINCE THEN WE HAVE HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED 2 ADDITIONAL TIMES, CALIPERS STICK HEATING UP THE WHEEL CONSTANTLY. WE FINALLY TRADED IN THIS VEHICLE 2 WEEKS AGO, OUR 4TH NEW AND LAST DODGE PRODUCT. THE BRAKES ARE UNDERENGINEERED ON THIS VEHICLE. PS: THE ORIGINAL DODGE DEALER TOLD ME THAT CHRYSLER SAID IF ANY VANS COME IN UNDER 36,000 MI TO REPAIR THEM AT NO CHARGE BUT NO RECALL WAS ISSUED. THE MFG WARRANTY ON BRAKES IS 12,000 MILES. 37500 MILES ON ORIGINAL SEALED WHEEL BEARINGS IS UNACCEPTABLE. ALSO UNACCEPTABLE IS A BRAKE SYSTEM THAT CANNOT BE RELIED ON. *JS

BRAKE PROBLEMS,BRAKE CALIBERS FREEZING TO ROTORS, REPLACED BRAKES AT 31,000 MILES ON 2008 DODGE CARAVAN HAVE TO PUMP BRAKE PEDAL TO GET CALIBERS TO RELEASE, AT 36,000 MILES NEEDED NEW PADS, BRAKES STILL STICKING TO ROTORS AT 47,000 MILES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN AND LOCK ELECTRONICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V373000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

MY VAN WAS ONE YEAR OLD (2009) WHEN IT FIRST ACTIVATED THE HORN (OFF AND ON MAKING A WEIRD WARBLING HALF HONK SOUND) AND WIPERS/SPRAY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON A HIGHWAY SWITCH RAMP AT 65 MPH. IT LASTED ABOUT A MINUTE AND THEN STOPPED. WE WERE ON A TRIP SO WE ASKED WHEN WE GOT BACK TO THE ARKANSAS DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD US IT WAS LIKELY CORROSION (ON A BRAND NEW CAR THAT WAS DRIVEN IN NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES). THEY SAID IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WE DIDN'T HAVE PROOF. IT REPEATED ABOUT ONCE EVERY 6 MONTHS OR MORE. NOW (ABOUT ONCE A MONTH)THE BATTERY DIES RANDOMLY AND THE HORN/WIPERS/ETC GO OFF RANDOMLY WHILE IT'S JUST SITTING THERE AND DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I'VE HAD TO JUMP IT 5 TIMES WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I'VE DOUBLE VERIFIED THAT THE ALTERNATOR/BATTERY ARE IN GREAT SHAPE. REALLY DODGE ! A BRAND NEW CAR AND YOU COULDN'T HELP US! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V373000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

BAD OR INFERIOR BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR 2008 CARAVAN. AT 13,788 MILES IT BEGAN SQUEALING (KIND OF LIKE A SQUEAKING HAMSTER WHEEL) IN FRONT (LEFT) BUT SOMETIMES THE RIGHT FRONT. TOOK CAR SEVERAL TIMES, THEY FINALLY VERIFIED IT THERE WAS A NOISE AT 21,000 MILES AND COULD NOT FIND IT BUT RECOMMENDED PADS AND ROTORS ALTHOUGH THE FRONTS WERE JUST GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE THEY NEEDED REPLACEMENT. REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS, KEPT SQUEALING TOOK CAR ABOUT 6 TIMES TO MIDAS AND A FEW MORE TIMES TO CHRYSLER. NOW THE RIGHT FRONT OR RIGHT REAR? PASSENGER SIDE IS GRINDING AT 30K MILES. WE'RE AFRAID IT IS THE DRUM. THIS BEGAN AND HAS BEEN OFF AND ON FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS (TODAY'S DATE IS 3/17/10. I HAVE NEVER HAD PROBLEMS LIKE THIS BEFORE WITH BRAKES. THE MINIVANS I BOUGHT IN 1993 LASTED 63K UNTIL I NEEDED NEW PADS AND ONE I PURCHASED LATER AND AT 43K WHEN I TURNED IN ONE IN 2000 THERE WERE STILL NO ISSUES. *TR

DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SXT 2008. BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS COMPLETELY WORN OUT AT LESS THAN 14000 MILES. COST ME CLOSE TO $400.00 TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW. IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED I WILL BE KEEPING THE PARTS THAT HAVE WORN OUT. *TR

NOISE STARTED AT 13,188 MILES WITH 2008 CARAVAN. TOLD TO FIX FRONT BRAKES, I DID. STILL A NOISE. AT 30K MILES THEY FINALLY FOUND THAT 1 REAR BRAKE CALIPER WAS STICKING THE OTHER WAS FROZEN. I BELIEVE THIS LED TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. THE REAR BRAKES ARE ALSO A PROBLEM ON THIS CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, HE HEARD A SQUEAKING COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BOTH REAR BRAKES WERE SMOKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ON ONE OCCASION, THE BRAKES UNEXPECTEDLY ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

I OWN A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 30K MILES. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE PADS TWICE AND THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS NEED REPLACING. I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS IN THE INTERNET FROM CUSTOMERS WITH 2008 CHRYSLER MINIVANS THAT REPORT THEIR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WEARING OUT AT VERY LOW MILEAGES AND WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD THAT MAY HAVE ALREADY RESULTED IN ACCIDENTS. *TR

DRIVING ON VACATION IN ST. LOUIS WE WERE ON HIGHWAY GOING 65 MILES/HOUR AND WE HEARD A RATTLING SOUND. THINKING WE HAD A FLAT TIRE, WE MOVED TOWARD EXIT AND NOTICED THE ENGINE HAD DIED. WE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY EXIT. WE JUST BOUGHT THIS BRAND NEW VEHICLE 2 WEEKS AGO!!! AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO SERVICE STATION, WE WERE INFORMED THE COMPUTER THAT TELLS THE ENGINE WHAT TO DO HAS MALFUNCTIONED. WE RENTED A VAN AND DROVE HOME TO MILWAUKEE. WE STILL DON'T HAVE OUR "NEW" VAN AND NOW THE REPAIR STATION SAID THEY WON'T GET THE PART FOR 5 MORE DAYS! THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE ABLE TO WORK ON IT. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS REPAIRED, WE WILL HAVE TO DRIVE BACK TO ST. LOUIS WITH A ONE-WAY RENTAL TO PICK UP OUR NEW, ALBEIT, DANGEROUS VAN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE EXCESSIVELY WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY 20,000 AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE AGAIN REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A THIRD TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THIS VAN IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM AND IS COSTING US THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THIS VAN IS RUNNING VERY HOT EVEN ON COLD DAYS. THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS FAIL PREMATURELY AND THE WHEEL HUBS FAIL FROM CONSTANTLY OVERHEATING. THE ABS STARTS FEEDING TOO MUCH PRESSURE TO THE WHEEL CALIPERS AND CAUSES THE BRAKE PADS TO CONSTANTLY TOUCH THE ROTORS WHICH CREATES EXCESSIVE BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR WEAR AS WELL A OVERHEATING OF THE GREASE IN THE WHEEL HUBS WHICH CAUSES THEM TO FAIL. NOBODY SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE BRAKES EVERY 7,000 TO 10,000 MILES. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT IN THE DESIGN AND CHRYSLER IS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT WILL COST THEM TOO MUCH MONEY.

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. CONSUMER STATES THERE HAVE BEEN FIVE RECALLS FOR HER VEHICLE AND HAD PROBLEMS BEFORE THE RECALLS WERE ANNOUNCED. SHE WOULD LIKE TO TERMINATE HER LEASE EARLY. *KB IN JUNE 2009, THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AT ONLY 15,000 AND AGAIN IN AUGUST 2010. IN THE SPRING, THE VEHICLE HAD NO AIR CONDITION. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE PART WAS MANUFACTURED TOO SHORT AND FROZE DURING THE WINTER, WHICH CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK OUT. THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED AFTER 3 WEEKS. IN JUNE 2010, THE SAME HOSE RUPTURED AND AGAIN THE CONSUMER WAS LEFT WITH NO A/C. THE RADIATOR CAP HAD TO BE REPAIRED WHICH WAS WHY THE CONSUMER HAD TO KEEP ADDING COOLANT. THE WASHER FLUID SENSOR WAS NOT WORKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN AUGUST 2010, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR STOPPED FUNCTIONING FOR DAYS. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. HOWEVER, TWO MONTHS LATER A RECALL WAS ISSUED. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE ALSO EXPERIENCED POWER FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. EACH TIME THE PROBLEM OCCURRED THE ENGINE WOULD RUN, BUT NOTHING ELSE IN THE VEHICLE WORKED, SUCH AS THE WINDOWS, LOCKS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS ETC. THE PROBLEM WAS SPORADIC AND EACH TIME THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN ENGAGED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, AND CALIPERS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE BRAKES, BRAKE PADS, AND ROTORS WERE REPAIRED SEVEN TIMES AND THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,500.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WORE PREMATURELY AND WERE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER MADE THREE ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

PURCHASED 2008 GRAND CARAVAN MARCH 2009 WITH 14,000 MILES. ON MAY 13, 2009 HAD BRAKES CHECKED DUE TO SQUEAKING AND EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST AT DULUTH MINNESOTA DODGE DEALER. TOLD THEY WERE FINE. FOUND OUT THAT FOUND OUT THERE WAS A TSB REPORT ON THIS PROBLEM. THIS WAS AT 18,000 MILES AND I HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE PADS AND HAD ROTORS GROUND DOWN. CALLED DEALER(LUTHER DODGE IN HUDSON,MN) THEY SAID IT WAS MY PROBLEM. BRAKES ONLY WARRANTY TO 12000 MILES. CALLED DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY BASICALLY LAUGHED AT ME. NOW NEED NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AGAIN. HAVE READ 100'S OF COMPLAINTS AND THE COMPANY ISSUED A TSB KNOWING THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE PRODUCT BUT REFUSE TO REPLACE OR FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

HEARD TERRIBLE GRINDING NOISE FROM BRAKES WHEN STOPPING. TOOK IT TO LOCAL TIRE SHOP FOR BRAKE INSPECTION. WAS TOLD THE PADS WERE COMPLETELY WORN AND ROTORS NEEDED REPLACED. VEHICLE HAD 24,000 MILES ON IT. REPLACED PADS BUT NOT ROTORS. NOW AT 30,000 MILES, I'M HEARING THE HIGH PITCHED WHISTLE THAT SAYS THE PADS ARE ABOUT TO NEED REPLACED. WILL REPLACE ROTORS THIS TIME ALSO IF A SECOND MECHANIC STATES THEY NEED REPLACED. *TR

THERE WEREN'T ANY SIGNS LEADING UP TO THE DEVICE FAILURE. DROVE INTO A STORE PARKING LOT AND INTO A PARKING SPOT WHERE I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO PARK WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER KNOB WHEN THE WHOLE KNOB POPPED OF INTO SEVERAL PIECES LEAVING ME STUCK IN DRIVE AND FORCED TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TURNED OFF AND I WAS ABLE TO GET IT INTO PARK. VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE PART IS UNAVAILABLE AT THE MOMENT. VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE, BUT TRICKY WHEN DEALING WITH THE SHIFTER KNOB. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE AND HAVE READ ELSEWHERE OF THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING WITH THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. *TR

GRAND CARAVAN , ~15,500 MILES, FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS ARE WORN, AND NEED REPLACED. OCCURS WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKES CAN HEAR SCREECHING SOUND AND GRINDING. CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE TSB# 05-006-08. *TR

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN AND DISCOVERED THAT I COULDN'T GET ALL THE CAR SEATS IN. WE CALLED SEVERAL FRIENDS TO SEE WHAT THEY DO, AND THEY SAY THAT THEY GAVE UP AFTER GETTING BLOODY KNUCKLES TRYING TO PUT THE SEATS IN AND NOW DON'T USE ONE. THE CAR MANUFACTURERS CLAIM THAT BECAUSE THERE ARE 7 SEAT-BELTS THAT IT IS A SEVEN PASSENGER VEHICLE. THIS LEADS TO PARENTS GETTING FRUSTRATED BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIT THE CAR SEATS, SO THEY LET THEIR CHILD GO WITHOUT. THE BACK SEAT HAS 3 SEAT BELTS BUT IT IS IMPRACTICAL TO GET 3 CAR SEATS, OR BOOSTER SEATS IN. THERE IS A GAP IN WHAT THE SAFETY GUIDELINES REQUIRE AND WHAT THE MANUFACTURERS ARE SELLING. THIS LEADS TO PARENTS GIVING UP AND CHILDREN SUFFERING THE CONSEQUENCES. I AM A FIREMAN AND EXPERIENCE WON'T LET ME GIVE IN TO LETTING MY CHILDREN TRAVEL UNSAFELY. SURELY, THE MANUFACTURERS CAN ADD 4-5 INCHES OF HIP ROOM, ALLOWING 3 CHILD SEATS TO FIT WHERE THERE ARE 3 SEAT BELTS. *TR

BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WARP AND WEAR AT AN ACCELERATED RATE, CHRYSLER RESURFACED THE ROTORS AND REPLACED THE PADS THE FIRST TIME AT APPROX 8000 MILES, THEN 7000 MILES LATER THE PROBLEM WAS BACK. CHRYSLER DIDN'T WANT TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE, BUT AFTER BEING PERSISTENT THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE PADS AND ROTORS WITH UPDATED PARTS IF WE PAID $50 OF THE BILL. WE WERE TOLD THIS WAS A ONE-TIME GOOD-WILL FIX. 10,000 MILES LATER WE ARE STARTING TO FEEL WARPED ROTORS AGAIN. SERVICE ADVISER HAD THE GALL TO SUGGEST DRIVER-ERROR AND IMPROPER BRAKING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIRS THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

CONSISTENT BRAKE AND ROTOR FAILURE..SCRAPING, GRINDING, LOCKING AND SHIMMEYING OF THE WHEEL WHEN BRAKING. WAS INFORMED BY CHRYSLER CORPORATION THAT THIS YEAR, MAKE, MODEL HAS A KNOWN "DESIGN" FLAW IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THEIR SOLUTION IS TO TEMPORARILY KEEP REPLACING THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS, HOWEVER AFTER 36000 MILES THE CONSUMER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FULL REPLACEMENT AND PAYMENT OF THESE PARTS EVERY SINGLE YEAR AS THEY FAIL TO OPERATE CORRECTLY EVERY 12,000 MILES. CHRYSLER CORPORATION KNOWINGLY SOLD THIS VEHICLE TO CONSUMERS AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING BUT PUT A BANDAID ON THIS ISSUE. THEY SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND COMPLETELY REHAUL THE BRAKING SYSTEM OR GIVE THE CONSUMERS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE AND REIMBURSE FOR ALL EXPENSES SURROUNDING THIS ISSUE. THEY ARE PUTTING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AT RISK AS WELL AS OTHERS. *TT

02/23/2009- PURCHASED 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN- ON DAY OF PURCHASE I ASKED WHY BRAKES MADE A BARKING SOUND,WAS TOLD BECAUSE IT SAT IN PARKING LOT FOR A WHILE. ODOMETER-19230THE NEXT DAY THE VAN SHUT ITSELF OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I COULD STEER AND THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT I COULDN'T ACCELERATE AND ALL INSTRUMENT LIGHTING WAS OFF.I CALLED SALE AUTO MALL THE PLACE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY SAID CALL BACK IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN. SOMETIME IN MARCH TOOK IT BECAUSE THE STEERING KEEP PULLING ME TOWARDS THE CURB. THE SERVICE MANAGER OF SALE AUTO MALL TEST DROVE IT WITH ME IN IT AND DETECTED NOTHING WRONG. 4/01/2009- TOOK IT IN FOR OIL CHANGE. 04/06/2009 BRAKES FAILED COMING BACK FROM MOOREHEAD. CALLED SALE AUTO MALL, THEY REFERRED ME TO DODGE DEALERSHIP IN GREENVILLE, CALLED THEM AND ASKED FOR TOW, THEY REFUSED, THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT AS FAR AS I COULD. WHEN I GOT THERE THEY SAID IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT IT WOULD BE $370 TO FIX, I REFUSED AND THEY CHARGED ME $35 FOR LOOKING AT IT. 04/08/2009-TOOK IT TO BOYD'S HE REPAIRED BRAKES AND ROTORS FOR $150. 4/20/2009- BRAKES SPONGY AND SINKING CALL BOYD'S REFERRED ME TO DODGE DEALERSHIP IN NEW BERN, SEE THEM, SERVICE MANAGER STARTS THE TEST DRIVE WITH ME GOES TEN FEET AND HITS BRAKES,STOPS CAR SAYS I KNOWWHATS WRONG IT'S THE MASTER CYLINDER,ASKED ME TO GET OUT,SAYS HE WANTS HIS BRAKE MAN TO CHECK IT OUT. THEN THIRTY MINUTES LATER SENDS A MAN TO TELL ME THE PART HAS TO BE ORDER, HE GIVES ME MY KEYS AND TELLS ME THEY'LL CALL ME WHEN THE PART IS IN.4/23/09- DEALERSHIP CALLED ME SAID PART WAS IN, COULD I COME IN TODAY, TOLD HIM I WAS AT WORK, WHEN COULD I COME IN HE ASKED,I TOLD HIM MONDAY, HE SAID FINE. 04/24/2009- COMING HOME FROM WORK GOING 40 ON ARRLINGTON BLVD.SEE A LINE OF CARS IN FRONT OF ME START TO SLOW DOWN, SUDDENLY ALL CARS IN FRONT SLAM ON BRAKES TO A DEAD STOP,I SLAM ON MY BRAKES,BUT THEY GO ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM OF FLOOR AND THE RATE OF SPEED DOESN'T CHANGE.I HIT THE SUV IN FRONT OF ME AT FULL SPEED. HELP! *TR

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A STRIP MALL, MY DRIVERS SIDE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO CONTACT OF ANY KIND WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE OR OBJECT ON THE PAVEMENT. MY RIGHT ARM WAS INJURED WITH LACERATIONS AND CONTUSIONS, ALTHOUGH NOT SERIOUS ENOUGH TO SEE A DOCTOR. THE NEXT DAY, I TOOK IT INTO THE DODGE DEALER FOR WHAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE A WARRANTY REPAIR. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT LOOKED TO HIM LIKE IT HAD A FRONT IMPACT. I COULDN'T SEE ANY DAMAGE OR INDICATION OF AN IMPACT , BUT HE WAS QUITE SURE AND SUGGESTED I CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER SAID THERE HAD BEEN A FRONT IMPACT. I HAVE NOT HAD AN IMPACT OF ANY KIND SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE APPROX. 6 MONTHS AGO. I, OF COURSE, CAN NOT SAY IT WAS NEVER HIT WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. I CAN SAY THE VEHICLE WAS NOT LEFT UNATTENDED IN A PARKING LOT FOR 48 HOURS BEFORE THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. I AM CONCERNED THAT AN AIR BAG CAN DEPLOY, WITHOUT WARNING, SEVERAL HOURS, DAYS, OR WEEKS AFTER THE IMPACT. IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHEN THE BAG DEPLOYED THERE COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN FATALITIES. BY THE WAY, THE DODGE DEALER CHECKED THE COMPUTER CONTROLLER AND SAYS THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ON IT. I HAVE ORDERED A NEW AIR BAG AND CONTROLLER. *TR

BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND ROTORS TURNED AT 13,000 MILES. ONLY MADE SOUND FOR ONE DAY GRINDING. NEVER HAD BRAKES ON ANY CAR I HAVE OWNED GO OUT WITH THAT FEW OF MILES. ESPECIALLY A NEW CAR. BATTERY WAS ALSO LEAKING AND INSIDE FUNCTIONS LIKE RADIO AND WIPERS, LOCKS , WINDOWS... SOMETIMES JUST DON'T WORK. IT ALSO FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS DRAGGING. THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY , I HAD TO PAY FOR THE BRAKES AND NOTHING WAS FOUND FOR ANY OF THE OTHER STUFF.. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE BRAKES WERE SEVERELY WORN AND WOULD REQUIRE IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKES AND WITHIN ONE YEAR, THE EXACT FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,140 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,269.

JUST AFTER PARKING VAN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT CRAZY. THE FRONT WIPERS STARTED WIPING, THE WIPER FLUID DEPLOYED, THE HORN SOUNDED. I TURNED OFF CAR AND REMOVED THE KEY. EVERYTHING CONTINUED TO RUN. AT A LOSS I GOT BACK IN, TURNED IT ON AND DROVE IT OUT OF THE GARAGE WHERE THE NOISE WOULDN'T BE SO LOUD. AGAIN I REMOVED THE KEY. I POPPED THE HOOD, THINKING IF ALL ELSE FAILS, I COULD PULL THE BATTERY. I SAW THE FUSE BOX BY THE BATTERY (I HAVE SINCE LOOKED UP THAT IT IS THE TIPM) AND I SMACKED IT HARD WITH MY PALM. THE CAR SHUT UP. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER IT DID A SIMILAR BEHAVIOR, AGAIN WHILE NOT MOVING. STILL SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THAT IT DID IT AGAIN, THIS TIME WHILE I WAS DRIVING. WIPERS, HORN, WASHER FLUID WHOLE DEAL. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND SAFELY STOP THE CAR. BEFORE I COULD GET OUT THE CAR STOPPED ITS BEHAVIOR. SINCE THEN I HAVE ALSO HAD OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, HORN ATTEMPTING TO SOUND ON ITS OWN, BUT NO WIPERS, TRANSMISSION IN "LIMP MODE" WHERE IT WON'T GET OUT OF SECOND GEAR, AND FRONT BLOWER MOTOR INTERMITTENTLY RUNNING/NOT RUNNING. OFTEN STOPPING CAR AND OPENING DOOR, AND RESTARTING CAR FIXES IT, BUT MORE RECENTLY NOT SO MUCH. I REPORTED FIRST INCIDENT TO DEALER, BUT THEY FOUND NOTHING. I HAVE REPORTED FURTHER INCIDENTS AND NOW THAT I AM OUT OF WARRANTY THEY ARE ADVISING ME IT IS THE TIPM (FUSE BOX) AND REPLACEMENT COST IS $800 AND IT MAY NOT FIX MY PROBLEM. BECAUSE IT IS INTERMITTENT THEY CLAIM NOT TO BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THEMSELVES. I WOULD HATE TO HAVE THE WIPER HORN FLUID COMBO HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY. CAN BE DANGEROUS. *TR

I PURCHASED MY VAN IN MARCH OF 2009 FROM LEE CHRYSLER. IT WAS A ONE OWNER WITH SOME WARRANTY LEFT ON IT. A WEEK OR TWO, MAYBE LESS MY HUSBAND AND I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY KEYS NOT OPENING THE VAN. AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. FROM THAT TIME ON, EVERY FEW MONTHS THERE WAS ANOTHER PROBLEM. I HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTATION, AS TO WHEN ALL THE WORK WAS DONE AND WHAT. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VAN THE PREVIOUS OWNERS HAD ALREADY REPLACED THE BRAKES AND STARTER. I FOUND THIS OUT WHEN I HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES OCTOBER 2011 AND THE STARTER IN THE SPRING OF 2012. SINCE THESE ITEMS WERE UNDER WARRANTY IN 2008, THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE REPLACED, I THINK IT WAS THE DEALERSHIPS PLACE TO TELL ME THAT THIS WORK HAD BEEN DONE. IN JULY 2013 THE IGNITION STOPPED WORKING AND I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED. LEE CHRYSLER DOESN'T HAVE CARS TO LOAN, I HAD TO RENT ONE AT MY EXPENSE. THEY ORDERED AND REPAIRED THE IGNITION, THEN MY KEYS WOULD NOT PROGRAM TO THE NEW IGNITION, SO I HAD TO WAIT, PAYING FOR THE RENTAL ANOTHER 3 DAYS FOR THEM TO ORDER NEW KEYS, AT MY EXPENSE. THE COMPANY SHOULD HAVE KNOW THAT OLD KEYS, THE TYPE I HAVE, WOULD NOT PROGRAM TO A NEW IGNITION. THIS IS JUST THE THINGS THAT I HAVE RECEIPTS FOR. THE RECALLS I DON'T HAVE ALL OF THEM, BUT YOU HAVE THAT LIST. I THINK SINCE THE COMPANY SOLD ME A BAD VAN IN THE BEGINNING THAT THEY SHOULD HELP ME GET INTO A VEHICLE I COULD AFFORD TO REPLACE THIS ONE. OK I KNOW YOU SAY WHY DIDN'T I CONTACT YOU OR SOMEONE BEFORE NOW. I DID WRITE TO CHRYSLER CO. IN 2010 AND THEY SAID THEY WERE SORRY I WAS UNHAPPY WITH MY VAN, BUT THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THEY COULD DO. I ALSO SENT THEM A E-MAIL. THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING, MY VAN ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

AT LESS THEN 50K ON A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN, THE BACK ROTORS ARE COMPLETELY GONE AGAIN. WHEN WILL DODGE OR THE GOVERNMENT DO SOMETHING FOR US, THE CONSUMERS? SOMEONE WILL GET HURT OR KILLED SOON IF THIS IS NOT FIXED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE WEARING PREMATURELY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. IN FEBRUARY 2009, THE DEALER REPAIRED THE BRAKE PADS AND IN OCTOBER AND DECEMBER 2010, THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE YET NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

I BOUGHT THE CAR ON NOV. 2008 , NEW FROM MCCUNE DODGE, AND FOR THE LAST YEAR THE CAR HAS STALL ON 4 DIFFERENT TIMES, HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT THE DEALER , NO SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON, ALSO HAVE BEEN HAVING DIFFERENT ISSUES WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE PAD, THE SHIFT GEAR , INTERIORS LIGHT ON CENTER-MAP LIGHTS FLICKER CONSTANTLY AND REAR DOME. *TR

MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN BRAND NEW FROM ROYAL CHRYSLER IN OWEGO NEW YORK. SINCE THAT TIME OUR FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED 4 TIMES, EACH. IT HAS BEEN AN ON GOING ISSUE WHICH HAS RESULTED IN COMPROMISED SAFETY IN OUR VEHICLE. OUR DEALER HAS STATED IT IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM, YET CHRYSLER/DODGE HAS ISSUED NO RECALL OR BULLETIN. I HAVE ALL RECORDS PERTAINING TO THIS COMPLAINT WITH DATES AND DETAILS. UPON SEARCHING THE WEB I HAVE DISCOVERED THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH THIS SAME ISSUES. THIS IS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM. *TR

I AM WRITING TO CHRYSLER CANADA BECAUSE WE ARE VERY UNHAPPY WITH OUR 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, ONE THAT I WOULD CLASSIFY AS A RUNAWAY VEHICLE CREATING A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. CURRENT ODOMETER READING 25347 THIS VEHICLE WENT FOR ITS FIRST SERVICE FEBRUARY 9, 2009 TO A VEHICLE CHECK-UP PEACE OF MIND INSPECTION. PRIMARILY WITH AN INQUIRY TO CHECK THE BRAKE SYSTEM SINCE THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SOMEWHAT SPONGY WHEN APPLIED. THE INSPECTION INDICATED THE BRAKES PULSATED BECAUSE OF A WARPED DISK. THE WARPED DISK IS MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY HIGH HEAT GENERATED FROM PROLONGED BRAKING. THIS APPEARS TO BE IN CONTRADICTION WITH THE INSTRUCTION IN THE 2008 DODGE OWNER'S MANUAL PAGE 334 UNDER NOTE: TO SELECT THE PROPER GEAR POSITION FOR MAXIMUM DECELERATION (ENGINE BREAKING), SIMPLY PRESS AND HOLD THE GEAR SELECTOR LEVER TO THE LEFT (-). THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT TO THE RANGE FROM WHICH THE VEHICLE CAN BEST BE SLOWED DOWN. THIS IS CLEARLY NOT PROVIDING THE DESIRED RESULT. TO ASSIST THE VEHICLE IN MAINTAINING CONTROL DOWNHILL, SHIFTING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO 3RD GEAR (AT 60 KPH.) SHOULD ENABLE THE VEHICLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL WITHOUT HAVING TO 'RIDE THE BRAKES'. THIS IS NOT THE CASE; THE ELECTRONICS CONTROLLING THE SHIFTING SYSTEM IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DROPS OUT OF LOW GEAR (3RD) INTO HIGH GEAR (D) UNDER THE SLIGHTEST DOWNHILL MOMENTUM, THUS MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. PAGE 337 IN THE 208 DODGE OWNER'S MANUAL SPECIFICALLY WARNS THAT RIDING THE BRAKES CAN LEAD TO BRAKE FAILURE AND POSSIBLY AN ACCIDENT. AS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED TO OUR HORROR ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS DRIVING ON THE WEST COAST (VANCOUVER ISLAND), WHILE TRYING TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE CONTROL ON A DOWNHILL STRETCH OF PAVED ROAD, THIS 4 SPEED ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM IS INCAPABLE OF PROVIDING ANY ENGINE BRAKING ASSISTANCE WHATSOEVER. THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE IS TO RIDE THE BRAKES TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE CONTROL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECOND ROW BENCH SEAT HAS A LOCK IN THE BACK OF THE SEAT, BUT IT IS NOT LOCKING PROPERLY. THERE ARE NO INSTRUCTIONS IN THE MANUAL THAT STATE HOW THE SEAT SHOULD LOCK IN THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WERE DOING IT INCORRECTLY AND COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE CORRECT WAY TO LOCK THE SEAT IN PLACE. HE CALLED DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS AND THEY STATED THAT THE SEATS SHOULD BE LOCKED IN A DOWNWARD POSITION. THE PICTURE IN THE MANUAL DOES NOT EFFECTIVELY ILLUSTRATE HOW TO LOCK THE SEATS. SIX DIFFERENT MECHANICS COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PICTURES IN THE MANUAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,963.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED AND DAMAGED THE BRAKE PADS. THE BRAKES AND ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE WITHIN SEVEN MONTHS. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEFECT UNTIL THE BRAKE PADS WERE GRINDING AND FAILED INSPECTION. THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT THAT TIME; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECTS AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,667 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,700. UPDATED 09/15/09. *LJ UPDATED 09/16/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NON-FUNCTIONAL AND THE ENGINE, ESC AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED IN JANUARY 2009 AND THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK INTERMITTENTLY. THE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE AND WERE REPLACED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. IN 2010, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING; THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND TURN SIGNALS ALSO DID NOT FUNCTION. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED ASSISTANCE WITH THE OTHER ISSUES ASIDE FROM THE SPEEDOMETER AND LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE SPEEDOMETER AND LIGHT FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

DURING THE WINTER LAST JANUARY 2009, I DROVE FROM KENOSHA WI TO MINNEAPOLIS MN. IT WAS THE NEW YEAR WEEKEND AND ON THE TRIP BACK, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD BECAME CAKED WITH FROST ON THE BOTTOM. MOSTLY OUTSIDE. THE DEFROSTERS DID NOT CLEAR THE BOTTOM 6 - 8 INCHES OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS CAUSES TWO PROBLEMS, ONE THE FROST STARTS TO BUILD ON THE INSIDE AND BEGINS TO DRIP AND THERE IS WATER ON YOUR DASH, SECOND BECAUSE THE OUTSIDE IS CAKED YOUR WIPERS BEGIN TO FREEZE UP. EVEN IF YOU CLEAN IT RECURS QUICKLY. THE WIPERS BEING CAKED CAUSES THEM NOT TO WORK WELL CLEARING THEY JUST PRODUCE WATER STREAKS ACROSS YOUR WINDSHIELD, YOUR VISION BECOMES MORE AND MORE OBSTRUCTED BECAUSE THEY CAN;T WORK. I CALLED MY CHRYSLER DEALER AND HE SAID THEY WOULD ADDRESS THE NEXT TIME I COME IN. I CAM IN THIS FALL BECAUSE I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO SHOW THEM IT HAPPENING. THEY NOW STATE THAT ALL THE DODGE VANS ARE LIKE THAT AND THEY CANNOT ADDRESS IT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE AND BEGAN TO SMELL A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE ODOR WAS COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE HAD LOCKED UP. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 27,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. UPDATED 02/23/11 *BF UPDATED 02/28/11

WHILE AT A STOPLIGHT IN SMALL CITY TRAFFIC IN CONNELLSVILLE, PA, ON 31DEC2008, I DECIDED TO SEE HOW MY ENTERPRISE RENTAL VEHICLE, A 2008 DODGE GRANDCARAVAN, WOULD ACCELERATE. PULLING AWAY FROM THE LIGHT, I FLOORED THE PEDAL AND GOT UP TO ABOUT 45 MPH, THEN LET UP. NO REDUCTION IN ACCELERATION OCCURRED. I TOOK MY FOOT FROM THE PEDAL AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE. I WAS STILL GATHERING SPEED, SO I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH LOTS OF GUSTO. THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES THEN WORKED AGAINST THE ENGINE FOR PERHAPS A QUARTER MILE. THE VEHICLE SPEED WAS REDUCED TO ABOUT 20 MPH, BUT WHEN I DID A TEST LIFT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN STARTED TO ACCELERATE. BACK ON THE BRAKE, I SWERVED INTO A LARGE, EMPTY PARKING LOT. I TRIED NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE THEN TOOK OFF WILDLY, SO I SWITCHED OFF THE IGNITION. PAUSING A FEW SECONDS, I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND EVERYTHING BACK TO NORMAL, EXCEPT THAT THE ESP WARNING LIGHT THAT HAD COME ON WITH MY INTENSE BRAKING WAS STILL ON. I DROVE A FEW MINUTES AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF. I THEN RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE ENTERPRISE AGENCY, WHERE I SHARED MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE MANAGER. *TR

I HAVE A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 3.3 V6 ENGINE. I HAVE A HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION ON MY MINIVAN. MY HEADLIGHT WILL FLICKER ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, CITY STREETS AND SOMETIMES WHILE WAITING FOR A STOP SIGN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT WHEN YOU NEED YOUR HEADLIGHT FOR VISIBILITY. HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE BUT THE HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION HAS NOT BEEN SOLVED. MY VEHICLE HAS 35,600 MILES AND THE FIRST TIME THE MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WAS AT 33,100 MILES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FELT VERY SPONGY WHEN THE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND WOULD FALL FURTHER ONTO THE FLOOR BOARD THAN USUAL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY. THE REAR BRAKES BEGAN TO EXHIBIT THE SAME FAILURE AND THE DEALER STATED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST HAD TO BE PERFORMED BEFORE REPAIRING THE VEHICLE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE DEALER PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ASSUMED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD ASSUME LIABILITY FOR THE REPAIRS; HOWEVER, HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD BE MADE AT HIS EXPENSE. THE CONTACT DECLINED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. HE STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED WHEN THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,200.

I HAVE A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SXT WITH 28,612 MILES (MOSTLY INTERSTATE). ON NOVEMBER 23, 2008 I WAS GOING EAST ON INTERSTATE 70. A FEW MILES FROM HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND THE CAR'S FRONT END STARTED TO SHAKE. I CALLED THE DODGE DEALERSHIP IN HAGERSTOWN. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CAR'S RIGHT FRONT AXLE HAD SNAPPED. THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK AND HAD TO ORDER IT. WHEN I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP ONE WEEK LATER THE SERVICE MANGER TOLD US THE CAUSE OF THE FAILED FRONT END AXLE HUB WAS DUE TO THE NUTS BEING LOOSE, THUS ALLOWING THE AXEL TO DISENGAGE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I DISCOVERED THAT DODGE HAS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH SOME OF THEIR OTHER VEHICLES. ACCORDING TO EDMUNDS INSIDE LINE, THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2008 DODGE CHARGER, MAGNUM, AND CHRYSLER 300. THE ARTICLE ON EDMUNDS INSIDE LINE STATED, 'THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYS 5,509 2008 DODGE CHARGERS AND MAGNUMS, ALONG WITH SOME 2008 CHRYSLER 300 VEHICLES, ARE BEING RECALLED FOR A PROBLEM THAT WAS FIRST SPOTTED IN MARCH ON A 2009 DODGE CHALLENGER PILOT VEHICLE UNDERGOING PRELAUNCH EVALUATION AT CHRYSLER'S CHELSEA PROVING GROUNDS. THE TORQUE RETENTION CRIMP FEATURE "WAS MISSED" DURING THE MANUFACTURE OF ONE LOT OF REAR AXEL HUB NUTS ON THE AFFECTED CARS. 'THIS COULD CAUSE THE NUTS TO LOOSEN AND ALLOW THE HALF-SHAFT TO DISENGAGE FROM THE WHEEL HUB,' SAID THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) IN ITS RECALL SUMMARY OF THE PROBLEM. 'THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.' *TR

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS A BRAKE DESIGN FLAW WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKES TO FAIL PREMATURELY. THE FIRST SET WORE OUT BEFORE 25K MILES AND CAUSED MY WIFE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT WHEN SHE COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AGAIN WITH LESS THAN 30K ADDITIONAL MILES. THIS IS TOO OFTEN FOR BRAKES. *TR

LEFT FRONT BRAKE GRINDING DURING LOW SPEED STOPS. STARTED ALL OF THE SUDDEN ONE EVENING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING. WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS NOT GOING TO BE A WARRANTY COVERED REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS PAST THE 12,000 MILE LIMIT ON BRAKE REPAIR. THIS IS 15,000 HIGHWAY MILES AFTER ONLY 6 MONTHS. THE DODGE DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT GOING TO BE COVERED BY THE STANDARD WARRANTY OR THE 100,000 MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER EXTENDED WARRANTY. THIS WAS A "NORMAL" WEAR ITEM AND WOULD BE $270 TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND TO TURN BOTH FRONT ROTORS. I FIND IT SHOCKING THAT A MANUFACTURER WITH AS MANY COMPLAINTS AS THEY HAVE ON THIS EXACT ISSUE STILL FAILS TO EVEN GIVE "GOODWILL" COVERAGE ON SOMETHING AS SERIOUS AS PREMATURE BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR. REAR BRAKE CALIPERS, ROTOR, AND PADS, WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT NO COST AT 19,000 MILES DUE TO ROTORS OVERHEATING. AT 19,400 MILES, FRONT BRAKES BEGAN TO SHUDDER WHEN APPLIED. DEALER SAID THE FRONT ROTOR AND PADS NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $390. THE DEALER SAYS AFTER 12,000 MILES THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. *TR