Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Dodge Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2008 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, an unknown Toyota Minivan entered his driving route and crashed into the vehicle. The driver sustained injuries to his back, neck, and feet and bruising. Medical attention was provided. The passenger sustained injuries to his neck, back, and shoulder, and medical attention was provided. A police report was filed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to his resident. The air bags did not deploy. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. The VIN was not available.
The problems we are experiencing is the airbag indicator light keeps coming on and off dinging every time it comes on. The other issue we have experienced is the engine is in need of repair but the check engine light does not come on to let mechanics find the problem. However once every three months the light will come in but once vehicle is turned off the light goes off never to come back on until the next time a few months later. The check engine light issue has been going on for two years.
I was driving eastbound on a city road at 30mph. From the north, my driver side a truck ran a stop sign as I was going through the intersection and my vehicle struck his crumpling the front end of my van. My concern is that the airbags never deployed. While more damage was done on the driver side the entire front was smashed backwards and his vehicle had spun and also struck the passenger side behind the front tire.
We received a "recall" notice for air bag module possible malfunction. We took the vehicle to a dealer who informed us that the repair part was not available and on back-order. One month later our vehicle was involved in an accident and the airbags did not deploy. I contacted Chrysler, who sent an inspector service to examine the vehicle. All damage was done to the front passenger side fender. I received a "form letter" stating that upon inspection, the vehicle was already disassembled and no manufacturing flaw was found. We received notice a few days later that the part was now in and available for repair. The letter apologized for any injuries and hoped that the driver was well on the way to recovery. No injuries occurred. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that while stopped at a light, another vehicle crashed into the rear of her vehicle and her vehicle crashed into the rear of preceding vehicle. The air bag failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact and middle rear second row passenger sustained back injuries which required medical attention. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle would try to crank without a key in the ignition and had to disconnect the battery to shut off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the part for NHTSA campaign id number: 11V139000 (electrical system) was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to put the vehicle in park and restart it on the first attempt. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA number: 14V373000 (air bags, electrical system) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the speed reduced to 30 MPH without warning. The vehicle was restarted but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V373000 (air bags, electrical system) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000. Updated 03/02/15 updated 6/10/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure recurred on several occasions. The air bags disengaged without warning. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 11V139000 (electrical system) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000. Updated 3/24/15 udpated v03/31/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start until after several attempts. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V373000: (air bags, electrical system) however, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that the key fob did not open the vehicle's doors correctly and triggered the vehicle's alarm system. Whenever the contact adjusted the steering wheel in an upward position, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The dealer was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle because it was included in a recall the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure the recall information was not provided. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 06/13/17
Airbag complaints in other Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Dodge Caravan, 14% of the model year's 302 complaints. The component named most often is side/window (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Dodge Caravan airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2008 Dodge Caravan, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Caravan airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.