2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Problems & Complaints

Avoid3.1× as many complaints as a typical year of the Grand Caravan at the same age

Owners have filed 1,293 complaints about the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 3.1× as many as a typical Grand Caravan model year at the same age, which makes the 2008 one of the Grand Caravan years to avoid. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (815 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles). 8 recalls cover this model year.

1,293complaints
8recalls
23crashes
17fires
20injuries
2deaths

Most common 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan problems

Share of the 1,293 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Dodge Grand Caravan complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’201081.2k5835594324422982902191169962861821.3k5448705305844723592811.0k41427124520
Owner complaints per model year, Dodge Grand Caravan. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Grand Caravan years: 2020, 2007, 2006. Years to avoid: 2008, 2016, 2005, 2010, 1996. Compare all years →

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan recalls (8)

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 20V-396 · Jul 7, 2020 · 925,239 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021.

Air bags › Frontal

NHTSA recall 16V-047 · Jan 29, 2016 · 110,482 vehicles

FCA US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured December 31, 2007, to August 31, 2008, 2008-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured June 18, 2007, to August 31, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Air bags

NHTSA recall 14V-373 · Jun 26, 2014 · 722,705 vehicles

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-powered axle assembly

NHTSA recall 14V-055 · Feb 11, 2014 · 130 vehicles

Freedom Motors Inc., (Freedom Motors) of Savaria Vehicle Group (formerly The Liberty Motor Company) is recalling one model year 2009 Volkswagen Routan and certain model year 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country wheelchair accessible vehicles modified by The Liberty Motor Company from February 2008 through…

Remedy: Freedom Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected axles, free of charge. The recall began on April 1, 2014. Owners can contact Freedom Motors at 1-800-561-9600.

Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner

NHTSA recall 11V-394 · Aug 3, 2011 · 298,949 vehicles

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008 Chrysler grand voyager, town and country and Dodge grand caravan vehicles manufactured from June 24, 2007, through July 30, 2008. These vehicles May experience a heating and air conditioner (HVAC) condensate leak from the HVAC drain grommet onto the occupant restraint control (orc)…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the affected air bag module free of charge. The safety recall began on October 14, 2011. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner

NHTSA recall 10V-611 · Dec 8, 2010 · 299,635 vehicles

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008 Chrysler town and country and Dodge grand caravan vehicles. These vehicles May experience a water leak at the heating and air conditioner (HVAC) drain grommet which can lead to illumination of airbag warning light and a potential inadvertent airbag deployment.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the HVAC drain grommet free of charge. The safety recall began on January 14, 2011. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Show 2 more recalls

Electrical system › Wiring

NHTSA recall 10V-235 · Jun 3, 2010 · 284,655 vehicles

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2009 Dodge grand caravan and Chrysler town & country passenger vehicles manufactured from February 2007 through September 2009. Some of the vehicles May have been built with an improperly routed wire harness that May have a condition where the lower sliding door hinge bracket…

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on November 15, 2010. Owners May contact Chrysler toll-free at 1-800-853-1403.

Service brakes, hydraulic

NHTSA recall 09V-351 · Sep 11, 2009 · 82 vehicles

Eldorado national is recalling model year 2008-2009 amerivan mobility vehicles built on Chrysler town & country and Dodge grand caravan platforms vehicles. The rear brake lines May have been improperly routed and not secured properly during the alteration.

Remedy: Eldorado national amerivan dealers will inspect the vehicles and if the brake lines were improperly routed they will be correctly reinstalled free of charge. The safety recall began on October 13, 2009.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan:

Air Bag Non-Deployment/Engine Stall

NHTSA investigation RQ14002 · opened Jun 16, 2014 · closed Mar 2, 2015 · led to recall 14V-373

In March 2011 Chrysler submitted a defect information report for NHTSA Recall No. 11V139 declaring a defect condition that could cause the ignition key to inadvertently move from the RUN to the ACC position on model year (MY) 2010 Dodge Journey, Grand Caravan, and Chrysler Town and Country.The report identified engine stalling as the defect consequence and cited customer complaints and warranty claims, as well as…

Totally Integrated Power Module Failure

NHTSA investigation DP14004 · opened Sep 25, 2014 · closed Jul 24, 2015

In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year.

What 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan owners say

Electrical system all 815 →

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle could not be restarted and was towed to the residence. The contact diagnosed the vehicle WIN Module failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

Ignition › Module · 54,000 miles · Jun 2023

The vehicle entered "limp home" mode on a busy highway. After a little research, I found out that this could be caused by a short in wiring. There was already a recall on this vehicle related to the wiring harnesses in the rear sliding doors. At the time, we were experiencing no issues, but took it anyway where we were told that everything was OK and as far as I know, no work was done to correct the potential defect. Subsequently that assembly has fallen apart on both sides and now we're left with a vehicle that repeatedly enters limp home mode often at very inconvenient times, triggering the wipers, as well as all the lights on the dashboard. We'd really like to know that this known issue can be fixed and that Chrysler/Dodge didn't actually put an expiration date on safety.

Jul 2021

Air bags all 294 →

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that a dealer recently serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V396000 (Air Bags, Steering). The contact stated that the dealer replaced the airbag module components located underneath the center console; however, the connected wiring was not replaced. Later, while the unoccupied vehicle was parked in a casino parking lot, the casino staff informed the contact that the vehicle was on fire. The fire department arrived, extinguished the flames, and filed an official report. The incident: the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence, where a secondary inspection indicated that the fire originated underneath the center console, where the recall repair had been performed. Both the manufacturer and dealer were notified of the failure, and the dealer provided documentation of the completed recall services. …

180,000 miles · Oct 2026 · fire

On 4/22/22 a lady hit my van so hard and no air bags deploy. I hit my head on the steering wheel and it never came out. No air bags in my van came out. Also the seal belts didn't hold anyone into place.

Apr 2022 · crash · 6 injuries

Brakes all 212 →

01 /13/18 the very first morning I had it I worked at 6 am about 5 mins into driving 11 degrees! The traction light came on without me pushing the button. Then a EPS w/ des lite up?? They both went on by themselves as well. Also the roads were not wet! This continues every morning despite the temperature. Up to current day 01/16/18 we received a dusting less the 1 inch on the ground. I pushed the traction button on despite that me and my 3 children slid into a mail box thankfully slowly! Had to be pulled out due to in not starting up and stuck.. This van is loud and runs behind, kind of stutters..it went through a half tank of gas in 1 day! There is at times but frequent we can smell gas.? Also this van started acting to the point of almost stalling out!

112,000 miles · Jan 2018 · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving 45 MPH, the brakes and steering failed and the vehicle stalled without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into a large rock and the vehicle landed in a ditch. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V373000 (air bags, electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

130,000 miles · May 2016 · crash

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
3.3L 6-cyl4-speed automaticFWD17 / 24 / 19
3.8L 6-cyl6-speed automaticFWD16 / 23 / 18
4.0L 6-cyl6-speed automaticFWD16 / 23 / 18

EPA ratings. Class: Minivan.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan a good car?

Based on 1,293 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Grand Caravan rates avoid: 3.1× as many complaints as a typical year of the Grand Caravan at the same age. It is one of the Grand Caravan years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan?

The electrical system — 815 complaints, 63% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition. Next are the air bags (294) and brakes (212).

How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan have?

There are 8 recalls for the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, the most recent from July 7, 2020 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Grand Caravan?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2007 and 2006. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008, 2016, 2005, 2010 and 1996. See the full Dodge Grand Caravan years comparison.

At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 70,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

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.