Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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!
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.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan. While making a right turn at 5 MPH, the steering wheel shook violently and seized without warning. In addition, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. As a result, the contact crashed into a wall and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,238.
The car was parked stationary at the top of a hill. It started to roll down the hill while it was off. Three children were in the car. Their brother tried to stop the car, and got caught under the car wheel, and died. The car was in park. ..updated 10/11/17
In july2010, I had the front brakes replace after only 30000 m iles. Also a front caliper was replaced due to it not releasing after applying the brakes. In aug, 2010 on a return trip from florida, the rear brake calipers froze , would not release, causing the rear brakes to overheat, causing rear brake failure. Repair of the rear brakes cost aprox.$ 580.00. A complaint to Chrysler corp. Was initiated, and they reimbursed a total of$280.00. I was told by 2 dealers that there has been an abnormal amount of problems with the brake calipers on the Chrysler/Dodge vans. Since we were transporting oxygen that my wife needs for medical purposes a fire or other failure of the rear brakes, ie fire, seizing of the brakes causing a wreck, or being disabled on the highway, miles from a repair facility could have had serious results. …
(I do have the 2nd incident recorded on my daughters cell phone. However, turning off of sr795 onto main street coming home from work - my wipers began to work on their own, as well as the message light center - all started blinking rapidly, and my seat belt sound was continuously beeping. Then last week as we were going on the expressway (280-75-475) my speedometer would jump from 60 down to 0 back up - continuously, while my wipers were going, all the message indicator lights were blinking, as well as my window would not (still don't) work nor can I lock/unlock my van from the drivers side. The incident on the expressway, incident #2 - is the one I have recorded. I phoned grogantown Chrysler - and was informed they were never sent the l25 part that is recalled. …
This vehicle has an outstanding recall issue l25 wireless ignition code. We purchased the vehicle in April 2014 at which time we have experience a handful of complete shut down of the vehicle while traveling up to 35 MPH. Daily the ignition must be turned 4-5 times before starting or will start and immediately shut down. We have removed all extra keys and key chains as stated by Chrysler. Calling Chrysler has been unsuccessful as they have a recording claiming the recall parts are not available at this time and wait times for over 15 mins will not still allow you to talk to someone in person. Therefore the local dealership is unable to repair. Is GM offering a free loaner until this vehicle is declared safe? I have a payment and do no longer wish to drive this vehicle. I have also tried to sell it for over a month with no luck. …
As previously occurred, Chrysler concealed a known safety defect from its customers and then refused to help with repairs. The defective component is called the totally integrated power module (or TIPM). The TIPM consists of a computer, fuses, and internal relays, and is responsible for controlling and distributing electrical power to the entire vehicle'everything from steering and brakes, to the alarm, headlights, and the fuel pump. Since the TIPM controls power to a wide variety of essential vehicle systems, including safety and security systems, the defect often leaves the vehicles incapable of providing reliable or safe transportation. Many class vehicles fail to start (or take dozens of attempts before the engine will turn over) because of the defect, and vehicles start up at other times only to stall, sometimes while traveling at high speeds. …
This van dies while in operation, most often within the first 5 miles of driving in the morning. It has gotten to the point where it happens every single day, sometimes multiple times a day. It appears to happen most frequently when decelerating (upon taking our foot off the gas, the tachometer bounces way down (~500rpm or so), then stutters a bit, then the vehicle stalls/dies. This has happened while turning at an intersection several times, and we narrowly escaped a collision. We have had 2 key fob recalls performed, as Chrysler had attributed the problem to faulty fobs/ignition switches....the most recent recall was performed less than 6 months ago. No change was noted after the recall work was performed. The problem rarely happens on the highway, although it did happen to my wife last week while she was at highway speed on the interstate. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. Additionally, the key failed to release from the ignition. The contact was able to release the key and restart the vehicle. The contact also stated that the brakes started to grind while driving with the illumination of the esb and ABS traction control warning lights. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the front routers and brake pads were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V373000 (air bags, electrical system) and stated that the part needed for the repair was not available. 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 approximate failure mileage was 130,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic
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.
Brake complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 212 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, 16% of the model year's 1,293 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-351 (service brakes, hydraulic, Sep 11, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 27,000 miles, and 45% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 5 fires and 3 injuries and 1 death to brakes 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.