Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at various speed, the transmission made an abnormal whining sound upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the service engine warning light remained illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact stated that after he pulled over and restarted the vehicle, the vehicle resumed normal operation. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed him that the transmission needed to be replaced. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. The VIN was not available.
They did not open in 3 van wreaks - the faulty TIPM fuse boxes were put in at the factory (reconditioned fuse boxes) Dodge has admitted to this in the Dodge durango's. There are many many more models in the Chrysler/Dodge group of cars and trucks with this same problem but they are making money hand over fist at their repair shops so why fix it there is a easy fix they are not telling you about,the capacitors in your car,van or truck are over loading to fix all you have to do is disconnect the battery both the negative and positive sides for 24 the fist time, then 3 hours,then again each time for 1 hour when you see a faulty light come on or lights on you dash panel flashing or your engine shuts off while driving.this should clear up after 3 times of doing this.this worked for me my van does not shut off anymore,no more dash lights flashing.you May have to do this more than 3 times …
On Saturday, July 21, 2018, a fire started in the engine, which resulted in an explosion and the van was determined to be a total loss. Fire dept. And police arrived at the scene. The vehicle was in motion on a city street. A puff of smoke started, pulled vehicle to side of road. Exited vehicle as the fire had started.
Driving the vehicle on a residential street. Engine quit suddenly and unexpectedly. Steering and brakes failed. Vehicle went off the road, over the curb and came to a stop. No property damage or bodily harm. If we had been traveling at highway speeds, fear of death would have been a real concern. The engine would not start for approximately a minute after the incident. Engine finally started and the vehicle was taken to a Dodge dealership. Diagnosed as a 'bad win module' (wireless ignition node). The technician actually guessed the problem was the win module before diagnosing the problem. He said it was a 'fairly common problem'. An online investigation revealed this part has a recall associated with it in the 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan (our Dodge Grand Caravan is a 2008). The reason I am writing the NHTSA is the newly replaced win module is clearly a redesigned part. …
I was driving at 45 MPH when suddenly van revved up from 1500 RPM to 3500 RPM, and speed went down to 30 MPH. Somehow I got my car to my work place and parked it. I suspected my transmission had gone bad. I decided to take my car to a transmission shop. I drove the van at 30 MPH at 3500 RPM to the transmission shop. Their technician drove the van around, did some other inspection and reported that there was no problem with my transmission. However he mentioned there was a electrical power loss which made my van go into limp mode. Remarkably my van started driving normally after the inspection. I took my van to authorized Dodge dealer. They pulled some codes from the computer which indicated power loss to several equipment. They suspected the TIPM module, but did not have hard evidence from the codes. They advised me to leave van overnight at the service area, and have them check it out. …
I received a wireless ignition node module defect safety recall from Chrysler in July 2014. Your data base suggests May 2015 as the date, but it's wrong. This is much older. The original recall was l25 NHTSA 14v-373. The Fiat Chrysler hotline for recalls has the number as r03. They have failed to correct this defect within a reasonable time, because this is 14 months. A reasonable time might be a few weeks, I think. I call dealers here in the st louis area, they promise to call me when parts are in. I called the recall hotline for Fiat Chrysler, I complain to my state's attorney general for consumers, and get nowhere. All I hear is "we can't get the parts." well, I know many, many model cars are in this recall; not only GM, but Jeep, Dodge, etc. But I can't help it -- I am the one who is in trouble for the faulty ignition and fobik, and this package has Fiat Chrysler's name on it. …
The van engine shuts down while in drive. This has happened 4 times with in a week. It has shut down completely at an intersection. Even the hazards would not come on to show other drivers that I was broke down. I received a notice last year about a recall for the ignition module and I was put an a long wait list to have it fixed. On January 3, 2016 I had the recall taken care of at sherwood service in salisbury, md. I have never had the engine failure happen before having the recall fixed, and now, it is happening. When the engine shut down the last time, my husband who was driving had to call the police to direct traffic around the van until the tow truck got there so he would not be hit! It blocked an intersection for 30 minutes until the van was towed away, when the van got home on the tow truck, it started up with no problem. …
Sept 2015-my engine shut off while driving at 25mph and the horn and wipers went crazy. I was able to pull car to side of road safely. Feb 2016- took van in for recall for new key fab. The following week the car went crazy when I pushed unlock button to get into the vehicle using the new key fab. Horn went off, wipers squirting fluid and doors locked on me except for the rear hatch. Took into dealer they changed the clock spring. March 2016- vehicle went crazy again (horn, wipers, doors) I got into vehicle through rear hatch, unlocked hood, turned key to start to see if I could unlock, car started. I tried to turn off and engine kept going without key in ignition. I got out disconnected battery cable and the vehicle. Was still going crazy and the engine was still running for about 10 minutes. I took vehicle into dealer they first stated it needed new battery cables.. …
Van has been stalling out since I have owned it. I purchased new in 2008. It is at second dealer performing recall for the ignition for the second time. I have been with out a vehicle since 3/26/2016. First dealer dutch miller Dodge kept van from 3/26/16 until 5/6/16. Released vehicle back to me with same problem it went in for. I have filed a complaint with Dodge . After having to schedule a appointment with a different dealer and wait for a service date of 6/20/16. The vehicle is at the new dealership I 77 ripley. They are redoing the recall from a year ago that dutch miller had performed. This is the fourth week they have been working on the vehicle and recall problem. I have requested many times for a rental car and both the lifetime warranty I purchased with the van and Dodge have both refused to provide me a vehicle. I have been since March 26, 2016. …
I was driving on a busy main city road at night, traveling around 35 MPH when my van shut off and the wipers and horn went crazy. I lost all power steering and brakes. Headlights also cut out. I struggled to get to the side of the road and into a parking lot. The front wipers stopped when I turned the key off, but the back wiper and horn continued for about 10 min. I did not have tools to disconnect the battery. Suddenly there was a flash of all the lights in the car and everything seemed to be back to normal with the exception of the check engine light appearing on the dash. I was able to restart the vehicle and drive another half mile to my home. This is the first time this has happened while driving, that I have lost all engine power and steering, it is not the first time the van has acted out. …
Engine complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 145 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, 11% of the model year's 1,293 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, though it has 8 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 Grand Caravan engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.