Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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 the vehicle was designed with plastic headlamps that became foggy over time, causing the headlights to become extremely dim. The contact stated that the failure had reduced the visibility of the roadway while driving. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. The VIN was unavailable.
(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. …
While parked in driveway, the horn started blowing erratically, headlights were on, and front and rear windshield wipers and washers operating. Door locks would not respond to remote. After s short period of trying to unlock the doors with the remote, they either responded to the remote or unlocked by themselves. At that point I attempted to turn the ignition on and start the vehicle. I started it and then turned it off but that did not stop the horn, wipers, etc. A few seconds after shutting the ignition off, everything stopped. Front and rear wipers did not return to park position until I manually turned them on and off. I started the engine again and had a check engine light with error codes related to the TCM, transmission control module. In addition, while driving, the heater blower motor intermittently stops working. …
My van has started having problems changing gears between the speeds of 30-60 MPH. This most frequently occurs around the speeds of 40-50 MPH, but have, however, occurred at all speeds within the 30-60 MPH range. The van also often accelerates slowly after coming to a full stop. During both given instances, it will be sluggish and sounds like it needs to shift gears yet does not do so. This process also greatly depletes my gas as the transmission isn't shifting properly. I have inquired about a recall on this issue but have found that there aren't any. I, however, have found many complaints online from other owners with this same issue. The date I will provide below is approximately when this started occurring, but does not imply that this situation only occurred once as it continues still.
For a few days my van has been having issues starting.(not battery) every light on the dash bored has been popping on. Then all the dash lights go out and so do the head lights. We were driving at night. Parked the car for a minute and let it run. It shifted out of park into drive and drove up a little knoll and into a parked car.no one was in or around the van. My bumper was damaged. Luckily no one was hurt. I am a mother of 4 young children. This is a very dangerous situation. Today it rain a bit but prior to today it was not raining. When in parked, lights and wipers were in the off position but they continued to stay on. At a very fast rate it would idle up and down quickly. We refuse to even turn on the van for I am scared of what May happen.
Have had my 08 van for a few years and everyone in awhile the alarm will sound wipers won't stop going. Has happened while driving car stalls looses ability to steer and light go off which at night make it really hard to see. My alarm and all other action combined happened at work while I was inside tried to turn off with fob had to unhook battery still didn't stop. I have 4 kids and this is what I have to drive them in we have went into a ditch and got stuck in a 4 way took to mechanic no codes no problem only this was. Was told by dealer the could not diagnose it unless it did it to them I am at a lose I have to drive to get to work my kids have to ride to go to sitter I am so afraid we are gonna die in this van.
My airbag light has been on for over a year. I recently had it checked out at tire kingdom where they checked it and told me that the diagnostics are coming back that it is not an air bag issue, but rather a seat belt issue. When I inquired about this at a local Dodge dealer, I was told it would be a $110 charge just to check it. I am concerned that this light being on could indicate that there is a larger problem that could result in my airbags not deploying properly in the case of an accident. I should not have to pay to find out that this is a manufacturing issue or a part malfunction. I hope that others are reporting the same issue so that we can get help for this problem with a recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact was driving 55 MPH when the vehicle started to jerk and burning fumes were emitted into the vehicle. The contact also mentioned that the headlights would fail sporadically without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the front passenger side caliper was defective and needed to be replaced. Three months later, the rear driver caliper needed to be replaced as well. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 38,000 and the current mileage was 55,643.
Refer to date investigation opened: sep 25, 2014 date investigation closed: open NHTSA action number: dp14004 component(s): electrical system my wife noticed it first and I have noticed this. It started when not moving but now continues while driving. The windshield wipers wipe even though they are off, the air bag light and total dash lights, we can't tell how fast we are going because of the gauge failure and the headlights blink among other electrical problems. This is not a good situation with 4 kids in the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan. When starting the vehicle, the key would not remain in the start position and returned out of position. In addition, the signal lights failed to illuminate. 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 36,000.
Headlight complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the lights of the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, 4% of the model year's 1,293 complaints. The component named most often is turn signal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights 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.