Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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.
Car transmission is reacting very poorly will jump up and down and stall in the middle of the road manufacturer's safety problem and not sure all the problems but I know it's the transmission defect and the safety problem they never fixed it when they manufactured very unsafe transmission needs to be recalled
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. …
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. …
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost power. In addition, while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. All the warning lights and interior lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V373000 (air bags, electrical system); however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another dealer where it was diagnosed that the door module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. 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 notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving various speeds, the horn started to honk without warning. In addition, the windshield wipers and washer fluid activated independently, the air conditioning unit turned off independently, and the transmission failed to shift as intended. The contact was able to turn off and restart the vehicle. The vehicle operated as intended for approximately ten minutes before the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, but the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code or duplicate the failures. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 159,654.
I was coming home from visiting relatives out of state, and got caught up in some traffic. I tried to accelerate once the traffic cleared up but the transmission just whined. After pulling over, shutting the car off for about 10 minutes, the car began to drive as normal for the next hour or so. Once I was about 5 miles from home, it seemed to start doing it again, but stuttering this time. Over the course of the next 4 miles or so, I had to repeatedly stop, turn the car off, wait 5 minutes or so, then go again. Took me an hour to go 5 miles pretty much. I was unable to check the transmission fluid as it is a "dealer only" item (ridiculous!).
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate and shift out of second gear. In addition, the battery failed, the windshield wipers activated, the interior lighting flashed, and the horn sounded when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (courtesy Chrysler Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, 607 enterprise pkwy, breaux bridge, la 70517, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 87,159. The VIN was not available. *
Transmission complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 68 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, 5% of the model year's 1,293 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.