Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 10 | 4% | 35,000 miles |
| 2018 | 11 | 4% | 43,000 miles |
| 2017 | 7 | 2% | 57,000 miles |
| 2016 | 13 | 1% | 70,000 miles |
| 2015 | 7 | 2% | 48,000 miles |
| 2014 | 11 | 3% | 17,000 miles |
| 2013 | 20 | 4% | 59,000 miles |
| 2012 | 38 | 7% | 37,000 miles |
| 2011 | 27 | 5% | 94,000 miles |
| 2010 | 88 | 10% | 43,000 miles |
| 2009 | 64 | 12% | 36,000 miles |
| 2008 | 212 | 16% | 27,000 miles |
| 2007 | 10 | 5% | 69,000 miles |
| 2006 | 14 | 5% | 35,000 miles |
| 2005 | 40 | 4% | 54,000 miles |
| 2004 | 15 | 13% | 55,000 miles |
| 2003 | 17 | 8% | 34,000 miles |
| 2002 | 36 | 12% | 25,000 miles |
| 2001 | 19 | 6% | 55,000 miles |
| 2000 | 45 | 10% | 45,000 miles |
| 1999 | 54 | 13% | 98,000 miles |
| 1998 | 44 | 8% | 114,000 miles |
| 1997 | 71 | 12% | 125,000 miles |
| 1996 | 106 | 9% | 120,000 miles |
| 1995 | 5 | 5% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle slid to the left. The contact described the move to the left, as if she was turning the steering wheel, but she was not. Additionally, while driving from a standing stop, the rear tires was spinning as if she had applied the brakes before the vehicle jolted forward. The contact stated that the engine was making abnormal sounds and the vehicle was vibrating. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to several independent mechanics who could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the driver's side rear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the rear brake caliper had blown out. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V523000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall coverage for the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH and attempting to slow for a traffic signal, the vehicle was not slowing down as intended. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake lines needed to be flushed and the brake pads needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V523000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact called and made the dealer to aware of the failure but was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
I had recently decided to rotate my wheels and and I had gotten done I noticed that after a little while after I get down the road my speedometer, cruise control, abs, traction control stopped working and my parking brake light also came on now I do know the only thing that I done differently was kept my hub cap pieces off of the vehicle
Travelling at the speed of 55 miles per hour the vehicle seemed to completely shut off on its own, thus causing immediate loss of power steering and power brakes. I was able to very carefully bring the vehicle to a complete stop after a half a mile or so. Fortunately, I was travelling on a long straight county road without any surrounding traffic. Once I turned the ignition totally off and back on again at the side of the road, everything seems to operate as normal. No check engine light, no other warnings came on thereafter. After doing some research online I found customer complaints experiencing the very same issues with certain Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles, however Dodge doesn't seem to have any sort of recall for this extremely hazardous issue. It seems like it may be a faulty ignition switch problem!
I tried to stop the van and had no brakes. I went right through the intersection, luckily it was early in the morning with light traffic. It could have been deadly. The front flex brake line fitting rusted away and the brake line separated. There was no warning prior to the incident. I had it fixed and still have the part.
While pulling into a parking lot, the engine suddenly died with no indicator lights or warning of any kind. Steering locked up and brakes were not functional. Coasted to a stop in a stall and put the vehicle in park. Restarted it without incident but I'm afraid it will happen in much more dangerous conditions
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact detected an odor of hot brakes. The contact pulled the vehicle over and noticed that the odor was very strong around the rear driver's side brake assembly along with white smoke. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that both rear rotors were very hot and the springs that release the emergency brakes were rusted out, which prevented the emergency brake from being released. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 11,000.
Related recalls (3)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan and Jeep Compass, 2018 Dodge Journey, and 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
The master cylinder rear seal, between the hydraulic fluid and the vacuum reservoir, May not seal adequately allowing hydraulic fluid to be drawn into the power assist vacuum reservoir.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder on all affected vehicles. Addendum (4-14-97): vehicles inspected per Chrysler recall no.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Grand Caravan years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (212), 1996 (106), 2010 (88), 1997 (71) and 2009 (64) model years. Brake complaints make up 16% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Dodge Grand Caravan brake problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 18V-523 (caliper, Aug 9, 2018); 09V-351 (service brakes, hydraulic, Sep 11, 2009); 96V-215 (master cylinder, Oct 29, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Grand Caravan brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 46,000 miles; 56% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (110 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › rotor (84).
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.