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2008 Dodge Caravan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Dodge Caravan do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 182.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

222 reports with mileage · 80 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 162 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports6 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

302 reports
14,976 miles · Feb 27, 2010
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKES REBUILT. BRAKE PROBLEM INDICATOR LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR CHECK AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS JUST A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER. BRAKES GAVE OUT ONE MONTH AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT (CERTIFIED) SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE BRAKE SYSTEM…

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BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKES REBUILT. BRAKE PROBLEM INDICATOR LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR CHECK AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS JUST A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER. BRAKES GAVE OUT ONE MONTH AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT (CERTIFIED) SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT AND THAT THE BRAKE WARNING SYSTEM APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN COMPROMISED, RENDERING IT USELESS. ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH THE TIRE INFLATION INDICATOR (DEALERSHIP FIXED THIS PROBLEM AND STATED IT WAS A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION) AND SHORTS IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE HORN TURN SIGNALS, LIGHTS, AND ALARM SYSTEM. DEALERSHIP DID A REPAIR ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314864

20,000 miles · Feb 26, 2010
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

WHEN COMING DOWN AN INCLINE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET, THE MOTOR BEGINS TO REV ACCESSIVELY WITHIN RPM REDLINE AND THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE STARTS TO DROP. THIS PROBLEM CAN ONLY BE CORRECTED BY PULLING OFF THE ROAD AND TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, AND THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO TH…

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WHEN COMING DOWN AN INCLINE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET, THE MOTOR BEGINS TO REV ACCESSIVELY WITHIN RPM REDLINE AND THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE STARTS TO DROP. THIS PROBLEM CAN ONLY BE CORRECTED BY PULLING OFF THE ROAD AND TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, AND THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. PEOPLE WHO WORK AT THE DEALERSHIP HAVE COMMENTED THAT THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR 2008 DODGE CARAVAN AS WELL, BUT DODGE HAS SAID IT IS ACCEPTABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314627

16,000 miles · Feb 2, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKING. KEPT GETTING WORSE. TAKEN TO DEALER AT 16,000 MILES. TOLD FRONT BRAKES WERE WORN OUT. REPLACED FRONT BRAKES. CHARGED OVER $300 - NOT UNDER WARRANTY. TOLD BACK BRAKES WOULD PROBABLY GO ALSO. THIS IS ON A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN. MANY OTHERS HAVE WRITTEN TO COMPLAIN WITH SAME PROBLEM. LOCAL DEALER …

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GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKING. KEPT GETTING WORSE. TAKEN TO DEALER AT 16,000 MILES. TOLD FRONT BRAKES WERE WORN OUT. REPLACED FRONT BRAKES. CHARGED OVER $300 - NOT UNDER WARRANTY. TOLD BACK BRAKES WOULD PROBABLY GO ALSO. THIS IS ON A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN. MANY OTHERS HAVE WRITTEN TO COMPLAIN WITH SAME PROBLEM. LOCAL DEALER SAID THEY HAD 4 FRONT AND BACK REPLACEMENTS RECENTLY. ALL ONLY HAD 16-18,000 MILES. THIS IS IN A SMALL TOWN. WITH THAT MANY COMPLAINTS, CHRYSLER WILL RAPIDLY LOSE CUSTOMERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10303781

28,300 miles · Jan 31, 2010
Tires

I HAVE A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN AND JUST TOUCHED THE TIRE VALVE STEM. THE TOP OF THE CAP CAME OFF AND THE TIRE DEFLATED IN LESS THAN 8 SECONDS. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT'S NOT COVERED. I ASKED THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SENSOR STEMS ON THE CHRYSLER/DODGE COMMONLY BREAK OFF AND THEY HAVE H…

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I HAVE A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN AND JUST TOUCHED THE TIRE VALVE STEM. THE TOP OF THE CAP CAME OFF AND THE TIRE DEFLATED IN LESS THAN 8 SECONDS. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT'S NOT COVERED. I ASKED THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SENSOR STEMS ON THE CHRYSLER/DODGE COMMONLY BREAK OFF AND THEY HAVE HAD MANY. IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM. ON THE DODGE/CHRYSLER FORUMS THIS HAPPENS MANY TIME. IT ENDED UP COSTING ME 82 AND I HAD TO TAKE THE TIRE OFF. JUST BY BRUSHING THE STEM IT CRACKED OFF IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. WITH SNOW, OR SOMETHING ELSE BRUSHING ACROSS THE STEM THIS COULD LEAD TO AN INSTANT TIRE DEFLATION AND LOS OF CONTROL A LETHAL DESIGN!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10303428

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2010
Service Brakes, Air

2008 DODGE CARAVAN BRAKE PADS NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 15,000 MILES. I THOUGHT ON AVERAGE, THE BRAKE PADS ARE CHANGED EVERY 50,000 MILES. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE IF THESE BRAKE PADS NEED TO BE CHANGED EVERY 15,000 MILES, I WILL NEED TO CHANGE MY BRAKE PADS EVERY YEAR AND I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS. I AM HOPING THAT …

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2008 DODGE CARAVAN BRAKE PADS NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 15,000 MILES. I THOUGHT ON AVERAGE, THE BRAKE PADS ARE CHANGED EVERY 50,000 MILES. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE IF THESE BRAKE PADS NEED TO BE CHANGED EVERY 15,000 MILES, I WILL NEED TO CHANGE MY BRAKE PADS EVERY YEAR AND I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS. I AM HOPING THAT YOU CAN RESOLVE THIS ISSUE BY SEEING IF DODGE CHRYSLER WILL COVER THE BRAKE PADS AS PART OF THEIR WARRANTY. *CN

NHTSA ODI #10302621

11,998 miles · Jan 20, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THERE WAS A STRONG BURNING ODOR AND AN EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD UP COMING FROM THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHICH REQUIR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THERE WAS A STRONG BURNING ODOR AND AN EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD UP COMING FROM THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES; FRONT AND REAR ROTORS. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED WITH THE COSTLY REPAIR AS A RESULT OF THE EARLY BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,998.

NHTSA ODI #10300449

21,000 miles · Jan 18, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKES ON THE 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ARE THE WORST. STAY AWAY FROM THE DEALER WHEN YOU NEED TO REPLACE THEM THEY WILL RIP YOU OFF. I BROUGHT MY VAN THERE AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME OVER $900 FOR FRONT BRAKES, ROTORS AND A BRAKE FLUID FLUSH WHICH IS !@#$%. THE BRAKES WEAR OUT MUCH TOO QUICK ON THIS CAR AND A RECALL SHO…

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THE BRAKES ON THE 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ARE THE WORST. STAY AWAY FROM THE DEALER WHEN YOU NEED TO REPLACE THEM THEY WILL RIP YOU OFF. I BROUGHT MY VAN THERE AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME OVER $900 FOR FRONT BRAKES, ROTORS AND A BRAKE FLUID FLUSH WHICH IS !@#$%. THE BRAKES WEAR OUT MUCH TOO QUICK ON THIS CAR AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10300188

23,000 miles · Jan 18, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MY 2008 DODGE CARAVAN NEEDS FRONT AND REAR PADS AND MY DEALER SAID THE ROTORS COULD BE CUT. I TOLD HIM TO TAKE IT OFF THE LIFT. I CAN'T AFFORD THAT RIGHT NOW - JUST PAID 2 COLLEGE TUITION PAYMENTS. WE BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW AND THIS HAPPENED AT 24,000. I DO NOT DRIVE FAST. MY HUBBY'S TOYOTA HAS ALMOST 30,000 MI. AND DOES NOT …

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MY 2008 DODGE CARAVAN NEEDS FRONT AND REAR PADS AND MY DEALER SAID THE ROTORS COULD BE CUT. I TOLD HIM TO TAKE IT OFF THE LIFT. I CAN'T AFFORD THAT RIGHT NOW - JUST PAID 2 COLLEGE TUITION PAYMENTS. WE BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW AND THIS HAPPENED AT 24,000. I DO NOT DRIVE FAST. MY HUBBY'S TOYOTA HAS ALMOST 30,000 MI. AND DOES NOT NEED BRAKES AND HE'S A LITTLE TOUGHER ON A CAR! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10300163

16,557 miles · Dec 26, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MY BRAKES NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 16,500 MILES ON MY 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SXT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10297003

56,440 miles · Dec 22, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE MAKING A SQUEAKING NOISE. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SINCE THE CALIPERS WERE STICKING TO THE ROTORS WHICH CAUSED THEM TO BECOME WARPED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE MAKING A SQUEAKING NOISE. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SINCE THE CALIPERS WERE STICKING TO THE ROTORS WHICH CAUSED THEM TO BECOME WARPED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 59440.

NHTSA ODI #10296687

Official recalls

2

10V164000 · Suspension:rear

Apr 23, 2010

THE BRAUN CORPORATION IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE CARAVAN MOBILITY CONVERSIONS WHICH WERE ALTERED BY BRAUN BETWEEN JANUARY 21, 2009 AND MARCH 19, 2010. DURING CONVERSION, THE CHASSIS WAS RAISED AND THE FLOOR WAS LOWERED TO ACCOMMODATE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES. IN RAISING THE CHASSIS, THE REAR SPRING HATS COME INTO CLOSER PROXIMITY TO THE REAR TIRES. IN ROUGH OR AGGRESSIVE DRIVING SITUATIONS THE TIRES MAY INTERMITTENTLY CONTACT THE REAR SPRING HATS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONTACT BETWEEN THE TIRE SPRING HAT MAY WEAR A HOLE IN THE TIRE OVER TIME. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL IN THE EVENT OF TIRE PRESSURE LOSS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: BRAUN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BRAUN TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-488-0359.

10V148000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Apr 13, 2010

THE BRAUN CORPORATION IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE CARAVAN COMMERCIAL ENTERVANS WHICH WERE ALTERED BY BRAUN BETWEEN JANUARY 21, 2009 AND MARCH 19, 2010. DURING CONVERSION, THE CHASSIS WAS RAISED AND THE FLOOR WAS LOWERED TO ACCOMMODATE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES. IN RAISING THE CHASSIS, THE FUEL FILL PIPE COMES INTO CLOSER PROXIMITY TO THE LEFT REAR TIRE. IN ROUGH OR AGGRESSIVE DRIVING SITUATIONS, THE TIRE MAY INTERMITTENTLY CONTACT THE FUEL FILL PIPE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONTACT BETWEEN THE TIRE AND FUEL FILL PIPE MAY WEAR A HOLE IN ONE OR THE OTHER COMPONENTS OVER TIME. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL IN THE EVENT OF TIRE PRESSURE LOSS, OR A VEHICLE FIRE IN THE EVENT THE FUEL PIPE IS COMPROMISED.

Remedy: BRAUN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BRAUN TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-488-0359.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP14004 · Totally Integrated Power Module Failure

Opened Sep 25, 2014 · Closed Jul 24, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year. The petitioner alleges that TIPM defects may result in engine stall, airbag non-deployment, failure of fuel pump shutoff resulting in unintended acceleration, fire, and other symptoms. On September 25, 2014, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened DP14-004 to evaluate the petition for a grant or deny decision. ODI analyzed complaint data provided by CAS as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 296 complaints submitted by the petitioner in the original petition and five supplements, including 271 complaints related to the subject vehicles equipped with TIPM-7. Approximately 3 percent of CAS complaints are related to vehicles equipped with TIPM-6 and ODI?s review of these complaints did not identify any safety defect trends. ODI conducted a detailed review of complaints narratives submitted by CAS and consumers including careful analysis of vehicle repair histories, warranty claims obtained from the manufacturer and any available Customer Assistance Inquiry reports (CAIR). Analysis of the field data indicated that MY2011-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles exhibited significantly higher complaint rates related to fuel pump relay (FPR) failures than other subject vehicles. In a September 3, 2014 letter to NHTSA, Chrysler submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the FPR within the TIPM-7 which can result in a no start or stall condition in approximately 188,723 model year (MY) 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK) and Dodge Durango (WD) vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010 through July 20, 2011 (14V-530).In a February 24, 2015 letter, Chrysler submitted a second DIR expanding the scope of the FPR defect condition to include an additional 338,216 MY 2012 through 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured from September 17, 2010 through August 19, 2013 and MY 2012 through 2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 18, 2011 through August 19, 2013 (15V-115).ODI analysis of the CAS allegations of TIPM defects resulting in stall while driving, airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration, fire and other faults identified a single defect condition related to 1 of over 60 different circuits in the TIPM assembly. The most common effect of this defect condition, related to the fuel pump relay, was a no-start concern, but it could also result in stall while driving (76 complaints). No valid evidence was presented in support of claims related to airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration or fire resulting from TIPM faults and these claims were found to be wholly without merit based on review of the field data and design of the relevant systems and components.Except insofar as the petitioner's contentions relate to the defect condition addressed by the Chrysler recalls, the factual bases of the petitioner's contentions that any further investigation is necessary are unsupported. In our view, additional investigation is unlikely to result in a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists or a NHTSA order for the notification and remedy of a safety-related defect as alleged by the petitioner at the conclusion of the requested investigation. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is den