7.5
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $320
- Average Mileage:
- 58,250 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 16 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace calipers and brakes (6 reports)
- not sure (4 reports)
- replace brakes (3 reports)
- rear calipers re-built / modified (2 reports)
- (1 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Dodge dealer.
I've replaced the brakes 4 times on this vehicle in 8 years. Almost as soon as they are replaced, they start squealing and making noise, and the steering wheel shakes if you press hard. The brakes WORK well, they just sound AWFUL most of the time and need to be replaced way too often. I bought this used in '09 with 35k miles on it and it's only got about 105k miles on it now (Aug 2017).
- Steve L., Cleveland, US
I have a Grand Caravan 2008 and I have been replacing brakes, rotors, calipers almost every year. The first time it happened, warranty covers it, and then thereafter, I have to pay for it. I have told the dealership its ridiculous to c replace brakes every year, and expensive too, and all they say is it depends on how I drive and use the brakes. I have another vehicle, but I don't have to replace the brakes for 5 years. This is almost like buying a printer for a cheap price, and paying for its ridiculously expensive inkjet cartridge that doesn't last long!
- valdemer, Etobicoke, ON, Canada
The Town and Country and the Grand Caravan are definitely the most attractive if your in the market for a minivan! Why else do you think so many families have them? Although, the brake design on these things are a joke! They squeal, they rattle, and YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THEM EVERY FEW MONTHS!
June of 2014(while of course on the expressway) our family van started swerving out of control, we were blessed we didn't hit anyone or anything that would wreck the van! When we finally got it to stop (the brake pedal went down all the way) we came to find that our rear (driver's side) brake pad flew off! Obviously, we got new brakes after this. Before this happened, we didn't even know it needed brakes!
This is a problem that really needs to be addressed!
- Sam Z., South Lyon, MI, US
I installed new front & rear pads-also had all 4 rotors turned--after assembling the brakes & driving the van 5 miles I noticed smoking from the right rear brake--I let it cool down- then tried again- later the left rear brake overheated & smoked--I let the vehicle set overnight(due to the overheated brakes) then drove it the next day & it worked fine. I am sure the brake pads were sticking or the caliper pistons were sticking- but didn't determine for sure which it was..I am very disappointed w/ the brake system on the unit. I have worked on many fords & gm products but never found problems on them like the ones I encountered on the dodge caravan.
- Arnie J., Tucson, AZ, US
This is a total piece of crap vehicle. I payed $17000 for it and it has had 2 recalls on the air conditioning and electrical system. The brakes were replace at 40000 miles and now at 53000 they are squealing. Dodge really messed up this time, I will never buy another Dodge again. Dodge needs to realize that people with Caravans usually have children and do not have the money to have new brakes every 10000 miles. thanks for nothing Dodge.
- Thomas L., Lewiston, ME, US
brakes brakes brakes my van spends more time in the shop being fixed by brakes have all been replaced and rotors bearings just a month ago. Now today, back at the shop again for rear brakes squealing. This van is a piece of crap, never again will I buy a dodge product and will tell anyone and everyone who will listen not to buy from dodge unless they like visiting the shop monthly for problems.
- Sandi H., Fort Frances, Ontario, canada
This is the fourth brake job in 22,900 miles. Complete rear brake failure. Metal to metal...shot! No warning squeal, just a sudden droning noise. They said that I must have been driving like this for a long time. (It was five miles home droning, then an eight mile trip to the dealership.)
This time they said that it wasn't under warranty and was "normal wear and tear". These brakes were completely replaced by the dealership at 10,000 miles. So it's normal for brakes to wear out every 10 to 13 thousand miles.
There were probably 15 people in the service department dropping off their cars when we (hubby and I ) started yelling about there was NO WAY that this was normal !!!!
I was looking for blood by this time. They said they would contact their district manager to see if Chrysler would "help" with the cost. That was Wednesday. They called today(Friday) and said We would have to pay $100.00 but the car wouldn't be ready 'till Monday afternoon. GRRRRRRRR!!!! What choice do I have? Something tells me that I'd better learn how to replace brakes before another 10,000 miles goes by.
- Kathryn R., Hiram, OH, US
This happened only 6000 miles after they had serviced the brakes the first time. There was no warning.The brakes went from quiet to frozen and smoking in about 15 miles. They repaired it under warranty but it took a week to get the parts so I was without a car. Little did I know that this was only the beginning of my brake troubles.
- Kathryn R., Hiram, OH, US
This was annoying--the brakes went out way too fast--not a lot of money in our family and to have to pay for this was a bummer!!!
- smacula, Lehi, UT, US
Same complaint as everyone else about the brakes. 43K miles and headed back for the third repair as now the BACK ones are squealing. Front rotors replaced at about 25K, new pads all around at approx. 35K, and off to the dealer I go today with a stack of printouts from this site to bolster my complaint. I rec'd a rebate from Dodge last year that covered a portion of the first repair; but I've still been to the shop twice (counting today) so it's a pain and a waste of time. I've never been to the garage this much (for the same item, or any item, really) for my Toyota, which has only needed 3 brake jobs for 130K!
- Frederick D., West Palm Beach, FL, US
just had two trips to fix brakes (second replacement set in 54K miles, third counting factory set). Now, lots of squeal at low speed before stopping. I was told that I just had to live with it because it is part of the ceramic brake design Dodge engineered (I think that term should not be used with any Chrysler product at this point).
- firstandlastdodge, Williamsburg, VA, US
left rear brakes smoking when driving down road when not even pressing on brakes; said caliper failed, took several days to get parts in, hope it didn't mess up the rotor
- coop999, Sistersville, WV, US
What is the problem with the brakes on these cars, have had to do the front and rear brakes already, before the 25000 mile mark. this is rediculous. you buy car and it is a piece. the reaer brakes we so hot during a drive i thought the tire was going to explode. then before you know it it the calipers are sticking, rotors are bad, and brake pads look as if they weere not even installed.
this is not a 4x4 it is not a off road vehicle. it is a mini van. moms drive them, this stuff shoiuld last more than a year. i have had 3 brand new dodges. a 2005 ram, just would not start one sunny day, traded in got a 2007. 20000 miles. needed and alternator, idler, and other things because of premature failure. now this problem the mini van, i hope Chrysler goes under they build sh*t anyway
- Robert B., Highland, MI, US
In July 2009 heard grinding noise on rear wheel of 2008 Dodge Gran Caravan with 19,000 miles took it into dealer and complained. The rear brake pad on one side was worn down to the metal. Since it was past the 1 year 12,000 mile warranty on the brake pads I was about to pay for the bill out of my own pocket. Getting to the cashier THey said it was going to be under warranty an they were going to send the brake pads to Dodge. Very pleased on not having to pay out of my own pocket. Premature brake pad failure on just one side of rear brakes. Same van Jan. 2010 rear wheel smells like its burning, wheel is to hot to touch, take it in an they have to replace the caliper on that side. Under warranty with 26,000 miles on it now. Not going to keep the van with these frequent brake problems.
- Leo K., Milwaukee, WI, US
Initial problem occurred a few hours from home and properly diagnosed by Chrysler dealer. However calipers back ordered. Dealer loosened the calipers for my return home and I then had problem looked at by my local dealer. They told me that the problem was not caliper but lack of lubrication on the pad slides and this was negligence on my part!!! After significant argument and review of recommended maintenance per book (which says to verify brakes annually i.e. pads ok but does not say to lube brakes) The replacement of pads and discs was covered by warranty
HOWEVER two months later same problem occurs; this time 500 kms from home on vacation!! This 3rd dealer inspected and advised that calipers would be rebuilt (new calipers back order) under warranty, as well as new pads and rotors. It seems that this is a recurring problem with some 2008 Caravans but not all.
- Peter W., Laval, QC, Canada
I fix my van engine in September last year, expensive at 2300, then I put brakes in January 2019, cost was 560 in brakes, rotors, calipers and flush brake fluid in August. And now I need more money - it's a bad brake computer or master cylinder said my mechanic. Why is there no RECALL about? The other problems - misfire engine is bad last year because has it had bad water pump. Not safe.
- Maribel R., Provo, US