KnownCarProblems2008 Dodge Caravan Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 302 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Dodge Caravan, most often about the electrical (54% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Caravan model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2008 Dodge Caravan problems
Electrical
162 complaints · 54%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle did not accelerate further. The failure recurred sporadicly during hot weather. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that…
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that the key would not release from the ignition and the vehicle failed to start. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14v373000 (electrical system); however, the parts needed were not available. The contact mentioned that the…
Brakes
58 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 29,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caravan. The contact was driving at various speeds and when the brakes were engaged a loud noise was heard from outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the rear brake pads were replaced and rear rotor resurfaced. The failure mileage was 29,180.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caravan. Whenever the contact drove the vehicle at any speed he noticed a squealing sound in the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that all of the braking components needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 29000.
Air bags
42 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 84,000 miles. Parts named most often: side/window.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the speed reduced to 30 MPH without warning. The vehicle was restarted but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v373000 (air bags…
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caravan. While parked, the front driver and passenger side air bags deployed without warning. The contact also stated that the windshield cracked due to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
Engine
29 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles.
While driving down on ramp at chamberlayne ave in richmond, va to major highway i64 cutoff completely, no power, no brakes no nothing! Second time, travel @ approx. 65 MPH on i64 near bottoms bridge exit on i64, car cut off, no power, no brakes, no nothing! Third time - entering i64 towards va beach, va in traffic…
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caravan. The contact was driving approximately 35 MPH when the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after he failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing however, the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The failure…
Wheels and tires
18 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 36,500 miles. Parts named most often: pressure monitoring and regulating systems, valve.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caravan. While driving approximately 30-40 MPH a half moon indicator illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the air sensor for the left rear tire needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the sensor with a rubber valve stem. The contact…
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caravan with a goodyear spare tire, size: p145/90/d16. The contact stated that the original tire deflated and the spare tire was installed on the vehicle. Later, the contact smelled a burning rubber odor. The vehicle and tire were taken to a local mechanic who advised the spare tire was…
Visibility and wipers
17 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 81,500 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system.
Wipers, lights, horn,door locks all seemed to go off went no warning wipers start spraying fluid by itself. Could not get to stop windows would not work, had to pull horn fuses to make horn stop blowing disconnect battery to make sure it would start to have it taken to be looked at very disappointed in vehicle only…
I have had 2 rear windows shot out by a stone that was slung by a string type weed. Eater. Both times the windows completely shattered. The only glass left were the pieces glued to the hinges. The car was parked both times. If anyone had been in the back seat, it is likely that they would have glass in their eyes. I…
Lights
15 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 96,000 miles.
2008 Dodge grand Caravan. Headlights fail while driving. They will come and go. Brights may fail or low beams may fail or both together. There are many complaints about this on the internet. Dodge dealer and other mechanic have not been able to duplicate or find the cause. I have seen at least 30-50 similar complaints…
Wipers, lights, horn,door locks all seemed to go off went no warning wipers start spraying fluid by itself. Could not get to stop windows would not work, had to pull horn fuses to make horn stop blowing disconnect battery to make sure it would start to have it taken to be looked at very disappointed in vehicle only…
Other or unspecified
12 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles.
I was sent a recall notice and I called the chrysler co and the person I talked to said as soon as the part came in they would e-mail me. I have not recieved one and this was back in june and I did not get one yet.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that a loud humming noise would emit from the rear of the vehicle when driving at various speeds. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired, but the contact felt that the failure was related to the wheel bearings. The manufacturer was…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Dodge Caravan recalls
Suspension: rear
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: filler pipe and cap
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Totally integrated power module failure
Summary
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
Questions about the 2008 Dodge Caravan
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge Caravan?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (162 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); brakes (58 complaints, typically around 29,000 miles); air bags (42 complaints, typically around 84,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Caravan have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 23, 2010 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Dodge Caravan?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Caravan model year since 2000, with 302 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.