2008 Chrysler Town and Country: rotors or pads wearing out early

Filed Apr 10, 2014 · Brakes, Engine · 45,000 miles · MI

I noticed at approximately 48,000 miles that my 2008 town & country was burning oil during use with no visible oil leaks after taking the vehicle in for an oil change. The mechanic stated that the vehicle was 3 quarts of oil low when checked before draining the oil. I have been checking the oil once per month since. The vehicle now has about 73,000 miles on it and is burning approximately 1 quart of oil each 1500 miles driven. I have never owned a vehicle with this problem and have read other complaints on this site of this same issue. I am lucky that I caught the issue before serious engine damage and repairs were required like some of the other respondents. This issue should be considered for recall or extended coverage in the event that serious issues occur. Other issues I have experienced during my ownership of this vehicle I purchased new are the premature failure of the front hubs and premature wear of the brake components. The front hubs have failed on each side 3 times already in the 73,000 miles and now the drivers side hub is making a loud noise again signaling that it will need to be replaced soon. I have never had this issue with any vehicle that I have owned. To have it happen for the 4th time prior to 100,000 miles would seem to be a defect. The brake components seem to wear out every 15,000 miles and the rotors require replacement each time the pads wear out. This seems to be a quality issue with the parts both new and replacement.

Filed Feb 13, 2014 · Brakes · 30,000 miles · CT

Incident #1: rear wheel noisy, sounded like a bad wheel bearing on the passenger side. Took it to a chrysler 5 star dealer, they said the brake was stuck, needed 2 new rear calipers, pads, rotors, $750. Van had about 30k miles. Incident #2: rear wheel noisy, sounded like a bad wheel bearing. Checked the brakes myself, drivers side brake is stuck. Rotor is worn down, pads worn down to nothing. Fitted new pads, rotors. Van had about 50k miles. Incident #3: rear wheel noisy, sounded like a bad wheel bearing. Drivers side rear brake stuck on, wheel was nuclear hot. Probably needs new pads and rotors again! Van has about 70k miles. The dealer stiffed me for expensive new calipers that weren't necessary. This is a pad/frame design problem. The pads stick in the frame and don't retract from the rotor. This is a common problem, although of course the dealer will deny it and upsell you new calipers. New vans have redesigned brakes. This van needs expensive new rear brakes every 20-30k miles due to a dangerous design error. The rear brakes can quickly wear out or get stuck on.

Filed Sep 24, 2012 · Brakes · 27,816 miles · MN

* in may at 70mph on I-90, we began to hear a whining, grinding, vibrating noise coming from the left rear of our van. We pulled over to the shoulder asap when we determined something was wrong, and then smelled and saw acrid blue smoke pouring out from the left wheel. I thought it was a wheel bearing, and called for a tow. The dealer said it was just some rust in the brakes, and they cleaned it up. In august, the exact same thing happened at 70mph on I-35. We pulled over to the shoulder and smoke poured out again. We let it cool, activated & deactivated the parking brake and drove in reverse and hit the brakes several times until they freed up. Probably not the safest thing to do, but not much choice knowing the brakes stick at freeway speeds. * recently searched the internet & found that the 2008 t&c has a very bad history with brake issues. People are irate and demanding a recall on them. Just go out and read all of the complaints concerning this particular van - http://www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2008/chrysler/town+and+country/hydraulic+brake * after you read through a few dozen complaints, my question to you is: why haven't you forced a recall from chrysler on these dangerous brakes? There's obviously a design flaw if so many people are having problems with very premature wearout, and worse yet, brake binding and lockup, especially on the left rear wheel. *** please *** - force a recall on these brakes asap before someone is killed sitting on the shoulder of an interstate with smoking brakes, if they are not killed first by the panic to get off the road when smoke starts pouring into their vehicle. This is utterly ridiculous to let this keep going on.

Filed Aug 27, 2012 · Brakes · 58,515 miles · KS

Bought this car from car max 4 months ago and 4 weeks ago had the front pads, rotors, and calipers replaced. The car was shaking violently when breaking. As it turned out, the inner right front brake pad warped due to excessive heat. It warped in its slot in the caliper...bending backward toward the caliper piston. After it cooled it was not applying force evenly to the rotor and that is what caused the shaking. Ok so I have it all replaced and runs ok except for on several occasions when exiting the vehicle we noticed what I would call excessive heat by the tires. Today my wife drives home from work and a few errands and upon exiting the vehicle she notices flames coming from the left front tire area. I douse them with a hose and then do a google search to see if other 2008 chrysler town and country owners have had any problems like this. I am blown away by the inordinate large number of complaints being filed regularly since 2008. Almost all of them are complaining about the braking system on this vehicle. It is undersized for the size and weight of this vehicle. Many owners had to replace everything I had too and some several times a year. Chrysler seems unwilling to do anything and this is serious my whole house could have burned down.

Filed Apr 16, 2012 · Body, Brakes · 15,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chrysler town & country. The contact stated that the brakes were prematurely wearing. The contact also mentioned that both of the power sliding doors would haphazardly open while the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 15,000 and the current mileage was 43,000.

Filed Apr 11, 2012 · Brakes, Suspension · 12,000 miles · NE

I originally wrote a letter to chrysler corporation in august of 2010 and instructed them to forward the letter to you. I do not believe that ever happened so I decided I should file a complaint. Myself. Back in 2010 chrysler notified owners that there is a problem with the braking system in 2008 town and country's that leads to premature wear. In the notice it said that chrysler would pay for the first replacement of brake pads and rotors based on low mileage repolacements being required. I feel this is an unsafe situation that with no warning whatsoever the pads can just wear out and the rotors warp. I have had to replace the front brake pads 3 times with new rotors twice. Replaced at 12,000, 21,000, 34,000. The vehicle has been through a total of 4 new sets of pads and 3 sets of rotors. I also know that there is a defect with the front end geometry on the van and that could be a contributing factor. At a service appointment shortly after the initial purchase I was informed that the van needed all new struts, shocks, bushings, and front sway bar. The service manager indicated that there was a bulletin, and that the height of the mounting points were off, and thus all new parts were needed to fix the front end geometry, so the front sway bar would not break or wear out prematurely. I feel that the entire brake system is too light for the overall weight of the vehicle and the heat generated by the rotors is very dangerous. I feel the brakes should be recalled by chrysler, and fixed.

Filed Mar 8, 2012 · Brakes, Wheels · 34,566 miles · MI

Howling noises from rear wheels when moving. Touching brake pedal stops noise. Right and left calipers, rotors, and pads replaced with new. At 50,469 miles on 2/27/12, grinding noise recurred. Front wheel bearings replaced under extended warranty. At 50,484 miles on 2/28/12, noise from rear wheel recurred; left rear rotor warped, pads stuck. Replaced left rotor, freed up pads. Noise not cured. At 50560 on 3/7/12, noise verified by chrysler mechanic, replaced right rear rotor and rear brake pads. Total cost to owner to date for these repairs: $413.73 and many visits to dealer. Far too much wear and tear for vehicle used only for personal transportation. Took delivery october 1, 2008. Averaged 1,231 per month since purchase. All repairs completed at chrysler dealer.

Filed Oct 1, 2011 · Brakes · 10,000 miles · OH

We started hearing squeaking noises in our wheels approximately 9 months after we purchased the new vehicle and both front and rear brakes and rotors needed to be replaced at only 10,000 miles. This was due to severe overheating causing the brakes to prematurely wear. One year later we started hearing the same squeaking noise again and took it back to the dealership and the rear brakes locked again causing severe overheating and premature wearing. It was only 6,000 miles since the last brakes were replaced. Our van only has 18,000 miles on it total and the brakes and rotors have been replaced twice. Chrysler corp knows of this defect and is unwilling to do anything to rectify the situation. Unless the entire brake system is replaced the pads and rotors will continue to wear prematurely. This is a major safety hazard for anyone owning a 2008 chrysler town and country and anyone driving on the road with a 2008 chrysler town and country. If a recall is not initiated someone will die.

Filed Apr 2, 2010 · 23,198 miles · OH

Owner of a 2008 chrysler town & country touring mini van. Presently vehicle has just under 25,000 miles and brakes are completely shot and squealing. Not sure that I should continue to drive in this condition. Expected repair costs are around $300-400. Service center is telling me that many chrysler t&c vans are experiencing same problem. Rotors are undersized for vehicle and experience premature wear and failure.

Filed Feb 16, 2010 · Brakes · 20,000 miles · AZ

Premature wearout of front brake pads on 2008 town & country; pads are wearing out between 12,000 miles and 20,000 miles.

Filed Jan 27, 2010 · Brakes · 30,000 miles · WA

Chrysler town and country 2008 is on its second replacement of brakes at 30,000 miles. The brakes have prematurely worn out with no apparent reason. Van is inspected routinely every oil change at around 3000 miles and brakes are checked. However, this failure appears to be more than routine wear and tear and occurs suddenly.

Filed Jan 19, 2010 · Brakes · 29,200 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 chrysler town & country. The contact noticed premature wear on the brake pads and rotors. She cited a squeaking noise when she applied the brakes. A dealer confirmed that new brakes and one rotor were needed. The vehicle had not been repaired to-date. She called the manufacturer and was currently awaiting a response. The current mileage was approximately 29,400. The failure mileage was approximately 29,200.