Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge caravan. The contact confirmed that the driver was traveling 5-10 MPH when the brakes were depressed and failed to stop he vehicle. The contact crashed into the front of another vehicle. There were no injuries and the police were not contacted. The vehicle was taken the dealer. The dealer confirmed that the rear brake and master cylinders needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current was 100,671.
2003 Dodge Caravan brakes problems
35 complaints (18% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 36,000. 4 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 35
- of this car's complaints
- 18%
- typical mileage
- 36,000
- crashes
- 4
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip7
- Foundation components: disc: pads6
- Foundation components: disc: rotor5
- Foundation components: drum2
- Foundation components: disc: caliper2
- Power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
- Foundation components: master cylinder1
- Drum: drum1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Dodge Caravan brakes problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Dodge Caravan brakes
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2003 Dodge Caravan owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The front brake caliper has locked up repeatedly and causes severe heat build in the front wheel which could cause a fire and this has also happened to my buddy's wife's van too also the back brakes lock up after sitting the dealership told me this is common in dodges. This has happened several times.
While driving in the parking lot of a store I experienced a total brake pedal failure. When I applied the brakes the van simply kept on going. I checked for the pedal and could not see it any longer. It had practically disappeared - only the top of the pedal was visible at the floor. After trying to stop the van with the gears, I hit the emergency brake and came to a stop. This was a life threatening situation. The car is now at the shop. The mechanics stated that a small part necessary for the brakes to function was missing. Apparently the part only costs $12. It has been ordered and will be replaced soon.
2003 dodge caravan thought it was great had little problems that I never thought much of until now, now that my vehicle has been in a shop and unusable for about 8 weeks. The horrible noise it made when starting it, the gear shift moving on occasion and the brake pedal going all the way to the floor until a slight burning smell but all these problems were occasional but now I have no vehicle it is sitting in the dealership for repair and I have no vehicle except for borrowing and renting to get children to school, and my children with eczema and allergies to doctors and if they need to go to the hospital. I am devastated and desperate how do I afford a new vehicle because I am getting tapped out. I also have no estimated date or price for repair.
My brake failed to stop at appropriate distance resulting in an accident.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge caravan. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact heard a loud noise coming from the driver side front tire. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to a faulty caliper. The dealer will not release the vehicle the until it is repaired. The current mileage was 61,634 and failure mileage was 61,628.
2003 dodge caravan broken wheel studs/bolts customer wants someone to accept responsibility for the ongoing problem**nar**cc the consumer stated last july he purchased replacement tires from costco for his vehicle and then had the tires rotated in december for the same vehicle. Then this spring the consumer stated he had the front brake pads replaced and one wheel stud, about a month later the tires were rotated again and the consumer informed the mechanic of the previous problem with the studs. The consumer stated the mechanic informed him they could only rotate 3 of the tires due to the fact of a possibility the studs would break and they did not want to be held responsible for the damage. The consumer stated he rotated the remaining tire which the studs did infact break and were replaced by the consumer. The consumer stated last month chrysler was replacing a water pump and was informed by the mechanic that the studs would have to replaced yet again when the mechanics were removing the studs. The consumer stated the 2 studs holding the water pump in place also broke off while working on the vehicle. The consumer stated he wanted this issue investigated. Either poor quality bolts were used by chrysler or costco was careless when tightening the bolts.
Tl* - the contact complained about the 2003 dodge caravan brake system which was purchased on july 19, 2003. The contact explained that there was a problem with the bolts that held the right brake caliper over the driver's side rotor. The contact explained that in december 2005 the vehicle was taken to precision tune auto care at 10515-b centrum parkway pinesville, north carolina 28134. The vehicle had 31015 miles. The rotors began to smoke and needed to be replaced along with the pads. The contact was told that the rotors were overheated because the pads wore out prematurely because the squeaker never alerted the contact of any problems with the brakes. The contact explained that on seven months later on august 2006 the brakes were inspected due to squeaking. On the 20 march of 2007 the contact experienced vibration coming from under the vehicle. The vehicle was immediately stopped and then taken to precision tune. They contact was told that there was a bolt missing from the right front driver side caliper housing. The contact wanted to file a complaint against the major brake companies to better secure these bolts on to caliper housing units to avoid any of these bolts from coming off the vehicle. The contact suggested safety standards for brakes pads, and caliper installation to prevent this from happening. *ak the consumer stated the reapir shop would be using a lock tight liquid on the mounting bolts. Updated 04/12/07.
Monday, march 12, 2007 I am planning to up grade my caravan se to a newer car and before I change to a new problem I what to solve my old problem!!! The caravan to me is an excellent car on the highway very comfortable and stable. In 2003 I perches a new caravan fist I researched to check on possible defects. With 18 thousand I was told I needed new brake pads at 20.000 the metal started to rub on the rotor. Interestingly only the inner passenger side shoes had excessive where. To me this was unusual on all my new cars I never needed brakes before 30 thousand. When I tried to put a new shoes, the only shoes that would fit was specified for. Disc brakes on the back model, which mine, have drums. And the brakes specified for drums on the back did not fit! I have tried to find out why my car has disc on front made for model that had disc on the back if mine has drums on the back??? The car always skidded when brakes wear applied heavily to correct the problem I put the best michelins on the car. It dos not skid because of the michelins except the brakes do not stop the car!! Now I have noticed the car dos not stop when you pot the pedal to the floor I put new brakes and rotor at sears and the problem seems to be a design problem! Can you tell me how to correct the problem? Before I get into a major accident!!! To me it seems only one wheel is stopping the car!!! And for a fairly new car this is a designer problem!!! This model car has bin made for all most 20 year and there is no risen for designer flows. If you cannot answer this simple problem I will not be acquiring any more chrysler ore mercedes products in my lifetime!!! Thanking in advance.
Tl*- the contact had a problem with his brakes went to a midas shop. The contact later experienced the same issues with the brakes. Master cylinder was low, and the midas shops did not bleed the brakes . The contact feels that the vehicle still has a spongy pedal and that the midas shop never bled air out of the brake system.
Questions about the 2003 Dodge Caravan brakes
Does the 2003 Dodge Caravan have brakes problems?
Owners have filed 35 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Dodge Caravan, 18% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2003 Dodge Caravan brakes problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 36,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Dodge Caravan brakes?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Dodge Caravan have bad brakes?
The Dodge Caravan model years with the most brakes complaints are 1993 (336 complaints), 1992 (271 complaints) and 1991 (216 complaints).
Other 2003 Dodge Caravan problems
Steering 41Electrical 29Transmission 22Engine 19Airbags 14Fuel system 13Lights 10Suspension 8Tires 8Visibility 7Locks 5Seat belts 5Seats 5Body 4Wheels 4Acceleration 3
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