Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge caravan. While driving 5 MPH with the brake pedal depressed, an abnormal squeaking noise was heard. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the failure would occur each time when depressing the brake pedal. The contact called the dealer cassens & sons chrysler dodge jeep at (618) 656-6070 (3333 il-159, glen carbon, il 62034) where an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing and repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,184.
Dodge Caravan grinding brakes problems
108 of the 10,018 owner complaints about the Dodge Caravan describe grinding or squealing brakes, most of them for the 1996 model year.
- owner complaints
- 108
- worst model year
- 1996
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,600
- typical mileage
- 54,000
Is there a fix? There are 6 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Jerking 7ABS 6Whining noise 4Overheating 4Brake failure 4Transmission failure 3Stalling 3Engine failure 3
What owners say
I bought this minivan in 2011. I do not drive much so it currently has less than 35,000 miles on it. Nonetheless, I have had to replace the brakes and rotors 4 times (maybe 5) since I have owned it. I just had them replaced again in november, and yet 7 months later, I have to do it again. I have only put some 3,000 miles on it since the last replacement. Something is seriously wrong. The brakes began squeaking and very quickly (like a day or two without my hardly driving it) to the rotors being gone as my pedals are vibrating. I know others are complaining about this here and all over the internet. Something has to be done about this. It is a serious safety issue. Not to mention, incredibly costly to keep up with these costs that I cannot afford.
While in motion the transmission gives a grinding noise. It has been back to the dealer who did a $1600 repair, when the trans shut down completely, and a $500 repair, now it is doing it again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge caravan. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle shook and a grinding noise was heard. The contact smelled a burning rubber odor when attempting to apply the brakes. The vehicle suddenly stalled. The failure occurred several times. The contact took the vehicle to the carmax dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission, tipm, alternator, and battery failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failures recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000.
I bought my 2012 dodge grand caravan in march of 2012, and by the end of that same year had to have new tire put on the front of the van, (they were completely worn). I have had problems with the electronic drivers set not working in fact has not worked properly since I have had the van, and when I took it to have it looked at they of course could find nothing wrong, to this date it is stuck in the same position and will not move. The sliding automatic doors, at times do not work for great periods of time and sound very grinding when they are working. Then with in those same few months in 2012 the van started to rust inside the gas door. It has been fixed twice already at dealership and still rusts! I have also had to replace the breaks and rotors on the back and now they are needing to be done on the front. I have approx. 30,000 miles on my van. The other complaint with van is the lack of A/C power, and that it sometimes feels that the engine is bogged down with no load, or is hesitant jerky.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge caravan. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v373000 (air bags, electrical system); however, the part to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide the part for the repair. The contact stated that the starter switch made a loud grinding sound. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.
Driving home from work while stopping on the freeway my steering wheel is shaking. Ironically this is just south of the chrysler technical center, which I pass every day as I work just a few miles from it. This is only occurring when the brakes are applied so I already dreaded the thought, it must be the front brakes/rotors need replaced. I am also hearing a squealing/grinding noise from the rears when backing up.I just had the right rear brakes replaced this spring, which I have been reading online is a very common issue with this model of minivan. 80% of my drive is freeway, so my brakes are not used as often as someone driving surface streets everyday. Is there a recall for the brake design on this minivan? Are the rotors and brake calipers under sized for this vehicle. Why are my rear brakes wearing out so quickly, it does not make sense as the front brakes are the typical parts to wear sooner as the weight transference is to the front when stopping. We have owned many chrysler products in the past chrysler town & country, chrysler sebring. Jeep liberty and not had any of these issues. I would like to see chrysler stand behind this issue, or lose a longtime customer as I will not have faith in their products. There are a vast number of complaints on the lemon law website regarding this year model with the braking issues I have described. When looking for a service bulletin for the my vehicle I do not see one issued for the 2011 model, as [xxx] chief/correspondence research division/office of defects investigation described in his reply to ref. No. [xxx] on 07/13/2014. It is not listed under the dodge caravan or dodge grand caravan models. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
This is the fourth set of brakes I have put on the van in 3 years, I just put the last set on last year. It seems dodge has many others unhappy after research. I checked and the rotor was scarred and the pad rubbed to the metal. The brakes have less than 15,000 miles on them and there is no excuse for this. This would be a serious situation if my wife could stop with my kids in the car. The brakes had started squeaking last sunday and I replaced again last night. This is a safety issue as they are going out way too quickly.
My 2006 dodge caravan was bought brand new from the dealer. After 80000 miles it develop a very bad leak. I took it to mechanic number 1 who told me that the crank shaft has a manufacturing problem - to much end play has occurred and was grinding on some of the components in the engine including the oil pump. I thought he was saying that to make more money so I told him to replace the oil pump which he did. Two weeks later the problem started again. I took the van to mechanic number 2. Who told me the same problem. The crank shaft has a major problem in the 2006 dodge caravans. The oil drips so much and gets blown on the exhaust and burns - that might catch fire so left it with mechanic number 2. To repair this problem according to the 1st and 2nd mechanics the whole bottom part of the engine has to be replaced and perhaps the engine block as well. Since this is a major problem with the dodge caravan 2006 I think it will be fair for the manufacturer to take responsibility.
I complained of pulsating brakes and grinding on my brakes. Took vehicle to dealership repeated times. Was told it was brake dust. Ended up being warped rotors. Have had both the front and rear rotors replaced multiple times. Within 13 months. Rotors need to be replaced again. Dodge has admitted poor design. Ending up replacing rotors every 6 months. Had a 2008 dodge caravan with same problem. *tr
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
- What is wrong
- The master cylinder rear seal, between the hydraulic fluid and the vacuum reservoir, may not seal adequately allowing hydraulic fluid to be drawn into the power assist vacuum reservoir.
- Risk
- As the hydraulic fluid in the master cylinder reservoir decreases, the level sensor will detect the loss of fluid and illuminate the instrument panel brake warning lamp. Continued operation of the vehicle with the warning lamp illuminated can result in extended stopping distances.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder on all affected vehicles. Addendum (4-14-97): vehicles inspected per chrysler recall no. 707 and found to be outside the listed suspect master cylinder date code range, must now have the master cylinder primary piston replaced (chrysler recall no. 714).
Recall number 96V215000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- The ABS hydraulic control unit can experience excessive brake actuator piston seal wear causing pump-motor deterioration.
- Risk
- If this condition occurs, the ABS function could be lost and reduced power assist would be experienced during vehicle braking increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will test the vehicle's anti-lock brake system and repair the vehicles if necessary. Also the warranty on all ABS components will be extended to 10 years or 100,000 miles (except for the brake actuator piston assembly and the pump-motor assembly which will have a lifetime coverage). Owners will also be reimbursed for previous ABS component repair costs.
Recall number 96V099000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- The anti-lock brake system high pressure pump may be porous which will result in brake fluid leakage.
- Risk
- Fluid leakage eventually causes the loss of both theanti-lock brake system and hydraulic assist for the brake system, resulting inincreased likelihood of brake lockup and increased stopping distances, whichcould result in a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Replace the ABS high pressure pump and high pressure hose if the last six digits of the bar code label on the pump are between 052300 and 059262.
Recall number 92V030000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- The anti-lock brake system high pressure hose may leak or detach at its crimped end fitting resulting in the discharge of hydraulic fluid.
- Risk
- Fluid discharge eventually causes the loss of both theanti-lock brake system and hydraulic assist for the brake system, resulting inincreased likelihood of brake lockup and increased stopping distances, whichcould result in a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Replace the ABS high pressure hose with a hose of different design and construction.
Recall number 91V191000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
- What is wrong
- The brake pedal pad attachment to the pedal arm may not have adequate strength due to mislocation of welds, and could break.
- Risk
- Failure of the pedal pad to pedal arm attachment resultsin loss of braking ability, and could result in an accident.
- Remedy
- Replace inadequate brake pedals with properly manufactured pedals.
Recall number 91V170000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: differential proportional valve
- What is wrong
- Incorrect screws may have been used in installing the load sensing brake proportioning valve to its bracket causing the clamping load to be less than intended.
- Risk
- This could result in inconsistent front to rear brakebalance with potential for rear brake skid under heavy braking conditions.
- Remedy
- Replace proportioning valve to bracket screws with proper length screws.
Recall number 90V145000 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge Caravan grinding brakes
Which Dodge Caravan years have grinding or squealing brakes problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1996 (16 complaints), 1998 (10 complaints) and 2003 (9 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix grinding or squealing brakes on the Dodge Caravan?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,600 (median of 8 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Dodge Caravan?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history