The brake rotors warp every 20,000 miles or so, so bad that the steering wheel shakes. This has happened on both my 2008 and my 2011 caravan. Dodge has known about this problem for years and has refused to address it other than to give a discount only if you ask for it. Getting them fixed at the dealer is a pain cause they take the van for at least a day some times two. Also the wheel bearings on the 2008 did not last very long at all first set was replaced under warranty(37,000 miles) second set(68,000miles) was not. I have not had the wheel bearing issue on the 2011. The wheel bearings are sealed so it has nothing to do with the warped rotor issue.
Dodge Caravan premature wear problems
31 of the 10,018 owner complaints about the Dodge Caravan describe rotors or pads wearing out early, most of them for the 1996 model year.
- owner complaints
- 31
- worst model year
- 1996
- typical mileage
- 24,000
Is there a fix? There are 6 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Brake failure 3Overheating 1Headlights 1Check engine light 1Grinding brakes 1
What owners say
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
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 dodge caravan. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken for a routine brake change. Less than a month later while driving 20 MPH, the brakes needed to be replaced again. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was advised that he needed to replace the brakes and the rotors. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred less than a month later. The manufacturer was not contacted. Updated 08/01/12*lj the consumer stated he problems with the brkaes pullin and shaking as well as the steering wheel vibrating, as well as the entire vehicle. The rotors warped and the pads were cracked. Updated 08/02/12
Earlier this year, late spring, had bad vibration when applying the brakes, found out it was due to warped brake rotor(s). I took the van to a mechanic and he stated that he had the same issue with his chrysler town and country van and explained that chrysler would do nothing about it. Just last week I went to get the van inspected and it would not pass inspection because of the brake vibration. I did receive some letters from chrysler in the mail about the front brake pads and rotors, and also the front wheel bearings, so I called the dealership. The dealership told me that there was nothing for the rear rotors / brakes, and this is where the problem was that would not allow the van to pass inspection. I paid $265.00 to have the back rotor(s) cut and then have the front brakes / rotors replaced (for the known issue with the front) and after cutting the rear rotors there was still a slight vibration in the brakes! To pay over $600.00 every 1 1/2 years for front and rear rotors / brakes is unreal. I bought a brand new van because I didn't want to have to worry about major repair $ for a long time. The reason for the warped rotors is the braking system is either undersized, or there is a serious design flaw. When I search the internet I find all sorts of hits on chrysler vehicles for brake / rotor issues, past and present. I wish I would have seen this before I bought the van.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge caravan. The contact stated the front brake pads were replaced four times and the rear brakes were not replaced. He believed that because the rear brakes were never replaced, it was causing the master cylinder to function incorrectly and prematurely wearing the front brakes. The manufacturer advised they were not aware of any brake issues and would not provide any assistance. They also advised having the dealer diagnose the failure. The failure mileage was 12,000 and the current mileage was 45,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 dodge caravan. The contact noticed excessive brake dust on the tires of his vehicle. He also noticed that the rotors were of a softer metal than the brake pads, which could cause premature rotor wear. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 5,800.
There is premature wearing of brakes and rotors. If you go to this website you will see haw many people are having problems with the dodge (grand) caravan and caravan brakes. It is horrendous. You can see this at http://www.carcomplaints.com/dodge/caravan/2005/brakes/brake_pads_wear_out_prematurely.shtml these should be recalled and people should get their money back. It is ridiculous I should have to get new brakes and rotors so soon in my vehicle. It only has 50k on it.
I have a 2003 caravan and a 2004 ram and have had ongoing issues with my brakes. I beleive that the factory must have used faulty rotors. Last august, to my amazement I had to have the rotors turned when the dealer put new pads on my caravan (26,000 miles). I begrudgingly paid over 200 dollars for this. 9 months later the brakes and steering wheel are pulsing again and the dealer is telling me the rotors must be turned again even though the pads are fine. I expected that the dealer would take care of this since they were just serviced 9 months ago but they said I was 200 miles over the limit. I also had the same issue with my ram and even though I had more than 50% of my pads left I had warped rotors and had to pay the dealer to have them turned. I spoke with the service manager at lithia dodge in omaha, previously jims dodge, and he had the audacity to tell me if I replace the rotors the new ones will be guaranteed for life not to warp! Why would you guarantee the aftermarket rotors but not the rotors from the factory??!
1. Spalling of metal off inner surface of brake rotors 2. Rapid brake pad wear on pad not equipped with wear sensor 3. Replacement of pads and roters - parts are available.
Front brake rotors are prematurely wearing away, rotors have warped, and have been replaced four times already.*ak. Consumer states rotors wear causing vibration and pulsation when stopping, also belt drive and tensioner belt were repalced, and the engine light was on.
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 premature wear
Which Dodge Caravan years have rotors or pads wearing out early problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1996 (8 complaints), 1997 (5 complaints) and 1993 (3 complaints).
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