2002 Dodge Grand Caravan: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Jan 26, 2009 · Brakes · 41,319 miles · CT

Incident occurred aug 2008. The owners manual and dealer service manager report brakes revert back to standard brakes and vehicle can be driven. This is not so!!! In my following experience, when ABS light comes on, vehicle should not be driven. I had front disk pads replaced by an independent mechanic. After 2 days, the ABS light came on. Owners manual, confirmed by service manager reports brakes default back to standard brakes. Not true. Brakes were slightly engaged and overheating. I was told it may take up to 5000 miles for new brake pads to "break in" and not to worry. Applying my brakes resulted in pedal going to floor and a grinding noise coming from under the hood. This was later determined to be the master ABS module. Dealer inspection resulted in a defective ABS signal sensor to the rear left brake. Replacement cured all of the above problems. This vehicle and perhaps all others of this type should not be driven when the ABS light comes on.

Filed Oct 15, 2007 · Acceleration, Brakes · 9,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge grand caravan. While driving between 10-20 MPH, the brakes squealed and made a grinding noise when applied. However, the vehicle still stopped normally. A police report was filed. The front brakes were replaced, the front rotors were cut, and the rear drums were cut and adjusted at 9,000, 22,000, 33,000, 45,000, and 61,000 miles. The dealer stated that the failure was caused by the brakes having a lot of weight on the front end. The failure mileage was 9,000 and current mileage was 67,000. The dealer stated power steering noise, vehicle revving on hills. Updated 11/14/07

Filed Feb 2, 2006 · Transmission · 60,445 miles · OH

Driving on the freeway going 65 MPH the van down shifted to a lower gear with a jolt. Following the owners manual I pulled to the side of the road and put the mini van in park. Restarted the van put it in gear and started to move and heard and felt the transmission grinding. Called a tow truck.

Filed Jul 23, 2004 · Airbags, Body · TX

Air bag clockspring has been replaced 6 times. *mr there was a leak inside the vehicle on the passenger's side, a broken chain on the driver's slider door, a hesitation upon acceleration and a stalling problem (possible fuel filter problem), and a grinding noise due to the idler pulley being faulty. The consumer request compensation. *sc

Filed Jun 13, 2004 · Brakes · FL

My vehicle has ongoing problems with abnormal brake wear. At 17000 miles the brakes hung up. The front left rotor was completely worn away. New pads and rotors. Right front caliper not functioning properly and was replaced. Prior to this I had the oil changed and brakes checked 1500 miles earlier--I had noticed that the brake pedal travel was varying and it was taking longer to stop the car. Mechanic had stated that left front had a little over half of brake surface left. Second brake failure at 34500 miles. Again, left front hung up. Took the car to arrigo dodge and was told I was lying about first incident even though I had receipts. Service rep told me both brakes completely worn away, even though again the problem presented with the left front brake hanging up. Was told it was my fault brakes were wearing prematurely. Car pulled to right after brake replacement when I called dealer again was told it was my fault dealer refused to do anything about it. Brakes began squealing - most noticeably left front again - within 500 miles of replacement. Left front brake sticks when starting off, brakes squeal, brake fluid seen leaking from right front, brake pedal already has a lot of play in it, takes an excessive amount of distance to stop even with strong force applied to brakes. I have narrowly missed having several accidents because of this. Called dealer, again told it was my fault -- driver habits they call it. In the 25 years I have owned and driven vehicles, I have never had to replace brakes before 38000 miles or had any problems remotely similar to this. P. 245 of owners manual states "if either of the two hydraulic systems lose normal capability ...there will be some loss of overall braking effectiveness. This may be evident by increased pedal travel during application, greater pedal force required to slow or stop..." what will it take for this problem to be correctly addressed -- people dying because of this brake failure?

Filed Apr 7, 2004 · Brakes · 2,300 miles · PA

Upon front end vibration and squealing was informed that they needed to resurface the front rotors and put on new breaks at 23,000 miles. The steering gear and hoses were also replaced at 21,000 miles. I feel that any mechanic who was taking the front end apart should have noticed the breaks were in need of replacing then.

Filed Apr 5, 2004 · Brakes, Electrical · 22,153 miles · FL · fire

On 6/11/03 vehicle was making power steering noises & auto dr locks wouldn't lock at 15 MPH. Replaced power hose, hose clamp & oil trans. Informed I needed new brakes (22, 153 miles & didn't req that they do this when I arrived at shop). 7/2/03 took van in 'cause left rear (driver side) speaker caught on fire while at a gas pump. While at gas pump w/2 of our 4 kids in the car. Brakes that were just replaced prev month were squeaking as well as the steering again. (dealer-brakes squeak 'cause they are metal & there is air in the steering line). 9/23/03 van battery blew up when started. Replaced battery. 12/3/03 steering making noise during turns. Replaced both sway bars links. 12/29/03 steering is very tight & shuddering again & auto lock button on key chain won't work. Ordered new power steering rack & resevoir. Then on 1/6/04 tach spiked at 4k, vehicle lost power & engine light came on while on expressway w/my baby in the car. Determination was the transmission solenoid assy failure & replaced the same. This cost me $107 (would have cost more if I wasn't given an extended warranty for fire I had). 1/19/04 van was giving a burn smell from under the hood along with smoke. They found A/C compressor clutch shorting in coil. A/c compressor replaced & recharged. 2/5/04 vehicle taken for the last time for loud popping sound under the dr's ft area when turning left. All suspension parts tightened. Next visit is req'd by the fl lemon law to give them 1 more chance before paperwork can be filed. Done on 3/8/04 for steering noise when stopped & just turning wheel. Replaced pt that was replaced before: power steering pump resevoir. Paperwork filed for florida lemon law on 4/5/04,unsave vehicle & fear for safety of family.

Filed Feb 12, 2004 · Airbags, Brakes · NY

Consumer complained about a ball joint problem. She took vehicle to repair shop about 20 times because it was making noises and squeaking while driving. Mechanic could not resolve the problem. *ak the dealer replaced many components related to the front end noise. The air bag light was illuminated. The technician determined that there was an open circuit. The technician replaced the passenger side air bag. The driver's seat belt had internal damage which made it difficult to buckle and unbuckle the seat belt. The consumer stated that there was a noise coming from the left front wheel. The technician determined that the front pads were worn and the rotor were grooved. The technician replaced the front pads and resurfaced the rotors. The inner tie rod was loose and caused the steering to make noise. The technician replaced the gear assembly.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Steering · 11,000 miles · NY

I have had numerous problems with the veh since it was purchased new , may 2002. Veh has a rough idle while stopped in gear, dealer states they are waiting for a computer update. To date still have problem. Problem with starter , same grinds on first start in extreme cold weather. Dealer replaced 2 starters and flywheel. Problem with trans, hard bang felt when slowing up between 8-5 MPH. Said problem is intermittent and dealer has not driven veh long enough to get condition. Dealer has replaced numerous parts of trans, problem still exist. Car has been in several times for power steering leak and vibration. Numerous parts replaced. I have contacted chrysler and spoke with the district manager and advised him of all the complaints with veh and problems that still exist. I told him I did not want the veh . He advised me he would look into my file and call me back.its been two months and I have left him several messages and he still has not returned my calls. His name is [xxx]. Chrysler has left me no choice but to file the lemon law. As of today I am waiting for a hearing date too be set. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Sep 10, 2003 · Brakes · 25,000 miles · MS

When applying the brakes left front brakes squeak very loudly, and there is a delay in stopping.