2008 Dodge Grand Caravan: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Oct 18, 2022 · Electrical · TX

Shift lever placed in to park will not release key fob, keeping the vehicle in accessory mode and draining battery. Occassionally shifting back and forth from 'park' to other positions and back to 'park' will cause the ignition to release key fob as normal. Eventually found on forums that flicking the shifter button once in park will help depress microswitch and allow ignition to turn off, thus releaseing fob. Eventually this stopped working as well. My first fix was removing the dash and bending the microswitch leg so that more firm contact was made by shift arm when placed in 'park.' this eventually stopped working again. I finally removed dash and displaced microswitch so that it protrudes through ignition ring and hangs out near the key fob. Now when I park, I manually press the microswitch and the iginition releases the fob fully every time! Otherwise you're stuck replacing the entire shift assembly for over $200 for parts and more for whatever labor is charged! All for a $2 microswitch that is positioned wrong.

Filed Apr 2, 2019 · Electrical, Transmission · 147,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge grand caravan. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to new carlisle chrysler jeep dodge ram (580 n main st, new carlisle, oh 45344, (937) 845-1700) where it was diagnosed that the key fob needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred while it was still at the dealer. After further diagnostic testing, the contact was informed that the shifter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 147,000.

Filed Jan 16, 2019 · 150,000 miles · NM

The passenger rear sliding door is stuck closed and will not open. The door makes a sound when you press the dome panel button and the key fob buttons but the door is still locked shut. I have attempted to open it from the inside and the outside also by holding the interior manual unlock latch while trying to open the door it won't open. I see this a safety issue as I have children and often times we are carpooling. The kids are not able to get out of the vehicle using all doors accessible to them. When pulling up into the pick up lines at school, I have to let the kids out of the driver side sliding door which is placing them facing moving traffic while getting out and having to walk around the van.

Filed Jul 26, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 65,300 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge grand caravan. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. Kelly jeep chrysler dodge ram (501 state ave, emmaus, pennsylvania 18049, (610) 991-8448) was made aware of the failure and replaced the key fobs, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,300.

Filed Jun 27, 2017 · Engine, Steering · 68,000 miles · MD

I have trouble with the ignition . When trying to start the vehicle sometimes it will just click. The module has been replaced, still have problem. Sometimes the key fob sticks and engine keeps trying to start. I then turn the ignition off manually. Starter has been replaced already too at my expense. I have replaced the strut and spring assemblies, but I get rough ride still.when turning I get a snapping sound in the steering.

Filed May 1, 2016 · Brakes, Engine · 153,000 miles · MN

This van dies while in operation, most often within the first 5 miles of driving in the morning. It has gotten to the point where it happens every single day, sometimes multiple times a day. It appears to happen most frequently when decelerating (upon taking our foot off the gas, the tachometer bounces way down (~500rpm or so), then stutters a bit, then the vehicle stalls/dies. This has happened while turning at an intersection several times, and we narrowly escaped a collision. We have had 2 key fob recalls performed, as chrysler had attributed the problem to faulty fobs/ignition switches....the most recent recall was performed less than 6 months ago. No change was noted after the recall work was performed. The problem rarely happens on the highway, although it did happen to my wife last week while she was at highway speed on the interstate. I'm listing today's date in the field of "when did this happen?", as it did happen to me today while in an intersection, turning left - I immediately shifted into neutral and restarted it, narrowly missing the car to my right which was also turning left...but it happens virtually every day now.

Filed Apr 13, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 93,000 miles · NY

My van was sitting in my driveway. I used the key fob to attempt to unlock the doors and instead the horn started honking, wipers going, washer fluid spraying and lights flashing. It did not stop and the doors would not unlock. I had to use the hidden key in the key fob to manually unlock the door to open the hood and disconnect the battery. I reconnected it and attempted to drive it to my mechanic. It stalled after about 50 feet. I ended up being able to drive it to the mechanic four days later. My mechanic said it had 6 recalls on it (which I was not notified of) and needed the tipm replaced, which was not a part of a recall. He said chrysler would not allow him to buy the part and I would have to take it directly to the dealer. He said the part is $780 and does not include labor! I cannot afford this and I need this vehicle! I have three kids! I did some research online and saw that this part on my van was a part of a lawsuit. When they settled the lawsuit, they did not include the 2008 grand caravan. This is the same exact faulty part that is in the other vehicles that are covered by the lawsuit/recall! There is absolutely no reason I should have to pay for any of this.

Filed Feb 29, 2016 · Electrical, Locks · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge grand caravan. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road. After restarting, the vehicle functioned normally. The failure recurred on a separate occasion. In addition, the front driver side door failed to unlatch when accessing it with the key fob. The door would only unlatch manually. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v373000 (air bags, electrical system); however, the part needed to perform the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was unavailable. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jan 12, 2016 · Electrical · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge grand caravan. The contact stated that one of the two key fobs intermittently failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the key fob needed to be replaced. The key fob was not replaced. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v373000 (air bags, electrical system). However, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 04/06/16*lj the consumer stated the problem was fixed. Updated 04/12/16.

Filed Dec 13, 2015 · Electrical · OK

I was informed in approximately 2013 or 2014 of a safety recall regarding the wireless ignition module and key fob. I received additional notification that parts were ready in early 2015 regarding this recall. I have tried to schedule service for this recall with three separate dealers numerous times. I have been told it is unknown when parts will be ready. I have had the vehicle turn off due to this issue. The dodge paperwork states they are concerned with my safety. And the recall should be complete in a reasonable amount of time. It has now been years since notification, and nearly a year since parts have been "ready" and the recall still isn't complete. According to dodge statistics, as of oct 26, 2015, only 192,616 of 724,503 vehicles have been completed. This is not in a reasonable time and I feel as if dodge is slow rolling this recall to save themselves money. This recall is similar to a 2010 recall.

Filed Oct 7, 2015 · Electrical · UT

2008 dodge grand caravan. Consumer writes in regards to ignition key recall issues. *smd the consumer stated the chrysler would not reimburse him for work performed on a recall component two months before the recall was issued. The consumer was having issues with using the key fob to start the vehicle. The dash displayed a bad key light. When he wiggled the key in the ignition, the vehicle would start. The dealer informed the consumer the win was bad and it needed to be replaced.

Filed Aug 18, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 143,000 miles · MI

We had taken the vehicle to the chrysler dealership in bloomfield hills, mi 3 days prior to our trip. We had it all checked out, they charged us around 400 for flushes and such, the rest was great and ready according to the dealer. 2 days into our trip, we got a check engine light. We went to the dealership in atlanta, left it for 2 days, and rented a vehicle. They said no issues found. We started for florida only to find the check engine light would always be on after then. When driving back, in kentucky going about 70 miles an hour in the mountains, the gauges all went to 0 and the entire dash went black. This was very scary and I assume unsafe. I maintained my lane and speed, as I was assuming there was no power steering or power brakes for the ten seconds it took for the power to somehow come back. We have lost power on this vehicle multiple times, and chrysler/dodge dealerships have attributed it to the key fob. We have had several replacements. This is unacceptable to loose power on a vehicle when driving and multiple dealerships to misdiagnose the problem. Please help.!! :(