19 of the
144 complaints about the 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan are about the
braking system — 13% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
54,655 miles.
MY FRONT BRAKES HAVE TO BE CHANGED EVERY THREE MONTHS , MY VAN WILL STALL OR ACT LIKE ITS GOING TO STALL I HAVE TO GIVE IT GAS AND AFTER I MOVE FOR A FEW IT STOPS, MY VAN IS CONSTANTLY OUT OF LINE WHICH WEARS ON THE TIRES ,THE METAL COOLANT LINES THAT GO FOR THE REAR HEAT WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED BADLY CAUSING A HUGE LEAK , ALSO THE TRANSMISSION COOLER BRACKET LOCATES IN FRONT OF RADIATOR BROKE CAUSING A HOLE IN THE RADIATOR, THIS HAS NOT ONLY HAPPENED IN MY 2004 GRAND CARAVAN BUT ALSO IN MY ELDERLY PARENTS 2004 CARAVAN. AFTER READING THROUGH ALL THE COMPLAINTS I DO UNDERSTAND THAT THINGS WILL HAPPEN AND GO WRONG AND HAVE TO BE FIXED BUT WHEN THE DEALERSHIP OR THE MANUFACTURER DOESN'T SHOW ANY INTEREST IN WANTING TO HELP THE CONSUMER THERE'S NOT MUCH A PERSON CAN DO THAT IS UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT AND I CAN GUARANTEE IF IT HAPPENS TO BE MY FAMILY THERE WILL BE AN ENORMOUS LAW SUIT WITH A LOT OF PUBLICITY LETS SEE HOW SALES DO AFTER I GET DONE.
NHTSA complaint #10620733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesOlean, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKES SEIZED WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED ON AND WHEN RELEASING FROM PARK. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE BRAKE WOULD RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THEY HAD TO SPECIAL ORDER THE PARTS FOR REPAIRS BUT AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA complaint #10434440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wallkill, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE ABS UNIT IN MY DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AWD HAS AIR GOING INTO IT, CAUSING MY BRAKES TO HAVE NO PRESSURE. MY FOOT GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR TO STOP MY VEHICLE!!!! THIS IS NO GOOD I CARRY THREE CHILDREN IN MY CAR. I HAVE HEARD FROM MANY MECHANICS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS VEHICLE AND THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ON THIS. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS. I DON'T KNOW WHERE I'M GOING TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY TO FIX THIS. I'M BASICALLY RIDING IN A DEATH MOBILE. MY HUSBAND HAS NEVER SCENE SOOOO MUCH AIR COME OUT WHEN HE BLEEDS THE BRAKES. DODGE SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10320270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesWarren, MICrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING BRAKE FAILURES AND THE BRAKE INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL SEND SOMEONE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A TICKET FOR "FAILURE TO KEEP A VEHICLE IN CONTROL". HE WILL CALLTHE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE THE BRAKES HAD TO BE REPAIRED AT LEAST FOUR TIMES WITHIN THE LAST TWO YEARS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA complaint #10246560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesLisle, ILCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MASTER CYLINDER FAILED IN REAR BRAKE SYSTEM CAUSING BRAKES TO FAIL. BRAKE FAILURE WAS SOLE REASON FOR REAR END ACCIDENT CAUSING DAMAGE TO TWO VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #10236513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Conway, NH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
TOOK VEHICLE FOR STATE INSPECTION-SUDDEN NEED FOR NEW BRAKES PER DEALERSHIP-SAID BRING IT IN WITH IN 300-500 MILES FOR BRAKE JOB.
NHTSA complaint #10217718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Conway, NH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
PARK THE VAN,GO OUT AND VAN WILL NOT START-NO RADIO OR LIGHTS LEFT ON. DEALERSHIP HAS CHECKED THE BATTERY SEVERAL TIMES AND SAID IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY YET IT STILL DOES IT AND THIS IS GOING ON TO TWO YEARS NOW.
NHTSA complaint #10217761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Conway, NH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
PARK THE VAN,GO OUT AND VAN WILL NOT START-NO RADIO OR LIGHTS LEFT ON. DEALERSHIP HAS CHECKED THE BATTERY SEVERAL TIMES AND SAID IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY YET IT STILL DOES IT AND THIS IS GOING ON TO TWO YEARS NOW.
NHTSA complaint #10217761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Conway, NH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
SUDDEN NEED FOR FRONT BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10214631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Conway, NH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
SUDDEN NEED FOR FRONT BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10214631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brewerton, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. DURING THE WINTER MONTHS, THE BRAKES LOCK UP INTERMITTENTLY. TO UNLOCK THE BRAKES, THE CONTACT MUST MOVE THE VEHICLE FORWARD AND BACKWARDS SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND POSTED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (05-001-06A). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10213109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,320 milesArvada, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REPLACED FRONT BRAKES ON 2004 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FOR THE FIRST TIME ON 8/31/05 WHEN MILEAGE WAS AT 39,320. ROTORS WERE ALSO RESURFACED AT THIS SAME TIME. ON 4/22/06 AT 46,806 MILES BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN, WHICH WERE WORN DOWN METAL TO METAL (IN ONLY 7K MILES). FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE ROTOR WAS BAD, AND HAD TO ALSO BE REPLACED FROM THE FRONT BRAKE PROBLEM. BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS HAD TO ALSO BE REPLACED AT THIS TIME DUE TO THE ROTORS AND BRAKES. (VERY EXPENSIVE!!) ON 7/6/06 AT 49,179 MILES, THE FRONT BRAKES WERE VERY SHAKY, AND THE FRONT ROTORS WERE SLIGHTLY WARPED, AND HAD TO BE RESURFACED AGAIN. ON 10/17/06 AT 52,762 MILES, ROTORS HAD TO BE RESURFACED AGAIN, SINCE THEY WERE WARPED AGAIN. FRONT BRAKES WERE DONE AGAIN ON THE VEHICLE, A LITTLE OVER 6K MILES FROM THE MOST RECENT BRAKE REPLACEMENT. ON 12/11/06 AT 54655 MILES, THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT DECIDED TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT AND BACK BRAKES. STATED PAD SHIMS WERE JAMMED AGAIN ADAPTER BRACKET, ROTORS WERE WARPED BADLY, REAR BRAKES WERE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, RATTLE CLIP MISSING. VAN AT THIS TIME ALSO HAD A BAD PULSATION WHEN BRAKING. DEALER STATES PAD SHIMS WERE LOOSE ON PADS AND NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY. FRONT ROTORS RESURFACED, AND INSTALLED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS. REAR BRAKES RE-LINED/REPLACED, REAR DRUMS RESURFACED AND REPLACED SHOES. DEALER STILL CANNOT FIND WHAT IS ACTUALLY WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE THAT THE BRAKES NEED TO BE REPLACED SO FREQUENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10175943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,655 milesArvada, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FACTORY BRAKES WERE REPLACED AND THE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED, AT 39,320 MILES. ON 4/22/06, THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND BRAKE CALIPERS WERE REPLACED AT 46,806 MILES. THEN ON 7/06/06, AT 49,179 MILES, THE WARPED ROTORS WERE RESURFACED. ON 10/17/2006, AT 52,762 MILES, THE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AGAIN. THEN ON 12/11/2006, AT 54,655 MILES, THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE BRAKE SHIMS WERE FOUND TO BE JAMMED AND THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AGAIN. THE BRAKE PROBLEM WAS NOTICEABLE WHILE BREAKING AT 15 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10175960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,655 milesArvada, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FACTORY BRAKES WERE REPLACED AND THE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED, AT 39,320 MILES. ON 4/22/06, THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND BRAKE CALIPERS WERE REPLACED AT 46,806 MILES. THEN ON 7/06/06, AT 49,179 MILES, THE WARPED ROTORS WERE RESURFACED. ON 10/17/2006, AT 52,762 MILES, THE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AGAIN. THEN ON 12/11/2006, AT 54,655 MILES, THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE BRAKE SHIMS WERE FOUND TO BE JAMMED AND THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AGAIN. THE BRAKE PROBLEM WAS NOTICEABLE WHILE BREAKING AT 15 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10175960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,655 milesArvada, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FACTORY BRAKES WERE REPLACED AND THE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED, AT 39,320 MILES. ON 4/22/06, THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND BRAKE CALIPERS WERE REPLACED AT 46,806 MILES. THEN ON 7/06/06, AT 49,179 MILES, THE WARPED ROTORS WERE RESURFACED. ON 10/17/2006, AT 52,762 MILES, THE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AGAIN. THEN ON 12/11/2006, AT 54,655 MILES, THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE BRAKE SHIMS WERE FOUND TO BE JAMMED AND THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AGAIN. THE BRAKE PROBLEM WAS NOTICEABLE WHILE BREAKING AT 15 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10175960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,825 milesLynnwood, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS AND REPEAT PROBLEMS WITH OUR 2004 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND WE GET NO HELP FROM THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER. THE MAIN COMPLAINT THAT IS MOST CONCERNING IS OUR BRAKES AS WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEM 3 TIMES IN LESS THAN A YEAR. WE HAVE TERRIBLE SHAKING, VIBRATION AND GRINDING. THE VEHICLE HAS PULLED TO THE RIGHT FROM THE MOMENT WE PURCHASED IT, I THOUGHT IT WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN IN SEVERAL TIMES. COINCIDENTALLY IT IS THE RIGHT SIDE THAT WEARS MORE THAN THEN LEFT. UPON TAKING IT TO AN AAA APPROVED AUTO CENTER AND ASE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CALIPERS HAVE BEEN BINDING AND THE ROTORS WERE TOO THIN TO MACHINE. WE HAVE KEPT THE PARTS THAT THE REPAIR SHOP REMOVED SO THAT THE CONDITION AND WEAR CAN BE DOCUMENTED PHYSICALLY SHOULD A REPRESENTATIVE OF DODGE WISH TO SEE THE ACTUAL PARTS. WE PAID OVER 32,000 FOR THIS VEHICLE 18 MONTHS AGO AND IT CONSISTENTLY UNDER PERFORMS AND AS MENTIONED ABOVE HAS HAD SEVERAL MECHANICAL PROBLEMS BUT THE RELIABILITY OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS MORE THAN INCONVENIENT AND EXPENSIVE, IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. I DO NOT TRUST THE DEALERSHIP TO CORRECTLY DIAGNOSE AND THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER MAINTAIN THAT THIS IS VEHICLE IS PERFORMING AS INTENDED. THEREFORE WE MUST CONCLUDE THAT THE 2004 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IS DESIGNED TO PERFORM POORLY AND BE IN THE SHOP REGULARLY. *NM UPDATED 11/4/2005 - THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASION BUT THEY STILL DON'T WORK. THE SES LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLEWAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND FAULT CODES FOR CYLINDER #3 MISFIRE AND MULTIPLE CYLINDER MISFIRE. THE DEALER INSTALLED SPARK PLUGS, REPLACED PLUF WIRES AND FLASHED THE PCM.
NHTSA complaint #10140671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesLincoln, NM
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
DURING INSPECTION DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT FRONT BRAKES WORE OUT PREMATURELY. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10103743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Satelllite Beach, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
AFTER HURRICANE FRANCES, I NOTICED THAT WHEN I GOT INTO MY CAR,( THAT HAD SAT IN THE STORM OUTSIDE MY HOME,) TO DRIVE TWO DAYS AFTER THE STORM , MY BRAKES DID NOT WORK PROPERLY . IT WAS AS IF THE ABS WAS INGAGED AND SUDDENLY GRABBED.MY HUSBANDS CAR DID THE SAME THING. SO I THINK IT IS A DAIMLERCHRYSLER ISSUE. THE SAME DAY AS THIS OCCURED, AFTER ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE MILES IT GOT BETTER AND I HAVE HAD NO NOTICEABLE PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10091235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15 milesReisterstown, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN SQEAKING AND WHEN I LET OFF OF THEM THEY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE GRABBING. THERE IS ALSO LOTS OF BRAKES DUST ON MY FRONT RIMS. THIS HAS BEEN SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR 3/15/04. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERS SAID THE BRAKE NOISE IS NORMAL. THEY CHECKED THE BRAKES ON 3/17 AND SAID THEY WERE FINE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK 8/17 BECAUSE OF THE FRONT END PULLING AND ASKED THAT THEY CHECK MY BRAKES AGAIN. THE ROTORS WERE WARPED SO THEY "TURNED THE FRONT ROTORS". I ASKED WHAT COULD CAUSE THIS AND THEY SAID DRIVING WITH 2 FEET OR IT COULD ALSO HAPPEN IF THE ROTORS ARE HOT AND IT STARTS TO RAIN AND COLD WATER HITS THEM. THEY BLAME THE DRIVER. IT ONLY HAD 7539 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT BACK 8/23 BECAUSE I DO NOT HEAR OR FEEL A CHANGE IN THE BRAKES. THEYTEST DROVE IT AND SAID IT WAS NORMAL NOISES THAT I WAS HEARING AND NOTHING IS WRONG.
NHTSA complaint #10088662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.