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2008 Dodge Caravan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Dodge Caravan do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 182.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

222 reports with mileage · 80 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 162 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports6 fire reports6 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

162 reports
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87,598 miles · Aug 20, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

THE VAN STOPPED RUNNING LEAVING THE CAR WITH NO POWER TO ANY SYSTEM AND HAD TO TURN THE KEY BACK TO THE ON POSITION TO REGAIN POWER. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH.

NHTSA ODI #10626538

38,000 miles · Aug 18, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

HEAD LIGHTS FLICKERED SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN STAYED OFF. THIS HAS CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE NOVEMBER. SOMETIMES THE HEADLIGHTS STAY ON, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. 8/1/2014-HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK AT ALL. I HAVE TAKEN TO A DODGE DEALER IN DECEMBER WHO TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $700 BUT COULDN'T GUARANTEE IT WOULDN,T CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.…

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HEAD LIGHTS FLICKERED SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN STAYED OFF. THIS HAS CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE NOVEMBER. SOMETIMES THE HEADLIGHTS STAY ON, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. 8/1/2014-HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK AT ALL. I HAVE TAKEN TO A DODGE DEALER IN DECEMBER WHO TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $700 BUT COULDN'T GUARANTEE IT WOULDN,T CONTINUE TO HAPPEN. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 PRIVATE GARAGES WHO HAVE TOLD ME THE SAME THING. IT'S NOT THE BULBS. THEY BELIEVE IT IS A PROBLEM IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10626040

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

2008 DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF, WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY INSTALLED A TIPM PART AT A COST OF $897. THE DEALER CLAIMED THE PART WOULD MAKE THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. A DAY LATER, THE ENG…

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2008 DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF, WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY INSTALLED A TIPM PART AT A COST OF $897. THE DEALER CLAIMED THE PART WOULD MAKE THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. A DAY LATER, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. HOWEVER, WHEN IT DIDN'T SHUT OFF, THE ENGINE BLEW UP DESTROYING THE ENGINE IN THE PROCESS. THE DEALER ADMITTED THE MISTAKE, OF INSTALLING THE WRONG PART, AND THEY STATED THEY DID NOT KNOW THE ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF, BUT THEY WERE CERTAIN THAT THE FAILURE, WAS NOT LINKED TO ENGINE BLOWING UP. SOMEHOW THE ENGINE, AND RADIATOR BLOWING UP WAS SIMPLY A COINCIDENCE.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10609371

70,000 miles · Jun 20, 2014
Electrical System

TL *THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…

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TL *THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #10604684

30,000 miles · Jun 18, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VAN HIT A SMALL POTHOLE AND LOST TOTAL POWER. AFTER STEERING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I DETERMINE THE IGNITION KEY WAS NOW IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION. THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF THE 7 YEARS I OWNED THE VEHICLE TO THE POINT THAT WHEN MY TEENAGE SONS LEARNED TO DR…

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WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VAN HIT A SMALL POTHOLE AND LOST TOTAL POWER. AFTER STEERING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I DETERMINE THE IGNITION KEY WAS NOW IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION. THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF THE 7 YEARS I OWNED THE VEHICLE TO THE POINT THAT WHEN MY TEENAGE SONS LEARNED TO DRIVE I COACHED THEM ON WHAT TO DO WHEN THE CAR TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10604272

65,000 miles · Jun 16, 2014
Electrical System

REPEATING PROBLEM WITH CAR JUST SHUTTING OFF. HAPPENS MOST OFTEN WHEN MAKING A TURN. DID NOT HAPPEN DURING THE COLD WINTER MONTHS BUT STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN THIS YEAR ONCE SPRING STARTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10598520

121,560 miles · Jun 9, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

2008 DODGE CARAVAN, WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, ENGINE QUIT, ALL DASH ELECTRONICS WENT DEAD. COASTED TO STOP, PUT IN PARK, RESTARTED FINE, CONTINUED TO DESTINATION. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED 2 PREVIOUS TIMES, ONCE WHILE TURNING A CORNER AT OR BELOW 5MPH, SAME RESULT, AND ONCE AT APPROX 20MPH, AGAIN SAME RESULT. CHECKED, AND SWITCHED K…

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2008 DODGE CARAVAN, WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, ENGINE QUIT, ALL DASH ELECTRONICS WENT DEAD. COASTED TO STOP, PUT IN PARK, RESTARTED FINE, CONTINUED TO DESTINATION. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED 2 PREVIOUS TIMES, ONCE WHILE TURNING A CORNER AT OR BELOW 5MPH, SAME RESULT, AND ONCE AT APPROX 20MPH, AGAIN SAME RESULT. CHECKED, AND SWITCHED KEYS, TESTED IGNITION SWITCH, WIRING TO BATTERY / FUSE BOX, ALL OK, WITH NO EXCESSIVE CORROSION, OR LOOSE CONNECTIONS. ATTEMPTED TO RECREATE PROBLEM BY WIGGLING WIRING, SWITCH, KEYS, WITH NO ELECTRICAL FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10597192

100,000 miles · Jun 6, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility/wiper

WE PULLED OUT AT NIGHT AND STARTED DRIVING WHEN SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, THE INTERIOR WARNING LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, THE WIND SHIELD WIPERS STARTED GOING ON AND OFF, THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID STARTED SPRAYING, THE LIGHTS ON THE GAUGES WERE FLASHING, AND THE IGNITIO…

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WE PULLED OUT AT NIGHT AND STARTED DRIVING WHEN SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, THE INTERIOR WARNING LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, THE WIND SHIELD WIPERS STARTED GOING ON AND OFF, THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID STARTED SPRAYING, THE LIGHTS ON THE GAUGES WERE FLASHING, AND THE IGNITION STARTED "DINGING" LIKE WHEN YOU TURN IT ON. GRANTED THIS WAS AT NIGHT SO WE LOST HEADLIGHTS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AT A TIME UNTIL WE COULD GET STOPPED. I HAD MY 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR AND MY WIFE. LUCKILY WE WEREN'T GOING VERY FAST AND WERE ABLE TO GET PULLED OVER WITHOUT BEING INVOLVED IN A WRECK. AFTER TURNING THE CAR ON AND OFF A COUPLE OF TIMES AND CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD THE PROBLEM CEASED. FAST FORWARD A FEW MONTHS. SIMILAR INCIDENT OCCURRED DURING THE DAYTIME. BASICALLY THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AS ABOVE. LUCKILY THIS WAS DURING THE DAY AND THE HEADLIGHTS AREN'T AS IMPORTANT. ONCE AGAIN AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF A COUPLE OF TIMES AND GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD IT CEASED. FAST FORWARD A FEW WEEKS. ISSUE OCCURRED ONCE AGAIN DURING THE DAY. AT THIS POINT WE REFUSED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT AS WE DEEMED IT UNSAFE AT NIGHT WITH THE POTENTIAL THAT WE COULD LOSE LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AND HAVE ZERO VISIBILITY. WE WERE NEVER ABLE TO GET THE LIGHTS TO STOP GOING ON AND OFF AND THE ISSUE WITH THE VAN IS STILL OCCURRING. I'VE READ SIMILAR STORIES FROM OTHER DODGE OWNERS AND MOST HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO SOLVE THE ISSUE EVEN AFTER SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. THIS IS GOING TO SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILL SOMEONE AND A SEARCH REGARDING THE LIGHTS FLASHING ONLINE FOR DODGE CARAVANS AROUND THIS YEAR MAKES IT CLEAR THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS ISSUE REGARDING THE VAN. I ALSO CHECKED AND DODGE CLAIMS THE OTHER RECALLS HAVE ALREADY BEEN DONE ON THIS VAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10596695

99,000 miles · Apr 2, 2014
Electrical System

WHEN I WOULD TURN ON THE HEAT OR THE AIR CONDINTIONING IT WOULD WORK AT FIRST THEN WHEN I PUT ON THE BRAKES THE AIR WOULD STOP WORKING. NOW THE AIR AND OR HEAT DOESN'T COME ON BLOWING AT ALL, YOU CAN FEEL SOMETHING LIKE IT MIGHT BE ON LOW BUT IT DOESN'T CHANGE WHEN YOU MOVE THE DIAL UP OR DOWN.I WAS TOLD THIS IS DUE TO THE TOT…

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WHEN I WOULD TURN ON THE HEAT OR THE AIR CONDINTIONING IT WOULD WORK AT FIRST THEN WHEN I PUT ON THE BRAKES THE AIR WOULD STOP WORKING. NOW THE AIR AND OR HEAT DOESN'T COME ON BLOWING AT ALL, YOU CAN FEEL SOMETHING LIKE IT MIGHT BE ON LOW BUT IT DOESN'T CHANGE WHEN YOU MOVE THE DIAL UP OR DOWN.I WAS TOLD THIS IS DUE TO THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE. THIS IS ELECTRICAL AND SHOULD BE COVERED THROUGH COMPANY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576840

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

NEITHER HIGH OR LOW BEAM LIGHTS COME ON. WHEN I TURN THEM ON, THEY WILL BLINK THREE TIMES, AND NOTHING ELSE. HAD TWO MECHANICS WORK ON IT, BUT COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT.

NHTSA ODI #10552535

Official recalls

2

10V164000 · Suspension:rear

Apr 23, 2010

THE BRAUN CORPORATION IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE CARAVAN MOBILITY CONVERSIONS WHICH WERE ALTERED BY BRAUN BETWEEN JANUARY 21, 2009 AND MARCH 19, 2010. DURING CONVERSION, THE CHASSIS WAS RAISED AND THE FLOOR WAS LOWERED TO ACCOMMODATE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES. IN RAISING THE CHASSIS, THE REAR SPRING HATS COME INTO CLOSER PROXIMITY TO THE REAR TIRES. IN ROUGH OR AGGRESSIVE DRIVING SITUATIONS THE TIRES MAY INTERMITTENTLY CONTACT THE REAR SPRING HATS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONTACT BETWEEN THE TIRE SPRING HAT MAY WEAR A HOLE IN THE TIRE OVER TIME. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL IN THE EVENT OF TIRE PRESSURE LOSS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: BRAUN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BRAUN TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-488-0359.

10V148000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Apr 13, 2010

THE BRAUN CORPORATION IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE CARAVAN COMMERCIAL ENTERVANS WHICH WERE ALTERED BY BRAUN BETWEEN JANUARY 21, 2009 AND MARCH 19, 2010. DURING CONVERSION, THE CHASSIS WAS RAISED AND THE FLOOR WAS LOWERED TO ACCOMMODATE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES. IN RAISING THE CHASSIS, THE FUEL FILL PIPE COMES INTO CLOSER PROXIMITY TO THE LEFT REAR TIRE. IN ROUGH OR AGGRESSIVE DRIVING SITUATIONS, THE TIRE MAY INTERMITTENTLY CONTACT THE FUEL FILL PIPE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONTACT BETWEEN THE TIRE AND FUEL FILL PIPE MAY WEAR A HOLE IN ONE OR THE OTHER COMPONENTS OVER TIME. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL IN THE EVENT OF TIRE PRESSURE LOSS, OR A VEHICLE FIRE IN THE EVENT THE FUEL PIPE IS COMPROMISED.

Remedy: BRAUN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BRAUN TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-488-0359.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP14004 · Totally Integrated Power Module Failure

Opened Sep 25, 2014 · Closed Jul 24, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year. The petitioner alleges that TIPM defects may result in engine stall, airbag non-deployment, failure of fuel pump shutoff resulting in unintended acceleration, fire, and other symptoms. On September 25, 2014, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened DP14-004 to evaluate the petition for a grant or deny decision. ODI analyzed complaint data provided by CAS as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 296 complaints submitted by the petitioner in the original petition and five supplements, including 271 complaints related to the subject vehicles equipped with TIPM-7. Approximately 3 percent of CAS complaints are related to vehicles equipped with TIPM-6 and ODI?s review of these complaints did not identify any safety defect trends. ODI conducted a detailed review of complaints narratives submitted by CAS and consumers including careful analysis of vehicle repair histories, warranty claims obtained from the manufacturer and any available Customer Assistance Inquiry reports (CAIR). Analysis of the field data indicated that MY2011-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles exhibited significantly higher complaint rates related to fuel pump relay (FPR) failures than other subject vehicles. In a September 3, 2014 letter to NHTSA, Chrysler submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the FPR within the TIPM-7 which can result in a no start or stall condition in approximately 188,723 model year (MY) 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK) and Dodge Durango (WD) vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010 through July 20, 2011 (14V-530).In a February 24, 2015 letter, Chrysler submitted a second DIR expanding the scope of the FPR defect condition to include an additional 338,216 MY 2012 through 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured from September 17, 2010 through August 19, 2013 and MY 2012 through 2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 18, 2011 through August 19, 2013 (15V-115).ODI analysis of the CAS allegations of TIPM defects resulting in stall while driving, airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration, fire and other faults identified a single defect condition related to 1 of over 60 different circuits in the TIPM assembly. The most common effect of this defect condition, related to the fuel pump relay, was a no-start concern, but it could also result in stall while driving (76 complaints). No valid evidence was presented in support of claims related to airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration or fire resulting from TIPM faults and these claims were found to be wholly without merit based on review of the field data and design of the relevant systems and components.Except insofar as the petitioner's contentions relate to the defect condition addressed by the Chrysler recalls, the factual bases of the petitioner's contentions that any further investigation is necessary are unsupported. In our view, additional investigation is unlikely to result in a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists or a NHTSA order for the notification and remedy of a safety-related defect as alleged by the petitioner at the conclusion of the requested investigation. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is den