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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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50,000 miles · Sep 8, 2011
Electrical System

VEHICLE HAS BEEN SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS BEEN POWERING DOWN THEN REPOWERING. BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES ROTORS TWICE. POWER DOOR LOCKS WORK HALF THE TIME. AIR CONDITIONING HAS PROBLEMS. POWER SLIDING DOORS ONLY OPEN BY HAND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10424348

78,892 miles · Sep 2, 2011
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

VEHICLE PURCHASED IN PUERTO RICO WITH 40,000+ MILES; REPLACED A ROTOR & ALL PADS ABOUT 65,000 MILES. COULD HEAR NOISES COMING FROM BRAKE MECHANISM (NOISES WENT AWAY UPON REPLACEMENT OF BRAKES WITH OEM PARTS). AROUND 70,000 MILES THE VEHICLE STARTED LOCKING ITSELF WITHOUT WARNING, AT LEAST TWICE WITH KEYS INSIDE. IMAGINE A HOT…

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VEHICLE PURCHASED IN PUERTO RICO WITH 40,000+ MILES; REPLACED A ROTOR & ALL PADS ABOUT 65,000 MILES. COULD HEAR NOISES COMING FROM BRAKE MECHANISM (NOISES WENT AWAY UPON REPLACEMENT OF BRAKES WITH OEM PARTS). AROUND 70,000 MILES THE VEHICLE STARTED LOCKING ITSELF WITHOUT WARNING, AT LEAST TWICE WITH KEYS INSIDE. IMAGINE A HOT DAY AND A CHILD IN A RESTRAINT SEAT AND THE CAR LOCKED. I DID NOTICE THAT ABOUT THE SAME TIME, THE POWER LOCK SWITCH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BECAME INOPERABLE. NOW AT 78,892 THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT ON THE BLINK (BLANK), EXCEPT FOR THE DIGITAL MILEAGE INDICATOR & 'GATE AJAR' . I STOPPED FOR GROCERIES & WHEN I WENT TO CRANK THE STARTER SOLENOID, NOTHING HAPPENS. HAD TO TOW HOME & AM TOLD THAT LOCAL DEALERS ARE CHARGING $1,000 TO REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER.... NO WONDER LESS & LESS PEOPLE ARE BUYING AMERICAN BRAND CARS. ANY SUGGESTIONS? I DO APPRECIATE THE NHTSA EFFORTS. THANKYOU! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10423111

80,000 miles · Aug 18, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE FURTHER. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICLY DURING HOT WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GROU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE FURTHER. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICLY DURING HOT WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GROUND WIRE FOR THE WIRING HARNESS WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED DURING PRODUCTION. THE MECHANIC ALSO DETECTED FAULTY BATTERY CABLES DUE TO SUBSTANTIAL CORROSION WITHIN THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10419953

56,000 miles · Jul 26, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE ILLUMINATED AND NONE OF THE GAUGES FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD TURN ON UNEXPECTEDLY AND THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK INVOLUNTARILY. THE VEH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE ILLUMINATED AND NONE OF THE GAUGES FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD TURN ON UNEXPECTEDLY AND THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK INVOLUNTARILY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND THE CURRENT MIELAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA ODI #10415239

Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V235000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING), BUT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V235000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING), BUT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,097.

NHTSA ODI #10410579

25,000 miles · Jan 3, 2011
Air BagsElectrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

WIRING HARNESS LEADING TO DRIVER SIDE DOOR BECAME PINCHED/ CHAFFED RESULTING IN DEACTIVATION OF SIDE AIRBAGS. WIRING HARNESS REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373957

17,297 miles · Jul 13, 2010
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE SYSTEM ISSUES AND POSSIBLE FRONT-END ISSUES IN GENERAL, ELECTRICAL ISSUES. HAD TO REPLACE FRONT TIRES AT 18729 MILES. BRAKES PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED REPLACED AT 24130 MILES. DEALER ONLY AGREED TO COVER ROTORS AFTER MUCH DISAGREEMENT. STATED EVERYTHING ELSE WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEEN COMING ON SINCE LA…

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BRAKE SYSTEM ISSUES AND POSSIBLE FRONT-END ISSUES IN GENERAL, ELECTRICAL ISSUES. HAD TO REPLACE FRONT TIRES AT 18729 MILES. BRAKES PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED REPLACED AT 24130 MILES. DEALER ONLY AGREED TO COVER ROTORS AFTER MUCH DISAGREEMENT. STATED EVERYTHING ELSE WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEEN COMING ON SINCE LATE 2009, KEEP TAKING IT IN- STATED PROBLEMS WITH O2 SENSORS. PROBLEM STILL NOT FIXED. DEALER STATES WE MUST NEED NEW COMPUTER, AND THAT WILL BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. BRAKES HAVE BEEN MAKING SCREECHING/RATTLING NOISES AGAIN, AND MILEAGE IS NOW AT 29000 MILES. DEALER STATES NOTHING WRONG WITH BRAKES, THAT IT MUST BE BRAKE DUST. DEALER JUST DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OR PAY TO COVER- THERE IS ABSOLUTELY AN ISSUE THAT THEY WILL NOT ADMIT. INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS FAILED 4 TIMES WHILE DRIVING, INCLUDING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THERE IS SOMETHING VERY WRONG WITH THIS VAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10343048

60,000 miles · Jul 8, 2010
Electrical System

I HAVE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH MY VAN. ALL WARNING-LIGHT-INDICATORS IN MY INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD TURN "ON" WHILE I'M DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY OR STREET. ALSO, I HAVE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH MY HEADLIGHTS THAT FLICKER "ON" AND "OFF" BY ITSELF WHILE I'M DRIVING. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE, SPECIALLY AT NIGHT. MY DEALERSHIP HAVE FAILE…

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I HAVE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH MY VAN. ALL WARNING-LIGHT-INDICATORS IN MY INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD TURN "ON" WHILE I'M DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY OR STREET. ALSO, I HAVE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH MY HEADLIGHTS THAT FLICKER "ON" AND "OFF" BY ITSELF WHILE I'M DRIVING. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE, SPECIALLY AT NIGHT. MY DEALERSHIP HAVE FAILED TO HELP DIAGNOSE THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342038

92,000 miles · Jun 25, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. HEADLIGHTS FAIL WHILE DRIVING. THEY WILL COME AND GO. BRIGHTS MAY FAIL OR LOW BEAMS MAY FAIL OR BOTH TOGETHER. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET. DODGE DEALER AND OTHER MECHANIC HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR FIND THE CAUSE. I HAVE SEEN AT LEAST 30-50 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON…

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2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. HEADLIGHTS FAIL WHILE DRIVING. THEY WILL COME AND GO. BRIGHTS MAY FAIL OR LOW BEAMS MAY FAIL OR BOTH TOGETHER. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET. DODGE DEALER AND OTHER MECHANIC HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR FIND THE CAUSE. I HAVE SEEN AT LEAST 30-50 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10340145

14,976 miles · Feb 27, 2010
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKES REBUILT. BRAKE PROBLEM INDICATOR LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR CHECK AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS JUST A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER. BRAKES GAVE OUT ONE MONTH AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT (CERTIFIED) SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE BRAKE SYSTEM…

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BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKES REBUILT. BRAKE PROBLEM INDICATOR LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR CHECK AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS JUST A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER. BRAKES GAVE OUT ONE MONTH AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT (CERTIFIED) SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT AND THAT THE BRAKE WARNING SYSTEM APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN COMPROMISED, RENDERING IT USELESS. ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH THE TIRE INFLATION INDICATOR (DEALERSHIP FIXED THIS PROBLEM AND STATED IT WAS A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION) AND SHORTS IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE HORN TURN SIGNALS, LIGHTS, AND ALARM SYSTEM. DEALERSHIP DID A REPAIR ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314864

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