2008 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN: complaints, problems and recalls

CAR WAS PUT INTO DRIVE, AS I STARTED TO DRIVE, I NOTICED THE ENGINE RACING. I LOOKED DOWN AND SAW IT WAS IN FIRST GEAR. I SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE RACED, I ENGAGED THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN AND IT SLAMMED INTO DRIVE AND SPUN THE WHEELS FOR A MOMENT THEN DROVE NORMALLY. IT HAS BEEN ACCELERATING WHILE IN DRIVE ON ITS OWN ALSO. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 645 miles reported. Look up ODI 10216935 at NHTSA ↗

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS WIFE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN SHE GOT HIT IN THE LEFT SIDE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT LUCKILY SHE CAME OUT WITH JUST INJURIES. *KB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10223891 at NHTSA ↗

OUR 2008 GRAND CARAVAN HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR 7 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. THE LAST OCCURRENCE ALMOST CAUSED MY WIFE TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT. THE TURN SIGNALS OF THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. ALONG WITH THAT THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT FUNCTION NOR WOULD THE AC. SHE HAD TO RESTART THE VAN TWICE TO GET THE TURN SIGNALS WORKING AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED ON ITS OWN WHILE IN MOTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT IT WAS THE IGNITION NODE AND REPLACED ON 6-19-08. WE HAVE REQUESTED A BUY…

Owner-reported narrative. 6,160 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231687 at NHTSA ↗

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN TRANSMISSION WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND WAS STUCK IN GEAR AND WOULD NOT SHIFT. I HAD TO EXIT TO SIDE OF ROAD, SHUT VEHICLE OFF AND THEN RESTART. VEHICLE STARTED SHIFTING BUT THEN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH A BURNING SMELL. DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT VEHICLE AND CLEARED CODES AND REPROGRAMMED PCM. DEALER STATED CODES WERE RELATED TO TRANSMISSION. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 4,085 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231698 at NHTSA ↗

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. TRANSMISSION STARTED BACK INTO LIMP MODE. TOOK TO BACK TO DEALER ON 05/03/08 FOR EVALUATION. DEALER KEPT VEHICLE FOR ONE WEEK AND FINALLY TORE TRANSMISSION DOWN AND REPLACED INTERNAL PARTS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 4,164 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231700 at NHTSA ↗

THE TRANSMISSION OF OUR 2008 GRAND CARAVAN WAS HAVING ISSUES WHEN GOING INTO REVERSE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL OR PARK THE INDICATOR SHOWED THE VEHICLE TO BE IN ALL GEARS AT THE SAME TIME. ALSO THE BACK DOORS AND HATCH WOULD NOT OPEN DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE THOUGHT THAT IT WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS FOUND THAT THE PCM HAD INTERNAL FAILURES. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE PCM. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 4,433 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231714 at NHTSA ↗

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE ON JUNE 25, 2008 AND THE VERY NEXT DAY IT STARTED MAKING A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH BOARD AREA. IT DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME. IT COMES AND GOES. IT IS LOUD AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS. IT IS GOING TO THE SHOP TOMORROW FOR THE 3RD TIME. THIS LOUD SQUEALING NOISE IS LOUD AND HAPPENS A LOT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10236285 at NHTSA ↗

I AM WRITING ABOUT WHAT I FEEL WAS A SEVERE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. I WAS IN A CRASH THAT WAS HIGH ENOUGH IMPACT TO TOTAL MY RENTAL VEHICLE...SMASH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, AND TURN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE INTO AN ACCORDION; MOREOVER, THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE ENDED MY LIFE. I ESCAPED WITH TORN MUSCLES IN MY SHOULDERS, HAIRLINE CRACKS IN MY FRONT TEETH AND A BROKEN COLLAR BONE. AS THE DRIVER, I AM HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS ABOUT THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING IN SUCH A HIGH IMPACT INCIDENT. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN A MOTORIST RAN A REDLIGHT AND RAN INTO T…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10237780 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2009-09-11 (September 11, 2009)

ELDORADO NATIONAL IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 AMERIVAN MOBILITY VEHICLES BUILT ON CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN PLATFORMS VEHICLES. THE REAR BRAKE LINES MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ROUTED AND NOT SECURED PROPERLY DURING THE ALTERATION. IF NOT ROUTED AND SECURED PROPERLY, THE BRAKE LINES COULD RUB AGAINST THE VEHICLE CAUSING A BRAKE FLUID LEAK.

Consequence: A BRAKE FLUID LEAK COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY CAUSING A CRASH.

Remedy: ELDORADO NATIONAL AMERIVAN DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND IF THE BRAKE LINES WERE IMPROPERLY ROUTED THEY WILL BE CORRECTLY REINSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ELDORADO NATIONAL AT 1-800-955-9086. THESE MINIVANS HAVE BEEN ALTERED INTO WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES BY ELDORADO. THIS RECALL IS NOT BEING CONDUCTED BY CHRYSLER GROUP LLC AND WILL NOT BE PERFORMED AT NO COST BY DODGE OR CHRYSLER DEALERS UNLESS THEY ARE ALSO AN ELDORADO NATIONAL DEALER.

Reported: 2010-06-03 (June 3, 2010)

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 2007 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2009. SOME OF THE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY ROUTED WIRE HARNESS THAT MAY HAVE A CONDITION WHERE THE LOWER SLIDING DOOR HINGE BRACKET CAN MAKE CONTACT AND WEAR THROUGH THE WIRE INSULATION.

Consequence: A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD OCCUR INSIDE THE SLIDING DOOR, OVERHEATING THE LATCH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-853-1403.

Reported: 2010-12-08 (December 8, 2010)

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A WATER LEAK At THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONER (HVAC) DRAIN GROMMET WHICH CAN LEAD TO ILLUMINATION OF AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND A POTENTIAL INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence: AN INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN FRONT OF THE DEPLOYING AIRBAG AND/OR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HVAC DRAIN GROMMET FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 14, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Reported: 2011-08-03 (August 3, 2011)

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 CHRYSLER GRAND VOYAGER, TOWN AND COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 24, 2007, THROUGH JULY 30, 2008. THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONER (HVAC) CONDENSATE LEAK FROM THE HVAC DRAIN GROMMET ONTO THE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROL (ORC) MODULE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND A POTENTIAL INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WITHOUT WARNING.

Consequence: AN INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN FRONT OF THE DEPLOYING AIRBAG AND/OR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED AIR BAG MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 14, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Reported: 2014-02-11 (February 11, 2014)

Freedom Motors Inc., (Freedom Motors) of Savaria Vehicle Group (formerly The Liberty Motor Company) is recalling one model year 2009 Volkswagen Routan and certain model year 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country wheelchair accessible vehicles modified by The Liberty Motor Company from February 2008 through January 2011. Over time and with use, the vehicle's rear axle may develop cracks which could lead to axle failure.

Consequence: Failure of the rear axle may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Freedom Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected axles, free of charge. The recall began on April 1, 2014. Owners can contact Freedom Motors at 1-800-561-9600. Freedom Motors' number for this recall is ENGF0216-3.

Reported: 2014-06-26 (June 26, 2014)

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured June 29, 2007, to June 17, 2010, and 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured January 26, 2007, to June 17, 2010. Road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence: If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R03. Note: This is an expansion of recall 11V-139.

Reported: 2016-01-29 (January 29, 2016)

FCA US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured December 31, 2007, to August 31, 2008, 2008-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured June 18, 2007, to August 31, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.

Consequence: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. Additionally, the air bags may inadvertently deploy, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S07.

Reported: 2020-07-07 (July 7, 2020)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the driver air bag module may become projectiles in the event of a driver air bag deployment.

Consequence: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W09.