RoadVitals

2008 Dodge Caravan Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Oct 25, 2022
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 302 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2008 Dodge Caravan submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming exterior lighting

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 25, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that the headlights appeared hazy and clogged. Additionally, the contact stated that the headlight failed to illuminate and provide proper illumination while driving. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11490791
Incident
Oct 25, 2020
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 30, 2020

HEADLIGHTS TURNING OFF DURING ANY DRIVING ,STATIONARY,CITY HIGHWAY NIGHT DAY RAIN COLD WARM ALL THE ABOVE ANTIME ANY CONDITION.FLICKERING SOMETIMES STAYING OFF MOST OF THE TIME NEED TO HOLD PASSING FLASH BRIGHTS ON TO STILL ATLEAST HAVE LIGHT SOMETIMES DOSENT WORK ALL THE TIME. MONTHS NOW.

NHTSA ID
11385656
Incident
Jun 9, 2020
Mileage
120,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed May 31, 2018

MY HEADLIGHTS ARE FLICKERING I SEE MANY CAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TIPM RELAY AND WANT IT FIXED UNDER THE RECALL I COULD HAVE HAD A CAR ACCIDENT THIS ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED

NHTSA ID
11099105
Incident
May 31, 2018
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Dec 3, 2017
Crash reported

WAS DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT WHEN RANDOMLY MY LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, HORN STARTED BLARING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED GOING OFF, WASHER FLUID WAS SPRAYING EVERYWHERE. LOCKS WERE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING. I ENDED UP DRIVING INTO SOMEONE'S LAWN AS I COULD NOT SEE PROPERLY WITH POOR LIGHTING AND ALL THE DISTRACTIONS. ONCE I GOT HOME THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO BE POSSESSED EVEN WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET EVERYTHING TO STOP AFTER UNPLUGGING THE BATTERY. UPON INTERNET RESEARCH IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG TO REALIZE IT WAS TIPM FUSE BOX ISSUE, I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME BOX HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. I HAVE GONE TO THE JUNKYARD 3 TIMES AND GRABBED A USED TIPM FUSE BOX REPLACEMENT. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. SECOND REPLACEMENT THERE WAS A LOT OF TROUBLE LIGHTS ON THE DASH AND THE ODOMETER DID NOT WORK. WITH MY MOST RECENT REPLACEMENT THE HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK. SO INCLUDING MY ORIGINAL TIPM , THAT'S 4 FAULTY TIPMS. DO YOU NOTICE A PROBLEM OR PATTERN HERE?

NHTSA ID
11052043
Incident
Oct 21, 2017
Mileage
158,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Sep 10, 2017

MANY ISSUES, APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO THE TIPM. HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY STOP WORKING, AS DO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS(VARIOUS TIMES, WHEN DRIVING/WHEN STARTING THE CAR). CAR HORN BEEPS WHEN DRIVER DOOR IS OPENED. AIR CONDITIONER/HEATER INTERMITTENTLY STOPS WORKING (WHEN DRIVING), WILL USUALLY COME BACK ON AFTER PULLING OVER AND RESTARTING THE CAR. VERY DANGEROUS IN THE WINTER.

NHTSA ID
11022550
Incident
Mar 3, 2017
Mileage
120,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Sep 26, 2016

WIPERS, LIGHTS, HORN,DOOR LOCKS ALL SEEMED TO GO OFF WENT NO WARNING WIPERS START SPRAYING FLUID BY ITSELF. COULD NOT GET TO STOP WINDOWS WOULD NOT WORK, HAD TO PULL HORN FUSES TO MAKE HORN STOP BLOWING DISCONNECT BATTERY TO MAKE SURE IT WOULD START TO HAVE IT TAKEN TO BE LOOKED AT VERY DISAPPOINTED IN VEHICLE ONLY 81,500 MILES ON IT

NHTSA ID
10909659
Incident
Sep 23, 2016
Mileage
81,500 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Mar 21, 2015

2008 DODGE CARAVAN SXT, EXPERIENCING WIPERS WITH FLUID COMING ON RANDOMLY WITH LIGHTS FLASHING, DOORS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING AND HORN BLOWING ERRATICALLY. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE TPMS,ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COMING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10700851
Incident
Nov 11, 2013
Mileage
114,837 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Sep 15, 2014

WHEN CLICKING OFF MY HIGH BEAMS, MY WIPERS CAME ON. I WAS UNABLE TO SHUT THEM OFF. AT THE SAME TIME MY HIGH BEAMS, TURN SIGNALS AND REAR WIPER STOPPED WORKING. WHILE MY FRONT WIPERS WERE GOING NON-STOP DESPITE BEING SHUT OFF, THE WASHER FLUID DID NOT WORK (FRONT AND BACK). WHEN I TOOK IT TO MY GARAGE I WAS TOLD THE TIPM HAD TO BE REPLACED BUT IT WAS CURRENTLY ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHEN THEY COULD GET THEIR HANDS ON ONE. FOR THE TIME BEING I HAVE HAD TO MAKE DUE WITH DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY FOR 7-10 MINUTES AND THEN ALL SYSTEMS WORK AGAIN, I AM NOT SURE HOW LONG THIS WILL WORK FOR BUT CURRENTLY THE ONLY OPTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10633308
Incident
Sep 12, 2014
Mileage
123,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Sep 12, 2014

I COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS BEFORE AND IT IS ONLY GETTING WORSE!!!! I WON'T PUT WASHER FLUID IN MY VAN A WASTE OF MONEY!!!! I TOOK OUT THE HORN FUSES BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT AND IT IS ONLY GETTING WORSE BECAUSE NOW WHEN IT HAPPENS MY HEAD LIGHTS DON'T WORK!!!! I WAS DRIVING TO THE HOSPITAL FOR SURGERY WHEN IT WAS DARK OUT AND THE WIPERS STARTED GOING AND NOW WHEN IT HAPPENS MY HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK!!! I DON'T FEEL LIKE IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THE PROBLEM!!!! WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY 500 DOLLARS TO FIX A PROBLEM WHEN IT SHOULD BE RECALLED!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10632903
Incident
Sep 11, 2014
Mileage
70,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 18, 2014

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 ID
10626040
Incident
Nov 9, 2013
Mileage
38,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Jun 6, 2014

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 ID
10596695
Incident
Jan 11, 2014
Mileage
100,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Nov 16, 2013

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 ID
10552535
Incident
Nov 1, 2013
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Aug 27, 2013

8/24 - THE VAN WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT WITH MY HUSBAND & SON SITTING IN IT. ANOTHER DRIVER CAME TO CLAIM THEIR NEARBY DODGE CARAVAN & BEEPED OPEN HIS VAN, AT THAT POINT OUR WIPERS STARTED GOING FULL SPEED & THE FLUID SHOT UP. IT STOPPED FOR A MINUTE THEN STARTED GOING FULL STRENGTH AGAIN WITH THE HORN GOING NON-STOP, THE LIGHTS ALL STARTED FLASHING, & THE DOORS ALL LOCKED. THE KEY FOB WAS IN THE IGNITION BUT IN THE OFF POSITION. MY HUSBAND TRIED UNLOCKING THE DOORS WITH THE KEY FOB (PULLED OUT OF THE IGNITION), TRIED USING THE INDOOR UNLOCK BUTTON BUT ALL WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. WE WERE ABLE TO MANUALLY OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE. ALL OF THIS KEPT GOING FOR ABOUT 5 MINS UNTIL I CLIMBED IN THE BACK TO OPEN THE SIDE DOORS TO AIR OUT THE CAR & GET MY 2 YEAR OLD OUT. WHEN I MANUALLY UNLOCKED THE DRIVER SIDE BACK DOOR EVERYTHING STOPPED. WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE HOME WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT THAT DAY. 8/25 - WE WERE DRIVING BACK TO CHICAGO WHEN THE WIPERS DID THE SAME THING BUT NOTHING ELSE. 8/26 - I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN ALL THE DOORS UNLOCKED & ALL THE WARNINGS ON THE CONTROL PANEL LIT UP. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WHEN I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN THE RPM STARTED GOING CRAZY LIKE IT COULDN'T SHIFT GEAR. I PULLED OVER AGAIN, TURNED THE VAN OFF & LET IT SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES. I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE MY DRIVE TO WORK & GOT HOME OK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10537444
Incident
Aug 24, 2013
Mileage
50,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Aug 13, 2013

ON A HIGHWAY RAMP ENTERING THE HIGHWAY THE HORN ON MY VAN STARTED TO BLOW ON & OFF, AT THE SAME TIME THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE WIPING & THE SPRAY WAS SPEWING AT ME AT HIGH SPEED. THE LIGHTS BLINKED ON AND OFF & THE DOOR LOCKS WERE GOING UP & DOWN. THE RADIO WAS BLASTING AS WELL. I CAME TO A STOP BEFORE ENTERING THE HIGHWAY TO TRY & FIGURE THINGS OUT BUT NOTHING WORKED. FOR 5-8 MINUTES I SAT THERE IN FEAR IT WOULD CATCH ON FIRE. I PUT IN PARK, TURNED IT OFF & TOOK THE KEYS OUT. IT CONTINUED TO DO ALL THE ACTIVITY WITH THE KEYS IN MY HAND! WHEN IT STOPPED & I TRIED TO STARTING IT. IT STARTED & RAN OK TILL IT HAPPENED NOT MORE THAN 15 MINUTES LATTER ON MY WAY TO THE DEALER. THIS TIME IT LURCHED FORWARD AT A FASTER SPEED WITH EVERYTHING WIPING, BLOWING, SPEWING & BLINKING WHICH CAUSED ME TO DROP IT INTO NEUTRAL & BRAKE TO A STOP IN THE MEDIAN. THIS TIME WHEN IT BECAME QUITE IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN & WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY SAW THE CODES IT LEFT BUT COULDN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THEY SAID THEY COULD KEEP IT THRU THE WEEKEND & TRY AGAIN ON MONDAY OR I COULD TAKE IT & BRING IT BACK WHEN IT DID IT AGAIN. THIS IS THE CAR I DRIVE MY FAMILY IN ALL THE TIME. MYSELF & 4 YOUNG GIRLS PLUS FRIENDS. ALTHOUGH I AM THANKFUL TO HAVE ONLY HAD TO PAY FOR TOWING I AM VERY UPSET THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND THE CAUSE. I AM ESSENTIALLY DRIVING A TICKING TIME BOMB. THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AT ANY TIME, ANYWHERE & WITH A CAR FULL OF KIDS! I HAVE SAID FROM DAY 1 THAT THE VAN HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS & NO ONE TOOK ME SERIOUS. THE ONLY THING THE DEALER FOUND THAT RAISED A RED FLAG WAS THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WHEN YOU USE THE TURN SIGNAL - THIS HAS BEEN A CHIEF COMPLAINT ALL ALONG. MY FAMILY HAS HAD DODGES FOR A LONG TIME, HAVE BEEN LOYAL CUSTOMERS & EMPLOYEES. WE EXPECT BETTER FROM A COMPANY WE'VE GROWN TO DEPEND ON & REFER OTHERS TO FOR THEIR NEXT VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10535117
Incident
Aug 8, 2013
Mileage
55,387 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 25, 2010

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 ID
10340145
Incident
Jun 18, 2010
Mileage
92,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .