2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Suspension Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FRACTURED REAR AXLE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER YET THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SUSPENSSION AND REPAIRS PAID BY THE CONTACT THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A LOUD RATTLING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A NEIGHBOR MECHANIC, THAT DETERMINED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTIURED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO WANTED TO MENTION THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED AT THE DEALER BENITEZ CHRYSLER,DODGE,JEEP, CARRETERA 3, KM 77.2, BO RIO ABAJO, HUMACAO, PR 00791, APPROXIMATELY 6 TIMES FOR THE EGR( EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION ). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE AXLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,207.

NHTSA ID

11308431

Incident

Jan 25, 2020

Mileage

99,207 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE EMITTING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AGAIN AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.

NHTSA ID

11000572

Incident

Jun 20, 2017

Mileage

149,000 mi

THIS IS CONCERNING OUR 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN THAT WAS MODIFIED BY AMS VANS INC; VIN NUMBER IS [XXX]. THE REAR AXLE BEAM CURRENTLY HAS TWO FRACTURES IN IT, WHICH MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I RECENTLY TOOK THE VAN INTO AN AUTO SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTICS BECAUSE THE REAR WHEELS WERE MAKING NOISES. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, WE NOTICED THE REAR AXLE HAD TWO SEVERE FRACTURES ALONG THE C-CHANNEL, WHICH MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10990607

Incident

May 16, 2017

Mileage

160,000 mi

I FIRST HAD TO HAVE FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED AT 79,000 MILES OCT 2012, NOW THEY ARE BAD AGAIN AT 127,000 MILES. I'VE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A SET OF WHEEL BEARINGS ON A VEHICLE LET ALONE TWO TIMES IN THIS SHORT OF DISTANCE,"MILES". CHRYSLER WON'T REPLACE THEM BUT THEY HAVE A SERVICE BULLETINS SAYING THEY WILL BUT IT DOESN'T DIRECTLY AFFECT MY VIN # SO I'M OUT OF LUCK TO OVER $1000 TO FIX IT MYSELF. *TR

NHTSA ID

10692957

Incident

Feb 2, 2015

Mileage

127,000 mi

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ID

10606449

Incident

Jun 20, 2014

Mileage

77,800 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V055000 (REAR AXLE). THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED NUMEROUS TIMES; HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10605302

Incident

Jun 23, 2014

I HAVE REPLACED MY BRAKES 3 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT UTTER AND MOTORS 1 TIME THEY GET VERY HOT AND SMELL LIKE THEIR BURNING ALSO A POSSIBLE HUB BEARING IS GOING OUT ON PASSENGER SIDE LAST BUT NOT LEASE MY LIGHT ON RADIO IS NOT WORKING AS WELL. I'VE OBSERVED ON THE WEB SITE SEVERAL DODGE GRANDCARAVANS HAVE BEEN HAVING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10398491

Incident

Mar 30, 2011

Mileage

89,002 mi

MY 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS GOING OUT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY DODGE HAS NO RECALL ON THIS. THE SHOP WERE IT IS BEING REPAIRED STATED THAT DODGE HAD A RECALL ON ANOTHER VAN FOR THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND THEY ARE THE SAME BEARINGS AND SAME PART NUMBER FOR MY VAN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10398316

Incident

Apr 29, 2011

Mileage

83,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING IN THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL BEARINGS HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS NEED TO BE CONFIGURED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. UPDATED 04/12/11*LJ UPDATED 05/19/11

NHTSA ID

10382772

Incident

Dec 14, 2010

Mileage

60,000 mi

MY 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AT 60,000 MILES IS ALREADY NEEDING THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED. I CAN SEE ONLINE THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ONE OTHER OWNER REPORTS COMPARING THE BEARINGS THAT WERE ORIGINALLY ON THE VEHICLE TO THE REPLACEMENT PART AND NOTING THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART IS NOTABLY BETTER MADE. THIS ANGERS ME IN THAT IT IS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM I'VE HAD WITH THIS NEWER VEHICLE. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TYPE OF SAFETY HAZARD THIS CREATES, BUT I CANNOT AFFORD $500 TO REPLACE IT, AFTER HAVING JUST SPENT $500 TO REPLACE THE BRAKES. I FEEL THAT DODGE SHOULD HONOR REPLACING THE WHEEL BEARINGS AS A VEHICLE RECALL! *TR

NHTSA ID

10363026

Incident

Oct 10, 2010

Mileage

60,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A HUMMING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING AT ANY SPPED. THE HUMMING NOISE BECAME LOUDER, THE MORE THE SPEED INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ALL THE WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,800.

NHTSA ID

10358277

Incident

Feb 1, 2010

Mileage

58,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH SHE HEARD A HIGH PITCH SCRAPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,762.

NHTSA ID

10354097

Incident

Aug 19, 2010

Mileage

37,800 mi

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON MARCH 31, 2008 AND HAVE HAD IT FOR 2 YEARS. WE WERE HEADED OUT OF TOWN ON VACATION AND HAD TO STOP AT 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS A LONG THE WAY FOR THEM TO TRY TO CORRECT THE PULLING. NEITHER ONE COULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IN THE 2 YEAR TIME IT HAS BEEN BACK IN FORTH TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT SEVERAL TIMES FOR IT PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND EATING THE FRONT EDGE OF EVERY TIRE THAT HAS BEEN PUT ON THE FRONT. TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED REGULARLY AND CROSSED AND STILL HAS THE OUTSIDE TIRE WEAR FROM THE PULL. CAM BOLTS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED BY THE DEALER TO HELP CORRECT THE ALIGNMENT WITH NO RESULTS. IT STILL PULLS. I HAVE FILED A LEMON LAW COMPLAINT WITH CHRYSLER WHO HAS PERFORMED THE FINAL REPAIR ATTEMPT AND IT STILL PULLS. I HAVE TOOK IT TO 2 LOCAL TIRE ALIGNMENT SHOPS HERE AND BOTH HAVE SAID THE ALIGNMENT CAN'T BE FIXED. CHRYSLER'S POSITION IS THAT THE VEHICLE DRIVES AS DESIGNED AND NO FURTHER ACTION WILL TRANSPIRE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A VEHICLE CAN BE DESIGNED TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OFF THE ROAD TO THE RIGHT IF YOU LET GO OF THE STEERING WHEEL. IT IS NOT A DRIFT TO THE RIGHT. A DRIFT DOESN'T EAT TIRES FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND. MY HAND ACTUALLY FALLS ASLEEP WHILE TRYING TO DRIVE THE VAN FOR LONG DISTANCES BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO FIGHT TO KEEP THE VAN ON THE ROAD. WE HAVE DRIVEN 2 OTHER CHRYSLER VANS FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES AND THEY PULL TO THE RIGHT AS WELL BUT NOT TO THE EXTENT OF MY VAN. I AM STILL IN THE LEMON LAW PROCESS AND DON'T KNOW IF I WILL GET ANYWHERE WITH CHRYSLER BUT SOMEONE NEEDS TO CHECK THE STEERING AND ALIGNMENT OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL. YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FIGHT THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD. THIS ISSUE HAS MADE ME DESPISE THIS VAN AND IT WAS PERFECT FOR A FAMILY WITH 3 KIDS. BAD SAFETY HAZARD AND CHRYSLER SHOULD BE MADE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE AND NOT JUST PLAY GOD WITH THE FINAL STATEMENT OF "THIS VEHICLE PERFORMS AS DESIGNED". *TR

NHTSA ID

10328079

Incident

Mar 31, 2008

I HAVE A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SXT WITH 28,612 MILES (MOSTLY INTERSTATE). ON NOVEMBER 23, 2008 I WAS GOING EAST ON INTERSTATE 70. A FEW MILES FROM HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND THE CAR'S FRONT END STARTED TO SHAKE. I CALLED THE DODGE DEALERSHIP IN HAGERSTOWN. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CAR'S RIGHT FRONT AXLE HAD SNAPPED. THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK AND HAD TO ORDER IT. WHEN I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP ONE WEEK LATER THE SERVICE MANGER TOLD US THE CAUSE OF THE FAILED FRONT END AXLE HUB WAS DUE TO THE NUTS BEING LOOSE, THUS ALLOWING THE AXEL TO DISENGAGE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I DISCOVERED THAT DODGE HAS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH SOME OF THEIR OTHER VEHICLES. ACCORDING TO EDMUNDS INSIDE LINE, THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2008 DODGE CHARGER, MAGNUM, AND CHRYSLER 300. THE ARTICLE ON EDMUNDS INSIDE LINE STATED, 'THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYS 5,509 2008 DODGE CHARGERS AND MAGNUMS, ALONG WITH SOME 2008 CHRYSLER 300 VEHICLES, ARE BEING RECALLED FOR A PROBLEM THAT WAS FIRST SPOTTED IN MARCH ON A 2009 DODGE CHALLENGER PILOT VEHICLE UNDERGOING PRELAUNCH EVALUATION AT CHRYSLER'S CHELSEA PROVING GROUNDS. THE TORQUE RETENTION CRIMP FEATURE "WAS MISSED" DURING THE MANUFACTURE OF ONE LOT OF REAR AXEL HUB NUTS ON THE AFFECTED CARS. 'THIS COULD CAUSE THE NUTS TO LOOSEN AND ALLOW THE HALF-SHAFT TO DISENGAGE FROM THE WHEEL HUB,' SAID THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) IN ITS RECALL SUMMARY OF THE PROBLEM. 'THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.' *TR

NHTSA ID

10250961

Incident

Nov 23, 2008

Mileage

28,612 mi