2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Transmission Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND SHIFT OUT OF SECOND GEAR. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY FAILED, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING FLASHED, AND THE HORN SOUNDED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (COURTESY CHRYSLER DODGE, JEEP, RAM, FIAT, 607 ENTERPRISE PKWY, BREAUX BRIDGE, LA 70517, (337) 909-2111) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,159. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. **TR *TR

NHTSA ID

11105318

Incident

May 10, 2018

Mileage

87,159 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRELESS IGNITION NODE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V139000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE SHIFTER WOULD HAVE TO BE SLAMMED BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN DRIVE AND PARK REPEATEDLY UNTIL THE KEY RELEASED. THE SHIFTER HAS SLIPPED OUT OF DRIVE ON ITS OWN TWICE. *JS

NHTSA ID

10650470

Incident

Aug 15, 2014

Mileage

78,000 mi

POWETRAIN-AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. 1. MADE GRINDING NOISE WHEN IN DRIVE OR REVERSE GEARS 2. OCCURRED ALL THE TIME UP UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY GAVE OUT. 3. TEARDOWN OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND REBUILD/REPLACEMENT OF "THRUST BEARINGS" AND OTHER PARTS DETERMINED BY THE DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPARTMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10412151

Incident

Jun 29, 2011

Mileage

29,000 mi

TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT AT 64,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10403955

Incident

May 31, 2011

Mileage

64,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NON-FUNCTIONAL AND THE ENGINE, ESC AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED IN JANUARY 2009 AND THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK INTERMITTENTLY. THE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE AND WERE REPLACED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. IN 2010, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING; THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND TURN SIGNALS ALSO DID NOT FUNCTION. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED ASSISTANCE WITH THE OTHER ISSUES ASIDE FROM THE SPEEDOMETER AND LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE SPEEDOMETER AND LIGHT FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10390211

Incident

Jan 13, 2009

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. CONSUMER STATES RAPID DECELERATION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DOWN SHIFTED TO WHAT HE BELIEVED WAS THIRD GEAR. THE BRAKING EFFECT OF THE LOWER GEAR CAUSED A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE ENGINE SPEED TO AROUND THE RED LINE AREA. THE RAPID ACCELERATION LASTED ABOUT FIVE SECONDS AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISENGAGED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SAME INCIDENT HAPPENED THREE WEEKS PRIOR. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, IT WAS A NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE CALLED INTERACTIVE CRUISE CONTROL AND IT WAS MORE NOTICEABLE DUE TO THE VEHICLE HAVING A 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND THE VEHICLE WOULD UP AND DOWN SHIFT MORE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE AT ITS SET SPEED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10368996

Incident

Oct 22, 2010

THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGNS AS TO THE FOLLOWING HAPPENING. MY HUSBAND & 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WERE IN THE CAR AND ABOUT TO GET ON HIGHWAY 101 VENTURA CA., IN OUR 2008 DODGE MINIVAN. MILES ON VEHICLE: 50,000. THE VAN WAS RUNNING BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE & HE HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I AM THE MOTHER OF THE 2 YEAR OLD THAT WAS IN THE VAN, I AM ALSO A NURSE WHO HAS WORKED IN A LEVEL ONE TRAUMA HOSPITAL & HAVE SEEN THE RESULTS OF TERRIBLE ACCIDENTS. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF MY HUSBAND & DAUGHTER WERE ON THE HIGHWAY & TRAPPED IN A LANE THAT THEY COULD NOT GET OVER IN THIS COULD OF BEEN A FATALITY. DEALERSHIP TELLS US THAT THERE IS A CRACK IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT CAUSED THE ABOVE SITUATION. WE HAD OUR VAN AT A THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN JUNE 2010 FOR A DIFFERENT RECALL & THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, SO THEY SAID.... AND NOW THIS. 2. MY INLAWS JUST BOUGHT A 2008 DODGE MINIVAN 43,000 MILES & ONE WEEK AFTER THEY BOUGHT IT THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THEM ON VACATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10357233

Incident

Sep 7, 2010

Mileage

50,000 mi

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SXT. THE DEALERSHIP NEVER MADE CUSTOMER AWARE OF AN INTERNAL MEMO (RRT - RAPID RESPONSE TRANSMISSAL) TO FIX MAIN LTHRUST BEARING IN TRANSMISSION IN SUMMER OF 2009. TRANSMISSION MUST BE REPLACED AS OF JULY OF 2010. DEALER/MANUFACTURER IS NOT COOPERATING. THE DEALERSHIP HAD INFORMATION IN JULY 2009 WHILE VEHICLE WAS UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY AND NEVER MADE CUSTOMER AWARE OF BEARING PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAS SINCE PASSED OUT OF WARRANTY AND DEALER IS CHARGING $5000.00 TO FIX TRANSMISSION. I BELIEVE THIS SITUATION TO BE BORDER LINE FRAUD WITH VERY DANGEROUS RAMIFICATIONS TO MY WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10343596

Incident

Jul 12, 2010

Mileage

48,000 mi

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER DOORS REOPENING THEMSELVES ON THIS VAN. I HAVE HAD ITEMS GET TRAPPED INSIDE OF THE DOORS OF THIS VAN AS WELL. I CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT IT AND OF COURSE COULD NOT GET IT TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAD ALSO SAID SOMETHING ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH THE ACCELERATOR BEING SLUGGISH IN RESPONSE AND THE DEALER SAID THEY COULDN'T GET IT TO DUPLICATE THAT PROBLEM EITHER. THEY SAID IT WAS JUST THE COMPUTER TAKING A LITTLE LONGER TO RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR WHICH I FEEL IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE COMING DOWN WHEN THE REAR DOOR IS SHUT. I DID NOT REALIZE IT HAD COME DOWN ONE TIME AND I CLIMBED INTO THE BACK AREA AND HIT MY HEAD ON THE PLASTIC PART WHICH CAUSED A SEVERE CUT TO MY HEAD AND TOOK A WHILE FOR THE BLEEDING TO STOP. I SHOWED THE DEALER THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAID OH THAT'S A PLASTIC PIECE SO IF YOU WANT THAT TO BE RIGHT YOU HAVE TO PAY YOURSELF TO HAVE IT FIXED BECAUSE ITS CONSIDERED "NORMAL WEAR". I FEEL THAT THESE ARE ALL SEVERE SAFETY ISSUES WITH THESE VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10342544

Incident

Jul 3, 2010

Mileage

44,000 mi

BRAKES, TRANSMISSION, DOORS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10281895

Incident

Aug 26, 2009

Mileage

15,000 mi

THERE WEREN'T ANY SIGNS LEADING UP TO THE DEVICE FAILURE. DROVE INTO A STORE PARKING LOT AND INTO A PARKING SPOT WHERE I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO PARK WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER KNOB WHEN THE WHOLE KNOB POPPED OF INTO SEVERAL PIECES LEAVING ME STUCK IN DRIVE AND FORCED TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TURNED OFF AND I WAS ABLE TO GET IT INTO PARK. VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE PART IS UNAVAILABLE AT THE MOMENT. VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE, BUT TRICKY WHEN DEALING WITH THE SHIFTER KNOB. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE AND HAVE READ ELSEWHERE OF THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING WITH THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10268210

Incident

May 8, 2009

Mileage

7,000 mi

I AM WRITING TO CHRYSLER CANADA BECAUSE WE ARE VERY UNHAPPY WITH OUR 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, ONE THAT I WOULD CLASSIFY AS A RUNAWAY VEHICLE CREATING A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. CURRENT ODOMETER READING 25347 THIS VEHICLE WENT FOR ITS FIRST SERVICE FEBRUARY 9, 2009 TO A VEHICLE CHECK-UP PEACE OF MIND INSPECTION. PRIMARILY WITH AN INQUIRY TO CHECK THE BRAKE SYSTEM SINCE THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SOMEWHAT SPONGY WHEN APPLIED. THE INSPECTION INDICATED THE BRAKES PULSATED BECAUSE OF A WARPED DISK. THE WARPED DISK IS MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY HIGH HEAT GENERATED FROM PROLONGED BRAKING. THIS APPEARS TO BE IN CONTRADICTION WITH THE INSTRUCTION IN THE 2008 DODGE OWNER'S MANUAL PAGE 334 UNDER NOTE: TO SELECT THE PROPER GEAR POSITION FOR MAXIMUM DECELERATION (ENGINE BREAKING), SIMPLY PRESS AND HOLD THE GEAR SELECTOR LEVER TO THE LEFT (-). THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT TO THE RANGE FROM WHICH THE VEHICLE CAN BEST BE SLOWED DOWN. THIS IS CLEARLY NOT PROVIDING THE DESIRED RESULT. TO ASSIST THE VEHICLE IN MAINTAINING CONTROL DOWNHILL, SHIFTING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO 3RD GEAR (AT 60 KPH.) SHOULD ENABLE THE VEHICLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL WITHOUT HAVING TO 'RIDE THE BRAKES'. THIS IS NOT THE CASE; THE ELECTRONICS CONTROLLING THE SHIFTING SYSTEM IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DROPS OUT OF LOW GEAR (3RD) INTO HIGH GEAR (D) UNDER THE SLIGHTEST DOWNHILL MOMENTUM, THUS MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. PAGE 337 IN THE 208 DODGE OWNER'S MANUAL SPECIFICALLY WARNS THAT RIDING THE BRAKES CAN LEAD TO BRAKE FAILURE AND POSSIBLY AN ACCIDENT. AS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED TO OUR HORROR ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS DRIVING ON THE WEST COAST (VANCOUVER ISLAND), WHILE TRYING TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE CONTROL ON A DOWNHILL STRETCH OF PAVED ROAD, THIS 4 SPEED ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM IS INCAPABLE OF PROVIDING ANY ENGINE BRAKING ASSISTANCE WHATSOEVER. THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE IS TO RIDE THE BRAKES TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10263921

Incident

Feb 9, 2009

Mileage

1,583 mi

POOR TRANSMISSION DESIGN ROBERT C HODGKISS GENTLEMEN: I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND WHILE GOING DOWN A LONG STEEP SECTION OF ROADWAY I DOWN SHIFTED THE TRANSMISSION TO SLOW THE VAN DOWN BUT BEING SUCH A STEEP GRADE THE VAN INCREASED SPEED CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT TO THE NEXT HIGHER GEAR, ENDING UP FREE WHEELING, LEAVING ONLY THE BREAKS TO SLOW THE VAN DOWN. (IF YOU ARE GOING TO FAST TO START WITH IT WON?T EVEN DOWN SHIFT). NOW I ASKED THE MECHANIC, WHAT HAPPENS IF I LOOSE MY BRAKES, THE ANSWER HE HAD WAS IT?S A DESIGN FEATURE, SO I CONCLUDED THAT IF I WOULD PUSH ON THE EMERGENCY BREAK, WHICH LOCKS, THAT WOULD PUT ME INTO AN UNCONTROLLED SLIDE WHICH MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED. WHAT IF YOU ARE COMING DOWN A MOUNTAIN ROAD WHILE TOWING A TRAILER, YOU WOULD HAVE TO APPLY THE BREAKS TO KEEP THE TRANSMISSION IN A LOWER GEAR. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR BREAKS FAIL, THAT?S RIGHT THE VAN SHIFT UP TO FREEWHEELING? LEAVING YOU TO DO WHAT, USE THE EMERGENCY BREAK WHICH LOCKS YOU INTO A SKID. BECAUSE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL HAS TO BE PUSHED THE SECOND TIME TO UNLOCK. NOW I ?AM SURE EVERYBODY CAN REMAIN CALM AND REMEMBER TO DO ALL THIS WHILE TOWING A TRAILER WITH YOUR WIFE AND SIX CHILDREN IN THE BACK OF THE VAN, SCREAMING WHAT IS THE MATTER? *TR

NHTSA ID

10245582

Incident

Oct 9, 2008

Mileage

10 mi

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN THE CAR DIES WHILE DRIVING,OCCASIONALLY WON'T SHIFT AFTER DYING AND RESTARTING. ALL WARNING LIGHTS GO ON AND SOMETIMES STAY ON OR FLASH ON AND OFF. HAVE RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. ALSO HAD SLIDING DOORS OPEN ON THEIR OWN HAD THAT FIXED THEN THEY WOULDN'T CLOSE WITH BACK ACCESS BUTTON, APPARENTLY CAUSED BY A LOOSE WIRE HAD THAT REPAIRED, THEN REAR BUMPER WARPED SO BACK DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN, HAD TO TAKE IT IN TO HAVE THAT FIXED, BASICALLY MY CAR IS IN FOR REPAIR MOST OF THE TIME AND I HAVE A SMALL RENTAL OF WHICH THIS TIME I HAD TO PAY FOR A CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND IT COSTS ME 50.00 EVERY TIME I HAVE TO RENT ONE. I HAVE 4 SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN WHO HAVE APPOINTMENTS UP TO 300 MILES AWAY FROM HOME. I AM A SINGLE MOM AND TRAVELING ALONE WITH MY CHILDREN AND NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING WITH THEM FOR THESE DISTANCES. THE LAS TIME THE CAR DIED I ALSO HAD TWO FOSTER CHILDREN WITH ME, SIX KIDS AND THE CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING IT AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT SO I BRING IT HOME SOMETIMES WITH 200 MILES ADDED ON IT AND AN EMPTY GAS TANK. I THINK IT'S TIME CHRYSLER CORP. TAKE THE VEHICLE OFF MY HANDS SO I CAN PURCHASE A RELIABLE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10245395

Incident

Oct 1, 2008

Mileage

14,154 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10231714

Incident

May 14, 2008

Mileage

4,433 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10231700

Incident

May 3, 2008

Mileage

4,164 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10231698

Incident

May 2, 2008

Mileage

4,085 mi