RoadVitals

2019 Dodge Grand Caravan Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes 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.
10
Latest Sep 22, 2025
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.
4%
of 238 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.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 10 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 brake

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

Brakes
Filed Sep 22, 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the driver’s side rear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the rear brake caliper had blown out. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V523000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall coverage for the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ID
11688943
Incident
Sep 15, 2025
Mileage
70,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 21, 2023

rear brakes pulsating and not stopping properly this van only has 11.345 miles on it. i dont think the brakes should have a problem yet. do you ?

NHTSA ID
11528150
Incident
May 1, 2023
BrakesEngine
Filed Mar 21, 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle slid to the left. The contact described the move to the left, as if she was turning the steering wheel, but she was not. Additionally, while driving from a standing stop, the rear tires was spinning as if she had applied the brakes before the vehicle jolted forward. The contact stated that the engine was making abnormal sounds and the vehicle was vibrating. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to several independent mechanics who could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

NHTSA ID
11513048
Incident
May 28, 2021
Mileage
45,000 mi
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 2, 2021

Before 50K miles the transmission went out and a cylinder blew at the same time. There was no warning this would happen and when it happened we were in traffic and caused the vehicle to jump almost hitting another car. This was repaired by Dodge. At the time of pick up the technician in the shop told us that this is a common issue with these vans and he sees this all the time. Also the breaks have not worked properly since purchase. An online form shows many owners have this same issue and have determined that the break system is under rated for the size of vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11442405
Incident
Jun 2, 2021
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Feb 4, 2021
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY TO BRAKES HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE CONTACT STATED IT FELT AS IF THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER THE INCIDENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED TRACY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (3460 NAGLEE RD, TRACY, CA 95304, (209)820-1800) TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,500.*DT*JB

NHTSA ID
11394725
Incident
Dec 29, 2020
Mileage
40,500 mi
BrakesFuel systemSeat belts
Filed Jan 19, 2021

PASSENGER SEAT BELT NOT OPERATING SMELL OF GAS REAR BRAKES NOT FUNCTIONING

NHTSA ID
11388799
Incident
Dec 23, 2020
BrakesElectrical
Filed Aug 27, 2020

SECOND TIME MY VAN HAS LOST ELECTRICAL AND BRAKES. TODAY I WAS IN THE DRIVE THRU, CURVING AROUND THE BUILDING TO THE LEFT, SLIGHT HILL AT TURN. AGAIN, GAS GAUGE GOES TO EMPTY, THIS TIME HALF OF THE DASHBOARD IS ON, NO BRAKES. WAS ABLE TO TURN VAN OFF AND RESTART. TOWED AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY MALFUNCTION AND LIFE THREATENING!

NHTSA ID
11351506
Incident
Aug 18, 2020
Mileage
35,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Aug 1, 2020

7/21/2020 - DRIVING THROUGH A LEFT TURN ON A MAIN ROAD AND LOST ALL ELECTRIC- STEERING, BRAKES, DASHBOARD. COASTED TO THE LEFT TURN LANE. APPLIED PRESSURE TO BRAKES, BUT WAS STILL ROLLING. HAD TO THROW IT INTO PARK TO STOP AN ACCIDENT FROM HAPPENING. TURNED VAN OFF AND RESTARTED VAN. DROVE TO THE GAS STATION ACROSS THE STREET AND HAD IT TOWED. I HAD FIVE CHILDREN IN MY VAN, THIS MAJOR SAFETY MALFUNCTION COULD HAVE KILLED ALL OF US. DEALERSHIP HAD THE VAN FOR 10 DAYS AND CLAIMED ONE POSSIBILITY WAS WINTER GAS STILL AVAILABLE AT GAS STATIONS COMBINED WITH WARM WEATHER. OFFERED NO SOLUTION OTHER THAN TO PICK UP MY VAN. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO MY OTHER DODGE GRAND CARAVAN MULTIPLE TIMES UNTIL I FINALLY FELT LIKE I COULDN'T CHANCE MY LIFE ANYMORE AND TURNED IT IN. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN, DOCUMENTED DODGE ISSUE!! THE SERVICE AGENT IGNORED MY REQUESTS TO LOOK INTO IT. NO CODE SHOWS FOR THIS ISSUE AND IT DIDN'T HAPPEN DURING THEIR DRIVE, SO THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THEY ARE SELLING DEATH TRAPS. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN I PUMP GAS AND MY TANK IS ALREADY OVER A HALF OF TANK, THE SENSOR READS FULL AND THE HANDLE CLICKS OFF.

NHTSA ID
11342717
Incident
Jul 21, 2020
Mileage
34,500 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jan 22, 2020
Crash reported

I HAD AN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY WHEN TRYING TO PARK THE CAR ACCELERATED TO THE POINT THAT I HIT A GARAGE DOOR DAMAGING THE CAR INSIDE, ALL WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSING VERY HARD. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE THE CAR SHOOT BACK AT TREMENDOUS SPEED, IT WOULD NOT STOPED REGARDLESS OF MY FOOT PRESSING ON THE BRAKE AS FAR AS THE BRAKE GOES. I HIT A CAR PARKED ON THE STREET WITH SUCH FORCE THAT PUSHED IT ON TOP OF THE SIDEWALK CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. I,WAS,,TRAVELING UP 38TH STREET IN UNION CITY AND IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING A MY FRIEND'S DRIVEWAY, TURNING FROM THE STREET WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES LIGHTLY. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS ON THE ACCELERATOR, IT ACCELERATEDM ON ITS OWN WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO STOP. THE CAR IS RIGHT NOW AT A SHOP, THEY WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC AND SEND AN ESTIMATE OF THE BODY DAMAGE. I HAVE CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY FOR THEM TO HAVE THE CAR MECHANICAL FUNCTIONS. PROBABLY A BROKEN AXEL ON THE REAR WHEELS.

NHTSA ID
11301117
Incident
Jan 21, 2020
Mileage
10,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 10, 2019
Crash reported2 injuries reported

WHILE TRAVELING AROUND 30MPH, BRAKES WERE APPLIED IN A "PANIC STOP" FASHION - FAST HARD DEPRESSION. THE ROAD WAS STRAIGHT, CLEAN AND DRY. VISIBILITY WAS EXCELLENT AND THE VIEW WAS CLEAR FOR ABOUT A HALF MILE. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED IT FELT AS THOUGH THE ABS SYSTEM INTERFERED WITH BRAKING, CAUSING NO ACTUAL FORCE TO BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKES. NO DECELERATION WAS FELT BY THE DRIVER, OR ANY OF THE OTHER TWO PASSENGERS. ALTHOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FULLY DEPRESSED, THE VAN CONTINUED AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 35MPH FOR AN ADDITIONAL 70-80 FEET WITHOUT SLOWING, AND WAS STOPPED ONLY BY THE VEHICLE IT EVENTUALLY STRUCK. DISTINCTIVE INJURIES ON THE DRIVER'S LEG CREATED BY THE DEBRIS OF THE DASH PANEL ALSO REFLECT THAT THE LEG AND FOOT WERE ALIGNED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOT "ELSEWHERE". ALTHOUGH THIS MODEL HAS A SAFETY RECALL REGARDING "SURFACE COATING" AFFECTING THE BRAKING ABILITY, THIS VIN WAS NOT IMPLICATED. ALSO, THIS INCIDENT DID NOT APPEAR TO INVOLVE "REDUCED" BRAKING ABILITY. THERE WAS NO BRAKING. OTHER CAUSES ARE POSSIBLE, BUT THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE THE BEHAVIOR OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM BEHAVED WOULD BE TO DESCRIBE IT AS THOUGH THE ABS HAD DISENGAGED ALL BRAKING ABILITIES SO THAT THE PEDAL HAD SOME FEEDBACK TO THE DRIVER, BUT NO DISCERNIBLE EFFECT ON SLOWING THE VEHICLE. IT WAS AS THOUGH THE ABS SOMEHOW TURNED THE BRAKES OFF. CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS A RENTAL VEHICLE. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY SPECIFIC WARRANTY SERVICE *AND* THAT THE WARRANTY SERVICE WAS NOT INDICATED FOR THIS PARTICULAR VIN FOR THE ONLY 'BRAKING ISSUE' THAT SEEMS TO AFFECT THIS MAKE/MODEL.*JB

NHTSA ID
11230645
Incident
May 22, 2019
Mileage
3,500 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 .