2012 Dodge Grand Caravan Brakes Problems

Replacing brakes ever y 18,000 miles normal is every 40,000-60,000 miles

ALL BRAKE CALIPERS ARE DEFECTIVE THE PISTON SEIZES UP CAUSING THE BRAKES TO WEAR THE PADS OFF IN A SHORT TIME , OVERHEATING AND SEIZING UP THE WHEEL. THE MOST RECENT REPAIR ONLY HAD ABOUT 20,000 MILES ON THE BRAKES I HAVE REPLACED EVERY CALIPER, ROTOR, AND PADS ON ALL FOUR WHEELS THE MOST RECENT ONE WAS JUST TWO MONTHS AGO, NOW I AM BACK TO THE FIRST WHEEL AGAIN. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR WEAR BRAKES LIKE THIS SEVERAL DIFFERENT MECHANICS AT DIFFERENT GARAGES. THIS IS A DEFINITE DESIGN FLAW AND SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. THE ONGOING REPAIRS ARE COSTING ME APPROXIMATELY 500. PER WHEEL EVERY OTHER YEAR OR SO AND PRECLUDES ME FROM USING THE VEHICLE TO TOW, WHICH IS WHY I BOUGHT IT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF BRAKE REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS GARAGED IN WINTER.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND FOUND THEM TO BE HOT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,800.

CALIPERS SEIZED UP GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY HAD TO STOP BACK RIGHT TIRE WAS SMOKING VAN IS IN THE SHOP BEING REPAIRED

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ONCE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED AFTER A STOP, SMOKE WAS NOTICED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BY THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ON THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE VEHICLE MOVED SLUGGISHLY AS IF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WERE ENGAGED, BUT IT WAS NOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO ATLANTA WEST CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (1251 THORNTON RD, LITHIA SPRINGS, GA 30122 (678) 534-7470), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH STICKING CALIPERS. TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE CALIPERS WERE NOT RELEASING WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES, THE FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES, AND THE FRONT CALIPERS WERE REPLACED ONCE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

THE REAR BRAKES BURNING CAUSE BY THE CALIPERS HANGING UP. DEALER REPLACED LEFT REAR DISC BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLED 2 NEW CALIPERS AND ADAPTERS AND PADS ONLY BECAUSE I WAS ON VACATION OUT OF STATE WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTED PRIOR TO 17000 MILES . CHARGED 100 DOLLAR DEDUCTABLE

AFTER ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP, MY BRAKES STARTED TO SCREECH A LITTLE. WITHIN DAYS, IT WAS A NON-STOP GRINDING. ON MY WAY TO TAKE IT TO THE GARAGE FOR BRAKE INSPECTION, SOMETHING FELL OFF OF THE VAN. THE REPAIRMEN TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A CALIPER ISSUE AND THEY COULD NOT EVEN LET ME DRIVE OFF THE LOT WITHOUT GETTING IT REPAIRED BECAUSE IT WOULD BE THAT DANGEROUS. $774.00 LATER, I HAD TO HAVE CALIPERS, BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, COMING TO A STOP, OR ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE BRAKES SEIZED. THE FRONT BRAKES MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS OFF FOR A WHILE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

WE HAVE REPLACED THE ROTATORS AND PADS OUT OF POCKET 4 TIMES ON THIS VEHICLE. ANOTHER TWO WERE REPLACED IN WARRANTY BEFORE 36,000MILE. THE FIRST REPAIR MADE OUT SIDE OF WARRANTY WAS AT 37,000MILES. THE CALIPERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BRAKES CLENCH DOWN AND WON'T RELEASE. WE HAVE REPLACE THE HOSES, CALIPERS, ROTATORS, PADS AND BLEED THE SYSTEM FOR ALL WHEELS IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. THE BRAKES ARE CURRENTLY CLENCHED DOWN AND WON'T COME UP. THE MECHANIC NOW HAS TO GO INTO THE VEHICLE TO FIND WHAT EXACTLY IS WRONG. BECAUSE HE HAS LOOKED AT THE WHOLE BRAKE SYSTEM AND CAN'T FIND WHAT IS WRONG. FIRST DATE OF OCCURRENCE IS 12-2013 FOR OUT OF WARRANTY REPAIR ON A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

ON JUNE 30TH, 2016 MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON I-91 IN MASSACHUSETTS BETWEEN EXITS 14 AND 15. THE REAR BRAKES BEGAN TO MAKE A NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED (~65 MPH) AND NOT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. MINUTES LATER A THUMP WAS HEARD SIMILAR TO WHEN AN OBJECT OR ROADKILL IS RUN OVER. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. I COULD SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL. WE LATER FOUND OUT THAT ONE BRAKE PAD HAD BROKEN THROUGH/BEEN THROWN FROM THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL, AND BRAKE FLUID WAS POURING OUT FROM THAT BRAKE ASSEMBLY. WE EXITED THE HIGHWAY AT EXIT 15 AND DROVE SMALL LOW-TRAFFIC ROADS HOME. DODGE WAS CONTACTED BUT REFUSED TO ASSIST IN TOWING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR ASSESSMENT. WE REPLACED THE BRAKES, CALIPERS, AND ROTORS IN OUR DRIVEWAY. ATTACHED PHOTOS SHOW THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY BEFORE IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE FOR REPLACEMENT. THE CAR WAS THREE YEARS AND 10 MONTHS OLD, WITH ~48,660 MILES, AND ON ITS SECOND PAIR OF REAR BRAKE PADS. THIS IS AT LEAST THE 21ST COMPLAINT ON NHTSA ABOUT THE SAME COMPONENT (REAR BRAKE PADS ON 2012 GRAND CARAVAN WEARING TOO QUICKLY). DODGE REFUSED ASSISTANCE BOTH AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT AND AFTER I FOLLOWED UP WITH OUR DEALER, WITH NO REASON GIVEN FOR THE REFUSAL. (CASE #29615622) GIVEN THE MANY OFFICIAL AND HUNDREDS OF UNOFFICIAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN REAR BRAKES, I HOPE THE NHTSA WILL INVESTIGATE FURTHER AND PRESSURE DODGE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THIS PART. THANK YOU.

RUBBING NOISE IS COMING FROM BREAKS WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IT STARTED WITH REAR BREAKS. WAS TOLD BREAKS ARE GETTING STUCK BY THE DEALER. REAR BREAKS WERE REPLACED AND PROBLEM WENT AWAY. FEW MONTHS LATER FRONT BRAKES STARTED MAKING SIMILAR NOISE. AGAIN TOLD BREAKS ARE GETTING STUCK. REPLACE THE BREAKS. NOISE CAME BACK WITH IN A 3 WEEK. SO FAR THEY REPAIRED THE FRONT BREAKS 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS. AFTER EVERY REPAIR, NOISE GOES AWAY FOR FEW WEEKS AND COMES BACK AGAIN.

BRAKE PADS, ROTORS & CALIPERS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES. CAR IS NOW AT 57,000 MILES. IF EVEN GENTLY USING THE BRAKES IN STOP & GO TRAFFIC BACKUP ON HIGHWAY, WHEN CAR NEEDS TO ACCELERATE, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES BADLY AND TROUBLE GETTING CAR UP TO SPEED. OBVIOUS THAT SOMETHING IS STICKING REGARDING THE BRAKES. WHEN FINALLY UP TO SPEED, PROBLEM DISAPPEARS (60MPH). VERY FRIGHTENING & POTENTIAL SERIOUS ACCIDENT PROBLEM. I DRIVE LONG DISTANCES AT NIGHT TO & FROM WORK EVENTS & DON'T NEED TO BE STRANDED ON A DESERTED HIGHWAY SOMEWHERE AT MIDNIGHT. WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO RECALL ON A PROBLEM THAT EVERYONE, INCLUDING THE DODGE MECHANICS, KNOW ABOUT! THIS HAS BECOME AN ONGOING ISSUE, FIRST ON FEB. 14, THEN FEB. 16 AND AGAIN FEB. 26. REAR BRAKE PAD AFTER FEB. 14 WAS TOTALLY BURNED OFF ~ WAS REPLACED & STILL THE ISSUE IS OCCURRING, NOW ON THE FRONT BRAKES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND APPROACHING A RED LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLIED EXCESSIVE FORCE ON BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE PUMP AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,661.

PREMATURE BRAKE PAD WEAR, BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS. ROTORS WARPING PREMATURELY. THESE ISSUES REQUIRE YEARLY REPLACEMENT AT SIGNIFICANT COST. I HAD TO PURCHASE HIGH END, VENTED ROTORS AND CERAMIC PADS, AT SIGNIFICANT COST, TO PREVENT THE OEM PART FAILURES.

MY MOTHER BOUGHT THIS VAN OCT 25,2013 AND THE BRAKES WERE OK AT FIRST THEY STARTED MAKING A DRAGGING SOUND I HAD THEM LOOKED AT AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE FINE INSPECTION CAME AROUND A MONTH AFTER I HAD THEM LOOKED AT AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION (FRONT)I HAD THEM FIXED MIND YOU THIS IS IN SEPTEMBER LESS THEN 5 MONTHS LATER I HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES AND ROTORS IN THE FRONT BECAUSE THEY WERE DRAGGING AGAIN 4 MONTHS LATER THE BRAKES AGAIN SEPT ROLLS AROUND FOR INSPECTION AND AGAIN THEY WILL NOT PASS I HAD THEM FELINES AND IT IS NOW OCTOBER AND THEY ARE STARTING TO SQUEEL WHICH MEANS AGAIN I WILL HAVE TO CHANGE THEM MORE I AM NOT BIG ON DRIVING FAR OR ILUSE THE BREAKS AS LEAST AS POSSIBLE AND I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS .

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

A LOUD SQUEAL IN THE FRONT LEFT (DRIVERS) BRAKE SYSTEM. THE FACTORY CALIPER HAS FAILED TO RELEASE CAUSING CONSISTENT "RUBBING" OF BRAKE PADS ON ROTOR. SYSTEM GENERATES EXCESSIVE HEAT AND POTENTIALLY COULD CAUSE A FIRE.

I STARTED TO SMELL BURNING BRAKES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I GOT OUT WHEN WE PARKED AND FELT ALL THE WHEELS. THE REAR WHEELS WERE SO HOT YOU COULDN'T TOUCH THEM, THE REAR ROTORS WERE GLOWING RED, AND IT SMELLED LIKE BURNING BRAKES. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP SINCE ITS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND 16K MILES. WAS TOLD ITS A WEAR ITEM AND THEY WONT COVER THEM, ONLY THE CALIPERS, AND NO LOANER SINCE WE DON'T HAVE A SERVICE CONTRACT. LAST DODGE I EVER BUY. *TR

REAR BRAKE PADS COMPLETELY WORN DOWN AFTER 40000 MILES. REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP AND CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE RELEASED MANUALLY. PADS AND CALIPERS REPLACED DUE TO REAR CALIPERS NOT RELEASING FULLY. CALIPERS, PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ON 1 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. *TR

I NOTICED A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. SAW LARGE AMOUNTS OF BLACK DUST ON LEFT REAR HUBCAP, AND WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HOT. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC VERIFIED BRAKE PADS IN CONTACT WITH ROTOR ONLY ON THAT ONE WHEEL, AND HAD BEEN WORN COMPLETELY OUT. BRAKES ON ALL OTHER WHEELS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AS WOULD BE EXPECTED AT ONLY 20,000 MILES. TOOK TO DEALER EXPECTING WARRANTY REPAIR AS BRAKE HAD NO MOVEMENT. DEALER DIAGNOSIS: BRAKE PADS FROZEN IN SLIDES. DEALER REFUSED WARRANTY REPAIR AS "BRAKE PADS ARE NOT COVERED AND THE CALIPERS FUNCTIONED ONCE WE PUT THE VEHICLE ON THE LIFT AND MANUALLY POPPED THEM OPEN. THEREFORE NO MECHANICAL DEFECT" MY ARGUMENT THAT IT WAS NOT DRIVER CAUSED (OTHER 3 WHEELS FINE) WAS NOT ACCEPTED, ALTHOUGH FURTHER FIRM DISCUSSION DID RESULT IN SERVICE MANAGER CHARGING HALF PRICE FOR TOTAL REAR BRAKE JOB. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, BRAKE DESIGN THAT ALLOWS THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF PURCHASE BRAKES STARTED MAKING SQUEAKING NOISE, BRAKES GOT CLEANED AT A LOCAL SHOP; AND STARTED MAKING NOISE AGAIN IN ABOUT 6 MONTHS, TOOK TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AT ABOUT APX. 8,000, DON'T REMEMBER EXACT DATE; THEY DID A COMPLETE BRAKE JOB NEW PADS ROTORS AND ALIGNMENT, AT 6 MONTHS BREAKS STARTED SQUEAKING AGAIN. HAD BRAKES CLEANED AT A MECHANIC SHOP, NOISE STOPPED. THEN AGAIN AT 23,340 MILES, IN AT THE SHOP AGAIN, THEY TELL ME BRAKE PADS ARE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND ARE NOT COVERED; BUT NOW THE FRONT AXLES ARE MAKING NOISES WHEN THE WHEEL TURNS AND REGULAR DRIVING WITHOUT BREAKING, LIKE A CLICK, CLICK, CLICK SOUND AS THE FRONT WHEELS TURN. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO SHAKE A BIT AND MAKES SQUEAKING NOISES WHEN BRAKING. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND DO NOT TOW ANYTHING WITH IT, JUST NORMAL DRIVING TO AND FROM WORK; BUT THE BRAKES ISSUE SEEMS TO BE A CONSTANT ISSUE EVERY 6 MONTHS TO A YEAR. IT WILL BE REQUIRING ANOTHER BRAKE CHANGE AND PROBABLE AXLE REPAIR; AM WAITING FOR RESOLUTION UNDER FILE NO. 25141204 WITH DODGE, AM WAITING TO HEAR BACK. BUT IT SEEMS TO BE A BRAKES DEFECT IN THE 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VAN. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE BRAKES ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT'S BECAUSE THEY ARE MOPAD PADS, AND THAT THEY ONLY LAST ABOUT 12,000 MILES AND WEAR OUT ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, BUT THE BRAKES PROBLEM IS A RECURRING THING; THEY SEEM TO START MAKING NOISE AT ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER EACH FIX AND BRAKE PADS BEING WORN OUT WITHIN A YEAR. DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. *TR

DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2012; NOTICED ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO THAT THE REAR ROTORS WERE BECOMING SO HOT THAT YOU COULD MELT A STICK OF BUTTER BY JUST HOLDING IT NEAR AFTER DRIVING (30 MINUTES NON-INTENSE DRIVING). ONE TIME THE ROTORS WERE EVEN SMOKING AFTER. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED BOTH REAR ROTORS/BRAKES TWICE AND JUST BOUGHT THE CAR (USED) IN DEC 2012. I DO NOT DO ANY DISTANCE DRIVING, AND MOST IS NOT CITY. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A MECHANIC WHO RECOMMENDED A COMPLETE CALIPER/ROTOR/PAD REPLACEMENT AT AROUND $600. SEEMED LIKE A GENERIC FIX. I DECLINED, AS I CAN DO THIS WITH A FREE WEEKEND, AND HAD NO GUARANTEE OF FIXING THE PROBLEM LOOKING AT OTHER REPORTED ISSUES. THE ROTORS CONTINUE TO GET HOT (USUALLY NOT BOTH AT THE SAME TIME, BUT RATHER ONE MORE THAN THE OTHER EACH TIME), AND AM AFRAID TO DRIVE ANY FARTHER THAN THE 30 MIN COMMUTE TO WORK. I HAVE READ SO MANY STORIES OF THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRING TO DODGE/CHRYSLER OWNERS, AND ONES GOING ALL THE WAY BACK TO 2008 MODELS. I CAN'T FATHOM HOW THIS WOULD STILL BE AN ISSUE IN A 2012 MODEL, AND THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO HELP THE CONSUMER AND CORRECT THE MISTAKE. EVEN THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE ROTORS ARE TOO SMALL TO HANDLE THE HEAT. I HAVE NIGHTMARES OF THE DAY THAT IT GETS SO HOT THAT SOMETHING IN THE ASSEMBLY OR TIRE GOES AND SENDS MY FAMILY OF 4 AND 2 UNBORN CHILDREN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR

THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS SEIZE UP CAUSING EARLY DISK AND PAD DAMAGE. THE DEALER SAID THE CALIPERS ARE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOT THE PADS OR DISKS. I HAVE THE MINIVAN SERVICED REGULARLY AND THE BRAKES WERE OK. THERE WAS A POP SOUND WHEN THE CALIPERS RELEASED, BUT THE PADS AND DISKS WERE BADLY DAMAGED. I NOW HAVE A $1000 BRAKE PROBLEM CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE CALIPER THAT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR OR MY FAULT. *TR

CHRYSLER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM OF THE DODGE GRAND CARAVANS. I PURCHASED A NEW 2012 GRAND CARAVAN FROM A DEALERSHIP. ON JULY 31, 2013, QUIRK DEALERSHIP IN BRAINTREE, MA REPLACED REAR ROTORS ON THE VAN AT 17,000 MILES BECAUSE "REAR ROTORS WERE VERY MARKED UP AND HAD RUST RINGS." ON JANUARY 18, 2014, SAME DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT ROTORS WERE PITTED AGAIN AT 27,000 MILES AND HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR $502.00 (OUT OF POCKET). WHEN I PROTESTED THAT MOPAR PARTS SHOULD NOT FAIL IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS, THE SERVICE PERSON TOLD ME THAT "DODGES ARE KNOWN FOR THESE PROBLEMS." I CONTACTED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER THEIR DEFECTIVE PARTS AND HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE TOTAL RUN AROUND. CHRYSLER OFFERED ME $60.00 OFF THE PRICE OF THE BRAKE JOB BUT I DECLINED BECAUSE FACTORY PARTS SHOULD NOT FAIL SO QUICKLY. I CHECKED THE INTERNET (LEMON LAW BLOG, CAR COMPLAINTS, ETC.) AND FOUND HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE FOR PREMATURE BRAKE FAILURE IN 2006-2012 CARAVANS & TOWN AND COUNTRY'S. CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND IS TRYING TO AVOID RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIRING THIS KNOWN DEFECT BY PASSING THE COST ON TO AMERICAN CONSUMERS. A RECALL SHOULD BE ORDERED FOR THESE VEHICLES BASED ON PREMATURE BRAKE FAILURE THAT CHRYSLER IS DELIBERATELY IGNORING. *TR

I PURCHASED THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE 08/18/12 WITH APPROXIMATELY 17,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD THE BRAKES HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES, I WAS TOLD THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. NOW, AT 60,000 MILES, I'M BEING TOLD, ONCE AGAIN, THAT THE BRAKES NEED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER OWNING MULTIPLE VEHICLES THROUGHOUT MY DRIVING EXPERIENCE (28 YEARS), I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH ANY VEHICLE I'VE EVER OWNED. EXTENSIVE ONLINE RESEARCH REVEALS THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THE MAJORITY OF DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY AND VOLKSWAGEN OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED AS WELL, AND I WOULD IMAGINE THIS IS NOT THE FIRST COMPLAINT YOU'VE SEEN REGARDING THIS ISSUE? I HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I SHOULD ALSO ADD THAT THE BRAKE WORK DONE AT APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES WAS DONE BY A FAMILY FRIEND WITH OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN THE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR INDUSTRY, DUE TO AN EXTREMELY HIGH ESTIMATE FROM THE SHOP I CURRENTLY USE. (IN EXCESS OF $650.00). *TR

THE REAR BRAKES ON THE DODGE MINIVANS WERE DESIGNED POORLY. THE CALIPERS DO NOT RELEASE PROPERLY, AND THE CLEARANCE ON THE BRAKE PADS IS TOO TIGHT AND CAUSES THE PADS TO GET STUCK. LAST NIGHT WE HAD THE BRAKE HANG ON ONE OF THE REAR BRAKES AFTER USING THE PARKING BRAKE. THE PADS STAYED CLOSE TO THE CALIPER AND CAUSED THE ENTIRE ROTOR TO HEAT UP FROM THE EXCESSIVE FRICTION. PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED LAST WEEK, FULL BRAKE FLUID REPLACEMENT DONE AT DODGE DEALERSHIP THIS WEEK. EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT, NOW CALIPER IS JAMMED. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS ARE ON THE INTERNET FOR THE 2008 - 2012 (AND SOME 2013+) MODEL GRAND CARAVANS DUE TO POORLY DESIGNED REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. *TR