2013 Dodge Grand Caravan Brakes Problems
9 owner-reported brakes complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (9)
Brake lights turns off when parked and engine off. But even with the engine off and nobody in the car the brake lights turn on. A mechanic replaced brake light switch. Engine off and brake lights off. Later the brake lights turns on when engine off and nobody in the car. Replaced brake pedal assembly and still same problem. Is this a common problem with Dodge Grand Caravans? Mine is 2013 model.
The brake pedal when pressed does not reach the bottom, returns the foot. and does not stop I have to pump so that it brakes and does not turn on the brake light on the dashboard. It was checked by a private mechanic and he told me that it is very risky to drive the vehicle since in an emergency it will not stop. Even when I'm parking and I move the car it doesn't stop in a very short distance. It's like the brakes run out of air.
Van will shut off without warning while driving on the freeway. Loss of power steering and brakes is a major safety issue! My wife had this happen twice now, both times in a near-miss accident on the freeway. There are no codes.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES, ONE OF THE BRAKE PADS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE TO LOCK UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE WHEEL IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE TIRE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PAD WAS COMPLETELY FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE YEAR LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND PROTECTED BY A CALIPER ADAPTER TO AVOID UNEVEN WEARING OF THE PADS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000. ...UPDATED 01/23/17 *BF
I HAD MY BRAKES CHANGED IN JANUARY WITH 49,000 MILES AND BY JUNE I HAD TO TAKE MY VAN BACK IN AND PADS WERE COMPLETELY GONE. SO IN 10,000 MILES I WENT THROUGH BRAKE PADS THAT SHOULD OF LASTED 50,000+ MILES. I HAD ALL ROTORS AND FRONT PADS CHANGED SINCE THE BACK WERE STILL GOOD FROM JANUARY AND ITS BEEN 2 WEEKS NOW AND MY BRAKES ARE SQUEALING ALMOST CONSTANTLY WHEN I AM BRAKING...NOT GRINDING YET BUT I AM SURE THATS COMING SOON!
LEFT YEAR BRAKE CALIPER SEIZED, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO OVERHEAT. OCCURRED AT 34,000 MILES. REPAIR COSTS WERE $600. WITHIN TWO WEEKS IT HAPPENED AGAIN, SAME WHEEL. NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.
THE DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IS MADE WITH BRAKES THAT ARE TOO SMALL FOR A LARGE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSES THE BRAKES TO WEAR OUT MORE QUICKLY THAN THEY WOULD WEAR OUT IF THE VAN WAS EQUIPPED WITH PROPER SIZE BRAKES FOR ITS WEIGHT. THE DODGE MINI VAN USES BRAKES THAT CARS 1/2 THE WEIGHT OF THE VAN USE. I BELIEVE THIS IS DONE INTENTIONALLY BY THE MANUFACTURER SO THE BRAKES WEAR OUT QUICKLY AND NEED REPLACEMENT MORE OFTEN THAN THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED IF THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED PROPERLY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE BRAKES SEIZED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROTORS WERE DETERIORATING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,372.