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Engine & cooling

2008 Dodge Caravan Engine problems

Owners have filed 29 complaints about the 2008 Dodge Caravan's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 10% of all its complaints, most recently on June 29, 2023. They describe 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Engine & cooling

The van lunges the shuts off while driving happens any time any place, just had the crankshaft position sensor following the codes it was showing, and it still does it.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11529504
AirbagsEngine & cooling

The problems we are experiencing is the airbag indicator light keeps coming on and off dinging every time it comes on. The other issue we have experienced is the engine is in need of repair but the check engine light does not come on to let mechanics find the problem. However once every three months the light will come in but once vehicle is turned off the light goes off never to come back on until the next time a few months later. The check engine light issue has been going on for two years.

Filed Incident Air bags · EngineNHTSA 11460449
Electrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

Tipm has failed stuck in limp mode. Caused engine light fuel issues and stalling

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11282784
Electrical systemBrakesEngine & cooling

Traveling 55 down highway suddenly brake engages and brake came up on dash board.Brake stays on for a minute or so then notice that it sounds as if I am over revving engine. When I could safely pull over I did so put in park for a minute went again as soon as I reached over 35 it still sounded as if I was over revving engine. When I could safely pull over again I shut the vehicle off at this time the windshield wipers start going and the horn is sounding off. I then got out disconnected the battery waited for 5...

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minites reconnected. I then preceded to go again and still sounded as if I was revving engine put 4 ways on and preceeded home at 25 miles an hour on a secondary road. This is not the first time this has happened it has happened several other times when taken in to the dealer they could not find issue this was while still under warranty. No one has been able to figure it out.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11175840
Driver assistanceEngine & coolingVisibility & wipers

Just resolved an ignition recall problem on the vehicle because of problems with independent wipers going off, horn going off,vehicle stalling while driving and doors locking and unlocking..Dodge replaced ignition and win module but problem began when I tried using ac or heater..I just brought the car 2 months ago and it has stalled on hgihway 3 times and on the road numerous times. Im afraid to drive the car. The check engine light turns on but goes out intermitently. Sounds like the itpm problem everyone is having ..Cant afford another 2000 dollars to fix

Filed Incident Electronic stability control (ESC) · Engine · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11129792
BrakesEngine & cooling

My van cuts off while driving. Its very dangerous. I've almost been rear ended a few times. I've had the ignition changed as part of the recall but my van has been cutting off everyday now. This happens more when you first start driving the car. About 2 minutes after the van has been started to drive. *Tr

Filed Incident Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 10918837
Electrical systemBrakesEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge caravan. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 14v373000 (air bags, electrical system); however, the part needed to do the repair was not made available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide the part to do the repair. While driving approximately 40 mph, the engine seized twice and the steering and brakes seized. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 10734009
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge caravan. The contact stated that while driving at 60 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000. Updated 7/9/15*cn the consumer also experienced a problem with the sliding door, which almost closed on her. Updated 07/16/15*jb

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10715229
SteeringSuspensionEngine & cooling

Yes I send this latter my car is not good I call to that dealer end old that time put off end not answer when iii drive my car is shaken end I am scare my car because I have 3 kids one is down syndrome please help me I need you help because I am tired to call to dealer. *Tr

Filed Incident Steering · Suspension · EngineNHTSA 10667631
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge caravan. While driving various speeds, the engine stalled and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the wireless emission module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact received a notification for nhtsa campaign number: 14v373000 (engine and electrical system) and believed the failure was related to the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10654999
BrakesEngine & coolingCrash

The van accelerated when pulling into an angled parking space at walmart, villa rica, georgia and impacted a parked car in the adjacent row, causing that vehicle to roll backward for approximately 20 feet before impacting a third car. Our van was stopped in the parking space previously occupied by the 2nd vehicle. Witnesses reported hearing strange noises and saw the impact as it occurred.No injuries. Vehicle is being repaired and will be examined by the repair shop to see if they can determine what occurred. *Tr

Filed Incident Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 10650990
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge caravan. The contact stated that while driving at 55 mph, the engine stalled and an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 26,800.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10648159
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge caravan. While driving 20 mph, the engine stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified about the failure. The vin was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10632358
Engine & cooling

The engine in our 2008 dodge mini van will intermittently surge when at a stop with your foot on the brake or when in park. This has continued to plague us for 3 years now with the latest incident occurring sept. 7Th, 2014. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10631990
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

The van stopped running leaving the car with no power to any system and had to turn the key back to the on position to regain power. This has happened 3 times in the past month.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10626538
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge caravan. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10617964
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge caravan. While driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to be restarted and performed normally. The failure occurred fifteen times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10617723
Engine & cooling

The car starts then stalls, when driving on 7/6/14 on 3 separate occasions it stalled on interstate 390 south. Causing complete power failure. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10610185
Engine & coolingElectrical system

2008 Dodge caravan. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch issues. *Smd the consumer stated the vehicle would not shut off, when the key was removed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where they installed a tipm part at a cost of $897. The dealer claimed the part would make the engine shut off. A day later, the engine would not shut off. However, when it didn't shut off, the engine blew up destroying the engine in the process. The dealer admitted the mistake, of installing the wrong part, and they...

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stated they did not know the engine would not shut off, but they were certain that the failure, was not linked to engine blowing up. Somehow the engine, and radiator blowing up was simply a coincidence.*Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 10609371
Engine & coolingElectrical system

While driving approximately 40 mph the van hit a small pothole and lost total power. After steering to the side of the road I determine the ignition key was now in the accessory position. The same issue occurred multiple times over the course of the 7 years I owned the vehicle to the point that when my teenage sons learned to drive I coached them on what to do when the car turned off while driving. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 10604272
Engine & coolingElectrical system

2008 Dodge caravan, while driving at 65 mph, engine quit, all dash electronics went dead. Coasted to stop, put in park, restarted fine, continued to destination. Problem has occurred 2 previous times, once while turning a corner at or below 5mph, same result, and once at approx 20mph, again same result. Checked, and switched keys, tested ignition switch, wiring to battery / fuse box, all ok, with no excessive corrosion, or loose connections. Attempted to recreate problem by wiggling wiring, switch, keys, with no electrical failure.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 10597192
Engine & cooling

Had just purchased the van days prior to the first sign of an issue... While driving the van, it cut off-loosing all power, on a busy highway, with my wife and children inside... Second and third time were the same... This is a major problem, what is it going to take for dodge to recall and fix these vans.. Injuries or death... *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10584209
Engine & cooling

This has been a continuing problem since I bought car, car just dies while you are driving and you have nothing but until you get car stopped. Then it will restart and drive fine. It happens at all speeds but mostly on the interstates. The dealer did replace the ignition switch while under warranty but not until I went thru 3rd tier myself. It has started again and the dealer can not duplicate it so they return it with nothing done. I even let them keep it 3 days while they put it through their email 3rd tier...

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system. Only answer back was there are no notices about it and the last report I got back was nothing done. It happens at all speeds from 65 down to 5 when making a turn at a red light. This is dangerous and I keep fighting them and documenting it every time I take them in. There doesn't seem to be a way for me to complain to chrysler myself so I am hoping that this will start. I also googled dodge caravans stalling and there are lots listed. *Js

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10579124
SteeringBrakesEngine & cooling

While driving down on ramp at chamberlayne ave in richmond, va to major highway i64 cutoff completely, no power, no brakes no nothing! Second time, travel @ approx. 65 Mph on i64 near bottoms bridge exit on i64, car cut off, no power, no brakes, no nothing! Third time - entering i64 towards va beach, va in traffic approx. 40 Mph, car cut off, no power, no brakes, no nothing; fourth time - while driving down mercury blvd at the king st exit ramp, 20 mph, car cut off, no power, no brakes, no nothing! Fifth time,...

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leaving work at 2114 executive dr, hpt va, approx. 10Mph entering into street, car cut off, no power, no brakes, no nothing, after being evaluated for 8 hrs by dodge dealership; sixth time, when leaving mercury blvd at king st exit ramp, 20 mph, car cut off, no power, no brakes, no nothing after computer was reset! *Tr

Filed Incident Steering · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 10576339
Engine & cooling

While driving, a large amount of steam appeared causing me to loose visibility and pull off the road. The y connector sprung a leak and spewed liquid onto the engine. There is a technical service advisory bulletin about this from gates engineers because of high replacement demand. The heater hose assembly "y" are prone to cracking. They are now being build more robustly with 35% glass fill to ensure a stronger component. Chrysler is not issuing a recall and this is not covered under extended warranty which excludes hoses. The estimated hours to replace this part is 6 hours. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10555862

Dodge Caravan engine complaints by year

Caravan engine problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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