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Chrysler T&C/Dodge Grand Caravan brakes

128 messages,  Last post on Jan 17, 2013 at 5:56 PM

You are in the Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chrysler Town and Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, Brakes, Van

Messages Page 9 of 14

#76 of 128 2008 Grand Caravan Brakes by umpblue

Mar 30, 2010 (8:40 am)

Bought Car with 2798 miles on it first brake job performed with 3686 miles (replaced front brake pads) second brake job performed with 21000 miles (replaced front brake pads and resurfaced rotors) with 29711 miles on the car we took it in and stated the front brakes are still grinding dealer stated it wasn't the front brakes it's the rear so we replaced the rear brake pads and machined rear rotors. With 34500 mile now on the car dealer reccomends front brake pads and machine rotor. Three brake jobs with only 34500 miles on it seems excessive. Dodge definitely has issues with brakes. This is my third van and in the past I have not had any issues with brakes until now.

#77 of 128 Re: 2008 Grand Caravan Braking problems since purchesed NEW [moons2you] by umpblue

Mar 30, 2010 (8:45 am)

Replying to: moons2you (Jun 14, 2009 8:33 am)
I have had the same issues bought van with 2798 miles and have had three brake jobs performed. Currently have 35000 mlles

#78 of 128 Re: 2008 Grand Caravan Braking problems since purchesed NEW [umpblue] by fpeck

Mar 30, 2010 (9:29 am)

Replying to: umpblue (Mar 30, 2010 8:45 am)
I have posted on here before, and finally gave up the fight. I finally traded in the van after 3 brakes repairs, sliding door repairs, third row seat repairs, electrical repairs. I lost 8,000.00 in trade value and had to put in 5,000 cash to get rid of it. I wrote President Obama a letter and asked him to review Chrysler's customer service record on this website. It is a shame that he assisted them with a bailout, and now they turn they backs on customers. Sounds like the Evil servant of Matthew 18 in the Bible. So I guess that was my last step. I dont have the van, I dont have my money back, and I feel disappointed in the USA's level of "customer service"...It's not just Chrysler though, seems like it is all manufacturers and retailers alike. Good luck to all. I hope some issues are resolved in my lifetime.

#79 of 128 Re: Has Chrysler fixed the brake issue in its new models? [madatbrakes] by dan14120

Oct 03, 2010 (11:05 am)

Replying to: madatbrakes (Feb 19, 2010 7:59 am)
I have a 2010 Grand Caravan with 18,000 miles. The rear breaks are squealing like a pig. I had the dealer check them and they told me they are not worn, but need a $100 break service performed. I plan on pulling them apart today myself to look at.
To answer your question... Apparently not... Had I known this and done better research ahead of time, I never would have purchased this vehicle. My last car also had 4 wheel disc breaks, and the rears didn't need to be touched until around 70,000 miles.

#80 of 128 SERIOUSLY????? by misty2010

Oct 20, 2010 (10:08 am)

Ok I am a little shocked by the crazyness and the non sense talk about the minivans that YOU people own NOT Chrysler. At what point do you say this is MY vehicle and I AM responsible for the repairs that need to be completed on my vehicle? I own a 2009 T&C and I did have to replace front breaks at about 27,000 miles. As you can see I drive alot and that was not anything out of the ordinary to me and I went and had them changed at a dealer no big deal..... Later got the warranty letter and great a little extra cash back in my pocket. I think if you can not afford to do repairs or maintenance on YOUR car maybe you should look into the option of a bus pass, that maybe more in your price range.

#81 of 128 2007 T&C Owner by glen

Nov 04, 2010 (10:50 pm)

I just replaced the front brake pads on my 07 work van at 23,000 miles. Brakes have given me service for over 100k miles on other vehicles so I thought this was odd on the T&C.
 
I think the problem stems from a few things;
 
1) When you take your foot off the gas pedal, the engine does not respond instantly to use the braking action from the engine to help slow you down. Instead, It continues to provide forward momentum to the van for a brief moment which if you are slowing down causes you to apply the brakes more. I think it's a smog thing -burning off excess gases on deceleration.
 
2) The transmission along with the gearing is very aggresive on keeping the van moving forward which requires the driver to apply the brake with more force.
 
3) The engine (mine is a 3.3) provides quite a bit of torque at very low RPM's which agravates the above conditions
 
I also think Chrysler did some of these things to increase fuel mileage on the van.
 
When the van was purchased, I noticed right away that I would have to change my driving habits from the other vehicles by taking my foot off the gas sooner than I normally would when slowing down and allowing extra distance between the car in front of me as a buffer zone. If I didn't do these things the pads woould probably last half as long.

#82 of 128 2010 Grand Caravan Rear brakes-excessive brake dust on rear wheels by ricsch

Nov 17, 2010 (11:49 am)

Anyone else notice excessive brake dust build-up on their 2010 Grand Caravan rear wheels?
 
We have one with the alloy wheels and the rear wheels get quite dirty with brake dust, where as the fronts stay very clean in the same time period.
 
Braking operation feels fine so far, with 10k on the vehicle, but the signs of the brake dust would suggest something isn't right.
 
Will definitely have the dealer check it out on it's next service.

#83 of 128 Re: 2010 Grand Caravan Rear brakes-excessive brake dust on rear wheels [ricsch] by chaswb

Nov 17, 2010 (4:10 pm)

Replying to: ricsch (Nov 17, 2010 11:49 am)
Have you received a letter from Chrysler concerning premature pad wear? Depending upon the mileage and age, they will pay for pads and rotors, if needed, after varying deductibles. I have a 2009 Grand Caravan and received the letter about 3 months ago. My braking action is not as smooth as my wife's Malibu, but pad wear after 10,000 miles looks normal to me. However if I really have to stand on them, I get almost a grinding sound. I don't think it's the anti-locks working because I don't feel any pumping action in the pedal. The pads are thick enough to keep the low pad indicators from hitting the rotors. As long as they continue to stop me, I'll just keep a close eye on the thickness and bring it into a dealer if I begin to have a problem.
In answer to you question, my front wheels get dustier than the rears.

#84 of 128 Re: 2010 Grand Caravan Rear brakes-excessive brake dust on rear wheels [chaswb] by ricsch

Nov 18, 2010 (5:26 am)

Replying to: chaswb (Nov 17, 2010 4:10 pm)
We haven't received any notice from Dodge/Chrysler about the premature wear but I will inquire with the dealer. Thank you for the reply.

#85 of 128 Re: 2007 T&C Owner [glen] by snowman89

Nov 20, 2010 (12:57 pm)

Replying to: glen (Nov 04, 2010 10:50 pm)
I have a 2010 Touring with the 4.0 V6 that is just over 2 months old and has 2200 miles on it. I completely agree with your analysis that the vehicle coasts well and seems to have little to no "rolling resistance". In fact I commented to my wife not long after we got it that I've never driven a vehicle that coasts/rolls with so little effort and to me that could be what is cause of excessive break wear (which I hope I don't experience!). I have also "re-learned" how to drive with this van since it requires very little gas pedal effort and lots of planning ahead for stop lights/signs for in town driving. I like it, but while I assume this easy rolling would help gas mileage I have yet to reach stated EPA numbers despite a solid mix of city and highway driving. Our van has the 16" wheels with the junk Yoko tires, too...can't wait to get rid of them but don't look forward to the cost.

Messages Page 9 of 14

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