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2008 Chrysler T&C & Dodge Caravan brake life expectancy!

87 messages,  Last post on Dec 06, 2009 at 1:29 PM

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

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#20 of 87 Re: 2008 Chrysler T&C & Dodge Caravan brake life expectancy! [usavet] by cwilcher May 26, 2009 (6:03 am)
Replying to: usavet (Nov 25, 2008 3:04 pm) Purchased a 2008 Chrysler T&C in Sept. of 2007. In August of 2008 the van began vibrating & shimmying when the brakes were applied. The van had 17,562 miles on it. We were informed that the front brakes were about 1/8 inch think & that the rotors had a large lip wore on them. The rotor was too thin to resurface so we needed to replace front brake pads & rotors at a cost of $338.96. We complained to the service department, who provided us a 1-800 number for Chrysler Customer Service. We called & spoke to a representative in India who immediately asked if we wanted to file a Lemon Law Claim. We called our dealer back & asked for a local Chrysler rep. They were unable to provide us with the regional reps name & number because of a vacancy in the position, but within a few weeks we did speak to a local Chrysler rep. They finally agreed to pay for the parts if we paid for the labor. So we did in August of 2008! We took the van back in Sept. 08 after the brakes & rotors were installed with 18,891 miles on it due to a pulsation in the steering wheel when the brakes were applied. They resurfaced rear rotors but front brakes were still ok. The van went back in again in Feb of 2009 with 27,293 miles on it for that same pulsation, brakes were ok but no mention of the rotors! In April of 2009 we took the van back in with 30,456 miles on it for that same pulsation and guess what??? The vibration, pulsation, whatever you want to call it returns and the front rotors are out of round and too thin to resurface. Brake pads are ok but they recommend replacing the brake pads when the rotors are replaced. We called the owner of the dealership, who called his service technicians who told him that Chrysler brakes average no more than 12k miles! They don't advertise that now do they! Where do I go to get service work done now that the Chrysler franchise has been taken away from my dealer? Maybe that is the plan close franchises so consumer can't get work done! Now that will save Chrysler lots of $$! No wander Chrysler is out of business, their product is a piece of sh--! Replies to this message: jpf (May 26, 2009 1:18 pm) clubguy (May 31, 2009 6:08 am)
#21 of 87 Re: 2008 Chrysler T&C & Dodge Caravan brake life expectancy! [cwilcher] by jpf May 26, 2009 (1:18 pm)
Replying to: cwilcher (May 26, 2009 6:03 am) The brake problems appear to be more frequent with the redesigned vans starting in 2008. I own a 2006 Dodge Caravan. Front pads lasted 35,000 miles. I had them replaced at Sears last fall. Original rotors still on van. No problems with rear brakes. Overall, very satisfied with Dodge Caravan.
#22 of 87 Re: 2008 Chrysler T&C & Dodge Caravan brake life expectancy! [cwilcher] by clubguy May 31, 2009 (6:08 am)
Replying to: cwilcher (May 26, 2009 6:03 am) TSB# 05-006-08 issued Dec.8th. 2008
#23 of 87 problems with 2008 brakes (front and rear) by illinoisbrian Jul 17, 2009 (7:48 pm)
I have a 2008 Caravan with about 31,000 miles on it. I had to have the front pads and rotors fixed at my expense, to which my Chrysler dealer informed me that there has not been a recall yet, but this has been a problem with the 2008. They did tell me that the issue has apparently been taken care of in the 2009 van but for those of us with the 2008's are pretty much S.O.L. for now. I also had a high pitch squeal about 2 months ago that would go away if I lightly depressed the brake, but would then begin again once I let off the brake. I drove for about 3 miles like this and when I got to my destination I couldn't believe the tire hadn't caught fire. There was so much heat coming off my rear driver side tire and the smell of burning rubber was horrible. I called my local dealer and they told me it was still under warranty so I needed to call the chrysler roadside assistance number. I did so and had a tow truck come out to tow me to the dealer. They were going to tow me by the front and I told him that the problem was the rear tire. He then said he was going to tow me from the rear, put the van in neutral and tie off the stearing wheel with the seat belt. Thankfully my brother-in-law was present and knows a hell of a lot more about cars than I ever will. My bro-in-law said they needed to send out a flatbed tow truck or use a dolly for under the wheels so they wouldn't screw up the transmission. The tow truck driver said they weren't getting paid for that and called back to his boss who said to go ahead and use the dolly even though they wouldn't get paid for it. After the van got to the dealer they determined that the rear brake hose was faulty and was not releasing the brake like it should. This was fixed under warranty at the end of May. Now it is July 17th and my family and I just got done with yet another exciting day of dealing with chrysler roadside "assistance" and the brakes on my caravan. We were driving down the highway about 90 miles from home when we started to hear a high pitch noise coming from the rear passenger side tire area. I pulled off at the next exit (about 1 & ½ miles) and was not very happy. This time the heat and burning rubber stench was in fact coming from the passenger rear tire. I called my home dealer to verify what the problem was before and then I called chrysler roadside assistance. I told them this has happened before and I needed a flatbed tow truck to tow the van and that I was with my wife and 5 year old daughter. They sent the flat bed tow truck and he towed the van in to the dealer about 25 to 30 miles away. I was told by roadside assistance that we couldn't all fit in the tow truck but they could give my the # to a cab company which I would have to pay for myself. I called the cab company and they said it would be about $98 for them to come get us and take us to the dealer. Instead I got ahold of my mother-in-law who drove almost 1½ hours to come and get us and take us to the dealer and then home. The dealer couldn't get to the van today but they have will "try " to look at it tomorrow even though they have shortened hours for Saturday and only ½ the technicians working. So needless to say I will probably not hear anything until Monday. While at the dealer there was only 1 other customer there and she was arguing with them because they had told her that her car would be done and now a different person was telling her a totally different story...last I heard she was going to speak to their manager. This doesn't make me feel that my van is in a very good place right now. I have been a loyal chrysler/dodge owner for a good number of years and even go very far out of my way to purchase and have service done at a small town dealer who has been very accomadating. However, I am seriously thinking I need to consider a different manufacturer for the future. Both times the rear brakes have had problems I was in the van with my wife and daughter on the highway. We are very fortunate that nothing serious happened to us and that we caught the problem early enough. I seriously had pictures of us traveling down the highway and a rear tire gets so hot that it ignites (if you could have felt the heat and smelled the horrific odor you would have the same thought). Dodge/Chrysler please correct the problems with these brakes and any owners out there be very careful and have your brakes checked often (probably every 300 miles would be good -->feeble attempt at humor). Good Luck!
#24 of 87 Re: 2008 Chrysler T&C Brake Problems [gimmeabrake] by jerry109 Jul 28, 2009 (2:22 pm)
Replying to: gimmeabrake (Mar 10, 2009 7:14 pm) My van has 17000 and just had front wheel bearing replaced and dealer also told me my pads needed replaced. It is sad that a $34000 van has this kind of problems. I owned two others and no problems. I have had all kinds of other problems also. Need to recall this problem.
#25 of 87 Last Chrysler for Me by chucksteak Jul 31, 2009 (5:05 pm)
Bought used 2008 TC with 9,000 miles. At 20,000 needed front pads and rotors at $400+. I don't tailgate, drive in heavy traffic, ride the brakes, haul heavy loads, etc. Dealer had nerve to charge for tire rotation ($40) even though they had to inspect front and rears anyway. How much time did it take to roll front tire to rear and rear tire to front? They did replace a sway bar at no charge (under warranty) but that's says alot about Chrysler front end and brakes. A $30,000+ vehicle in the shop after one year and 20,000 miles. Ridiculous. I've finally learned my lesson. Time to move on to a different brand. Replies to this message: xwesx (Aug 04, 2009 2:43 pm)
#26 of 87 Re: Last Chrysler for Me [chucksteak] by xwesx Aug 04, 2009 (2:43 pm)
Replying to: chucksteak (Jul 31, 2009 5:05 pm) I don't blame you; it is amazing how the quality has gone downhill on this model.   My '98 DGC w/ AWD has 213,000 miles on it now with about 48,000 miles on the front brake pads. I rotated the tires on Sunday and noted that the pads are at about 60%.
#27 of 87 Good bye Chrysler by molliejd Aug 06, 2009 (6:22 pm)
at 31000 miles my husband and I have officially spent more money on my LEASED 2008 Town and Country then we have on his 2000 Honda Accord (180000miles with brakes replaced once) We had the front pads and rotors replaced at 25000 miles to the tune of $400 and were told that we were lucky to have gotten that far on them. The dealer said that they were routinely replacing brake pads and rotors as early as 7,000 miles. I warned a co worker wth 11000 miles to just have his brakes checked because they were only covered to 12000 and surprise surprise the pads and rotors needed to be replaced. The geniuses that I spoke with at the dealership and in India could give two shits less that they are losing their business because they are morons with no appreciation for the fact that they can not own up to their mistakes and reward the customers that take a chance on their chinsy products to fulfill the American dream. Make a product that you stand behind and I will be a customer for life until then I will be at the Honda dealership where the give a crap as to whether the car they made a year ago is still functioning
#28 of 87 brake + air conditioner leak problems by adc1 Aug 18, 2009 (3:23 am)
Hye, I'm from belgium in europe, sorry for my bad english! I'm very disappointed about my chrysler voyager ( the name of town and country in europe ) limited year 2008. I have a lot of problems : brake have been replaced 5 times from purchase ( 42000 kilometers ),I have a air conditioner leak that caused mushrooms behind the carpet, I have also sometimes a siren like noise when driving and sliding doors problems ( obstacle detection ). Normally the leak is resolved, i hope so but now my garage must change all the floorboard. Biggest problem is the brake. I have done 150 km from replacement for brake and now my wheel is trembling during braking on high speed. I have appointment next week with Chrysler's importation responsible. Hoping now solutions... what a pity that there are no lemon law in belgium Replies to this message: ann58 (Aug 18, 2009 4:16 am)
#29 of 87 Re: brake + air conditioner leak problems [adc1] by ann58 Aug 18, 2009 (4:16 am)
Replying to: adc1 (Aug 18, 2009 3:23 am) I know exactly how you feel! Luckyly, I caught the A/C leak. It took them 5 different attempts to get it fixed but I was not going to take "NO" for an answer and my entire carpet was replaced by the dealership. Brakes? They are a pice of you know what! Doors still rattle and they "fixed" them until now my warranty has ran out. And the stow and go? Forget that! I will never own another van with stow and go. It causes the van to be so noisy for the passengers in the rear and Lord help if you go down a dusty road or even have to straddle a dead animal in the road, all of the smell comes into the van! I have always had vans but this is the worst of any type a person can buy. Wonder why they went bankrupt? Crappy workmanship, extremely high wages and we the little guy has to continue to pay their high salaries while they sit back and laugh at us because they know we do not have a choice. Either continue to pay for junk that we have made a conmittment on or ruin our credit and not have a chance to go to a different brand and have a good vehicle. So they have a person no matter which way they turn. I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCT!!!!!!

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