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

424 messages,  Last post on Mar 16, 2013 at 5:46 PM

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

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

Messages Page 4 of 43

#30 of 424 brake complaint by antoinettel

Aug 21, 2009 (3:45 pm)

We have a 2008 Town Country van with 18,000 and are in our 60's and do not travel a lot. My husband heard a scraping like from the brakes, so he took it in and low and behold there were no brakes left, it was metal on metal and cost us $400.00 for a leased car. I think that everyone who has had bake problems and had to put money out, should start a Class Action suit against Chrysler. We have driven nothing but Chrysler for 35 years, gues what NO MORE. Chrysler can go uner.

#31 of 424 Chrysler Brake Pad/Rotor Issues by pschultheis

Sep 13, 2009 (11:57 am)

We had to replace both the front and rear brake pads and rotors on our 2008 Chrysler Town & Country van at only 22,000 miles. I have never had to replace brake pads and rotors at such a low mileage on any vehicle I have owned. I have been driving 35 years, have owned many vehicles and am not driving any differently than I have driven in the past. We spent $40K for this vehicle and have just spent $910.00 to replace the pads/rotors. I am furious! I will be calling Chrysler Customer Service to see if any relief will be given and if not, will file a complaint with the NHTSA ODI (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation.) If enough people report, maybe something will be done to assist the entire group. While you are there you can read some similar complaints that have already been filed. Below is info. I copied from their website:
 
How to report a safety Complaint
Select how you would like to report your complaint. See below for information regarding this form.
• ONLINE: Select the "Begin Form" button to the right.
• BY PHONE: Call the Hotline, Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at
(888) 327-4236 , TTY: (800) 424-9153.
________________________________________
Who we are
We are The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), an office within the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). ODI conducts defect investigations and administers safety recalls to support the NHTSA's mission to improve safety on our Nation's roadways.
Why your complaint is important
Your complaint information will be entered into NHTSA-ODI's vehicle owner's complaint database and used with other complaints to determine if a safety-related defect trend exists.
• If a safety-related defect exists in a motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment, the manufacturer must provide a remendy at no cost to the owner. Your complaint is the first step in the process.
• We do not have to receive a specific number of complaints before we look into a problem. We gather all available information on a problem. Your complaint is important to us.
How Your complaint is Handled
• Government engineers analyze the problem. If warranted, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) will open an investigation to determine if a safety defect trend existis. Some of these investigations result in safety recalls.
• While you may or may not be contacted by a NHTSA-ODI investigator to clarify the information submitted, all reports are reviewed and analyzed for potential defects trends.
Filling out this form
Types of safety complaints
There are four types of safety complaints you can report.
• Vehicles: All motor vehicles -- cars, heavy trucks, RV's, motorcycles, emergency vehicles, buses, etc.
• Tires: All types of tires -- requires you to submit your vehicle information as well.
• Equipment: Non-original equipment -- replacement oil filters, wipers, RV accessories, lights, floor jacks, etc.
• Child Restraint: All types of child restraints --infant seats, booster seats, convertibles, etc.
Time needed to complete
The average time to complete the minimum requirements of this form is eight to ten minutes. It is advised you gather the necessary information for your complaint type before completing the complaint form.
Information needed
Below is a list of items you will need for each type of Complaint. Select the "+" button for the type to see what information you will need.
Vehicles
• Model Year
• Make
• Model
• Component*
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) (Optional, but very important)
Found on registration or insurance card.
* Component -- Part or system of concern
Tires
• Tire information needed
o Tire Brand
o Tire Line
o Tire Size, (e.g., P275/75R16 89H)
o Component*
o DOT Number (Tire Identification Number) (Optional, but very important)
• Vehicle information needed
o Model Year
o Make
o Model
o Component*
o Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) (Optional, but very important)
Found on registration or insurance card.
* Component -- Part or system of concern
Equipment
• Make
• Model
• Component *
* Component -- Part or system of concern
Child Restraints
• Make
• Model Number
• Type (only appears with some makes)
• Date of Manufacture
• Component*
* Component -- Part or system of concern
Consumer
We Value Your Privacy
• Name
• Address
• Phone Number
 
Send your suggestions or comments to webmasternhtsa.dot.gov
 

#32 of 424 Chrysler Brake Pads BAD! by wcrdll4indy

Sep 16, 2009 (10:22 am)

We just had to purchase new brake pads for our 2008 T&C at 17,000 miles. Unheard of! Ridiculous! The Chrysler service rep told the "unofficial" story of how the new pads are the 3rd re-designed brake pads for this van, due to complaints/problems.
 
Why hasn't there been a recall? Why weren't my brakes free if the 2nd design was faulty and so many other T&C owners were coming in EARLY to have their brakes replaced on so low mileage???
 
We just purchased this Chrysler after owning 2 Toyota Siennas w/o any problems. Years prior, we had a horrible experience owning a Chrysler minivan and stayed away for years but were tempted back w/the 2008. Ha! Lesson learned.
 
Can't trust Chrysler products to last or trust the Chrysler company to stand behind their product. They're always dodging responsibility.......
 
We will definitely be using the advice from above poster to register our complaint with the government office (see #31). THIS NEEDS TO BE AN OFFICIAL RECALL!!! Heck, our brakes are squeaking already. Back brakes? Rotars? Sheesh - better keep the wallet open. It is a Chrysler, after all......

#33 of 424 Re: Chrysler Brake Pad/Rotor Issues [pschultheis] by tedebear

Sep 20, 2009 (8:54 am)

Replying to: pschultheis (Sep 13, 2009 11:57 am)
We spent $40K for this vehicle and have just spent $910.00 to replace the pads/rotors.
 
Although the brakes wore out sooner than they should have I am scratching my head wondering why the service cost was so high to have them replaced. Did you get an estimate from at least one other shop, like Midas or some independent service center? You do not have to have the work done at a high price dealership since this is not part of the warranty.
 
I'm not a mechanic but I've replaced pads and rotors on many of my cars. It's not that hard to do and it takes about two hours for me with hand tools and my car on jack stands in the garage. I don't have all the fancy lifts and air tools, etc. I would guess the parts cost for new rotors and pads would run around $200. It would be even less if the rotors just had to be resurfaced (turned) and not replaced. You can usually have that done to them the first time or two when the pads are replaced and there's still plenty of thickness on the rotors. Did all 4 wheels have to be replaced? Usually the fronts go out more quickly than the rears.
 
Anyway, I'm not suggesting that everyone should do their own brake pad replacing if they are not comfortable with taking on such a task. However, to anyone else who did a search for a similar problem they are having and found this thread I highly recommend getting a second or third opinion at an independent shop, especially since this repair is not covered under the warranty. $900 to have brakes replaced is WAY too high.
 
Here's a solution to the problem that another owner came up with: Chrysler Brake Problems

#34 of 424 Re: Chrysler Brake Pad/Rotor Issues [tedebear] by pschultheis

Sep 20, 2009 (8:30 pm)

Replying to: tedebear (Sep 20, 2009 8:54 am)
Yes, we checked with our trusted, personal mechanic before the dealer did the initial work and they agreed that the price quoted was reasonable for the work on the front brakes. We then took the vehicle to our own mechanic for the remaining work. Yes, all four brakes were replaced. Neither my husband or I would have been able to do the work and you are fortunate to be able to do this yourself.

#35 of 424 Re: Chrysler Brake Pad/Rotor Issues [pschultheis] by tedebear

Sep 20, 2009 (9:13 pm)

Replying to: pschultheis (Sep 20, 2009 8:30 pm)
I guess I should run an ad for Chrysler minivan brake repair and earn a little extra cash on the weekends if they're getting that much for the service - wow.
 
I'm sorry for the headaches you've had with this. As a former Chrysler employee I took pride in what I did for them and I tried to help any owners out who needed it. Ironically, I worked as an electrician at the St. Louis minivan plant until they moved everything to Canada last year.

#36 of 424 Re: Chrysler Brake Pad/Rotor Issues [pschultheis] by janetmfx

Sep 28, 2009 (11:10 am)

Replying to: pschultheis (Sep 13, 2009 11:57 am)
I had to replace the same thing on my 2008 Town and Country at 17,000 KMS! This was the least of my problems with this car...I haven't had it for a month because it is getting a new engine

#37 of 424 Re: Chrysler Brake Pad/Rotor Issues [janetmfx] by pschultheis

Oct 01, 2009 (8:34 pm)

Replying to: janetmfx (Sep 28, 2009 11:10 am)
I am so sorry to hear that. What size engine do you have?
 
FYI - I wrote a letter to the dealer we bought the van from asking for reimbursement for our costs and the owner called us right away. We have a meeting with him Wednesday, October 7th and hope to have some good news to post here. Keep your fingers crossed.

#38 of 424 Re: Chrysler Brake Pad/Rotor Issues [pschultheis] by janetmfx

Oct 02, 2009 (9:24 am)

Replying to: pschultheis (Oct 01, 2009 8:34 pm)
I have a 4.0 l engine...Good Luck with the reimbursement!

#39 of 424 another brake job here by minnie71

Oct 03, 2009 (11:50 pm)

We also had brakes replaced on our 2008 Town and Country with only 19000 miles and were also given the runaround about it being normal wear and tear. I called Chrysler who basically told me tough crap, they were not going to do anything about it. I also talked to the "Sales Manager" who threw me out of his office. . I heard the service man on the phone with another customer who also had to put new brakes on with 23,000 miles on her car, and he was telling her the same thing,it is normal wear and tear. How are they getting away with this? I have also filed a complaint with NHTSA ODI.

Messages Page 4 of 43

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