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2008 Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan

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Comments

  • jeffuhdejeffuhde Member Posts: 10
    edited April 2011
    Been a while since I reviewed the models and their specs, but I believe you could get the 4.0L engine in the SXT that year. In 2008 you could not get the 4.0L engine in the Touring (I know that for sure). Belive it was offered in the 2009 Touring edition. Short of that, I can't think of any real differences off the top of my head. Hope this helps.
  • theflushtheflush Member Posts: 100
    Thanks for the reply. I'll start comparing engines as I continue my search.

    What the biggest reliability issue? Is it the brakes? I have always done pad and rotor replacements myself. Is it any different on these vans than any other cars? I had a 98 GC that had transmission problems. Have the transmisson problems been fixed? Whatever I buy, I want to be able to drive it well past 150,000 miles.
  • jeffuhdejeffuhde Member Posts: 10
    Yeah, I'd definitely say the brakes. Basically, they've worn down about every 15-16k miles. Although, my wife's brother-in-law put Bendix ceramics on his 2008 T&C and has gotten 40K+ out of them. The normal factory spec ones just aren't cutting it. I'm going to try the Bendix ones here in the next few weeks. Other than that, the engine and transmission/drive line components haven't shown any issues yet - we're at 64k+ now on our 2008 T&C LTD. The tire pressure monitors in the wheels have been an issue - have had 4 flats (2 I'd attribute to the TPMs) since we've owned it ~ $140 a pop for tires. Haven't been super impressed with the interior build quality either - decent number of rattles here and there - most I've been able to fix. I think the new 2011s are supposed to address that issue with the new soft-touch materials, etc but that doesn't really help you.
  • jeffuhdejeffuhde Member Posts: 10
    Also watch the windshield seal in the early 2008 builds - lots of complaints here in the forum with wind noise. Our T&C was literally built the last week the line was open for the 2008s (1st week of May 2008) and we haven't had any issues with wind noise and the windshield though.
  • macusermacuser Member Posts: 23
    I don't know the difference between the engines, but I had a 2005 GC SXT with the same 3.8 eng that I have in my 2008 Chrysler T&C. Sold the GC with about 50,000 miles on it and never had any problems. Already have 50,000 miles on the T&C and just had the brake pads replaced. My brother said not to have the rotors turned, so had to find a dealer who would change the pads without doing the rotors (while in Florida). Oh, I had to buy 4 new tires in Nov or Dec
    i'd be more concerned with tire SIZE. The 08 T&C has 225x65x16, and is very difficult to find; probably easier to find 17 inch tires.
  • theflushtheflush Member Posts: 100
    Thanks for the repsonses Jeff and mac.

    Have the brake issues been fixed in the 2009 and 2010 models?

    I assume the brake issues also apply to the GCs as well?
  • tsu670tsu670 Member Posts: 293
    My understanding is the brake problem was fixed sometime in the 2009MY. I've rotated the tires on our 2010 at 5,000 and 10,000 miles myself just so I could check the brakes and they looked fine.
  • theflushtheflush Member Posts: 100
    Thanks. I think I may pony up a few bucks more and go for the 2010. I've seen some advertisements where it is only about $1K more for a 2010 with maybe a few more miles than some 2008s.
  • weazerweazer Member Posts: 1
    I just had this exact problem today. The ETC light came on and the accelerator was working improperly to point that I had to tow the vehicle into the dealership.
    The Dealer told me they reconfigured the ETC and have not had any further issues but would not guarantee there was nothing wrong with the ETC.
    I also had the rough idling while I was waiting for the tow.
    I have never used the adjustable pedals but I saw on one of the follow up posts that that issue is what caused the ETC to act up because the wire was being pinched.

    I guess the second time this happens I will have to address the adjustabe pedal issue and it's possible correlation to the ETC. Thanks for posting.

    Regards,

    Chris
  • faroutfarout Member Posts: 1,609
    maccuser: I used to think the same as your brother about not turning the rotors. I had a good son in Law who proved to me turnung thr rotors cleaned up the surface so the new pads did not have to ware into the groves on the surface. I now get about 90,000 on a complete set of brakes and only turn them once. I think in years past your brother may well have been right, but the material of pads and rotors have changed a lot.

    The 3.8 engine is a push rod engine that is a strong long lasting engine.

    farout.
  • 1ruoregon1ruoregon Member Posts: 6
    I've looked throughout the entire owner's manual for the size of the hard drive on my T&C Limited. Does anyone have a clue?
  • jeffs72jeffs72 Member Posts: 6
    Depending upon when it was manufactured, it's either 20 or 30 GB. If you have nav, about 5GB of that space will be taken up with the maps.
  • jeffuhdejeffuhde Member Posts: 10
    Agree with jeffs72. Also you should have a separate manual for your radio/nav unit - specifics should be in there. If memory serves me right, you should be able to look on the system itself to see how much free space you have remaining - but I don't remember where to get to that or what the procedures are.
  • alaska_tncalaska_tnc Member Posts: 1
    2008 T&C Limited 4.0L. No trailer pkg. I want to get an enclosed trailer to move household items. I am considering a 6 a 6x10 trailer that is 8 foot high. Is this going to be too much for the transmission without the extra cooler? Thanks for your help.
  • faroutfarout Member Posts: 1,609
    It's not the transmission that needs the cooler, as it already has one. The cooler is for the engine oil. My Pacifica iiiihas the same 4.0L engine and the 6 speed automatic tranny. My book says nothing is needed IF The Gross weifgt of the trailer is less than 1,500. With the engine cooler it says 3,500 lbs. This cooler is real pricy like almost $400. installed at a Chrysler dealer. I would not trust anyone but my Chrysler dealer, but my dealer is very good and I trust then.
  • timothyftimothyf Member Posts: 40
    Has any one had any problems with the A/C Compressor? I've had to replace two in the past nine months on our 08 T&C Limited.
  • rjomrjom Member Posts: 21
    Just the recall. No problems with actual compressor. 100k.
  • robjgrobjg Member Posts: 1
    I have experienced three times the Lift Gate electronic lock engaging and being unable to disengage the lock by using the fob, unlocking button located on the door or the over the dashboard gate opening button.

    The first time it happened I brought it to a Chrysler dealer near the Villages in Florida. They related to me that they "reprogrammed". They didn't tell me what they programmed. The reprogramming took approximately 15 min.

    The second time it happened was in Texas. I brought the van into the dealership where I bought it. They also made a fix within approximately 15 min. I didn't bother to discuss the problem with them as I thought the glitch was minor and was a reprogramming problem. Maybe something that I was doing with the FOB.

    The same problem cropped up again about a month ago while on a long distance trip. It happened on a Saturday evening and and the dealers/garages closed for the weekend. I took it to the local dealer today. They apparently scoped the problem and came up with five codes, three of the codes were apparently "deleted" or dealth with. The gate unlocks now but it will not lift or close electronically.

    Prior to bringing the van in the FOB and over the dashboard button would beep twice but wouldn't unlock the gate. Now the FOB or over the dashboard button won't operate the gate nor will they even beep.

    Has anyone experienced the same or similar problems.
  • chris_jlchris_jl Member Posts: 1
    Hi Joe
    I saw your post and am also having the same gas mileage problems with my 2008 GC. I went from a average of 17.5 down to 14.5 and now it hovers around 16. Did you ever figure out what the problem was?
    Thanks
  • kdjk5467kdjk5467 Member Posts: 8
    I am having the same issue with my 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT. Just stopped working. When I press unlock I don't feel or hear it unlock. All other doors including side doors work fine.

    Did you figure this out? (Mine also happened on a Saturday evening LOL)
  • drewdldrewdl Member Posts: 2
    I know this is really old.....but I just had a problem with my door on my 2008 Dodge Caravan doing the almost shutting problem, and I had to pay $80 today for them to "program sliding door controller with the latest software update". Really? Do we pay for Microsoft updates???
  • azeasiazeasi Member Posts: 1
    My 2008 Town and country with 4.0 liter engine had a problem where both these symbols were illuminated. The vehicle would only idle when this occurs. The first time this happenned
    the dealer replaced the computer module, but now 3 months later it has occurred again.
    Each time this has occurred I turn the vehicle off wait a few minutes and it will start up
    and run fine for a while. Has anybody else experienced this problem?
  • sootzieqplus2sootzieqplus2 Member Posts: 1
    My 2008 Town and Country Limited with the 4.0 liter engine has a problem with the engine cutting off while I am driving - sometimes at 25 mph and other times at 40 mph, the traction control symbol will light up and the steering will go stiff. I get the car pulled over - which is kinda scary when you are on a two lane road with no shoulder, turn the car off and turn it on again and it will be fine for the rest of the drive. Has anyone else had this problem and how did Chrysler solve it? My dealership can't replicate the problem (of course) and now they want me to drive it with only the ignition key to see if the weight of my key ring is the problem.
  • egermanegerman Member Posts: 2
    My van will randomly stall and i lose all electrical power. this happens at different speeds. If you put the van into park to restart it will not. and it will not shift out of park so you are stuck right were you are. I could not even take the key out. after 5 minutes power turns back on and every thing is operational. Dealer ship could not find problem. any advise this is our only car!!!
  • dhedgecdhedgec Member Posts: 1
    I have experienced the same problem. Have taken it to the dealer 3 times they still can not identify the problem. Have you figured out what is wrong yet?
  • egermanegerman Member Posts: 2
    They said it was the batterie. I do not belive that. I sold the van back to a dealer. solved "MY" problem.
  • mwc1mwc1 Member Posts: 3
    I now have the exact same problem, did anyone ever get a fix and if so what was it.
  • lawrencej1lawrencej1 Member Posts: 2
    My 2008 Town and Country will sometimes not start. It usually takes 3-4 times and then it will start. I have taken it into the dealership and they could not find the problem. The battery and the starter checked out fine. Any ideas as to what this could be?
  • lawrencej1lawrencej1 Member Posts: 2
    I was at a complete stop and my van felt like it jumped. I even turned around to see if someone accidentally hit me. There wasn't anyone behind me. What could this be? This has happened a few times before. The dealership couldn't find anything or didn't want to address this problem.
  • jluv25jluv25 Member Posts: 1
    I had the exact same problem. It always happened when i didn't let my car run for a few minutes before driving off (only if it sat all day at work). about 3 months later a check engine light came on. Took it to dealer, and it was a faulty EGR valve, which does something with the oxygen getting to major engine parts (sorry i'm not a mechanic), anyway, about $400 later, the problem has been fixed, now going on 3 weeks. If your dealer can't find the problem, have them look at this. Also, I work at a import dealership, where they were not able to find this issue. I took the vehicle to chrysler, and they fixed it gthe first time. I am a very happy customer, as the stalling was very scary.
  • mwc1mwc1 Member Posts: 3
    My van did this too, it is the trasmisson coming to a stop in an upper gear then slamming itself into first. I too thought some one had hit me. There is a software update, but you have to pay for it usually. This update helped me some but the trans was still rough shifting. I also had the sever problem of the van stalling while driving within a few miles after start up. The van would also not run smoothly at 30 to 45 MPH in sixth gear. (flat or slight down hill roads). This turned out to be a bad EGR valve although it never gave a computer code. Found the problem with the help of people on line like this. The bottom line is with the new EGR valve and the new software the trans is smooth and the van runs smooth at 30 to 45 range now and does not stall.
  • conniemtthwsconniemtthws Member Posts: 2
    Did you ever figure out the problem ? I have the same issue, sometimes if I open the driver door and turn the key it will work. I brought it in once and they didn't find the issue and now want more money to bring it back. So I was wondering if maybe you figured it out.
  • conniemtthwsconniemtthws Member Posts: 2
    I have seen this posted a bunch but I am not sure if anyone got it figured out ?? It starts some times right away and others after 15 mins and me opening different doors to get it to start when I turn the key. Most of the time I remote start and it and when I turn the key it wont turn on. I had it towed once. The battery was only a couple of months old when it started. I brought it to the dealer and it wouldn't do it for them and said nothing was wrong. So now it is still doing it and they want more $ to look at it again and I am afraid it wont do it for them again. Also the dvd players stopped working. Please help !
  • nitafnitaf Member Posts: 2
    Has anyone had this problem with the 2009 T&C? We had a w/s break and replaced. That's when this sporadic problem started. As in the Chrysler SB for the 08, it happens in hot weather, high speeds and cross winds.

    Glass Doctor technician has been here 3 times, with more sealer at the base of the glass and used a urethane sealant injected along the exterior A pillar moldings. That sounds like the fix for the 08 model. He now says the noise is in the doors because there is no water leak when it rains. Could a further sealing of the moldings help or are we destined to have this problem forever?
  • turkeyzanturkeyzan Member Posts: 2
    Help! My O9 T&C is having problems starting. Had the starter replaced 3 months ago and no issues until yesterday when I was stranded and it would'nt start. Had it towed to the dealer and it started up this morning with no issues. They tested the battery and it tested fine. They charged me $85 and said there was nothing wrong with it. I wanted to leave them with the lemon but need to get around. Anyone have this issue and fixed???
  • joeye2joeye2 Member Posts: 1
    when i stow the 3rd seat, the legs will not fold down and stay down. how do i fix this?
  • tvflowerstvflowers Member Posts: 2
    I have 2008 Grand Caravan 4.0 with 86K milles. Had issue with car intermitently stalling when coasting. Sometimes the light would come on sometimes not. When I did get a code it was the P0406. I cleaned the EGR valve the best that I could but it didn't help. I read all kinds of posts about changing seveal sensors and hopeless cases of people not being able to fix the problem. I was freaking out because it was out of warranty and I didn't have money to have dealer exercise trial and error to figure it out. After several months of driving with it stalling on every trip, I finally put a new EGR valve in myself two days ago and it hasn't stalled since. The van is running great, no stalling, no tranny feeling like it doesn't know when to shift at low speeds, and no tack needle jumping around. I am not mechanic or specialist, but I think that the computer component at the top of the EGR valve was malfunctioning and sending bad data to the computer. I hope this helps. Good Luck.
  • tvflowerstvflowers Member Posts: 2
    I have 2008 Grand Caravan 4.0 with 86K milles. Had issue with car intermitently stalling when coasting. I sometimes the light would come on sometimes not. When I did get a code it was the P0406. I cleaned the EGR valve the best that I could but it didn't help. I read all kinds of posts about changing seveal sensors and hopeless cases of people not being able to fix the problem. I was freaking out because it was out of warranty and I didn't have money to have dealer exercise trial and error to figure it out. After several months of driving with it stalling on every trip, I finally put a new EGR valve in myself two days ago and it hasn't stalled since. The van is running great, no stalling, no tranny feeling like it doesn't know when to shift at low speeds, and no tack needle jumping around. I am not mechanic or specialist, but I think that the computer component at the top of the EGR valve was malfunctioning and sending bad data to the computer. I hope this helps. Good Luck.
  • jeffuhdejeffuhde Member Posts: 10
    Yeah, I changed out my EGR valve about 20,000 miles ago at about the same mileage you state. My van wasn't stalling, but would hesitate when pressing the accelerator right after start up and I was getting the codes for it. The EGR valves are relatively easy to change out on these vans. Glad things are working better for you. About $140 in parts.
  • gelcompanygelcompany Member Posts: 1
    Has anyone figured out this problem? It's been happening for the past 2 years intermittently to me and Dodge will not do anything about it. Luckily all of the times my 2008 Dodge Grand caravan stalls I've been on side roads, not going around a bend, and not going very fast so I could glide to a stop.
  • mwc1mwc1 Member Posts: 3
    I had the same problem, it was the EGR valve, replaced it ran smooth again and stopped stalling. The T/C light does that when the engine dies and not related to the EGR valve. Bottom line is to replace EGR and it will be back to normal
  • sootzieq57sootzieq57 Member Posts: 1
    Thanks for the message, the car finally gave them an error code for the EGR valve and they replaced it. The car has not stalled since they replaced that valve. I am so happy that the problem has been solved. I wish it would have given that error code sooner!
  • brd3brd3 Member Posts: 6
    I had intermittent electrical issues with my 2008 T&C. Just crazy stuff that the dealer could not find the cause of the problem. Finally when the driver side electrical windows did not go up or down the dealer found the wire harness in the driver side door had a short and was causing all of the problems. When the new wire harness was installed all the issues stopped with the door locks, windows, rear licsence plate light, all the dash board lights going on or off, headlights going off at night, wipers going on or off ect.. The sliding door wire harnesses have been recalled and replaced and that manufacturer probably made the door wire harnesses.
  • tsu670tsu670 Member Posts: 293
    Thanks for your informative update. If it wouldn't be too much trouble, I wonder if you would be willing to add a record of your experience, including the fix, on the NHTSA ODI (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of Defects Investigation) website at http://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle+Owners (click "File a Complaint" and please include your vehicle identification number). This could help a lot of folks out there that have the same issue. Thx.
  • timothyftimothyf Member Posts: 40
    Hi, I have a 2008 T&C Limited. The left side of the center front heating control console light is out. Does anyone know the correct bulb/led replacement part and repair steps needed to get the light back on? I would assume that its a light bulb and not a fuse? Thanks
  • timothyftimothyf Member Posts: 40
    I have a 2008 T&C Limited with 120k. Does anyone know when the front struts usually go or how to tell if they are bad? Should you replace the springs as well then? The maintenance schedule stops at 120k, anyone know where to find the schedule to 200k? Thanks
  • tc2008tc2008 Member Posts: 1
    My family bought a used 2008 Chrysler Town and Country, still under manufacturers warranty. Problems started occurring a year later; check engine light goes on and off, alarm goes off while driving....I remember the dealer who sold me the car told me there were 2 batteries for the vehicle; 1 for the main components like the ignition, interior lights, instrument cluster..etc, and the other for the computer controls like power windows, power side doors, navigation...I just started having problems, so I'm just writing to tell other owners to check the owners manual for BOTH BATTERIES. If one goes bad, the other one cannot compensate. Just a guess and I hope a good one.
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