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So I erge you to file. The nhtsa.gov will research each claim filed and may help if there is enough people who have problems.
This time I got to talk with the mechanic directly and He sees this alot. But as I was sitting and waiting I was bending the ear of a woman, also with a 2008 van, who's had 2 brake jobs. But she was covered under some kind of full warranty she purchased and did n't know how many miles she had on her van. My point is, there are a lot of people out there who do not know any better. I had to push and fight and go in fully prepared to get my deal because I'm a woman and you know they weren't gonna go easy on me!!! But I did not go down with out a fight, and I've called and filed a complaint with chrysler and you have to contact the DMV also, they have a complaint dept. and if they get enough of us, hopefully there will be TSB, or some other sort of recall.
I'm glad you pitched a "fit", I really can't blame the service guys I think they are just fielding the complaints for Chrysler. I asked if there was any type of Service Bulletin from Chrysler and you should have seen this guys face.. but he told me there was not. So I'm not sure if he lied, but I was pretty happy getting out of there with just $170.00 out of my pocket.. GOOD LUCK and keep on fighting.
For anyone that's had to deal with the brakes more than 2 times within the basic warranty period and is tired of dealing with it (Personally, I don't want to have to budget having the brakes done every 8 months), I suggest contacting a lemon law attorney and getting their opinion. The fact that Chrysler HAS issued a TSB for the brakes is an admission of defect and makes the case for a lemon-law buyback much stronger. Unfortunately, the TSB does not fix the problem.
Hope to have a resolution within a few weeks.
I have a 2008 Caravan and been having brake problems over the past 6 months. First it was the brake pads, now it's the brake rotors. After reading your reply that Chrysler is aware of this problem, I called my dealer and he basically told me to call Chrsyler Customer Hotline. I did and they told that they do not have any type of program concerning a "good faith" brake replacement on 2008 Caravans. They did say they would have a representative call me within the next 48 hours to discuss my concern about my brakes.
Call Chrysler 1-800-992-1997 and contact the NHTSA to complain 1-888-327-4236.
also, google. 2008 dodge caravan brake problems and you can read about all the issues. We are all having the same probs. Good luck, and be persistant.
When I called Chrysler I told them that my brother in law (Chrysler Mechanic on east coast) told me his dealership was regularly replacing brakes on 2008 T&C and Chrysler was picking up the tab for those that created a "stink". Most people just pay up and don't push the issue. Dealers claim there is no brake replacement program at Chrysler. Dealers have all been coached by Chrysler to try to suck as much money as they can. When you call Chrysler tell them the brakes have a design flaw and no similar vans have ever had this kind of problem (i.e. replacing brakes at 12 - 17K miles... nuts). This is unheard of in the auto industry. The latest research shows the 2008 T&C gained over 500 lbs and the rotors were not adjusted for the increase. In addition, apparently cheeper brake pads were used which wear out much faster than normal. I would also call NHTSA and report. On the NHTSA website there have been about 15 times the number of brake complaints on Chrysler 2008 vans. The 07 and 09 have had very few complaints. Eventually, if enough complaints are received, NHTSA will force Chrysler to recall the 08 vans and replace the brakes with quality parts which will last. Funny thing is the the 09/10 T&C have not had brake problems. If they managed to fix the problem then why not offer solutions to custormers of 2008 vans? ANSWER: Its all about the money.....
Call comsumer protection and file a complaint with them.
How many miles on the van?
First, Chrysler doesn't manufacture brakes or rotors, they only select parts from the same vendors most manufacturers use, including Toyota and Honda. Brake design has hardly changed in 20 years. GM did try an innovation in composite rotors a few years back that proved problematic, but I haven't heard much else. A valid complaint might be if Chrysler selected under-sized components, but I have no knowledge and you will probably find they are using the largest rotors that will fit under the wheels. My T&C as 11.2"D rotors vs the 10"D rotors in my smaller Voyager. What has changed is that the new minivans are now maxi-vans >4500 lb. Chrysler doesn't even offer the 4 cylinder engine anymore. Ditto for other manufacturers. Customers (us) demand this.
Mileage doesn't translate into brake life, only braking does. Use your brakes sparingly. I see many drivers racing to a red light, then braking. Use the engine to slow downhill and even when coming to a stop, downshift when necessesary. Brake pads have much less life since asbestos was eliminated. The longest life comes from so-called "ceramic" pads, but they also wear rotors faster. I say "so called" because there are many things cast into the pad material and there are no industry standard terms so they can call any pad anything they want.
As soon as you are out of warranty, don't go to a dealer for brake jobs. Besides specialty shops, you can learn to change brake parts yourself. It is about a 2 on a scale of 10 in repair complexity. I typically pay $20 for front pads, $10 to have a rotor turned, and sometimes just $10 for a new rotor. I don't know where these $800 charges come from. Disc brakes are simpler to replace than drum and current designs are even simpler than years past. I do all repairs myself because is much cheaper, takes less time, and I avoid all the hassles of negotiating, dishonesty, incompetence, and lack of interest in my needs. I hope to never be a beggar in front of a snotty service manager.
I find it equally disturbing that NHTSA has not done anything to address this issue.
I had to change the front pads at 20,000 miles and now at 35,388 am subject to replacment of both the pads and rotors. We're not talking about drfiving habits; it's corporate negligence given durability testing that has to be performed before a product released. While the wear may not have resulted in a safety recall, the gravity of the issue is no less than the firestone issue that Ford experienced. The only thing saving Chrysler is the bankruptcy and government intervention.
It's unfortunate, but the NHTSA would probably have already done that had there been some deaths associated with premature brake pad wear.
I'd like to join your cause.
I appreciate your dedication to the classic Family Van which really has stood the test of time, HOWEVER... Having been in the industry as well as being a FSE (Field Service Engineer) for the Big 3, I am really upset!! Believe it or not I returned from a 2005 bullet proof T&C only to buy a new 2008 loaded. Expecting the same, if not improved experience, the brake design and metering is totally unacceptable. Having changed the front brake pads at 23,000 miles only as a PM preventive maintenance move, at 35,388 the whole front system will now have to be replaced. The industry did go through major brake redesigns when asbestos was removed back in 1995 causing the entire industry to re-think and re-design brake systems. DVP (design verification & prove out) is required, someone blew it and should be fired! Having owned and serviced over two hundred and fifty cars, I have never seen such a deplorable release to the general public. It's really a shame but Daimler Chrysler should step up to this issue or take the T&C out of production all together. Just reading all these blogs will convince NHTSA eventually that they need to react. While you and I may find the T&C a great vehicle in the market segment, the brake system IS NOT, nor should not have been released! Whoever designed this system and says they tested and proved it out had to be smoking dope! This van had the ability to stand above any foreign competition and to have this put a black mark on what should be a best seller is a crime. Sincererly, DISGRUNTLE D
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f1bbe4a/11!keywords=allin%3Amsgtex- t%20limit%3A.f1bbe4a%20tsb#MSG11
To 24sam, Chrysler DOES acknowledge the TSB, they published it! They even acknowledge that there IS a problem if you call them. The burn is that they say there's still no fix and there's nothing they can or will do long-term for anyone that calls and complains. We went down that path, they specifically asked "What would you like us to do?" and when we said "Replace the brakes for free until there's a fix" they said "Sorry, there's nothing we can do."
Thus we started lemon-law proceedings late last year.
Do you know if there is anything in writing about the "Goodwill repair"?
Thanks for your help..
Mike
I went into the local dealer today and spoke with the assistant manager (the manager and owner were not there today). This fellow took down some information. In particular the TSB (technical service bulletin (05-006-08) information. I informed him of the many instances, like yourself, where the brakes have worn out prematurely and this should not be happening. He agreed and promised to have the service manager take care of the problem when he returned. We shall see what really ends up happening, but I am preparing to run them over the coals if they do comply. This is really wrong and the company needs to fix this. I would advise going in with as much information as possible and talking to the manager or owner of the dealership. Please file a complaint with NHTSA and call Dodge. Even write letters to your local paper and chamber of commerce as required.
Bought this van new. Within the first year, the brakes were metal on metal at only 24,000 miles - I figured the OEM brakes were probably crap so wasn't too upset by this. Took it into a brake shop, they informed me that the calipers were bad and needed replacement. They also showed me that one of the rotors needed replacement. I had trouble believing that, so I had them show me with the micrometer and everything. I declined the rotor and caliper replacement, got the brake pads and drove to the dealer (GO DODGE in Englewood, CO). The brake shop told me that I would be back in 3-6 months. The dealer denied that there was a problem, said the rotors were fine, nothing wrong with the calipers, etc. They told me that the brake shop was trying to sell me extra stuff that was unneeded- basically accusing them of trying to rip me off!
In less than 6 months (only about 10,000 miles) later, the brakes were grinding again (no warning squeal prior to the grinding). Went back... Now, I need 4 rotors, pads, and calipers. The brake shop informed me that the brakes are undersized and that the Master Cylinder is poorly designed.. and that the Master Cylinder led to the failure of the calipers.
Yesterday, I took it to the dealer again, informing them of the problems. Once again, they denied there were any problems. They told me that everything was fine and that disc brakes are only designed to last 15-20k miles. At this, I became extremely irate, informing him that I've owned 15 cars, 10 of which were new. This is my 5th Chrysler product... and never have I had brakes crap out after 10,000 miles! He insisted in telling me that I'm wrong... I cussed him out profusely over the phone at which point he told me to come and pick up the van and that they would not service it.
I walked in and demanded to talk to the manager. After waiting for 15 minutes, I got to speak to him. I told him that there is a design flaw, and that it needs to be corrected. He said that if there was a problem they would fix it. He brought me out of the waiting area into his office so the people in the waiting room would not here me talk about their shoddy brakes.
After about 10 minutes of discussion, he FINALLY said "do they put [non-permissible content removed] brakes on their vans? YES! They are undersized and we are well aware of it." He said they get 60-70 cases per week!
So after they spent all that time lying to me, telling me that the independent brake shops were trying to screw me, they FINALLY admitted to their problem.
He gave me the number to Chrysler and told me to have them open up a call... and if they agreed to cover the repair or any part of it, they would do the repair.
I got the call from Chrysler today. They spoke to the service manager who admitted that the brakes were undersized and "[non-permissible content removed]". The rep (Nick) on the phone told me that the service manager told him that my brakes had "normal wear", so Chrysler refuses to cover any of the repair and have closed the call.
I'm done with Chrysler/Mopar... which means I'm done with American cars altogether.
Has anyone needed them at such low mileage? I saw alot of posts that seemed to need them at 17k or 20k.
Don't even get me started on the broken rear seat that won't go up, the door sensors that detected invisible obstacles (even after being fixed at the dealer), the leaky sunroof, or the radio that occasionally goes blank and silent!!! :lemon:
Jenn
I am very concerned that they will just keep putting off all our complaints until something like what happened to Toyota happens to them, then they'll be listening. I truly believe they are just cutting corners and being cheap with parts, but the dealership denies that. Good luck and again, don't let them push you around, it is NOT NORMAL to be metal to metal at 12k!!!
It's called "Risk Management" !! They will just wait until one of us poor people get into a wreck! :sick:
So I guess that whole 3 year 36,000 mile bumper to bumper thing is total crap.
Wrote to NHTSA. Not expecting anything.
REALLY twisted with myself a 1,000 times before finally committing to by this thing. Almost 100% against Chrysler as my first and only other experience with them (84 Chrysler New Yorker was a disaster) but they kept on pitching the warranty, the warranty, the incredible reliability.
Once....twice.... there won't be a 3rd time, I can assure you of that - 100%
Thanks,
Jenn
Regardless, will pay a LOT more attention to consumer reviews the next time I look at a vehicle purchase and regardless what the reviews say - Chrysler will never see our money or referrals again.