By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
Incidientally, the tech at Brakes Plus told me that the pads should last 30,000 to 50,000 miles (pretty much confirmed by Chrysler's letter offering reimbursement for brakes that failed before 36,000 miles) and that the rotors should last through 2 sets of pads. Interestingly, I know one of the service advisors at the local dealer and so asked him in my aggravated state why Detroit was still using the same crap parts at the time my brakes were done. It's obvious from this forum that ceramic pads were available prior to my first brake job. He told me that the vehicle is big and heavy and the brakes are too small for it. NICE!!! Who in their right mind puts too small brakes on a FAMILY vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 3 1/2 TONS!! IDIOTS!! Hubby wanted to unload the van, but we owe more than it's worth at this point. I told him the brake shop assured me that these new pads would last longer. I have to admit that the difference in the way the vehicle stops is unbelievable. Used to be rough and jerky...even after the dealer replaced the front. Now it stops smooth and with a very slight bounce if you have to stop quick.
You have to wonder why they did not correct the stupid mistake on the 2009 or 2010 models. I guess they are afraid of the admission that the brakes were undersized.to begin with. When I DO get around to replacing my pads it would be nice to know where to go (probably not the dealer) to get the best ceramic pads and rotors on the market.
City: Windsor, ON
Dealer: Windsor Chrysler Dealership
We have 25000 Km presently on the van. At 20,000 Km the rear rotors showed excessive wear. We had it looked at by Windsor Chrysler and the mechanic pulled us to the side and said they see a few a week come in with break issues. He stated that the issues is a design flaw issue with the size of the breaks used. In short he said if we keep the van, we will be replacing all of the breaks every 2 years.
Chrysler did send send us a letter that they will replace the FRONTS only..IF...issue comes up within 2 years or 40,000 KM.
Talked to Dealership and they said we have to pay for the rears as this is NORMAL wear pattern. This is our 5th car from this dealership, and will be our last. In all our cars, 3 of which were Town and Country's we have never had to replace breaks within 50,000 KM let alone at 25K.
On a side note, the MyGig has given us nothing but issues. We have had it replaced twice already by dealer. They replace it with a USED unit from Crescent Ele located behind Devonshire Mall as they have the contract for Windsor area. I paid over $1000 for that option, why am I getting and older used replacement?
Another issues, the van has just died twice on us. Just will not start at all. No power to it, no lights, nothing. Then after 5 or 10 min, it will start. Dealer said we can not help as we have to have it here to look at when this happens, not after when it is working again.
In short, we have done our part for our fellow Windsor plant workers that make the van here. We will not buy another product from them as they will not stand behind there issues. Dealerships need to step up to the plate and support what is built here!
Dealer was not responsive. Bought the van new from the showroom and had a low tire warning off the showroom floor. He said I should go to the gas station and put air in the tires. What ever happened to service ? I will never buy another Chrysler. Going to trade in both vans this year. I bought a Scion new at the same time 150,000 mi and no problems Go american engineering and service!
Not happy with CHRYSLER but my local dealer took care of me THIS time , so it was NO CHARGE to me THIS time..
Next time, ITS my turn and from what I read it WILL happen sooner than later!!!!!
Had the dealer check it out-stated this is common for this year and model! Nice job Dodge!
Just my 2c worth.
Ski in TX
Replaced front rotors and pads with ceramic pads
Replaced back pads with ceramic pads (rotors were fine)
Gave me a 50K mile warranty on all parts and labor
All I have to do is come see him once a year or whenever I have an issue. He is pretty certain he can keep me going with this crappy Chrysler/Dodge break system.
All in all I spent $366 with a 15% off coupon.
All that said, I'm not really happy with what I am reading but if you live where there is a Brakeway... I'd give them a try.
Good Luck
Pam
Chrysler DID issue a recall and refunded the cost of my brakes and rotors about a year ago.
Lo and behold, went in for a recall and at 42,000 miles they say I need new brake lining AND rotors AGAIN.
That means I only got 20,000 out of the REPLACEMENT linings and rotors from Meineke as well.
WHAT IS GOING ON!!!
Any Advise on finding a brake place and lining that will actually last a NORMAL length of time?
:mad:
Pam
again pulsating. Dealer calls a few hours later and tells me that the rear rotors/pads are shot (blue colored rotors!) and fronts are "decent". This is my 4th full replacement in 19K miles on my 2009 T&C. Chrysler pays for the repairs under warranty and the dealer gives me a loaner but I am so done with Chrysler. Too bad too becuase this is my 6th Chrysler product since 1993. I am surprised that Chrysler has not upgraded the brake components on this vehicle to date.
First set of brakes- 12k miles
second set 18k
22k miles and it at the garage today being checked, yet they tell me there is nothing wrong with the car.
?? nothing wrong?? Brakes are not suppose to be changed every 3-12k? I have my kids in this car! I expect safety.
We're looking to trade it ASAP.
My dealer told me its the same brake system from 2008-2011 but I dont read too much about other (newer) years having as much issue with the brakes as the 2008 model year.
Two days after we bought the car it wouldn't start... turned the key, power to the radio/lights, but engine wouldn't turn over. It has had starting problems ever since. Every time I took it in the dealership told me they couldn't find anything wrong with it. It got to the point where I would start the car 4-5 times - it would turn over, then die, before it would actually catch and remain running.
After the second set of brakes in less than 25k miles and continued terrible services from Chrysler I went out and bought a Toyota Sienna. I will never buy a Chrysler/Dodge again.
Chrysler Cutomer Assistance
P.O. Box 21-8004
Auburn Hills Mi 48321-8004
Attention: Reimbursement
The telephone # is 1800-247-9753
Good Luck
Pam
8/27/08 Purchased new
8/31/09 12,725 miles - Replaced front brake pads and rotors - $328 (Reimbursed by Chrysler since just past warranty)
6/16/10 19,614 miles - Replaced front and rear brake pads and rotors (warped) - $420 ($370 for rear and dealer $50 "goodwill" deductible for last front brake job)
6/14/11 28,854 miles - Back in the shop today, needs new front and machined rear rotors (warped), pads OK -$350 ($100 Chrysler warranty deductible on front - $250 to machine rears)
Next stop NHTSA website and a call to Chrysler to try and get reimbursement for rear brake jobs!
My wife and I had discussed selling the van if this last fix didn't do the trick, but at this point I'd rather spend a few hundred bucks and maintain them myself than spend a few hundred bucks a month on payments for a different vehicle.
The service writer gave me a spiel about how it's normal for these vans to go through brakes every 10 - 15,000 miles, it might be common but it certainly isn't normal or acceptable.
I got a call a few hours later with the service guy trying to sell me a $100 + throttle body cleaning and a $500 + rear brake job telling me the brakes were normal wear and not covered under warranty. I told them not to do the brakes or throttle body and I would pick up the van. I actually had checked the brakes before the trip and they had plenty of material so it was not normal wear and tear.
I needed the van so I decided I would just pick up the parts and do it myself (I worked in a shop doing brakes when I was young and have probably done more brake jobs than most Chrysler "technicians). I picked up the parts drove home, jacked up the car, removed the wheels and the brakes on the left side had plenty of material remaining and the brakes on the right side were worn but not down to metal on metal. I was pissed and decided I would fight Chrysler to get them fixed under warranty as it was clearly a defect as indicated by one side wearing out and the other not. I called the Chrysler assistance line and they in turn called the dealer who told them that all the brakes were metal on metal which they were not. As a matter of fact I took the brake apart and took pictures and put them on the internet so I could guide the Chrysler people there to see them. They didn't want to see them and told me they take the word of the dealer. I called the dealer and talked to the service manager who looked at the pics and agreed they were not metal on metal. I then called Chrysler back and told them about the call, they told me the dealer had to call them. Eventually Chrysler got word from the dealer acknowledging that the brakes weren't metal on metal as they had told Chrysler previously, they lied but no one at the dealer or Chrysler seem to concerned about it, I was shocked.
So Chrysler tells me I can take the van back to the same dealer for another look, I told them that I didn't want to take it back to a dealer that lied as well as the fact that I had moved further away and would prefer to take it to another dealer. In the mean time I continued to drive the van (it's all I have) and the right rear outer pad did wear down to metal on metal.
So I made an appointment last Thursday to bring the van to a closer dealer that was going to charge me $40 to inspect the brakes. The appointment was for 7:30 am the following Tuesday, I brought the car in and also told them about a few other concerns they ignored. They did ask if they could put license plate frames from their dealer on the van, I said okay, it seemed kind of weird but I didn't care, they did as I was talking to the service writer (seemed odd to me). I heard nothing from them until 3 pm and was told they didn't get to the van. They said I could pick it up and bring it back the next day or just leave it, I left it there.
They called me today telling me I need an air filter, a throttle body cleaning and rear brake pads and rotors. I asked if they talked to Chrysler warranty, they didn't so I called Chrysler, they called the dealer then called me back and said that it was normal wear and the dealer said all the brakes were metal on metal (which is not true) and they would not assist me but I could take it back to the original dealer that might assist me. It seems as if they are trying to force me back to the original dealer.
I'm fed up with Chrysler and will never buy another vehicle from them again, they are liars and cheats that don't stand behind their inferior products.
The pictures of the rear brakes and the damaged wheel can be seen here:
www.mickeyco.com
mickeyco(dot)com in case the web address is removed by the software.
I replaced the rotors, pads, and seized calipers. 10,000 miles later, I had to do the same thing to the front brakes, then @30,000 miles I had to do it all over again with the rear brakes. We just crossed the 50,000 mile mark on the vehicle and again, I had to change the rotors, pads AND calipers, yet again!!
Every 15,000 miles, like clock-work the calipers seize up. Chrysler's warranty covers them up to 12,000 miles I wonder why? I've owned a lot of cars in my life and this has been my worst experience EVER!
I fortunately purchased the extended warranty, going back for a third time!
Can't wait to get rid of it!
BTW...Forbes named the 08 T&C one of the WORST cars ever