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Chrysler T&C/Dodge Grand Caravan brakes

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Comments

  • jwreichjwreich Member Posts: 8
    Great to read that. So it's been several months now, how many miles do you have and are you still good on pads. I assume you are happy as you haven't posted to the contrary.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,889
    yes, they are still good. We must have put about 5-6k on them by now. Still like new.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • mcg7mcg7 Member Posts: 5
    hello,
    i have been busy but they just put new rotors and pads a few days ago. prior to that the pads i had put on were down to 40% after 4 1/2 wks!!! it is insane how fast they wear down. so i am very unhappy with this vehicle. i can only say to those out there with a chrysler that fight for your rights and even those you are unaware you have. the van has 67,000 miles! i hate it! i should have just stuck with honda! we have a hyundai that has never had a problem and it is 9 yrs old. buyer beware!!! i think that you shouldn't have to put chrysler parts for something they say is not covered under warranty! but there is something seriously wrong with the brakes on their cars. what type of car do you own?
  • jwreichjwreich Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2012
    MCG7

    You say: " i think that you shouldn't have to put chrysler parts for something they say is not covered under warranty!"

    Does Chrysler tell you have must use their product or are you only taking it to the dealership? You could take it to an independent break specialist and have them do the work if you don't feel good about doing it your self.

    I've spoken to a local 09 Touring owner who had not experienced any break issues. They have only done the recall replacement, but nothing in the way of continual break replacements.
  • ricschricsch Member Posts: 540
    We just had our '10 G-C SE in for a set of new Michelin Defender tires at an independant shop and they recommended replacing the rear brake pads & rotors as the pads are very close to being gone, this at only 31k miles!

    I would definately not go with the oem parts, will be looking into aftermarket products soon.
  • tsu670tsu670 Member Posts: 293
    Our 2010 T&C Limited has just under 25k miles. I noticed a couple of weeks ago that the brake fluid was darker than the normal light lemon yellow color in the master cylinder reservoir. Bled all 4 brakes this past weekend using recommended DOT 3/4 brake fluid.

    Not sure why the fluid was going so soon, but one theory is that the vehicle sat for almost six months before we bought it new (during auto industry crash). This is our fourth Chrysler minivan, but the first that needed to have the brakes bled so soon.

    BTW, at almost 25k miles, the brake pads still have lots of meat left on them. :shades:
  • annfromjerseyannfromjersey Member Posts: 38
    www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/index.xhtml

    If we want anything to be done with all these complaints about the brakes - YOU MUST FILE COMPLAINTS WITH National Highway Traffic Safety.

    I just replaced my brakes for the 3rd time with 45,000 miles on 2008 van.

    Chrsyler refuses to acknowledge the problem and after an hour on the phone with them - the rep told me that only NHTSA has the power to do another recall on the brakes!!!!!!

    Every complaint is researched and acknowledge. Even if it was awhile ago - you must report it!!!! Chrsyler is not giving them the information. :lemon: :lemon: :lemon: :lemon: :lemon:
  • nitafnitaf Member Posts: 2
    We have a 2009. Two months ago received a letter from Chrysler with a special coverage and rebate on front brake pads wearing out up to 36K miles. The rebates are staged in 12K mile increments, so you get a few bucks back from 24k-36K.

    Interesting: we have had 37 new vehicles since 1968 most GM (including a Chevy Sport van and many SUV's). Wwe normally keep our vehicles until they have 55-60K miles. Our 09 T&C is the first to need brake pads.

    We have 40,000 miles on it most of which is cross country freeway (est 32K).

    The rear pads were just replaced with Mopar Value Pads using a Chrysler Coupon for $99 plus tax. The fronts will probably be good until the next oil change (45K). I was mad at Chrysler, but I guess we may be lucky after reading all these horror cases. Their customer service group was sympathetic but precise. The special rebates are for front pads only on the 09. The rears are covered for the standard warranty of 12K miles and they have no contingency for freeway mileage.
  • vanillalattevanillalatte Member Posts: 70
    Hi there all,
    yesterday my Dodge dealer replaced the discs and pads on the rear brakes of my 2010 van. I bought it brand new and noticed the dust on the rear. It was done under warranty.
    They say that the clips pushing the pads on the discs and retracting them are prevented from doing this by rust forming on the tabs of the pads. The clips are stainless. The tabs swell and get stuck. My brake pads were non existent in the rear.
    Up front they say that they are okay but they charged me $80 for regular maintenance, they greased the clips there they told me.
    Chrysler-Dodge asks that this maintenance be done every 20 000 km or 12 000 miles.
    You can bet your sweet bippy that I will try to get reimbursed. If anyone has any new info on this subject PLEASE divulge. Thank.
  • steveg82steveg82 Member Posts: 1
    Our '09 Gr Caravan was bought new and within a year the brakes were shot, the rotors would warp when used heavily and the dealership was useless. I was told that a brake recall did not apply to our vehicle and yet the problem reoccurred several times. They would replace pads and turn the rotors etc but the problem would come back within a few months. At one point the rear wheel started squealing and was too hot to touch, just a slight warp is what the dealership had for an explanation. I finally got fed up after Corporate Chrysler was no help and took them to a local service center that found the rotors warp when they get hot, causing violent shaking of the steering wheel. I cannot make the same thing happen now, let's see how long these last.

    I hope this gets elevated. This is a significant safety issue. I'll probably contact the NHTSA to complain as well.
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,145
    If you bought a Chrysler "Man Van" like this one http://edmu.in/Nyzoly (Grand Caravan R/T) a reporter would love to chat with you about it. Please email PR@edmunds.com no later than Wednesday, October 10, 2012 and include your daytime contact information.

    MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
    Need help navigating? kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
    Share your vehicle reviews

  • chaswbchaswb Member Posts: 6
    Have 7,500 Houston (plenty of stops) miles on my 2011 T & C with no problems yet. Planning to rotate tires at 8,000 miles and I'll let you know what I find.
  • cmsturbocmsturbo Member Posts: 2
    Did replacing teh proportioning valve fix teh problem? I am on my 4th set of rotors / pads and it is clearly not a driving style issue or simply an attention to maintenance issue. I have to believe it is either a caliper or proportioning valve issue.

    Any information would be appreciated.
  • cmsturbocmsturbo Member Posts: 2
    I am going to put my 3rd set of rotors on the vehicle shortly and I wondered if your fix was successful over the long haul? Our 2008 T&C Ltd has 56K miles and some severly pulsing brakes. Any feedback you could give would be greatly appreciated.

    I was planning on buying the best aftermarket drilled and slotted rotors I could get to help with cooling while trying your recommended fix on the calipers.

    Many thanks!
  • chaswbchaswb Member Posts: 6
    Just rotated the tires on my 2011 T & C with 8100 miles. All brake pads look good as new. Rotors are smooth, no ridges. So far, so good. I did notice the back wheels had much more brake dust than the fronts. Strange since the front brakes do more of the stopping which explains the vented fronts versus solid rotors in the back. Do not have any of the pulsing that I had in my 2009 Grand Caravan. Keeping my fingers crossed (hard to drive this way).
  • cwikstercwikster Member Posts: 2
    I believe it's a 3/4" socket wrench. I use a small piece of pipe to get more leverage when they're really tight. I use a piece of wire to tie them up so they're not not hanging on the brake line.
  • chanitachanita Member Posts: 1
    WOW!!! this happened to me today... The car was having a very bad shaking problems in the steering wheel. I talked 2 months ago with the dealership and asked them to check my brakes and they told me that everything was perfect. Today, they told me that I have to change the pads and also the rotors, and it is so much expensive!!! I explained them what happened last visit, and he said they NEVER level resurface the rotors... and I HAD to change all completely.. That's a disaster.. and a very bad security issue. What ca we do about this??
  • basmommabasmomma Member Posts: 1
    1. Written by BASmomma on November 23, 2012 From Rio Rancho, New Mexico, US
    I have had issues with my 2010 Town & Country. They say its the way I drive too. I received the letter regarding the brakes and rotors and since I already had issues with mine and they had me "resurface" them a couple months before that, I basically demanded them to be replaced. They did replace them. I think that was just this past July. Then 2 days ago, I took it in because the brakes squeaked. "They have a glaze over them, so they need to be resurfaced." and the rear brakes need to be replaced as well as needing new tires. I only have 39K miles. I said there is something wrong. this just isn't right. they told me that nothing was wrong with them, they just have a glaze. IT'S A BUNCH OF B.S.!!!!!!!! The first time, they blamed it on my driving and they also blamed it on "New Mexico having a lot of dirt" I have NEVER had to replace rotors or even resurface them and ANY car I've owned. And me having "bald tires" on a mini van at 39K is bs too. I no longer feel safe nor do I agree to spend that much money on my van. I am researching the NM lemon law and will be contacting someone.
  • annfromjerseyannfromjersey Member Posts: 38
    I called Chrsyler and complained about premature tire failure and they paid for half of brand new tires!!! I still had to fork out $400 but that's better than $800.

    The dealership manager told me that he can't believe that a minivan that heavy would come with such low quality tires and combined with the brakes, it's a disaster waiting to happen.
  • chaswbchaswb Member Posts: 6
    How many miles were on your vehicle? And what was the brand? I once got over 90,000 miles on the original tires on a 1986 Caravan. When I went to replace them, Goodyear didn't make that model anymore.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,889
    There is nothing wrong with 39k miles on a set of tires.

    Having said that, our '08 is having a tire eating disorder. I put new summer tires on in June, and now a couple of weeks ago I went to put the winter tires on and noticed 3 out of 4 of the summer tires were already half worn. The 4th still looked brand new.

    I took it to sears to get it aligned. It wasn't horrible, but the toe was off all around. We'll see what happens now that its adjusted.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • annfromjerseyannfromjersey Member Posts: 38
    My tires failed at 27,000 miles that should have made it to atleast 39,000. They were labeled as "defective" whenn the dealership inspected them. I did miss one rotation but since all 4 were almost bald it didn't matter.

    A few moms at school have the same van and all have replaced their tires around 35,000.
  • rondalsrondals Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2008 town and country that I purchased new. I have had nothing but problems with it. My vehicle has only 58k miles and I have had to replace my brakes three times now. Our ignition had to be replaced and it is acting up again. Now my vehicle is using oil like crazy. On top of that I am only getting 9 miles to the gallon. We have done all of the maintenace on it and have even replaced the pvc and changed out spark plugs. Oh did I mention it is also idling rough. I was offended by your post....seriously when I purchased a new vehicle I did not expect such problems. I have never had problems like this with any vehicle I have ever owned. By the way most of the maintenance the dealership had us pay for isnt recommended for our vehicle until 102k miles. Lol......people expect normal repairs not what we are experiencing.
  • tcowner15tcowner15 Member Posts: 1
    Any new info on this problem. We just bought a 2010 Town & Country with 17,000 miles on it. Had it one week and on a trip when applying brakes van roared and shook all over. Took to dealer had to replace brake pads and rotors. Then found out from previous owner that he had replaced them "multiple" times, which we are assuming at least twice. Sounds like we bought a lemon, but dealer won't take it back. Wrote to Chrysler but doubt anything will happen. Local Chrysler dealer says "there is no fix" for the brakes. Dealer we bought it from says they put new brakes and rotors on and it is fixed? We wonder how long?
  • laurrielaurrie Member Posts: 1
    We bought a 2010 Town & Country brand new and as of tomorrow we will be replacing the brakes for the 5th time. We finally quit using the Chrysler dealership because the local tire shop rates for labor were better and they actually seemed to care that our brakes were bad, and would replace the pads if they went bad for FREE. My husband is upset and will never buy another Chrysler ever. We had an Aspen previously and didn't have a bit of trouble with it, I think the quality of the Town and Countries is terrible which is unfortunate since it is made for families.
  • rrunnelsrrunnels Member Posts: 1
    Looks like this thread has been dead a while. However, 2011 t&c and brake issues like the rest. Just changed rotors, calipers, and front pads. Problem is they get very hot. My guess is they get to hot and then it rains or you hit a puddle or something and rapid cool down and heat leads to the warped rotors and vibration issues. Gonna try bleeding down lines and making sure no blockage issues causing calipers to stick. Becuase even with brand new calipers the rotors heated up so bad they got blue. Really! Replacing rears to try and get best stopping power to reduce load on front. Gonna try some vented rotors and higest quality pads. Either way, buy lifetime warranty pads and plan to change every 10k and pay nothing for the pads. This is the only idea I have come up with so far and have read no good reasons as to why it is happening and no good solutions. Will post back if I come up with anything.
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