YearToAvoid

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan ranks worst of 16 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 1,292 complaints, 8 recalls, and 20 injuries. It carries an Avoid verdict, driven mainly by Electrical System complaints (64% of all reports).

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
100/100
#1 of 16 Grand Caravan years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
1,292
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
8
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
23
reported in complaints
Fires
16
Injuries
20
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2018
rated Best

Top 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System832 (64%)
  2. Airbags293 (23%)
  3. Brakes238 (18%)
  4. Engine166 (13%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain68 (5%)
  6. Other60 (5%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires57 (4%)
  8. Steering54 (4%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers49 (4%)
  10. Structure & Body43 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Side airbags failed to deploy in a crash, leaving occupants injured despite significant impact.
  • Electrical fires started near the battery and control center while the vehicle sat parked and unused.
  • New vehicles caught fire from the engine area within weeks of purchase, resulting in total losses.
  • The gear shifter reportedly moved from park to neutral or drive on its own with the key removed.
  • Front brakes wore out and needed replacement before 25,000 to 30,000 miles, with one owner reporting an accident from brake failure.
  • Rear brake calipers froze and failed to release after a long highway trip, causing rear brake overheating.
2008 Dodge Grand Caravan complaints: complaints filed per quarter1442008 Q12010 Q12012 Q12014 Q12016 Q12018 Q12020 Q12022 Q4
1,292 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2008 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2015 Q2 (144).

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan recalls

8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V396000Jul 7, 2020Airbags925,239 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the driver air bag module may become projectiles in the event of a driver air bag deployment.

    Risk: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W09.

  2. NHTSA 16V047000Jan 29, 2016Airbags110,482 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal

    FCA US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured December 31, 2007, to August 31, 2008, 2008-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured June 18, 2007, to August 31, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.

    Risk: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. Additionally, the air bags may inadvertently deploy, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S07.

  3. NHTSA 14V373000Jun 26, 2014Airbags722,705 vehicles

    Air bags

    This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured June 29, 2007, to June 17, 2010, and 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured January 26, 2007, to June 17, 2010. Road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

    Risk: If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R03. Note: This is an expansion of recall 11V-139.

See all 8 recalls for the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan →

2008 compared with other Grand Caravan years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006Good132843—
2007Good71822—
2008Avoid1001,2928—
2009Avoid805437—
2010Avoid87869619

All Dodge Grand Caravan years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, it is the worst-ranked year among 16 Grand Caravan model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 1,292 complaints. It carries an Avoid verdict.
What are the biggest problems with the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan?
Electrical System issues dominate, making up 64% of complaints (832 reports) with a median failure mileage of 85,000. Airbags (23%) and Brakes (18%) are the next largest problem areas.
Does the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan have recalls?
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this year, covering airbags, brakes, suspension axles, HVAC drain grommets, and other systems. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2008 model compare to other Grand Caravan years?
It has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks worst of all 16 years with data. By contrast, 2018 and 2020 earn Best verdicts with complaint indexes of 20 and 0.
How many people were hurt in 2008 Grand Caravan incidents?
NHTSA data tied to the 2008 Grand Caravan show 20 injuries, 2 deaths, 23 crashes, and 16 fires reported.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.