Generation-specific owner insights from 98+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy one?661
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2008–2020
5
recall campaigns
electrical system
most-complained area
Our take, from owner reports
Owner sentiment for this generation is mixed and skews negative on the powertrain, with the transmission drawing by far the most criticism across many model years.
13 problems reported (1 very frequent, 6 recurrent, 6 isolated) · high confidence
Including loss of gears and reported failures well under 100,000 miles.
Including intermittent total electrical failure resolved temporarily by disconnecting and reconnecting the battery.
Including fouled plugs and coils and reported rocker arm and lifter issues on the 3.6L.
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. Partial signal: owners repeatedly favor the newest and lowest-mileage examples available, and the 3.6L V6 is spoken of more favorably than the transmission paired with it. No single trim or model year is agreed upon as best.
Owners compare it most often with the Honda Odyssey, Kia Sedona, Chrysler Town & Country, Chrysler Pacifica and Chrysler Voyager.
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Owner sentiment for this generation is mixed and skews negative on the powertrain, with the transmission drawing by far the most criticism across many model years. Owners who defend the van point to its low cost, Stow 'n Go seating, and the fact that a newer Caravan is often a better buy than an older competitor, while critics describe electrical gremlins, door lock and sliding door faults, and expensive transmission failures. The 3.6L V6 is generally described as a strong engine, but several owners report misfires, rocker arm and lifter problems, and one reported engine rebuild. Early years (2008-2011) draw complaints about door locks, TIPM failures, and radio failures, while later years (2015-2019) draw the heaviest transmission complaints, including failures reported well under 100,000 miles.
Owners cross-shopping this generation against the Odyssey generally treat the Honda as the more reliable choice but note that a much newer Caravan with far fewer miles is often the smarter buy than an older Odyssey. Several owners argue the Caravan's Stow 'n Go seating is a decisive practical advantage that competitors without it cannot match. Against the Sedona and Pacifica, owners describe the Caravan as a bargain-bin option with an old platform that has not been redesigned since 2008, worth buying mainly when the price is clearly lower. The Town & Country is treated as a mechanical sibling sharing the same transmission concerns.
Insufficient owner data available. Owners advise having any candidate inspected by an independent mechanic before purchase, and one owner specifically recommends confirming the build date and camshaft position sensor serial number against the applicable service bulletin when investigating long-crank starting complaints.
Owners direct this generation toward budget-minded buyers who need basic seven-seat transportation and value Stow 'n Go cargo flexibility, and away from anyone who cannot absorb a major repair. Buyers are repeatedly told to have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, to drive it on the highway, to verify the actual odometer reading against the listing, and to check for transmission fluid condition and leaks. Owners warn against ex-rental examples because of unknown treatment. Several owners advise avoiding dealership service out of warranty and getting multiple quotes from independent transmission shops. No model year within the generation is singled out as clearly preferable; the recurring theme is to buy the newest, lowest-mileage example you can afford and to budget for transmission work.
Owners note that key fobs for this generation generally require dealer programming unless two working fobs are already available, and that aftermarket fobs often have reduced range compared with OEM units. Several owners describe dealership experiences ranging from unhelpful to actively frustrating, particularly around intermittent electrical faults that cannot be reproduced in the shop. One owner reports a vehicle listed at 81,000 miles that was actually at 117,000 miles at signing, underscoring the value of verifying mileage and history before purchase. A recurring theme in purchase advice is that the platform's age, not just its mileage, should factor into the price. Analysis based on approximately 98 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 1 | power train |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 | unknown or other |
| 2015 | 23 | 0 | power train |
| 2014 | 20 | 0 | electrical system |
| 2013 | 30 | 0 | electrical system |
| 2012 | 87 | 0 | electrical system |
| 2011 | 78 | 0 | electrical system |
| 2009 | 118 | 2 | electrical system |
| 2008 | 302 | 2 | electrical system |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
2017 · exterior lighting:brake lights:switchcampaign 18V098000
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Dodge Caravan and Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The brake switches on these vehicles may malfunction, keeping the brake lights illuminated and/or allowing the vehicle to be shifted out of the PARK position without the brake pedal being pushed.
2009 · fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and capcampaign 10V148000
THE BRAUN CORPORATION IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE CARAVAN COMMERCIAL ENTERVANS WHICH WERE ALTERED BY BRAUN BETWEEN JANUARY 21, 2009 AND MARCH 19, 2010. DURING CONVERSION, THE CHASSIS WAS RAISED AND THE FLOOR WAS LOWERED TO ACCOMMODATE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES. IN RAISING THE CHASSIS, THE FUEL FILL PIPE COMES INTO CLOSER PROXIMITY TO THE LEFT REAR TIRE. IN ROUGH OR AGGRESSIVE DRIVING SITUATIONS, THE TIRE MAY INTERMITTENTLY CONTACT THE FUEL FILL PIPE.
2009 · suspension:rearcampaign 10V164000
THE BRAUN CORPORATION IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE CARAVAN MOBILITY CONVERSIONS WHICH WERE ALTERED BY BRAUN BETWEEN JANUARY 21, 2009 AND MARCH 19, 2010. DURING CONVERSION, THE CHASSIS WAS RAISED AND THE FLOOR WAS LOWERED TO ACCOMMODATE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES. IN RAISING THE CHASSIS, THE REAR SPRING HATS COME INTO CLOSER PROXIMITY TO THE REAR TIRES. IN ROUGH OR AGGRESSIVE DRIVING SITUATIONS THE TIRES MAY INTERMITTENTLY CONTACT THE REAR SPRING HATS.
2008 · fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and capcampaign 10V148000
THE BRAUN CORPORATION IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE CARAVAN COMMERCIAL ENTERVANS WHICH WERE ALTERED BY BRAUN BETWEEN JANUARY 21, 2009 AND MARCH 19, 2010. DURING CONVERSION, THE CHASSIS WAS RAISED AND THE FLOOR WAS LOWERED TO ACCOMMODATE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES. IN RAISING THE CHASSIS, THE FUEL FILL PIPE COMES INTO CLOSER PROXIMITY TO THE LEFT REAR TIRE. IN ROUGH OR AGGRESSIVE DRIVING SITUATIONS, THE TIRE MAY INTERMITTENTLY CONTACT THE FUEL FILL PIPE.
2008 · suspension:rearcampaign 10V164000
THE BRAUN CORPORATION IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE CARAVAN MOBILITY CONVERSIONS WHICH WERE ALTERED BY BRAUN BETWEEN JANUARY 21, 2009 AND MARCH 19, 2010. DURING CONVERSION, THE CHASSIS WAS RAISED AND THE FLOOR WAS LOWERED TO ACCOMMODATE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES. IN RAISING THE CHASSIS, THE REAR SPRING HATS COME INTO CLOSER PROXIMITY TO THE REAR TIRES. IN ROUGH OR AGGRESSIVE DRIVING SITUATIONS THE TIRES MAY INTERMITTENTLY CONTACT THE REAR SPRING HATS.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.