2008 Dodge Caravan: common problems and reliability
· 5th generationOne of the worst Caravan years.
One of the Dodge Caravan years to avoid. All Caravan years
302 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 2 recalls.
Should I buy a 2008 Caravan?The 2008 Dodge Caravan has 302 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and service brakes. Owners most often flag transmission failure or harsh shifting: including loss of gears and reported failures well under 100,000 miles.
Safety record for the 2008 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2008 Dodge Caravan vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Caravan years only. How we score it
Is 2008 a good year for the Caravan?
Across the 21 Caravan model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2017) to 1,647 (1996). With 302 complaints, the 2008 Caravan sits above the model's median of 173.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2008 Caravan
fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap
Campaign 10V148000THE 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.
suspension:rear
Campaign 10V164000THE 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.
What owners report on the 5th generation Caravan
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.
- Very frequentTransmission failure or harsh shifting
Including loss of gears and reported failures well under 100,000 miles.
- RecurrentElectrical faults traced to the TIPM (totally integrated power module)
Including intermittent total electrical failure resolved temporarily by disconnecting and reconnecting the battery.
- RecurrentDoor lock and power door lock faults, including intermittent lock and unlock failure
- RecurrentRadio failure, including dead AM/FM reception and complete radio failure
- RecurrentSliding door problems, including latch, cable, and wiring-in-track faults
Owner insights for the 5th generation Caravan. Read the full 5th generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Caravan listings typically run $2,999–$8,933 across 1997 to 2007 model years.
Other Caravan model years
Compare every Caravan year side by side to see how 2008 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Caravan against its rivals
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