2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Consumer Reviews

I despise this van.

Written by: frustrated van owner on 12/29/2008

Vehicle

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 4dr Ext Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 6A)

Review

We purchased this car six months ago and have had nothing but trouble with it. Within the first two weeks we had trouble with the radio, as it would shut off on its own for no reason. It eventually had to be replaced, which took us 3 visits to accomplish. Since then we've had a knock in the steering wheel (3 visits), a rattle in the driver's door, and currently our anti-lock brake / stabilization light is on. I have 3 kids in carseats and bought this van for the conveniences it was supposed to offer - it has been an absolute pain for us, as there is no convenience associated with taking a car in every other week. We regret buying this van nearly every day.

Favorite Features

When it's working, I like that there are two DVD screens.

Suggested Improvements

Where to begin. Maybe if they'd go to a Honda summercamp or something?

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Van was great for the first 7 days then.

Written by: Johnny on 12/23/2008

Vehicle

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 4dr Ext Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Bought this van with 6800 miles on it. Had it about 8 days and the check engine light came on. Dealer said that I had water in my gas so put in a gas treatment and a spark plug. The check engine light came on before I got home so took it back and dealer said the injector was bad so changed it. Drove 2 days and the check engine light came back on so dealer kept it for 2 days and said that the injector wasn't seating properly because of deposit builup. They now want to "pull the head and see what's going on in side". So, runs bad, poor mileage, check engine light on, starter doesn't engage on cold mornings and now heater randomly blows ice cold air.

Favorite Features

Not sure, haven't had a van that functions properly long enough to find out. I loved our old Grand Caravan

Suggested Improvements

Better brakes, upgrade tire pressure sensors so don't mis-read on cold mornings,

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Eh... honest review

Written by: Greg on 12/22/2008

Vehicle

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 4dr Ext Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I've driven Chrysler my entire life, as my father is a employee, this is the first time I need to write a not so great review. The common repairs in here are on par with mine, mygig replaced, windshield wind noise fixed, and sliding doors fixed. Since the first week i have been complaining about the brake noise. But whats really bugging me is the engine hiss/whine. Those Yokohama tires stink, had to change them after 30,000 miles.

Favorite Features

The mygig is cool. The rear camera is cool at first, but after seeing GM's rear camera and its clarity and color, you'll see Chrysler's is not as nice. Stow and go, priceless!

Suggested Improvements

Windsheild wipers need a redesign. There's a bad spot at bottom of window where defroster can't get and wipers can't get.

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Nice van

Written by: Ed on 12/03/2008

Vehicle

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SE 4dr Ext Minivan (3.3L 6cyl 4A)

Review

This is my 4th Dodge minivan, we love it. The new front styling is why I bought it. Just got back from Washington St. over 1,600 mi. one way with no problems. We hit a 60 mi head wind and mileage drop to 20 mpg. The rest of the trip we made 30 mpg. couldn't be happier. 3400 mi on less than $280.00 in gas. Only thing I didn't like is it always shifting down going up the mountains ranges,and little hills. lack of power unless it shifted down and than the motor sound like it was going to blow up. My wife, daughter, and 2 grands kids made the trip and we had plenty of room thanks to the stow and go.

Favorite Features

Stow and go. Lots of storage under floor. And my rascal mobile cart fits just fine.

Suggested Improvements

2nd row bench seat need to slide, like it did on my 2002 sport

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Better than my Honda

Written by: KB on 11/13/2008

Vehicle

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 4dr Ext Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Replaced a 2001 Oddysey with only 88,000 miles; needed a new tranny, power door motor, water pump, EGR valve, brake drums (again) Our Grand Caravan drives nicer than the Honda did when it was new. I drive it whenever I can (my wife never wants to part with it). 2,500 miles and not a single problem. The van feels solid and safe, great acceleration; bumps do not intrude into the cabin, yet it handles great. Plastics are not sub-standard; they're designed to handle "kid-abuse", which they do. If you are the market for a minivan, do not overlook this awesome vehicle.

Favorite Features

Stow-n-Go, power liftgate, 6-speed transmission, Sirius radio, LED lighting, YES fabric, 5- start safety rating, great look to the instrument cluster at night!

Suggested Improvements

Fuel-filler door latch/release would be nice. Also, the fuel economy could be a bit better.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Hate my van!

Written by: M. Sackett - Omaha on 11/09/2008

Vehicle

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 4dr Ext Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 6A)

Review

This van is always in the shop for repair! It's had 7 service visits in 11 months: 1) The ignition key receiver failed, resulting in a tow the 1st month. 2&3) Hard drive on stereo was replaced twice. Chrysler also sent out software upgrade to fix add'l problems with system. 4) Tail gate assembly latch was replaced when it locked shut and I couldn't even open it manually. 5) Side sliding doors, which never shut properly electronically, had to be adjusted. 6 & 7) The heater in one of the seats quit working, so had to replace the heating element. In addition, indicator lights are unreliable. Recommendation: Don't buy this vehicle! We spent $30,000, and wish we had our old van (worth $1,000).

Favorite Features

It's a very comfortable ride when it's not in the shop for repairs!

Suggested Improvements

There are too many problems with this vehicle to list suggested improvements in 300 characters. Dealers should continue promotions that give a free TV with each purchase, like we got. That way, when you're stuck at home with no car (it's in the shop again), you can watch TV on the big screen!

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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First American Car in 20 years

Written by: cmoth on 11/08/2008

Vehicle

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 4dr Ext Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 6A)

Review

So far so good. I love the fold flat seats. Extremely versatile. I opted to not get the myGig, just kept in simple. With a lifetime powertrain warranty, keeping it simple makes sense. We'll keep this van for 10 years. I am very tall and the flexibility of the pedal positions, and lack of an obtrusive center console made the Grand Caravan my choice over Honda and Toyota. I drive less than 7,500 years and my 1998 BMW 528i was costing $2,500 in annual repairs to achieve this meager goal. The Caravan is fantastic economy and reliability by comparison.

Favorite Features

Night lighting is very cool. Stereo is simple to use, great steering wheel controls. I love the pressure monitors. Stow and go seats. Power outlet. Dual glove compartment.

Suggested Improvements

Would love to have high end sound like in my Subaru. The system is good, not great, as is. Add weatherband and better speakers. The key fob is nice but does not always automaticlly swing back to the right place, and this causes the effect others are seeing in their cars. Just twist left.

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Not happy at all with this van.

Written by: Jules on 10/21/2008

Vehicle

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SE 4dr Ext Minivan (3.3L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I have had nothing but problems with my 2008 Grand Caravan since I got it in Jan. 2008. It has had a new exhaust put on it. The sliding door on the driver's side has been worked on 2 times because it starts to close and then re-opens. That still is not working 100% of the time. The keypad does not work at all when it is near my husband's Tahoe either in the garage or in a store parking lot. Now it beeps at me when I am driving, the lights on the dash all turn on, the RPM and MPH go to 0 & the windshield wipers turn on. I bought it for convenience since I have 3 kids & when the doors don't work or I have to stand there and make sure the doors shut it is anything but convenient.

Favorite Features

Not sure at this point

Suggested Improvements

Doors and electrical improvements.

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

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bad van

Written by: jen on 10/20/2008

Vehicle

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 4dr Ext Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 6A)

Review

this is the 2nd dodge caravan we had and we loved the first one (a 2006) traded for this 2008 and I hate it! everything about it seems cheap, having some engine problems already, both of the back doors now have water trapped inside, I'm afraid they will rust out and we have the swivel and go seats and when you you use it with the table you can't fit inside poor layout. I'm sick of this van and wished I had my old one back

Favorite Features

none

Suggested Improvements

too many to list

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Van drifts to the right

Written by: chuck on 10/13/2008

Vehicle

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 4dr Ext Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I really like this new van, but for some reason car drifts to the right all the time slow or fast. I have been back to shop three times and have not been able to correct this problem, although I have been told this a safety feature built into the vehicle. My problem is I like a vehicle that holds the road.

Favorite Features

interior and lighting is great

Suggested Improvements

If this drifting is a safety feature why isn't it listed on the vehicle rating. If this was the case I would have had second thoughts about buying this vehicle.

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