CarBrief

Owners filed 302 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Caravan/Grand Caravan, and more than half name the electrical system[1][2]. The two recalls on file apply only to Braun wheelchair conversions[3][4].

302owner complaints[1]
2recalls[5]
18–19MPG combined (EPA)[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 302 owner complaints on file[1]. Eight mention a crash[1], 6 a fire[1] and 10 an injury[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Electrical system[2] 162 80,000
Brakes[7] 58 29,180
Air bags[8] 42 84,000
Engine[9] 29 100,000
Visibility/wiper[10] 16 90,750
Exterior lighting[11] 15 96,000
Tires[12] 13 35,595

Electrical. This is the biggest group by a wide margin, and it holds 5 of the 6 fires on file[2][1]. In the sample of 12 electrical complaints we read, 6 describe lights, warning lights or door locks failing or acting on their own, including headlights cutting out while driving[2].

Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints, 9 describe the engine shutting off or stalling while driving, and the owners say the dealer could not find the cause in several of them[9]. Two describe a heater hose connector leaking coolant[9]. The group has 29 complaints, with a median failure at 100,000 miles[9].

Brakes. Brake complaints come in much earlier, at a median of 29,180 miles[7]. In a sample of 12 brake complaints, 10 describe pads and rotors wearing out or needing replacement early[7].

Air bags. This group has 42 complaints, 5 crashes and 6 injuries[8]. In the 12 texts we read, 3 say the air bags did not go off in a crash and 2 say they went off with no crash[8]. Eight mention a recall notice where the repair part was not yet available[8]. Samples this small cannot tell you how often any of this happens.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 2 recalls for this model year[5]. Both come from the Braun Corporation and cover only vans that Braun converted for wheelchair access between January 21, 2009 and March 19, 2010[3][4]. A standard van is not part of them.

Some air bag complaint texts we read mention other recall notices that are not on our list. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls[8].

Fuel economy

EPA lists the 2WD Caravan/Grand Caravan under four entries[13][14][6][15]. Which one fits a given van depends on its engine.

Engine and transmission City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular[13] 16 / 23 / 18 $3,700
4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular[14] 16 / 23 / 18 $3,700
3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular[6] 17 / 24 / 19 $3,550
3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85[15] 17 / 24 / 19 $3,550

The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the van was new[13]. All four entries are front-wheel drive[13][14][6][15].

Engine and size

The EPA entries above list 3.3L, 3.8L and 4.0L six-cylinder engines[13][14][6]. Our data does not include horsepower for them.

These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[16].

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Grand Caravan Value Pkg/SE[16] 202 in 77 in 69 in 121 in 4,321 lb
Grand Caravan SXT[17] 202 in 77 in 69 in 121 in 4,493 lb

How 2008 compares with other years

1995: 489 complaints, 1 recalls19951996: 1,403 complaints, 9 recalls19961997: 714 complaints, 7 recalls19971998: 629 complaints, 5 recalls19981999: 555 complaints, 5 recalls19992000: 470 complaints, 4 recalls20002001: 257 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 245 complaints, 4 recalls20022003: 195 complaints, 3 recalls20032004: 65 complaints, 1 recalls20042005: 537 complaints, 4 recalls20052006: 173 complaints, 2 recalls20062007: 81 complaints, 0 recalls20072008: 302 complaints, 2 recalls30220082009: 118 complaints, 2 recalls2009
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Caravan/Grand Caravan model year. The 2008 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19954891
19961,4039
19977147
19986295
19995555
20004704
20012573
20022454
20031953
2004651
20055374
20061732
2007810
20083022
20091182

The 2008 model year has 302 complaints and 2 recalls[5]. Seven model years in the NHTSA list have more complaints: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2005, so 2008 sits eighth highest of the 15 years listed[5]. Among the nearest years, 2007 has 81 complaints and no recalls, and 2009 has 118 complaints and 2 recalls[5]. Only 2005, at 537, is higher than 2008 between 2004 and 2009[5].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many vans were sold, so treat them as a rough guide[5].

Should you buy a used 2008 Caravan?

The record has no reported deaths, but 302 complaints is more than the 2007 and 2009 model years have[1][5]. The electrical system draws the most complaints, and the engine stalling and early brake wear described in our samples are worth checking on a test drive and in the service history[2][7][9]. Run the VIN at NHTSA first, and ask whether the van is a wheelchair conversion, since both recalls on file apply only to those[3][4]. Fuel costs run about $3,550 to $3,700 a year by EPA's estimate[13][6]. Our data cannot say how reliable any single van is, so a pre-purchase inspection matters.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan?
The electrical system has the most NHTSA complaints at 162 of 302, followed by brakes with 58[1][2][7]. Owners in the samples we read describe lights and locks acting up, stalling, and early brake wear[2][7][9].
Does the 2008 Dodge Caravan have recalls?
NHTSA lists 2, 10V148 and 10V164, both for Braun wheelchair conversions, with free repairs that began June 4, 2010[3][4][5].
What gas mileage does the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan get?
EPA lists 16 city, 23 highway and 18 combined MPG for the 3.8L and 4.0L engines, and 17/24/19 for the 3.3L[13][14][6].
Is the 2008 Dodge Caravan a reliable van?
Our data shows 302 complaints, with 0 deaths reported[1]. It cannot measure reliability for one van, so check the VIN and service history.
How does 2008 compare with other Caravan years?
It has more complaints than 2007 (81) and 2009 (118), and fewer than 2005 (537)[5].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 302 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan (8 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 10 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 162 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 5 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 10V164, filed April 23, 2010: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 10V148, filed April 13, 2010: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe And Cap. NHTSA recall database
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for Caravan/Grand Caravan 2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. 58 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,180). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 42 complaints name the air bags component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 29 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 16 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,750). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 15 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 96,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 13 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,595). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. EPA rating for Caravan/Grand Caravan 2WD, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for Caravan/Grand Caravan 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Caravan/Grand Caravan 2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GRAND CARAVAN 4DR VAN FWD CANADA VALUE PKG/SE: length 202 in, width 77 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 121 in, curb weight 4,321 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  17. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GRAND CARAVAN 4DR VAN FWD SXT: length 202 in, width 77 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 121 in, curb weight 4,493 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.