The 2008 Grand Caravan is built on Chrysler's long-running RT platform with the ubiquitous 62TE six-speed automatic transmission. While the platform itself is proven, transmission failures and engine internal wear are the dominant expense risks, often totaling more than the vehicle's resale value.
Symptoms: Harsh or delayed shifts, especially 2-3 or 3-4, Limp mode with P0750 or P0871 codes (pressure solenoid), Transmission slipping under load or refusing to upshift, Burnt transmission fluid smell
Fix: Solenoid pack replacement requires dropping the pan and valve body (3-4 hours). Full rebuild often needed if delayed, as clutch packs burn from low line pressure. Many shops won't touch these in-frame anymore due to repeat failures; recommend remanufactured unit swap (8-10 hours).
Estimated cost: $600-1,200 for solenoids; $2,800-4,500 for reman transmission installed
3.8L V6 Piston Ring Land Failure & Oil Consumption
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1 qt per 500-1,000 mi), Blue smoke on startup or acceleration, Low compression on cylinder 2 or 5 (common failure cylinders), Rough idle and misfire codes after extended low-oil running
Fix: Piston ring lands crack due to inadequate oil control and heat cycling. Requires complete teardown: short block replacement or full engine rebuild with new pistons, rings, and often head gaskets (18-24 hours). Many owners discover this after driving low on oil and damaging bearings—then it's a junkyard motor or scrap decision.
Estimated cost: $3,500-6,000 for rebuild; $2,000-3,500 for used engine swap
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Corrosion & Leaks
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Red transmission fluid pooling under front of vehicle, Transmission overheating or burnt smell after highway driving, Low fluid level on dipstick despite no visible pan leak
Fix: Steel cooler lines rust through where they attach to radiator or run along subframe. Replacement involves removing belly pans and occasionally the radiator for access (2-3 hours). Use OEM or high-quality aftermarket lines—cheap ones corrode in 12 months. Flush transmission after repair to clear debris.
Estimated cost: $300-600
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) Failures
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Fuel pump not priming (no start, no prime sound), Intermittent no-start or stalling while driving, Wipers, windows, or horn operating on their own, Warning lights illuminating randomly (ABS, airbag, check engine)
Fix: The TIPM (fuse/relay box under hood) suffers from internal relay corrosion and solder joint failures. Chrysler issued TSB 08-075-10 but no official recall. Replacement requires programming (1.5-2 hours). Aftermarket repair services exist but results vary—OEM reman is safest bet.
Estimated cost: $400-900 for reman TIPM installed
Front Suspension Strut Mount & Sway Bar Link Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front end, Popping noise when turning at low speed, Uneven tire wear on front (cupping on inner edge), Steering feels vague or wanders on highway
Fix: Strut mounts rot out and sway bar links seize or separate. Always replace mounts in pairs with struts if over 80k miles—doing mounts alone without addressing strut wear is false economy. Sway bar links are 0.5 hours each side. Alignment mandatory after strut work (2.5-3 hours total for struts and mounts).
Estimated cost: $150-250 for sway bar links both sides; $600-900 for struts, mounts, and alignment
Symptoms: Engine shuts off while driving without warning, Key can be removed while vehicle is in gear (not in Park), No restart after stall until key cycled multiple times, Loss of power steering and brakes during stall event
Fix: Recalled ignition switch allowed key rotation out of position during bumps or heavy keychains. Recall repair replaces switch and adds key fob (dealer-only, 1 hour). Check if recall was completed—many vehicles still unrepaired. Even post-recall, column lock mechanisms fail separately and require column disassembly (3-4 hours).
Estimated cost: $0 if recall open; $350-600 for non-recall column lock failures
Owner tips
Change transmission fluid every 50,000 miles with Mopar ATF+4 ONLY—aftermarket fluids kill the 62TE solenoids faster
Check oil level every fillup on 3.8L engines; catch consumption early before ring lands crack
Inspect transmission cooler lines annually for rust bubbles or seepage—$20 in preventive line replacement beats a $4k transmission
If TIPM acts up (no-start, random electrical), tap it firmly with a rubber mallet as temporary diagnostic—if that restores function, it's failing
Replace engine mounts at 100k miles; collapsed mounts accelerate transmission mount failure and driveline vibration damage
Only buy if transmission and engine have documented recent work or you can afford to replace both within 18 months—otherwise it's a $6k repair liability on a $3k van.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 20V396000
2020-07-07
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.
Consequence: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · 16V047000
2016-01-29
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.
Consequence: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH · 14V373000
2014-06-26 · RQ14002
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.
Consequence: 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.
Freedom Motors Inc., (Freedom Motors) of Savaria Vehicle Group (formerly The Liberty Motor Company) is recalling one model year 2009 Volkswagen Routan and certain model year 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country wheelchair accessible vehicles modified by The Liberty Motor Company from February 2008 through January 2011. Over time and with use, the vehicle's rear axle may develop cracks which could lead to axle failure.
Consequence: Failure of the rear axle may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Freedom Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected axles, free of charge. The recall began on April 1, 2014. Owners can contact Freedom Motors at 1-800-561-9600. Freedom Motors' number for this recall is ENGF0216-3.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · 11V394000
2011-08-03
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 CHRYSLER GRAND VOYAGER, TOWN AND COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 24, 2007, THROUGH JULY 30, 2008. THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONER (HVAC) CONDENSATE LEAK FROM THE HVAC DRAIN GROMMET ONTO THE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROL (ORC) MODULE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND A POTENTIAL INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WITHOUT WARNING.
Consequence: AN INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN FRONT OF THE DEPLOYING AIRBAG AND/OR A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED AIR BAG MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 14, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER · 10V611000
2010-12-08
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A WATER LEAK At THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONER (HVAC) DRAIN GROMMET WHICH CAN LEAD TO ILLUMINATION OF AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND A POTENTIAL INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.
Consequence: AN INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN FRONT OF THE DEPLOYING AIRBAG AND/OR A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HVAC DRAIN GROMMET FREE OF CHARGE.
THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 14, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · 10V235000
2010-06-03
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 2007 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2009. SOME OF THE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY ROUTED WIRE HARNESS THAT MAY HAVE A CONDITION WHERE THE LOWER SLIDING DOOR HINGE BRACKET CAN MAKE CONTACT AND WEAR THROUGH THE WIRE INSULATION.
Consequence: A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD OCCUR INSIDE THE SLIDING DOOR, OVERHEATING THE LATCH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-853-1403.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · 09V351000
2009-09-11
ELDORADO NATIONAL IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 AMERIVAN MOBILITY VEHICLES BUILT ON CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN PLATFORMS VEHICLES. THE REAR BRAKE LINES MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ROUTED AND NOT SECURED PROPERLY DURING THE ALTERATION. IF NOT ROUTED AND SECURED PROPERLY, THE BRAKE LINES COULD RUB AGAINST THE VEHICLE CAUSING A BRAKE FLUID LEAK.
Consequence: A BRAKE FLUID LEAK COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY CAUSING A CRASH.
Remedy: ELDORADO NATIONAL AMERIVAN DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND IF THE BRAKE LINES WERE IMPROPERLY ROUTED THEY WILL BE CORRECTLY REINSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ELDORADO NATIONAL AT 1-800-955-9086. THESE MINIVANS HAVE BEEN ALTERED INTO WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES BY ELDORADO. THIS RECALL IS NOT BEING CONDUCTED BY CHRYSLER GROUP LLC AND WILL NOT BE PERFORMED AT NO COST BY DODGE OR CHRYSLER DEALERS UNLESS THEY ARE ALSO AN ELDORADO NATIONAL DEALER.
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