2004 Dodge Caravan Brakes Problems

“While driving in city traffic, I felt sluggish acceleration from a stop light. The next stop light the brakes felt hard, and again acceleration was slow. After a few minutes of driving I smelled my brakes burning and I took the car in to the closest repair shop. Smoke was pouring out of both front wheel wells. Brakes locked, pads and rotors burnt, master cylinder not allowing fluid to return. Master cylinder replaced with front pads and other work. Exact same problem occurred 15 weeks later. Different shop. Replaced ABS unit. Same problem encountered 8 weeks later after minimal driving. …”

“2004 Dodge Caravan sxt, both rear brakes are all rusty inside. Springs, backing plate,brake shoes, drums, adjusters every thing is rusty. I called my dealer and told them and he said that all they do is sand the surface of the brake pad and put them back together. Well today it's 25 deg outside and both wheels are froze up. The van will not move, both back wheels just slide. When I drive the van I can tell that the back brakes are not working because the van will nose dive when I put the brakes on.”

“While on the hwy, doing the posted speed of 65, I suddenly felt a vibration in the driver's rear wheel. Thinking a tire blew, I pulled over to the side of the road. The tire was fine, nothing was hanging. I proceeded to continue down the hwy, and within minutes, it happened again. Once again, I pulled to the side of the road, the tire was fine, nothing was hanging under the vehicle, but there was a strong burning smell. Come to find out, according to the dealer, there was a service bulletin about the brakes on my vehicle coming apart. …”

“This problem has occurred several times in the last month or two. The brakes accumulated excessive amounts of brake dust. Dealer claims that the brakes are working normally. The vehicle stopping distance was increased by 430% when the vehicle was loaded. The vehicles front wheels lock up while driving on wet/low friction surfaces.”

“I originally filed a complaint against the pad manufacturer but it seems to be the composite piston in the caliper that is intermittently causing the brakes to overheat. The pedal travel goes to zero and the brake is locked. This is a manufactures defect and a hazard. It would be easy for these brakes to fail in highway conditions and have the grease melt out of the bearings from the heat and brake fluid to boil. This car has been garaged its entire life and maintained. It is chrysler that in the interest of profit created a safety hazard.”