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Ask Your Question2008 Chrysler Town & Country
Question: Brakes wear out quickly and frequently
Question
My 2008 T&C has 29000 miles on it and is in the shop now for its 2nd brake job (replace pads and rotors). Mechanic says this vehicle is known for its brake problems, they've had 4 or 5 T&Cs in the last week for brake repairs. Research online suggests that it's a design flaw, that the brakes are too small for the vehicle size. Is this something that can be corrected, or should we just expect to get new brakes every time we get our tires rotated?
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Answer #1
mastertech6371 February 09, 2011, 06:52
Masterthe industry average for brake life is 15 to 20k miles. if you do a lot of stop and go, it could be the reason. if not, then look at your braking habits. also, do you have any young drivers??
Roy
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2littlemonkeys, February 09, 2011, 08:24ReplyRookieI was just surprised to need new brakes so soon (at 20k and again at 29k miles). It's just me and my husband driving the car. I previously drove a Chrysler Pacifica and may have changed the brake pads once or twice, but not the rotors until about 70k miles. I've just read so many complaints from other folks with the same problem on this vehicle, but no real suggestions as to the cause or a fix. The Mechanic did say that they typically have to replace the calipers on the T&Cs, and I'm hoping that will be the fix, since it's covered under my warranty.
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Answer #2
Tyreguy February 09, 2011, 07:00
MasterThere are many factors to be thought about when it comes to rapid brake wear. Yes, it can be a problematic vehicle design. However, many other issues can cause repetetive brake wear, like- malfunctioning calipers, poorly adjusted rear brakes (if applicable), bad proportioning valve, overactive traction control (from tire spinning), driving style (lead foot?), hilly driving areas,
poor/low quality brake replacement parts..the list goes on. All these factors have to be considered before blaming any particular vehicle.Flag ThisLike0 -
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Visitor, February 18, 2011, 17:48ReplyWhen it comes to Chrysler I'll blame the maker. I'm at 38,600 miles on my 2008 Town & Country and I'm having to put on the third set of rotors. The first two were done by a Chrysler dealership so yes, it's a Chrysler problem. This time I'll find rotors somewhere else that hopefully last longer.
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Answer #3
kitch41 February 22, 2011, 05:47
RookieChrysler will take care of it-they know it's a problem. See a dealer. I had to send in my paid invoice to show I had to replace at 22,000 and they refunded all but $50. Don't know if they are still offering this, but would certainly try.
Agreed, brakes should not have to be replaced at this low mileage.Flag ThisLike0 -
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Visitor, July 08, 2011, 14:54ReplyNo offense people but you all seem to be riding the brake pedal or something. On my current T & C and my previous GC I changed the pads around 40K the first time and the the pads and front rotors at about 80K. My T & C now has 178,000 miles on it and will get its 3rd set of front rotors. The rears were done at 150K due to a pad coming apart on a road trip, otherwise they would probably be getting done now for the first time.
I worked as a service advisor in Dodge dealerships for many years and don't ever remember anyone replacing brakes as often as you say you are. I would look at how your vehicles are loaded, what kind of driving you do, and your driving habits before I'd start blaming the vehicle. Chrysler has been building these vans for a couple of years now and for them to all of a sudden come up with an inferior brake design to the best selling mini-vans of all time would seem a little unlikely.
Bad run of parts? Maybe. Lead-footed driver's. More likely.
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