DodgeCaravan20083.8L/dodge/caravan/2008/3-8l/
RT platform

2008 Dodge Caravan — 3.8L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Caravan 3.8L.

Engine 3.8LTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2008 Dodge Caravan 3.8L is a minivan built on the RT platform, powered by a 3.8L V6 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA-estimated fuel economy of 16 city, 23 highway, and 18 combined mpg while requiring 5 quarts of 5W-20 or 5W-30 oil for routine maintenance. This model year recorded 302 owner complaints with 2 recalls, with the Electrical System emerging as the primary concern among reported issues. Positioned within the broader Caravan complaint history spanning 1990 to 2017—a range that peaked at 1,647 complaints in 1996 and dropped to just 1 by 2017—the 2008 model's 302 complaints reflect significantly improved reliability compared to earlier generations, though the electrical system warrants closer inspection for prospective owners or researchers studying this vehicle's durability profile.

Model year2010200920082004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/23/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04105409AE. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-65R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04105409AE alt 05281090AB
Engine air filter04891713AB
Spark plugSZFR5LP13G alt SP303917AC
BatteryBB34F101AA
Front wiper blades68125735AA alt 68028442AA
Thermostat68273161AA alt 04892307AA
Cabin air filter68606188AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length202.4 in
Overall width76.8 in
Overall height68.9 in
Wheelbase121.3 in
Curb weight4321 lb
Track (front / rear)65.4 / 64.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 23 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-20 · API · 5W-30 · MS-6395
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil5W-20 · API · 5W-30 · MS-6395
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts40 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts65 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts21 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub118 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.050 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant CapacityFront A/C only, 1.75; front and rear A.C, 2.44. lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil CapacityFront A/C only, 4.05; front and rear A/C, 5.07. oz
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-198 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12
Engine Compression100
Engine Oil Pressure30-80 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle125 ft-lbs / 74 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.097 in / 0.463 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.107 in / 0.482 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.04 in / 0.409 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 21 ft. lbs., Step 3: 905 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; coolant at 102,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 102,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 12,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 12,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 24,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 90,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
At 102,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Timing Belt (replace)
At 120,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2008 Dodge Caravan marks a sharp, one-year reversal in the otherwise steady improvement of the fifth-generation platform: after complaints fell to a generational low of 82 in 2007, they surged to 302 in 2008 before dropping back to 118 in 2009. Recalls remained low at two — matching 2009 and well below the 2005 peak of nine — while investigations held at one and TSBs rose to 63, above the 37–40 range of adjacent years. The complaint mix is heavily concentrated in the Electrical System (92 reports), followed by Service Brakes, Hydraulic (37) and a combined Electrical System/Air Bags category (30), with eight crash and six fire complaints also logged. This spike does not appear to continue into 2009, suggesting a model-year-specific quality excursion rather than a systemic generational flaw. The data does not specify root causes for the electrical or brake clusters. For a buyer, 2008 is a below-average year in this generation; prioritize a vehicle with documented electrical and brake repairs or consider the cleaner 2007 or 2009 model years instead.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
63
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
302
Owner complaints
8 involved a crash · 6 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 302 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System92
Service Brakes, Hydraulic37
Electrical System,Air Bags30
Engine12
Tires11
Air Bags8
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting,Visibility/Wiper8
Service Brakes7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

10V148000Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And CapReported 13/04/2010

THE BRAUN CORPORATION IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE CARAVAN COMMERCIAL ENTERVANS WHICH WERE ALTERED BY BRAUN BETWEEN JANUARY 21, 2009 AND MARCH 19, 2010. DURING… Remedy: BRAUN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BRAUN TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-488-0359.

10V164000Suspension:RearReported 23/04/2010

THE BRAUN CORPORATION IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE CARAVAN MOBILITY CONVERSIONS WHICH WERE ALTERED BY BRAUN BETWEEN JANUARY 21, 2009 AND MARCH 19, 2010. DURING… Remedy: BRAUN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BRAUN TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-488-0359.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 63 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1084632025-11-18Service BrakesPAD KIT - REAR DISC BRAKE, FRONT DISC BRAKE
1084642025-11-17Service BrakesPAD KIT - REAR DISC BRAKE, FRONT DISC BRAKE
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
90040092021-04-07Power TrainTransmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Caravan. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Caravan 3.8L take?

5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 API OR 5W-30 API MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-6395, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Caravan have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.8L get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.