NHTSA Complaint #11282884 — 2014 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

10/19/2019, VEHICLE STATIONARY: THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR CALIPER FROZE IN THE FULL-ON POSITION WHEN LIGHTLY USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I WAS JUST A MILE FROM HOME AND DROVE IT TO MY GARAGE (LESS THAT 30 MPH). IT WAS DANGEROUSLY HOT AND WOULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE AND MAJOR BREAKDOWN HAD I BEEN ON MY 18-HOUR FREEWAY COMMUTE. I JACKED UP THE REAR, REMOVED THE TIRE AND SAW THAT THE E-BRAKE SPRING HAD NOT RETURNED THE CALIPER TO THE BRAKE OFF POSITION. I WAS ABLE TO RETURN IT BY LIGHTLY TAPPING THE E-BRAKE LEVER TO THE OFF POSITION. AT THAT POINT THE BRAKE CALIPER MOSTLY WORKED AS IT SHOULD. HOWEVER, RE-APPLYING THE E-BRAKE WOULD AGAIN REFREEZE THE BRAKE TO FULL ON. I REPLACED WITH A MOPAR OEM CALIPER AND ALL IS WELL AGAIN. I SUSPECT THE E-BRAKE MECHANISM WITHIN THE CALIPER FAILED. ALL MY MILEAGE IS EXTENDED FREEWAY COMMUTING BETWEEN TWO DIFFERENT STATE RESIDENCES. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS HAVE NEVER BEEN REPLACED AND STILL MEASURED 5/16' THICK. THE ORIGINAL REAR PADS HAD AT LEAST HALF THEIR LIFE SPAN AND I DID NOT REPLACE THOSE EITHER. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I FEAR USING THE E-BRAKE WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE CALIPER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR CANNOT TAKE THE LIMITED E-BRAKE USE WITHOUT FAILING.