2009 Chrysler Town and Country Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2009 Chrysler Town and Country ranks 3rd worst of 14 model years with a complaint index of 85 and is rated Avoid. It logged 707 complaints, 6 recalls, 12 fires, and 11 crashes, with Electrical System issues making up 64% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 85/100
- #3 of 14 Town and Country years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 707
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 11
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 12
- Injuries
- 12
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 0
Top 2009 Chrysler Town and Country problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System455 (64%)
- Airbags191 (27%)
- Engine117 (17%)
- Brakes87 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires48 (7%)
- Steering36 (5%)
- Other34 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain33 (5%)
- Structure & Body22 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers11 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Side and curtain airbags reportedly failed to deploy during side-impact crashes at highway speeds.
- Owners describe electrical burning smells followed by small flames near the rear sliding door or cigarette lighter area.
- Brakes reportedly pulsate, emit burning fumes, or fail to respond, with rotors and pads needing repeated replacement.
- Some owners report the vehicle unexpectedly shifted into reverse while parked and idling, rolling into structures.
- A brake failure at low speed was reported to cause a crash into a tree with a rollover and injury.
2009 Chrysler Town and Country recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V396000Jul 7, 2020Airbags925,239 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 16V047000Jan 29, 2016Airbags110,482 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 14V373000Jun 26, 2014Airbags722,705 vehicles
Air bags
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.
Risk: 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.
2009 Chrysler Town and Country fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,400
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Chrysler Town and Country reliable?
- NHTSA data shows it is one of the weaker years for this model, ranking 3rd worst out of 14 model years with a complaint index of 85 and an Avoid verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2009 Town and Country?
- The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 64% of complaints (455 of 707), with a median failure mileage of 84,050 miles.
- Does the 2009 Town and Country have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this year, covering airbags, brakes, electrical connectors, and suspension axles; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does 2009 compare to other Town and Country years?
- 2009 (complaint index 85) is worse than 2006, 2007, 2013, 2015, and 2016, all rated Good, but slightly better than 2008 and 2010, both also rated Avoid with higher indexes of 92 and 100.
- Were there airbag deployment problems in the 2009 Town and Country?
- Yes, owners reported side and curtain airbags failing to deploy in crashes, and NHTSA issued recalls for an airbag control unit and ignition switch/key fob replacement tied to airbag function.