2009 Dodge Grand Caravan Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan has 543 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 80, ranking 4th worst out of 16 model years and earning an Avoid verdict. Electrical System complaints (334, 62% share) and Airbags (137, 25% share) dominate, backed by 7 recall campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #4 of 16 Grand Caravan years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 543
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 11
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Electrical System
Top 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System334 (62%)
- Airbags137 (25%)
- Brakes75 (14%)
- Engine58 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires54 (10%)
- Other29 (5%)
- Steering22 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain20 (4%)
- Fuel System12 (2%)
- Structure & Body11 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe smoke or fire coming from the engine compartment, sometimes tied to a fractured heater hose leaking onto the engine.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in frontal crashes into poles, trees, or other vehicles, even at moderate speeds.
- Some vehicles allegedly stalled or failed to stop when the brake pedal was pressed, leading to collisions.
- Electrical smoke was reported recurring even after the vehicle was included in an NHTSA recall campaign, because the replacement part was unavailable.
- One owner reported the vehicle rolling backward after being parked on an incline with the key removed, striking other vehicles.
- A driver reported the engine shutting down after hitting a bump, along with recurring noises traced to a bearing issue.
2009 Dodge Grand Caravan recalls
7 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 compared with other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 model ranks 4th worst among 16 Grand Caravan model years, with a complaint index of 80 and an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Grand Caravan?
- Electrical System issues account for 62% of complaints (334 total), followed by Airbags at 25% (137 complaints) and Brakes at 14% (75 complaints).
- Does the 2009 Grand Caravan have airbag recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three airbag-related recalls for this vehicle, covering the driver's air bag cover, the air bag control unit, and the ignition switch and key fobs.
- At what mileage do problems typically show up?
- Median mileage at failure for the Electrical System is 84,000 miles, for Airbags it is 83,500 miles, and for Brakes it is 44,024 miles.
- How does 2009 compare to other Grand Caravan years?
- 2009 is worse than 2006, 2007, 2011-2015, 2017-2020, but better than 2008 (complaint index 100) and 2016 (complaint index 93), which rank as the worst two years.