RoadVitals

2009 Dodge Caravan

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
118
Latest Jan 7, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Apr 23, 2010
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 118 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Dodge Caravan, most frequently naming the electrical, airbags and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 50 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

SUSPENSION:REAR

Apr 23, 2010
834 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 CONVERSION, THE CHASSIS WAS RAISED AND THE FLOOR WAS LOWERED TO ACCOMMODATE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES. IN RAISING THE CHASSIS, THE REAR SPRING HATS COME INTO CLOSER PROXIMITY TO THE REAR TIRES. IN ROUGH OR AGGRESSIVE DRIVING SITUATIONS THE TIRES MAY INTERMITTENTLY CONTACT THE REAR SPRING HATS.
The risk: CONTACT BETWEEN THE TIRE SPRING HAT MAY WEAR A HOLE IN THE TIRE OVER TIME. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL IN THE EVENT OF TIRE PRESSURE LOSS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The 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.
BRAUN CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

Apr 13, 2010
843 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 CONVERSION, THE CHASSIS WAS RAISED AND THE FLOOR WAS LOWERED TO ACCOMMODATE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES. IN RAISING THE CHASSIS, THE FUEL FILL PIPE COMES INTO CLOSER PROXIMITY TO THE LEFT REAR TIRE. IN ROUGH OR AGGRESSIVE DRIVING SITUATIONS, THE TIRE MAY INTERMITTENTLY CONTACT THE FUEL FILL PIPE.
The risk: CONTACT BETWEEN THE TIRE AND FUEL FILL PIPE MAY WEAR A HOLE IN ONE OR THE OTHER COMPONENTS OVER TIME. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL IN THE EVENT OF TIRE PRESSURE LOSS, OR A VEHICLE FIRE IN THE EVENT THE FUEL PIPE IS COMPROMISED.
The 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.
BRAUN CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP14004ClosedDefect Petition

Totally Integrated Power Module Failure

Opened Sep 25, 2014
Closed Jul 24, 2015

In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year. The petitioner alleges that TIPM defects may result in engine stall, airbag non-deployment, failure of fuel pump shutoff resulting in unintended acceleration, fire, and other symptoms. On September 25, 2014, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened DP14-004 to evaluate the petition for a grant or deny decision. ODI analyzed complaint data provided by CAS as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 296 complaints submitted by the petitioner in the original petition and five supplements, including 271 complaints related to the subject vehicles equipped with TIPM-7. Approximately 3 percent of CAS complaints are related to vehicles equipped with TIPM-6 and ODI?s review of these complaints did not identify any safety defect trends. ODI conducted a detailed review of complaints narratives submitted by CAS and consumers including careful analysis of vehicle repair histories, warranty claims obtained from the manufacturer and any available Customer Assistance Inquiry reports (CAIR). Analysis of the field data indicated that MY2011-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles exhibited significantly higher complaint rates related to fuel pump relay (FPR) failures than other subject vehicles. In a September 3, 2014 letter to NHTSA, Chrysler submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the FPR within the TIPM-7 which can result in a no start or stall condition in approximately 188,723 model year (MY) 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK) and Dodge Durango (WD) vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010 through July 20, 2011 (14V-530).In a February 24, 2015 letter, Chrysler submitted a second DIR expanding the scope of the FPR defect condition to include an additional 338,216 MY 2012 through 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured from September 17, 2010 through August 19, 2013 and MY 2012 through 2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 18, 2011 through August 19, 2013 (15V-115).ODI analysis of the CAS allegations of TIPM defects resulting in stall while driving, airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration, fire and other faults identified a single defect condition related to 1 of over 60 different circuits in the TIPM assembly. The most common effect of this defect condition, related to the fuel pump relay, was a no-start concern, but it could also result in stall while driving (76 complaints). No valid evidence was presented in support of claims related to airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration or fire resulting from TIPM faults and these claims were found to be wholly without merit based on review of the field data and design of the relevant systems and components.Except insofar as the petitioner's contentions relate to the defect condition addressed by the Chrysler recalls, the factual bases of the petitioner's contentions that any further investigation is necessary are unsupported. In our view, additional investigation is unlikely to result in a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists or a NHTSA order for the notification and remedy of a safety-related defect as alleged by the petitioner at the conclusion of the requested investigation. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is den

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jan 7, 2019

THE DOOR IN THE BACK WILL OPEN AN CLOSE ON IT ON ALMOST CLOSED ON MY DAUGHTER WHILE GET OUT OF CAR AN NO BUTTON WAS PUSHED TO CLOSE THE DOOR. GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL GAUGES ARE COMING ON AN WIPERS COMING ON BY THEM SELF . KEY GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION.

NHTSA ID
11165551
Incident
Jan 3, 2019
Airbags
Filed Dec 18, 2018
Crash reported1 injury reported

VEHICLE (2009 D. CARAVAN) WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A CITY STREET. AFTER HAVING STOPPED AT A 4-WAY INTERSECTION, DRIVER PROCEEDED INTO INTERSECTION AT VERY LOW SPEED AND WAS STRUCK BROADSIDE ON THE RIGHT WHEN A 1999 CHEV. TAHOE FAILED TO STOP. TAHOE SPEED ESTIMATED AT 30-35 MPH. RT. SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT WHICH TIME FRONT SEAT PASSENGER (FEMALE, APPROXIMATELY 5' 1" ) WAS STRUCK ON HEAD BY AIRBAG WHICH MOVED TO HER LEFT CAUSING PASSENGER'S HEAD TO HIT SIDE WINDOW. AIRBAG REMAINED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF HER HEAD UNTIL HER HUSBAND, THE DRIVER, FORCIBLY MOVED IT OVER TO HER RIGHT IN ORDER FOR EMT SERVICE TO TAKE HER OUT THRU LEFT FRONT DOOR. PASSENGER HAD ABRASIONS OVER TOP OF HEAD AND ON LEFT ARM, NONE WERE OF A SERIOUS NATURE; HOWEVER SHE EXPERIENCED IMMEDIATE SIGNIFICANT HEARING LOSS. TRIP TO ER AND CT SCAN REVEALED NO CONCUSSION, NO RUPTURED EARDRUMS AND NO OTHER SERIOUS INJURIES. ACCIDENT OCCURRED 13 DAYS AGO AND THERE HAS BEEN NO IMPROVEMENT IN HER HEARING, THE LOSS OF WHICH IS MORE PRONOUNCED IN LEFT EAR AND INCLUDES A CONSTANT RINGING. SHE IS AWAITING A JAN. 2019 APPT. WITH ENT DOCTOR FOR EVALUATION. THERE WERE NO REAR SEAT PASSENGERS AND THE OTHER TWO PERSONS INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT WERE NOT INJURED. IN THIS ACCIDENT THE SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT PROTECT THE PASSENGER AS IT SHOULD, AND IN ADDITION CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT HEARING LOSS. *DSY *DT*JB *JS *BF *TR

NHTSA ID
11162264
Incident
Dec 5, 2018
Mileage
74,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 8, 2017

ON OCTOBER 24, 2017 AT APPROXIMATELY 12:00 NOON MY VAN WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND ALL OF A SUDDEN BOTH SIDE AIRBAGS IN THE VAN DEPLOYED. NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR. CAR WAS TOTALED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I REPORTED THIS TO CHRYSLER AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE TOTAL LOSS OF MY VEICHLE

NHTSA ID
11044641
Incident
Oct 24, 2017
Mileage
185,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Nov 1, 2017

THIS IS THE SECOND (TPMS) TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR THAT HAS SNAPPED OFF IN MY HANDS AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PUT AIR INTO A LOW TIRE. THESE THINGS ARE DANGEROUS AS THE METAL FATIGUES WITHOUT WARNING OR VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF SUCH. ESPECIALLY LIVING IN AN AREA LIKE MINE, WHERE ROAD SALT, MOISTURE,ICE AND SNOW AND CHANGES IN TEMPERATURE OCCUR REGULARLY THESE SENSORS CAN CAUSE A SUDDEN DEFLATION OF A TIRE IF THEY BREAK WHICH MIGHT LEAD TO A CATASTROPHIC CRASH. LUCKILY FOR ME THE TWO TIMES IT HAS OCCURRED IT HAS HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY. HOWEVER, BOTH TIMES IT NECESSITATED JACKING MY VEHICLE UP WITH FULL LOADS AND ON UNEVEN GROUND, DANGEROUS IN ITSELF.

NHTSA ID
11041930
Incident
Nov 1, 2017
Mileage
140,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Oct 13, 2017

STEM VALVE BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
11033249
Incident
Oct 13, 2017
Mileage
75,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 30, 2017

MY DODGE CARAVAN JUST STALLS WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 5 TIMES THIS PAST YEAR. THE ENGINE CUTS OFF AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART. IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-40 MILES PER HOUR. IT HAS NOT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY I HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED SO I KNOW IT IS NOT THAT. SOMETIMES WHEN MY CAR WILL NOT START I HAVE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND IT STARTS. OUR MECHANIC CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG BUT DID SEE THE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE RUNNING A DIAGNOSTIC.

NHTSA ID
10969459
Incident
Mar 23, 2017
Mileage
149,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jan 20, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH DOWNHILL AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BACK TO THE HOUSE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED THREE OTHER TIMES. ON ONE OCCASION, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AT THE SAME TIME AS IF THE VEHICLE WERE RESTARTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10946709
Incident
Jan 13, 2017
Mileage
60,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 27, 2016

INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE DRIVING SUDDENLY AT NIGHT DOES NOT LIGHT UP, VANITY LIGHTS, INTERIOR OVERHEAD LIGHTS, AND UNIVERSAL GARAGE DOOR OPENER DOES NOT WORK EITHER. DANGEROUS AS YOU CANNOT SEE GAUGES(SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, TACHOMETER ), NOT EVEN THE TURN SIGNALS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10937520
Incident
Dec 26, 2016
Mileage
67,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

108463

SERVICE BRAKES

PAD KIT - REAR DISC BRAKE, FRONT DISC BRAKE

108464

SERVICE BRAKES

PAD KIT - REAR DISC BRAKE, FRONT DISC BRAKE

9100226

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.

9100226

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.

9004009

POWER TRAIN

Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) are one-time usage. Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA Vehicles built after on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. All 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the vehicle you are repairing has a crack in the flex plate or failed pump bushing inspect and confirm that both (2) dowel pins are present in the engine block, which align the transmission center line to the crank shaft centerline and visually inspect the dowel alignment holes in the transmission case. If the holes are damaged or elongated the transmission should be replaced to prevent further damage to the transmission/flexplate or pump bushing due to the inability to properly align the engine to the transmission during the repair. 3. All 62TE equipped vehicles. If pump bushing is scored or damaged and the dowel pin alignment holes are ok, replace the pump assembly as opposed to complete transmission. 4. All 62TE equipped vehicles. If vehicle is jerking/slipping with MIL code(s) P0740 or P2764, check TCC Solenoid operation. If TCC Solenoid is ok, the codes are indicative of a torque converter failure. Replace the torque converter.

9004300

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS; STEERING

Cooler line, Power steering return The clips that hold the line to the core support are not available at this time and will need to be reused. Use care when opening and re-latching clip.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dodge Caravan by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020000
2019000
2018000
2017110
2016200
2015230038.0
2014200032.2
2013300035.3
2012870141.6
2011780137.1
20101722153.1
2009Viewing1182150.0
20083022150.4
2007814152.9
20061736561.1
20055379758.7
2004648154.9
20031959158.6
200224510562.0
200125710256.8
200047013364.5
199955514664.6
199862914764.3
199771415765.6
19961,403181461.9
19954894663.7
19946445866.2
1993949101363.6
1992913111462.0
1991617111663.6
19902786660.9
198919151066.2
19881035864.4
1987693867.6
1986494869.0
1985496768.0
1984186768.8

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.