2009 Dodge Grand Caravan Airbags Problems

In August 2024, the airbag system in a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan (VIN: [XXX] ) deployed unexpectedly while the vehicle was parked and not in operation. There was no collision, impact, or known external trigger at the time of deployment. The malfunction involved the airbag restraint system and/or related electrical or control components. An unexpected airbag deployment creates a serious safety concern because it could injure vehicle occupants or bystanders and indicates a potential defect in the restraint system. The vehicle was immediately taken to Banister Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Hampton, Virginia, where it has remained since the incident. To the best of our knowledge, the vehicle has remained in dealership/manufacturer custody and should be available for inspection. The manufacturer indicated they were reviewing the matter and determining the value of the vehicle; however, despite extended time passing, no repair, replacement, or written resolution has been provided. The issue has not been reproduced because the vehicle has remained out of service since the incident. It is UNKNOWN whether the precise cause has been formally confirmed by the manufacturer or dealership. No injuries occurred, but the incident placed the safety of the owners and others at risk because a critical safety restraint system deployed without warning while the vehicle was stationary. Documented NHTSA recalls affecting Dodge Grand Caravan airbag systems and related models demonstrate prior manufacturer awareness of airbag-related safety defects. Although this VIN currently shows no open recall, the spontaneous deployment raises concern regarding unresolved or inadequately corrected airbag system defects. No known warning lamps or dashboard messages were specifically recalled prior to the incident. Any additional warning indicators are UNKNOWN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11738233

Incident

Aug 18, 2024

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while parked with the keys out of the ignition, the contact heard a loud pop coming from the passenger’s side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the driver’s and passenger’s side deployed without impact. The dealer was contacted and advised the contact to inform the manufacturer of the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who had not diagnosed or repaired the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The contact stated that the vehicle was not inspected. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11559091

Incident

Oct 21, 2023

Mileage

160,000 mi

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN STARTED VEHICLE AND NEVER TURNED OFF. TOOK IT IN TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS MY BATTERY CAUSING THE LIGHT. REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THEY RE-DID THE DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY TOLD ME THE ORC MODULE IS BAD DUE TO THE BATTERY. THEY SAID MY BATTERY WAS CHARGING TO 1000 VOLTS AND WAS ONLY SUPPOSED TO BE 800VOLTS. SO NOW I AM STUCK WITH A BILL FOR $631. I WAS TOLD THAT THE SAME YEAR MODEL HAD A RECALL FOR THIS REASON AND MINE DIDN'T QUALIFY BECAUSE IT WAS MADE 23 DAYS AFTER THE RECAL NOTICE S07. THE VAN IS IN THE SHOP CURRENTLY WAITING ON THE PART.

NHTSA ID

11361289

Incident

Sep 20, 2020

Mileage

71,800 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INVOLVED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V373000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE RECEIVED THE RECALL REPAIR FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH; HOWEVER, SEVERAL YEARS LATER, THE PART THAT WAS REPLACED BEGAN EXHIBITING THE SAME FAILURES INDICATED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD MOVE FROM THE RUN POSITION TO TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.

NHTSA ID

11255831

Incident

Sep 15, 2019

Mileage

187,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING AFTER SHUTTING THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG STRUCK AND SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CHRYSLER MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 251,000.

NHTSA ID

11229620

Incident

Jul 4, 2019

Mileage

251,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V373000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS), IT HESITATED TO START AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS FAILED. IT TOOK NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. GOLDY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (187 KINETIC DR, HUNTINGTON, WV 25701, (304) 781-0555) PERFORMED THE RECALL REPAIR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

NHTSA ID

11189975

Incident

Mar 1, 2019

Mileage

128,000 mi

THE AC DRAIN LEAKS WATER UNDER THE DASH WHEN THE AC IS ON AND MAY AFFECT THE AIR BAG WIRING OR OTHER ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS. THIS PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED IN 2011, BULLETIN K31, BUT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. I HAVE THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, YEAR AND PROBLEM AS THE RECALLED CARS. WHY IS MY CAR NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL?? I HAVE STRUGGLED WITH THIS RECURRING ISSUE SINCE 2014!!!

NHTSA ID

11129477

Incident

Jul 1, 2014

THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEM WITH EXISTING RECALLS ON EARLIER MODEL DODGE GRAND CARAVANS

NHTSA ID

11112806

Incident

Jul 11, 2018

Mileage

155,000 mi

THE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROLLER HAS FAILED. I WAS WONDERING, EVEN THOUGH MY VIN IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL WOULD I STILL BE ELIGIBLE TO GET THIS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL?

NHTSA ID

11073377

Incident

Jan 29, 2018

Mileage

214,425 mi

- ON 12/01/2017 THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD IS LIT. I NOTICED THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON. - ON 12/28/2017 THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW STOPPED WORKING. IT STOPPED WORKING WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE WINDOW DOWN.

NHTSA ID

11057805

Incident

Dec 28, 2017

Mileage

97,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND AN UNEXPLAINED WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (JD BYRIDER DODGE, DORCHESTER, MA), BUT NO FAILURES WERE FOUND AFTER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V373000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS). THE RECALL WAS REMEDIED ONE YEAR AGO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10995330

Incident

Jan 15, 2017

Mileage

80,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AS WELL AS ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT, WHO WAS A MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ID

10985419

Incident

Oct 16, 2016

Mileage

180,000 mi

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING, AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ORC MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V047000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. ...UPDATED 01/23/17 *BF *CN

NHTSA ID

10937037

Incident

Dec 19, 2016

Mileage

82,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE TRACTION, EPS, AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

NHTSA ID

10930302

Incident

Nov 24, 2016

Mileage

118,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V373000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 12/20/16*LJ UPDATED 12/21/16.*JB

NHTSA ID

10906058

Incident

Sep 13, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V373000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10903356

Incident

Jan 15, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V047000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10903003

Incident

Mar 2, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V373000 (AIR BAGS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10897100

Incident

Jun 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V373000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10892067

Incident

Aug 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V373000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10874779

Incident

Jun 17, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V373000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS) HOWEVER THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10871884

Incident

Jan 1, 2015

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V373000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10871870

Incident

Jun 23, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V373000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10871656

Incident

May 5, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V373000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10871237

Incident

May 19, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V373000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 16V047000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10851359

Incident

May 5, 2015