2009 Dodge Caravan Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe the engine shutting off while driving, sometimes at speed and sometimes at low speed or over a bump, with power steering and brake assist going away at the same time. Many complaints say the dealer pointed to the ignition key or wireless ignition module and that recall parts were not available to complete the work. A separate, frequently reported pattern involves corroded TPMS valve stems causing sudden tire deflation, and brakes and instrument-panel electrical faults also come up repeatedly.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Engine stalls or shuts off while driving, power assist lost

   • 27 complaints (23%)
   • median 86,888 mi at 5.8 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2012–2017

   Owners describe the van quitting without warning while moving, at speeds ranging from a parking-lot crawl to highway travel, sometimes after hitting a bump and sometimes with no trigger at all. Along with the stall, they report losing power steering and power brake assist, so the wheel and pedal take heavy effort until the van can be stopped and restarted. Several say the dealer replaced the ignition switch or ignition module, or diagnosed a fuel or emission fault, and that the stalling continued afterward. Many mention receiving a recall notice for the ignition key but being told the parts were not yet available. Reported across a wide mileage span, from a few hundred miles to well past 100,000 miles, with many entries between roughly 50,000 and 100,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition-related recall work was actually completed, and get the paperwork rather than a verbal answer. On a test drive, note whether the van idles or runs cleanly over bumps and whether the key feels loose in the switch.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have put in 3 complaints since october and have sent a complaint to chrysler. My van has shut down completely 15 times since october. The issues with this van actually started in the summer of 2012, when we were stranded because the vehicle would not start. I had everything checked out, battery replaced. No one could find anything wrong, yet at times, it would not start right away. Now the van just turns off while driving. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10712810, filed 2015-04, 100,000 miles

   “Intermittent stalls on cornering. My wife was turning onto our street when suddenly, the engine stalled and she lost all power systems like steering and brakes. She was barely able to avoid hitting a fire hydrant and some children who were playing near it. This is the second time in the last month that the vehicle has done this. I believe the problem is the same identified in the 2010 Dodge grand Caravan and town and county (safety recall l25). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10475027, filed 2012-09, 33,000 miles
2. 2
   Wheels

   Corroded TPMS valve stems and sudden tire deflation

   • 12 complaints (10%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2011–2017

   Owners report the tire pressure warning light coming on and finding a tire flat or losing air fast, with inspection showing the valve stem nut corroded or the stem itself broken or missing. Several describe the stem snapping off while adding air or the stem falling into the tire, releasing pressure within seconds. Some say the sensors were replaced one at a time, and that the corrosion returned on other wheels; a few mention the problem in areas with road salt and winter weather. Reported from roughly 25,000 to 80,000 miles, and again past 100,000 miles, with several owners noting repeat failures within a year.

   What to check: Look closely at all four valve stems for rust or crumbling metal and ask when the TPMS sensors were last replaced. Check tire pressures cold before and after a test drive to catch a slow leak.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The valve stems failed.. Nuts for both front valve stems rotted off causing valve stems to fall into tires losing all tire pressure within seconds..this happen with both front tires at different times.the first time I lost pressure the light came on so I stopped at a gas station and went to put air in the tire and the valve stem fell into the tire losing all pressure immediately and I was left with a flat. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10440185, filed 2011-12, 39,000 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11041930, filed 2017-11, 140,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   No-start and dead battery from ignition key or module faults

   • 22 complaints (19%)
   • median 85,000 mi at 5.2 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2019

   Complaints describe intermittent no-crank or no-start conditions, a key that will not turn or will not release from the ignition, and batteries that drain repeatedly even after replacement. Some owners say a 'bad key' message appeared and the dealer then identified the wireless ignition module as the cause. Others describe doors locking or windows moving on their own, or the van needing several attempts or a shift into neutral before it would start. Mostly reported between about 70,000 and 100,000 miles, though a few appear much earlier, and often described as intermittent over months.

   6 related service bulletins

   What to check: Try several cold starts and confirm the key turns freely and releases cleanly. Ask whether the ignition module or key has been replaced, and check for a battery drain by leaving the van parked a day or two before purchase if possible.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2009 Dodge Caravan will not hold a charge. Battery has been replaced twice since december 2014. Have had the van in the shop for extensive work on the electrical system, with no luck. I have to jump start my van every day to use it. Started in sept 2014. Dec 30, 2014 my husband had a massive stroke, and has had extensive hospitalization and care. He is much better, but paralyzed on one side. This makes it very inconvenient to leave for appointments, shopping, etc.”

   NHTSA complaint #10810576, filed 2015-12, 96,000 miles

   “I have been having issues with the wireless control module for quite sometime. It came to a head this past tuesday 3/24 when my vehicle would not start--had to have vehicle towed twice due to issues with control module. This experience the past year has been frustrating. Doors locked by themselves when the car is shut off; there are times when the windows would come down by themselves due to issues with control module. I am unable to use my key even after changing the battery.”

   NHTSA complaint #10702463, filed 2015-03, 178,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Premature rear brake wear, sticking calipers and pulsation

   • 8 complaints (7%)
   • median 37,918 mi at 2.7 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2017

   Complaints describe the rear brakes wearing far sooner than expected, brake dust building up on the rear wheels, and pulsing or shaking through the front end when braking from highway speed. Some owners report a caliper sticking and the rear brakes smoking, leading to replacement of calipers, rotors and pads. Others mention the ABS and traction control lights staying on and being told the ABS module needed replacement; dealers sometimes said nothing was wrong. Several reports fall well under 40,000 miles, with others around 60,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Inspect rear pad and rotor thickness rather than relying on a visual glance, and ask for brake service records. Brake from highway speed during the test drive to check for pulsation or pulling, and confirm the ABS and traction lights go out after start-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Abs brakes light along with traction control lights always stay on. Both my 2009 Dodge ram 1500 and my 2009 Dodge Caravan have same problem. Dealer says the ABS module must be replaced at cost of 575.00 which is not covered under warranty. I find it hard to believe this same identical problem happening on 2 different vehicles made by same producer is just coincidence.”

   NHTSA complaint #10424145, filed 2011-09, 37,800 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10946709, filed 2017-01, 60,000 miles

Buying note. Give this van a thorough test drive that includes highway speeds, hard braking and both sliding doors, and ask for written proof that any open ignition or electrical recall work was completed. Because several of the reported problems are intermittent, a pre-purchase inspection by an independent shop is worth the cost.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.