2009 Dodge Grand Caravan Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan most often describe sudden stalling or a no-start condition, frequently tied to the ignition switch and wireless ignition node, along with electrical glitches such as flickering dash lights and erratic wipers. Many of those complaints mention recall 14V373000 and note that dealers could not supply the parts, so a large share of vans on the road may never have had the repair completed. Separately, owners report premature brake rotor and pad wear at low mileage and corroded tire valve stems on the TPMS sensors.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Sudden stalling or no-start, ignition switch and WIN module

   • 129 complaints (24%)
   • median 86,500 mi at 6.4 yrs old (108 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $541 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2010–2026

   Owners describe the engine quitting without warning while driving, sometimes at speed and sometimes while turning or in reverse, with power steering and power brakes gone. Others report the van cranking but not starting, the key not turning or not releasing, the ignition moving to accessory on its own, or a damaged-key warning appearing. Complaints frequently cite recall 14V373000, and several state the dealer had no parts available; a few report the module was replaced and the problem returned, and one was told a second repair would not be covered. Reported across a wide mileage range, roughly 30,000 to 200,000 miles, with many in the 80,000 to 130,000 mile range.

   Recall 14V373000Recall 09V0460002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for proof that recall 14V373000 (wireless ignition node) was completed and whether any WIN module or ignition switch has been replaced since. Try several key cycles, including starting in neutral, and watch for a damaged-key or no-crank condition.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I was driving the engine completely stalled and power steering gone. This happened 3 times in different occasions. I managed to steer to the roadside, put vehicle in park and start again. Yesterday after driving for couple hours I stopped at the store and wen I got back the car didn't start no crank, no sound ( all the dash lights on, full battery) call toll truck.... Waiting for toll truck arrive, start looking on line for the problem.... Lots a people have the same problem... …”

   NHTSA complaint #11221478, filed 2019-06, 123,000 miles

   “The win module was replaced under a safety recall in 2017 for abruptly shutting down the engine while driving. The module worked fine until this month, the car suddenly died twice in the space of approximately two miles. I was able to start it and it did not fail again on the way to the dealership for repairs. The dealership diagnosed the problem as the win module and replaced it for $582. I requested it be covered under the recall and was told chrysler would not honor it a second time. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11360242, filed 2020-09, 95,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Electrical gremlins: flickering dash lights, wipers, gauges

   Mentioned in 10 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the dashboard warning lights, speedometer, tachometer, headlights and wipers acting on their own while driving, sometimes with the van shutting down. Some describe all instrument panel indicators lighting at once, a horn sounding by itself, or window and door switches misbehaving. A few mention corroded or heat-damaged wiring harnesses found on inspection, and one described a fire at the driver door window switch area and another at a tail light. Mostly reported between about 90,000 and 180,000 miles, though a few describe it at much lower mileage.

   Recall 10V235000Recall 09V0460004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check that the sliding door wire harness recall 10V235000 was done, inspect the harness where it passes near the door hinge, and watch the dash and wipers through a full start-up cycle. Check for a battery that goes dead overnight, which a bulletin links to the fold-and-stow module staying awake.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving the wipers, headlights, and dashboard started operating crazy. It would occur every 30 seconds and would not stop. The only solution (temporary) was to remove the fuse associated with the driver side door. This caused the craziness to stop, but now I lost all ability to operate any functions on the driver side door. The fuse was tested and it is working just fine. While this was not an immediate danger, it was still scary having this happen to me while driving with my young children in the car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10845866, filed 2016-03, 130,000 miles

   “This vehicle has had several electrical component failures that were premature and unexplained. Computer module replaced twice, sensors replaced before they should have gone bad. We also were experiencing small electrical issues all over the vehicle, problems with windows, slide doors, accessories, radio etc. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11079621, filed 2018-03, 155,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Premature brake rotor and pad wear, pedal pulsation

   Mentioned in 8 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe vibration and pedal pulsation when braking, sometimes with the steering wheel shaking, and report front rotors and pads replaced well before 40,000 miles. Several describe rear rotors also warped or pads worn shortly after the fronts, and one reports a rear caliper sticking and overheating. Dealers typically replaced rotors and pads; some repairs were partly covered by warranty or goodwill, and one owner was told the condition was within an acceptable range. Mostly reported between about 10,000 and 45,000 miles, with one report near 74,000 miles.

   Recall 09V3510001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Look at rotor surfaces for scoring or pitting and ask when pads and rotors were last replaced. Test braking from highway speed for pulsation or steering wheel shake, and check the rear brakes as well as the fronts.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Valve system failure: while traveling 2000 miles from home, the low tire pressure dashboard warning light came on. We checked all tire pressure and filled one low tire, but light came back on. We took it to mechanic who noted that the valve stem was corroded and cracked, and could have come dislodged at any moment, causing a blowout. Replaced TPMS sensor at a cost of $153.”

   NHTSA complaint #10413129, filed 2011-07, 40,778 miles

   “We were on a trip and while on the trip the vehicle rolled over the 36k warranty. We were on the interstate going 75 MPH when the rear of the vehicle started making a terrible vibration and vibration noises. We were able to get off on an exit within 1/4 mile of the vehicle making this noise. After we were able to stop the left rear tire smelled awful like something burning. After we got it to the Dodge dealer they confirmed that the caliper had failed on the left side of the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10436326, filed 2011-11, 36,060 miles
4. 4
   Tires

   TPMS valve stems corrode and break

   • 43 complaints (8%)
   • median 48,000 mi at 4.0 yrs old (39 state mileage)
   • filed 2010–2018

   Owners report the low tire pressure light coming on and finding a corroded or cracked valve stem, sometimes snapping in half while airing up a tire or pushing in the air chuck. In some cases the sensor dropped into the tire and it deflated quickly; owners describe multiple stem failures on the same van. One dealer reportedly said the aluminum stems do not hold up to road salt. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 90,000 miles, often on vehicles driven in road-salt climates.

   What to check: Inspect all four valve stems for corrosion or cracking and ask whether the TPMS sensors have been replaced. In salt-belt areas, plan on replacing stems as a wear item.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving our van on vacation in out of state on the expressway at 70 MPH. My low tire sensor came on, along with the yellow exclamation point light in the dash. I was close to my exit, pulled off and into a gas station where there was an air pump, looking to asses the situation. When I tried to put air into the front driver side tire, which was now really looking flat, I pushed the air nozzle against the valve stem which pushed right inside the rim. I had to call my insurance to have a wrecker come, they put my doughnut tire on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10758763, filed 2015-08, 87,000 miles

   “Tire pressure sensor light came on. While filling tire with air, the stem of tire snapped in half, letting all the air out of the tire. Had to have a new sensor installed ($130+). Four months later, low pressure light came on, took it in for service to find that another stem was cracked. Had that replaced for another $130. While having tires rotated, they found another stem leaking. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10559022, filed 2014-01, 60,000 miles
5. 5
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light and airbag module faults

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the airbag light staying on after startup, sometimes along with other warning lights, and dealers diagnosing the airbag control module as needing replacement; one owner was told the battery was behind the module failure. Other complaints mention the key ring or fobik being linked to airbag system operation under recall notices, and one describes the front airbags deploying while parked with the key out of the ignition. Reported from about 70,000 to 180,000 miles, with the parked deployment report at 160,000 miles.

   Recall 16V047000Recall 14V373000Recall 20V3960004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Confirm the airbag light goes out after startup and ask whether recalls 16V047000 (airbag control unit corrosion) and 20V396000 (driver airbag emblem) were completed. Also check that the recall work on the ignition system was done, since airbag function is tied to it.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11361289, filed 2020-09, 71,800 miles

   “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 complaint #10985419, filed 2017-05, 180,000 miles

Buying note. A 2009 Grand Caravan can be a cheap, roomy van, but check recall completion carefully, especially the ignition and airbag campaigns, since owners report parts were scarce and repairs were often not finished. Budget for brakes and TPMS valve stems, and have any van with stalling or no-start history checked by a mechanic before purchase.

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.