2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN Complaints

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)

Car will crank but not start. Can cannot be started intermittently which could be dangerous considering location of vehicle, adverse weather conditions, etc. There are no warning lamps or messages related to the problem. This is a known problem with other Chrysler models and model years. TIMP fuel pump relay has failed. Bypassing the fuel pump relay will allow car to start. See attached file of Vertical Vissions' bypass solutions to this problem.

While driving on major (multi-lane) city street (40 mph) the vehicle began to slow, steering became difficult and a single amber caution for the traction control was illuminated. Tachometer indicated 0 RPM. After pulling over, the vehicle was restarted and driven without further issue. Recall on the ignition switch was addressed in 2009. Unexpected engine shutdown could have significantly reduced safety margins in heavy traffic. No third party inspected vehicle after incident. Owner notes that key fob does not have anything hanging of it that could aggravate unwanted movement of ignition switch

I had a flat tire (drivers front). I Parked on a level parking lot. I put bricks behind other tires to prevent movement. Next I loosened lug nuts, I then removed the spare and original equipment jack. I began jacking the car up with the jack in the area indicated for jacking by the instructions. The tire was off the ground. I was beginning to spin off the lug nuts when the car dropped with a brrrrrt sound. The main screw in the scissors jack pulled through the threaded nut on the end. The jack was still upright but the screw threads failed. No one was hurt but the potential is high for the jack to fail suddenly and without warning. Note the van was not occupied or in any way loaded. The second picture attempts to show the screw threads deformed after pulling through the nut.

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.

It started out as the van would not start almost everytime I got ready to leave and would have someone jump my battery, and it would start right back up. after a few weeks of having to do this, i had help jumping my battery once again but this time my wind shield wipers wouldnt shut off resulting in me having to take the fuse out and back in when it rains. when this happened the what i believe is called the "multi functional shift " (the stick on the left side of steering wheel that controls my wipers, wiper fluid, turn signals, bright lights, etc.) completely stopped working with no sign of it having problems previously. Along with that the stereo keeps flickering and switching channels on its own. Lastly, when i am pumping gas, i can barely pull up the trigger without the pump shutting off like as if my tank was full. This has all happened in the last 6 or 7 months or so and has not yet been investigated.

Key in into slips from run to accsry and causes van to stall. Has happened a few times. Very dangerous to have van stall while driving

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle started to stall with the Anti-theft lock warning light illuminated. The vehicle lost motive power and stalled and failed to restart. The contact was able to push the vehicle into a gas station and the vehicle however, the vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed a new computer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 180,000.

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the traction control, ABS, and check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact reset the PCM; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

225/65 R 16 100 My van is available for inspection; the left front driver’s-side tire was repaired (under warranty) on 6 August 2022; a plug was installed to repair a ticking sound, which ended up being a nail imbedded in the tire. Once on the road again, I still heard an annoying sound( I realized the mechanic may not have cut the plug flush). I intended to go back to have them cut it off, but forgot due to my recent part-time work activities & starting College at night.(as well as getting Covid on 28 September 2022. I was scheduled to work at Davanni’s on 21 October 2022. I got into work around 12:33. I use an App on my phone to deliver pizza’ & hoagies. I took a large order around 15:30. I was nervous driving, because my van(previously reported on this site)was having the electrical issues, even when I put my vehicle in park. I messaged my customer when I was 2-3 minutes away(I was extra cautious because my signals wouldn’t show drivers behind me that I was turning, so my 1st text would usually be at a semi-fore, then when I park in driveway, I send a text I am there. The customer had a pretty high incline when I parked. After sending the text I proceeded to exit my vehicle. (my phone was in my right hand). I stepped out with my left foot, then the right; I was fully standing when all of a sudden I felt my door pushing on my left side, I braced my left arm, looked down & noticed the van was rolling back. I felt the tire start to hit my toe then instantly brought my right foot up to step on the brake. In doing so I had my right buttocks wedged against my seat base. I slammed my elbow & ribs onto the threshold of the door and my right arm/pit against the seat. I looked up by the steering wheel where the shift stick is, & realized it was down. I reached up with my left arm & pushed up 2- notches, couldn’t reach park. I texted the person that I need help. He came out swiftly, put it in park & help me arise from my wedged position. I went to ER next day