Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Dodge Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
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
While driving 55mph on i75 in cincinnati,oh, the engine suddenly shut off. While attempting to get the vehicle to the right side of the highway the steering wheel and the brakes could only be moved with great effort. The vehicle must be in the parked gear shift position before it can be restarted thus the necessity to get to the side of the highway so as to avoid a rear end collision. When getting to the side of the road the steering feels like it is locked. This sudden engine shut off while driving has occurred several times before over the last approx. 2 1/2 yrs. The dealer does not know how to fix the sudden engine shut off problem. This leaves me with a vehicle that appears to be too dangerous to drive. I have requested the vehicle manufacturer to advise me as to how the vehicle can be safely driven. …
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Dodge 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 notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 03/01/16 the consumer stated the vehicle was fixed on 2/15/16. Updated 03/14/16.
I was notified in early June, 2015 about a safety recall #r03/NHTSA 14v-373 and directed to contact a dealer about this recall. I did so several times and was told to call back later because parts were not available. I called again on 12/14/15 and was put on a wait list of 40+ people to get this fix done. Again I'm told that Chrysler is not sending out the parts. Looks like slow-walking it to me. I formally request that Chrysler be punished for this lack of concern for safety.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge 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. Updated 03/24/15 updated 06/19/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caravan. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V373000 (air bags, electrical system); however, the part for the recall repair was 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.
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. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge carvan. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V373000 (air bags) and 11V139000 (electrical system); however, the part to do the repairs were 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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caravan. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V373000 (air bags, electrical system); however, the part needed 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.
Airbag complaints in other Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2009 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the air bags of the 2009 Dodge Caravan, 22% of the model year's 118 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2009 Dodge Caravan airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2009 Dodge Caravan, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Dodge Caravan airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 96,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.