2009 Dodge Grand Caravan Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Frontal
  1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  25%
• 25k–50k
  13%
• 50k–75k
  1025%
• 75k–100k
  1128%
• 100k–150k
  1025%
• 150k+
  615%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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.

In August 2024, the airbag system in a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan (VIN: [redacted] ) 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. …

Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a utility pole and a tree. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle sustained significant damage but the air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed and a police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact indicated that a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 11V139000 (electrical system) was received approximately one year ago. After contacting the dealer on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the parts needed were not available to remedy the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. As a result, the brakes seized and the contact crashed into the preceding vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy and the contact 's head impacted the steering wheel. The contact sustained a concussion, sprained neck, and bruises to the feet, ankles, and toes that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and repaired. In addition, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V373000 (air bags, electrical system). The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled. In addition, the vehicle failed to stop when the brake pedal was depressed and crashed into a pole. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V373000 (air bags, electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

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.

I was driving down the highway at 70 miles an hour, and all of a sudden my car shuts off and turns back on and could not steer for a few mins, and it would not go over 45 miles an hour, every thing shut off in the car, it happened again, in rush hour traffic. My brakes on the car and rotors I have replaced 4 times in 3 years its eats them up, sometimes the side doors just open by them selves, driving or parked, control buttons are going out all the time, windows go up and down on there own, this car is a death trap waiting to happen. I have contacted the Dodge dealership I am on a waiting list and have been for 4 months they still say the parts are not in yet.

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while in park, the vehicle failed to start. In addition, the contact stated that the doors failed to unlock electronically. As a result, the contact was unable to enter the vehicle. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V373000 (electrical system, air bags); however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 122,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start until after several attempts. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. 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 approximate failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 7/16/15

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. On several occasions, while attempting to start the vehicle, the damaged key warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to start the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V373000 (air bags, electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,683.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Airbag complaints in other Grand Caravan years