Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving, the engine shuts off, leaving the driver with no power steering or power brakes. All power is off. There is no warning or error messages on the dash of any kind. No warning at all. The last time this happened, I was able to coast to the side of the road to a stop. Once stopped, i can put the transmission in Park, restart the vehicle and continue. This time, I drove directly to my service shop to have the computer checked for codes. There were none, like the event never happened. They could not reproduce the problem. This has happened 3 times since August 2025. The wireless ignition module was replaced in 2015 under the recall notice 14V373000. That recall was for exactly this situation. So far, I have been fortunate to avoid hitting another vehicle or other objects. This is not a safe situation, especially knowing it might happen tomorrow.
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.
On multiple occasions while driving, the vehicle decelerated on its own, while also losing all ability to steer or brake. All power control to steering, braking and maneuvering was lost, although the engine did not appear to shut off. The first incident caused my wife to end up in a ditch with the children in the car. Chrysler and their dealerships will not say this is related to the NHTSA campaign # 14V373000/ Chrysler l25 recall because the engine did not appear to shut off. Whether part of the recall or not, these problems are serious safety issues for my family and others on the road. Additionally, Chrysler does not have parts available for the recall and were not able to provide an availability eta for replacement parts. …
I was driving down the road on a shallow left-hand curve when I turned the steering wheel to the right, coming out of the curve, all the sudden the left front brake (lfb) began to chatter as though the lfb ABS was engaging. The ESP bas and the traction control lights came on. The van violently swerved towards the oncoming lane. Luckly, there was no traffic come at me. I was able to over correct with the steering and regain control. I took the van to a local shop which diagnosed the steering position sensor inside the air bag clockspring to be bad. It was replaced and the problem went away. I feel this is very dangerous problem and should be addressed with a recall before someone is killed!
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.
I was driving the van on a major road at 45-50 MPH, when the engine cut out. Power steering was disabled, I was able to pull van off onto side street and restart. I don't know if fob switched to acc or off, I was just upset it stalled on major road. Per article I have read, fob can move out of place if ride is bumpy, well I live in michigan where pot holes are sometimes unavoidable. Road was bumpy that I was traveling on. I know their is a recall on van l25 for the ignition switch, I have since removed the fob from my key ring and will only drive with fob in ignition.
I was driving at about 30 MPH on a town road and the car randomly shut off. There was a traction control light that came on. All electrical still worked but no acceleration, power steering or power brakes. I had to slow down, put the car in park and restart the car. What if I was on the high way? What if I was crossing an intersection? My wife drives my 3 children around in this car. This has happened 3 times this past week. Never did it before. And I've already had the ignition switch replaced that Dodge sent out a recall for.
The engine shut down after I hit a bump during a turn, I ran into a ditch and something is broke on the front passenger side. Loud noises coming from tire area. I have already had this happen multiple times and replaced the bearing. But when the engine shuts down every time I hit any significant bump in the road, even when on the highway and I'm being told there isn't anything they will do until the recall is finalized?
While driving approx. 35m/hr in low traffic, van steering wheel stiffened, no warning lights on dash, then ABS signal went on and brakes were out. I was able to coast to side street and the van had complete engine shut down. I had 2 children in the car. Thank goodness we were not on the highway and traffic was low. The van restarted and we drove home. Called my mechanic who had me get the battery checked out, which is only one year old. We bought a new battery a year ago because occasionally the van will not start right away, was stranded several hours at a baseball game, then it started. Had it put on computer at mechanic who cannot find any codes coming up for reason. Van has had at least 5 episodes of failing to start on first try. Second time this month, oct. 29,2014. …
Filed complaint about 3 weeks ago. Called Chrysler recall center and explained the vehicle problem. Chrysler representative confirmed there is a recall on my vehicle, but the parts are not available. They stated they would document the urgency of my repair as the vehicle has failed 2 times in 3 weeks. I expressed my concern over the safety of driving the vehicle, especially with children. I was told the vehicle is safe to drive, but make sure I remove all object from my key ring. I really do not think this was the problem. The second time it had a power failure, the vehicle was almost stopped, ready to make a left hand turn, the road was smooth. How can the parts not be available when it was just released on the news that Chrysler ordered the parts even before the recall was announced. Also, 32 deaths possibly related to this defect. …
Steering complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the steering of the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan, 4% of the model year's 544 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan, though it has 7 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 Grand Caravan steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to steering 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.