Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2009 Dodge Caravan
NHTSA data on file today
The 2009 Dodge Caravan has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 118 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #10V164000 REAR SUSPENSION SPRING HAT RETROFIT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #10V148000 FUEL PIPE PROXIMITY TO THE LEFT REAR TIRE NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 72 complaints
- Air Bags 26 complaints
- Engine 17 complaints
- Wheels 9 complaints
- Steering 8 complaints
- Tires 8 complaints
Of the 118 complaints on file, 3 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 118 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,000–$8,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2009 Dodge Caravan has numerous complaints, particularly electrical system issues and airbag problems, impacting its reliability. While recalls are focused on modified conversions, owner-reported issues suggest broader concerns with expensive fixes likely as the vehicle ages.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| electrical system | 60,000–90,000 miles | $300–$800 | very common |
| airbags | 75,000–100,000 miles | $400–$1,000 | common |
| engine | 80,000–120,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | common |
| brakes | 50,000–80,000 miles | $200–$600 | occasional |
| steering | 70,000–100,000 miles | $300–$700 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change every 5,000 miles
- Brake fluid replacement every 2 years
- Transmission fluid change every 60,000 miles
- Coolant flush every 50,000 miles
- Spark plug replacement every 100,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Frequent electrical glitches
- Airbag warning light on
- Unusual engine noises
- Braking issues
- Steering vibrations
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2009 Dodge Caravan at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.