2009 Dodge Grand Caravan User Reviews

Pros

Great Value

Cons

Rides rough, not reliable, not the best comfort

Purchased As Not Purchased

The Caravan is not the way to go. I rode in my aunts on a 26 hour rode trip. It bounces like an old Cadillac on bumps. Its not reliable at all. The weirdest thing was the middle row seat belts gave me a blister on my hip because of the way it wrapped on my lap. The more luxury edition of this car is very cheap. The leather seats are hard and uncomfortable....read morehide

Pros

smooth ride, comfort, build quality much better than previous Caravans

Cons

3.3 very weak for a V6, rotor vibration with only 5K on the odometer, side mirrors

My 2009 Caravan is a company vehicle, I drive around 4,500 miles a month mosly in the moutains of West Virginia. After 11 Caravans over the past 20 years, this is the best by far. Build quality is much better than past caravans. Front seats are wide and comfortable. Finally all four wheels feel like their headed in the same direction, the ride is solid, but comfortable, steering much improved. Dodge has finally done away with the 6 button cruise control on the steering wheel and now has 1 lever 1 button behind the steering wheel like Toyota's that works and is easy to use. Stow and go seating is much improved over past stow and go seating, pieces aren't falling off so far. Gas milege is averaging 21 MPG. The 3.3 works to hard in the moutains, but should be fine in flat areas. Side view mirrors are awful, to narrow for the vans size. Sometimes the power side doors have a mind of their own, they don't want to shut. Over all this is a great vehicle compared to older Caravans, but still behind Honda and Toyota vans, but if you can get one for say five grand less than the imports I'd get the Caravan, put the money in savings because I have a feeling you'll spend it over the next 150,000 miles on brake jobs. The transmission seems to shift better than in the past, hasn't slapped from 1st. to 2nd. like my 2007 did. I really like the gold paint and hate the white cloth head liner, who was the rocker scientist that thought white would hold up well....read morehide

Pros

Comfortable on the Highway

Cons

Unreliable. Gas mileage Horrendous

Purchased As New

My 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT (Loaded) is back at the dealers once again. This time, the rear brakes SEIZED on the highway for no apparent reason. Now they are trying to find rotors, calipers, Pads and wheel bearings..all "back-ordered" .With only 19000KMs (approx 12600miles) the van has been in the dealers no fewer than 12 times. Airconditioning did not function(Factory forgot to put freon in the system) Transmission shifting problem (recall on that but it is not fixed yet and now they are considering replacing the Transmission (6 speed) cracked windshield (pressure crack , bottom left of windshield ) Electrical problems, (New battery and some DASH lights indicating esp and traction control not working, fixed under recall, All new Power steering hoses and pipes replaced (again under warranty as there is a recall..make sure you get yours fixed ..or you'll have NO power steering when starting from cold, Power windows failed to function..required a switch and computer "flash"...and now the brakes have failed which could have been a disaster if I was not able to have pulled immediately off the highway..with smoke coming from the rear of the Van...
So, once again, this van has let me down. I will NEVER buy or lease another Chrysler product. In all my 45 years of driving, I have never had a new vehicle with so many problems in just 17 months of driving.
Gas mileage has been awful....13 to 15 mpg around town, and barely 24 on the highway at legal speeds...
Presently in negotiations /Arbitration to see if I can get this van replaced..NOT holding my breath with the current Financial "crisis" though.....read morehide

Pros

Looks nice and has been thought out well for families. Sto and Go is awesome.

Cons

Starting to have problems after 1st year-breaks, transmission, and rattles. Bad seats for comfort

Purchased As New

It has alot of space, but it is starting to have things go wronge after only 1 year and 40 miles. Looks like I will need to use the powertrain warrantee. I have a Honda Pilot and the Honda is a much better vehicle. The ride of the Dodge is alright, but the seats are very uncomfrtable.

Pros

Roomy, Roomy. Car like drive

Cons

None

Purchased As New

I have never owned a minivan before and was a bit uneasy with the idea. I test drove the caravan and was very surprise. It had a car like drive with SUV room. The Stow and Go is wonderful. The three TV screens are awesome, great for kids and when the wife is shopping, I love to wait and watch a movie. I would recommend this minivan to anyone with two or more kids. I know most men shy away from minivans but for a guy, who is 6ft 4in, the roominess is great and the upgrades are the best you can get for your money....read morehide

Pros

quality build

Purchased As New

We have 7 Dodge vans in the family all different year groups. We just bought two 2009 SXTLs with the 4.0/6speed and love these vehicles. Be sure to test drive at highway speeds before you buy any vehicle and put someone in the back seat.

Pros

beautiful, funtional, well thought designed.

Cons

the worst transmission ever

Purchased As New

We bought this minivan 2 weeks ago. We love it (until 3 days ago).
Well designed. Seats fold to the floor, giving you plenty of cargo space. DVD options installed. You can play 2 different DVDs at the same time. I love it.

Now the Transmission failed so fast it was depressing. I have 2 weeks and 250 miles in a brand new Grand Caravan, and the van is in the shop. They have to completely change the transmission....read morehide

Pros

good fuel economy and quality of build

Cons

none

Purchased As New

This is the best effort yet for the Dodge Caravan. The SXT with 4.0, 17 inch wheels and 6 speed rocks folks.

Tight well built vehicle. Mine has the sport suspension as well as leather. My wife won't let me drive it.

Pros

Excellent mini van

Cons

ugly exterior-love the old style much better

Purchased As New

My 2nd van. The old voyager lasted 11 years and can still go a few more. Never had a problem with the old van, Chrysler does make a greay minivan, Plenty of room for all 5 dogs and 3 bird cages. Great to no longer have to remove seats to haul somthing. Plenty of room for seating and to help move friends with the seats down. Drives great!

Jusy very much dislike the new style, Way too boxy looking,...read morehide

Pros

Good DVD players for kids, Back-up sencers help your wife, and all automatic

Cons

The brakes sometimes clank

I own a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Marathon Blue and we went on a 3 week road trip to Colorado, Louisiana, and Florida. The Cross Bars are terriffic to put the luggage on and the kids enjoy the 2 DVD screens and I enjoy the navigation system in the front. My wife enjoys the dual power sliding doors and the power tailgate. In the end if your in the market for a Minivan look into the Dodge Grand Caravan or the Chrysler Town & Country they are both great minivans....read morehide