2009 Dodge Grand Caravan Consumer Reviews

My fifth Dodge/Chrysler minivan

Written by: Autoplay2 on 09/21/2009

Vehicle

2009 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 4dr Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Bought this van before the 'Clunker Program', but got a great deal anyways. Wanted a 4.0, but could not find one in the color wife wanted. The 3.8L does fine, it's what I had in my other 4 minivans (2 97's, 98, 2000). Finally getting used to the no key and in-dash shifter. The van has plenty of power, the 3.8 is more than sufficient with the 6 speed. Thought I'd get a little better gas mileage with the 4.0L, but getting 16 with the 3.8L (1100 miles)in mixed driving, but city has lots of stop and go. We're in Texas, so the A/C has never been off yet, maybe in Dec we'll see the MPG go up some. First time I've had to actually read the manual to find out how a lot of the features work!

Favorite Features

Interior lighting, side door windows that go down, power side doors, Sirius radio, 2 glove compartments, separate driver/passenger heating/cooling controls, full length overhead console with lots of storage, cup holders everywhere, styled wheels

Suggested Improvements

Still in break-in period, but was hoping for better gas mileage with a 6 speed trans. Straighter sides means it's a tighter fit in the garage doors for the side mirrors than with my other vans.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Best bang for your buck

Written by: jsklyar on 08/17/2009

Vehicle

2009 Dodge Grand Caravan SE 4dr Minivan (3.3L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I mainly purchased this vehicle for spacious cargo and also ability to haul 7 people. Car looks nice as well. Of course, generous incentives helped as well. So far, the vehicle is top notch, no complains. Drove on a highway and averaged 26mpg, about 18.5mpg in the city. Though, several things I wish this car would have: daytime running lights (even my old Astro had it), interior lights can only be lit up all at once. Basic engine is somewhat weak but I did not purchase this to win races. Cheesy green light readouts, it is time to join 21st century. No instant mpg, too bad. Seats fold into the floor: excellent idea. Go get one today!

Favorite Features

Stow-n-go seats, visibility, good mileage, comfortable seats, lots of interior room.

Suggested Improvements

Daytime-running lights, cheesy green light readouts, instrument cluster warning lights should not be in the middle, move them out left or right. Add up/down seat adjuster, not just recline and forward/backward. Cooling vents have limited range. Add telescoping wheel.

17 out 18 people found this review helpful

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Mr.

Written by: Al on 08/10/2009

Vehicle

2009 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 4dr Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I have the 4.0 Liter. It is very smooth and powerful. The ride is a bit sporty which I like and the phone interface is great. I had really wanted the Chrysler limited but I couldn't justify the extra $$. About the only thing I don't care for is the fake leather seating which is mediocre vinyl.

Favorite Features

I bought for the stow and go and they work great. I have the power 3rd row tilting seats. A very nice feature.

Suggested Improvements

Better quality seating material. I like the ones in the Chrysler limited.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Brakes

Written by: markcanada on 08/04/2009

Vehicle

2009 Dodge Grand Caravan SE 4dr Minivan (3.3L 6cyl 4A)

Review

The vehicle is nice to drive and very comfortable. The acceleration of the motor when taking off is very slow. Brakes and rotors on the vehicle had to be changed on the front after 23000km.The back brakes were fixed on this day at 24000km, due to the squealing on the back passenger side and it turns out the pads were cracked and chipped. There was quite a bit of the pads left in the back brakes. Called Chrysler about it and waiting to see what happens. My mechanic and car part supplier of the new brakes said they have seen a lot of theses problems.

Favorite Features

Our fav parts about the vehicle are the stow & go seats and the swivel of the quads. The handling of the van is very good.

Suggested Improvements

The things I know could be fixed are the brake pads, more power in engine without going to a bigger engine.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Sqweak sqweak sqweak

Written by: JIM on 07/26/2009

Vehicle

2009 Dodge Grand Caravan SE 4dr Minivan (3.3L 6cyl 4A)

Review

We have had the van in two times winter and summer for the squeaking sliding doors. This is the fourth Dodge I have bought and will be looking to trade it in asap for an import. Very cheap inside. Rear windows don't open except by going back to do it. Would I recommend this to a friend? No I wpould not even recommend to my enemies.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Listen to your disatisfied customers. Take a lesson from the imports, and don't depend on customers tax dollars to help you out. Earn the right for people to buy off you.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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rather have a Honda

Written by: Yakd on 07/08/2009

Vehicle

2009 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 4dr Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 6A)

Review

The touchscreen has already stopped working, the day after we bought it. The culprit is faulty software, but of course Dodge does nothing until they have to, there goes another day wasted at the dealership. A new screen has to be ordered. A plastic piece snapped off of one of the stow n go seats. The storage bin on the back of the drivers seat keeps popping out. The interior looks very cheap given what we paid for this van. The material used on the seats, as well as the cushions, probably won't wear well. No wonder the company is in trouble. So why didn't we buy a Honda? Husband thinks they're overpriced.

Favorite Features

back up camera

Suggested Improvements

Use quality materials for interior, fix engine/transmission reliability issues.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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I'm a Bit Disappointed

Written by: Dave on 07/08/2009

Vehicle

2009 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 4dr Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 6A)

Review

We bought this vehicle because my wife saw one on the highway and liked the looks of it. I would have preferred the styling of the Chrysler Town and Country, but this was better bargain because it came with so many extra features, including one I didn't especially want--the 3.8 engine. I noticed a few days ago that the rear seat back have rust stains on them. We have had absolutely nothing in the rear well that could have done that. Under each stain, I can feel some sort of metal bar, which I believe may be the source of these ugly discolorations. I will check this out with my dealership the next time I go in for service.

Favorite Features

The Stow and Go feature is amazing, although it is a bit of a hassle to stow the middle seats because the front seats have to be slid all the way forward to do it. Interior lighting is nice. I really like the dashboard design. The jury is still out on the dashboard-mounted shifter.

Suggested Improvements

In my opinion, the gas mileage is poor. While it is rated at 16 city and 23 highway, our mixed driving has never resulted in anything better than 16.5 mpg. We have yet to take an open highway trip, which, hopefully, will be a bit better.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Best of mini vans as good as Chevy subs

Written by: quapaw on 06/21/2009

Vehicle

2009 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 4dr Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Replacing a 92 Caravan. Only a few hundred miles and cannot truly say about reliability. My two previous Dodge minivans were excellent. This one is as close to the Chevy Surburbans that I owned in the70s and 80s with much better mpg. Stow and go is very handy. Wife says the seats are a bit hard bit I disagree. The interior lighting is not what I would want, too dim. Handling is excellent. Fit and finish is excellent. My dealership is one of the best. I bought it off the lot and if I had speced it out I would have left off some of the features and maybe added a few. Price was better than the imports and quality better too. Not sure I like the keyless switch but time will tell.

Favorite Features

Stow & go seats

Suggested Improvements

Better interior lighting. Operator's manual is too wordy.

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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For the $ nothing better

Written by: Justin on 06/15/2009

Vehicle

2009 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 4dr Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I would go out and get one right now. Dealerships are clearing out inventory and looking to get out of these vehicles. I bought a sticker price 32,895 for 21,500. It has almost all of the gadgets and has been a joy to drive. I have owned vans from 2 other car companies and I am trying to figure out why I waited to look at Dodge as a viable option. If you are in the market for a van go check them out, you won't be sorry

Favorite Features

Stow and Go, MyGiG, Dual DVD, Rear Backup camera, Sirius, and a very smooth drive.

Suggested Improvements

I would like better gas mileage since I only ever drive city, lots of stop and go in my commute. But I can handle what I am getting since I wasn't getting much better with the other 2 vans.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Love it

Written by: Sweet on 06/07/2009

Vehicle

2009 Dodge Grand Caravan SE 4dr Minivan (3.3L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I've had my far share of Chrysler disasters and by far this is the best van i've ever owned! I just traded in a 1998 grand caravan sport with 325 000 miles on it when it officaly blew! I've also had a 93 with 220 000 miles on it and the transmission blew. I bough a base van and i'm worried about the transimission like the last ones.

Favorite Features

Everything of this base $20 000 van

Suggested Improvements

Nothing.Try to fix transy problems on older models

2 out 4 people found this review helpful

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