2009 Dodge Grand Caravan: loss of power steering

Filed Sep 28, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · NC

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.

Filed Dec 21, 2024 · Electrical · TN

While driving on major (multi-lane) city street (40 mph) the vehicle began to slow, steering became difficult and a single amber caution for the traction control was illuminated. Tachometer indicated 0 RPM. After pulling over, the vehicle was restarted and driven without further issue. Recall on the ignition switch was addressed in 2009. Unexpected engine shutdown could have significantly reduced safety margins in heavy traffic. No third party inspected vehicle after incident. Owner notes that key fob does not have anything hanging of it that could aggravate unwanted movement of ignition switch

Filed Mar 28, 2017 · Brakes, Engine · 79,000 miles · MI

On multiple occasions while driving without warning van stops no power steering, no brakes engine stops all power is lost. The only code that appears is traction control.

Filed Mar 3, 2015 · Fuel system · 86,000 miles · MD

While driving at speed of 40 on straight road engine suddenly stalls out causing steering to fail creating need for sudden stop before total loss of control. Happens with warning. This is the 3rd time in 3 months this has happened. Called dodge dealer and chrysler corporate and they say there is a recall that is similar for the ignition switch, but no part available and no estimate when. They advise using fob without keys attached. This last occurrence occurred with no keys attached, only the fob in the ignition, so their work around does not work. Note the only way we even know it has stalled it the sudden loss of steering, until we can get it stopped and realize the engine is not running. There is no other warning its about to happen. Time between the three occurrences were early dec 2014 for first occurrence, 1 week later for second occurrence, 2.5 months later for 3rd occurrence. A fix is needed immediately for this and it seems this "recall without a fix" is just sitting there indefinitely.

Filed Jul 21, 2014 · Brakes, Engine · 80,000 miles · KS

Driving 45 MPH and vehicle shut off losing power steering and brakes. No check engine light. Pulled over and restarted. Happened again twice 2 days later. Thought it was bad gas. Filled up and added heat. Seemed to be ok for about 10 days, but still was running harsh. Engine shut off again 5/20 and then again on 5/21. Did see briefly a check engine light on one of the occurrences otherwise no clues. Had already filled up twice so ruled out gas. Took it to mechanic and the only code he could pull up was the egr valve and maybe the spark plugs, but couldn't guarantee that was the cause. Replaced plugs and valve and so far the engine has not shut off and that includes one 1000 mile rt, and two 200 mile rts since then, but I'm still not totally convinced. However after reading about all the complaints about engines shutting off, I thought I better log this for the safety of others and the expense I paid to replace the egr and spark plugs.

Filed Jun 27, 2014 · Brakes, Engine · 72,000 miles · TX

2009 dodge grand caravan - dallas, tx while pulling out of a parking lot into the middle median to merge with traffic the vehicle lost all power. The engine died in the middle of the freeway and the steering and brakes failed to work. The vehicle has had this incident occur 3 times in 2014 each time resulting in the same outcome, engine dies, steering is lost due to no power steering and brakes fail. In each incident I was traveling at the speed limit and resulted in severe loss of control of the vehicle resulting in muscling the vehicle to the side of the road as it coast while quickly throwing the gears in neutral all at highway speeds. These incidents are not isolated to the more than 260 complaints over the last 11 years about general motors vehicles that suddenly turned off while being driven. This is clearly the same issue and will result in more deaths or sever injury if our regulators do not take action. Taking the vehicle to the dealer after each incident only resulted in the dealer finding no trouble codes and being unable to duplicate the problem releasing the vehicle back into my care to drive in its impaired condition. Chrysler was contacted on the 3rd loss of power incident and case# [xxx] was opened. This is clearly related to the gm ignition switch recalls evidenced by more than 100+ complaints here: http://www.carcomplaints.com/dodge/grand_caravan/2010/engine/engine_shut_down_while_driving.shtml http://www.carcomplaints.com/dodge/caravan/2006/engine/intermittent_loss_of_power_while_driving.shtml http://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2014/chrysler-investigation-ignition-switch.shtml http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2008/dodge/grand_caravan/power_train/problem.aspx information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).