2009 Chrysler Town and Country

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.

Chrysler Town and Country
Pictured: 2010 Chrysler Town & Country Touring Plus, front left, 09-30-2023. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Minivan - 2WD
Engines
4.0L 6-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, FFV
MPG (best)
20 combined · 17 city / 25 hwy
Length
–
Curb weight
–
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Many owner complaints494 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 68 for similar models — most often about the electrical system.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 8 similar 2009 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2009 Chrysler Town and Country is a minivan offered with 3 engines (4.0L 6-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl and 3.8L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (17 city / 25 highway), 3% better than the 2009 minivan average of 19.4 MPG, for an estimated $3,350 a year in fuel.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 494 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2009

  • Engine added: 4.0L 6-cyl

Compared with 2006; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2006 Town and Country →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Town and Country4.0L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20+3%$3,350444
Town and Country FFV3.3L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 19-2%$3,550468
Town and Country3.8L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 18-7%$3,700494
Spend $4,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
19.4 MPG2009 Minivan - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Chrysler Town and Country under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2009 minivans

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2009 Chrysler Town and Country (this car)20 MPGNot rated4
2009 Toyota Sienna19 MPGNot rated8
2009 Kia Sedona18 MPGNot rated5
2009 Honda Odyssey20 MPGNot rated2
2009 Nissan Quest19 MPGNot rated2
2009 Volkswagen Routan20 MPGNot rated5
2009 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan20 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (4)

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Jul 7, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V396000 · 925,239 vehicles

Problem
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the driver air bag module may become projectiles in the event of a driver air bag deployment.
Risk
Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W09.
Air Bags › Frontal · Jan 29, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V047000 · 110,482 vehicles

Problem
FCA US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured December 31, 2007, to August 31, 2008, 2008-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured June 18, 2007, to August 31, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.
Risk
If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. Additionally, the air bags may inadvertently deploy, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S07.
Air Bags · Jun 26, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V373000 · 722,705 vehicles

Problem
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured June 29, 2007, to June 17, 2010, and 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured January 26, 2007, to June 17, 2010. Road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk
If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R03. Note: This is an expansion of recall 11V-139.
Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-Powered Axle Assembly · Feb 11, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V055000 · 130 vehicles

Problem
Freedom Motors Inc., (Freedom Motors) of Savaria Vehicle Group (formerly The Liberty Motor Company) is recalling one model year 2009 Volkswagen Routan and certain model year 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country wheelchair accessible vehicles modified by The Liberty Motor Company from February 2008 through January 2011. Over time and with use, the vehicle's rear axle may develop cracks which could lead to axle failure.
Risk
Failure of the rear axle may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Freedom Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected axles, free of charge. The recall began on April 1, 2014. Owners can contact Freedom Motors at 1-800-561-9600. Freedom Motors' number for this recall is ENGF0216-3.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2009 Chrysler Town and Country is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

494Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
4Involved a crash
6Involved a fire
4Injuries reported
92,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System368
Air Bags180
Engine54
Unknown Or Other28
Steering18
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)18
Service Brakes17
Power Train15
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
19/09: 319/10: 219/11: 119/12: 120/07: 120/08: 120/09: 220/11: 121/03: 221/04: 121/07: 121/10: 221/12: 122/01: 322/03: 122/08: 122/10: 122/12: 123/09: 124/08: 124/10: 124/11: 125/07: 226/07: 119/0919/1220/0921/0421/1222/0823/0924/11max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2009 Chrysler Town and Country buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 368 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Air Bags — 180 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  4. Engine — 54 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 92,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 Chrysler Town and Country. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Town and Country years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2016 Town and Country20–★★★★★5527
2015 Town and Country20–★★★★★4382
2014 Town and Country20–★★★★★4610
2013 Town and Country20–Not rated4609
2012 Town and Country20–Not rated5553
2011 Town and Country20–Not rated3597
2010 Town and Country20–Not rated51,180
2006 Town and Country19–Not rated1102

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chrysler. How we calculate this →