ChryslerTown and Country20093.8L/chrysler/town-and-country/2009/3-8l/
RT platform

2009 Chrysler Town and Country — 3.8L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Town and Country 3.8L.

Body VANEngine 3.8LTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2009 Chrysler Town and Country is a full‑size van built on the RT platform and powered by a 3.8‑liter engine that runs on 5 quarts of oil with a filter, using 5W‑20 or 5W‑30 oil meeting API specifications. It pairs the powertrain with a six‑speed automatic transmission and delivers EPA‑rated fuel economy of 16 mpg in the city, 23 mpg on the highway, and 18 mpg combined. In terms of reliability, the 2009 model tallies 706 owner complaints—primarily electrical system issues—and has been the subject of six recalls, placing it toward the upper end of the model’s 1990‑2018 complaint range, where the peak was 773 complaints in 2011 and the lowest was 14 in 1990. This positioning suggests that, while not the most problematic year, the 2009 Town and Country still reflects the broader reliability concerns that have historically affected the line.

Model year20102009200820072006200520042000

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/23/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04105409AE. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-65R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04105409AE
Engine air filter04891713AB
Spark plugSP303917AC alt SZFR5LP13G
BatteryBE031850AA alt BB34F101AA
Front wiper blades68028442AA alt 68125735AA
Thermostat68273161AA alt 04892307AA
Cabin air filter68606188AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length202.4 in
Overall width76.8 in
Overall height68.9 in
Wheelbase121.3 in
Curb weight4621 lb
Track (front / rear)65 / 64.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 23 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-20 · API · 5W-30 · MS-6395
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · MS-6395
Engine Oil Capacity5.5 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts40 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts65 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts30 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub118 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.53-.65 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance10,900-14,700 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.050 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12
Engine Oil Pressure30-80 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle125 ft-lbs / 74 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.097 in / 0.463 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.107 in / 0.482 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.04 in / 0.409 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 21 ft. lbs., Step 3: 905 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
1Bolts 1 - 8 to 61 N##m (45 ft. lbs.)45 ft. lbs
2Bolts 1 - 8 to 88 N##m (65 ft. lbs.)65 ft. lbs
3Bolts 1 - 8 (again) to 88 N##m (65 ft. lbs.)65 ft. lbs
4Bolts 1 - 8 turn an additional 1/4 Turn. (Do not use a torque wrench for this step.)
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
145.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 65.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 65.0 ft. lbs. Step 4: 90 degreesCAUTION:Do not use a torque wrench for the Fourth step. Bolts should be checked for stretching using a straight edge. Ay bolts that show stretching should be replaced.45 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs at 102,000 mi; coolant at 102,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 102,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 12,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 12,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 24,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 90,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
At 102,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
At 120,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2009 model year falls between the 2001 and 2011 data points, a span during which federal complaints climbed from 473 to 773, indicating 2009 sits on the ascending portion of the reliability curve preceding the 2011-2014 peak. That year generated 208 electrical system complaints and an additional 156 combined electrical-air bag complaints, alongside 12 fire and 11 crash complaints, though the data does not specify root causes. With electrical and air bag issues dominating the complaint profile and the model year predating the generation's worst reliability years, 2009 represents a transitional vehicle with documented electrical vulnerability but likely fewer overall issues than 2011-2014 models. This is a purchase candidate only with verified electrical and air bag system integrity; otherwise, the declining complaint volumes seen in 2015 suggest later years offer greater reliability.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
83
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
706
Owner complaints
11 involved a crash · 12 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 706 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System208
Electrical System,Air Bags156
Engine36
Service Brakes25
Unknown Or Other20
Service Brakes, Hydraulic19
Wheels18
Air Bags18

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 83 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1084632025-11-18Service BrakesPAD KIT - REAR DISC BRAKE, FRONT DISC BRAKE
1084642025-11-17Service BrakesPAD KIT - REAR DISC BRAKE, FRONT DISC BRAKE
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
Y22 Combo Rev12021-11-23Air BagsCustomer Satisfaction Notification Y22 Driver Airbag Emblem

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
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Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 Town and Country 3.8L take?

5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 API OR 5W-30 API MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-6395, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 Town and Country have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.8L get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.