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2009 Dodge JOURNEY: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

1,433 owner complaints analyzed

8 distinct recall campaigns

63,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 993 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 743 of 1,433 complaints (51.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Electrical and battery issues57340.0%
Braking behavior35624.8%
Engine operation15811.0%
Steering behavior1067.4%
Transmission and shifting674.7%
Fuel system concerns100.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System
743
Air Bags
265
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
187
Engine
149
Service Brakes
106
Power Train
87
Unknown Or Other
84
Steering
71
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System743
Air Bags265
Service Brakes, Hydraulic187
Engine149
Service Brakes106
Power Train87
Unknown Or Other84
Steering71

Electrical System: 743; Air Bags: 265; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 187; Engine: 149; Service Brakes: 106; Power Train: 87; Unknown Or Other: 84; Steering: 71

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
220
25,000 to 49,999
172
50,000 to 74,999
176
75,000 to 99,999
172
100,000 to 149,999
182
150,000 and above
71
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,000220
25,000 to 49,999172
50,000 to 74,999176
75,000 to 99,999172
100,000 to 149,999182
150,000 and above71

Under 25,000: 220; 25,000 to 49,999: 172; 50,000 to 74,999: 176; 75,000 to 99,999: 172; 100,000 to 149,999: 182; 150,000 and above: 71

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (220). 440 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2008
7
2009
18
2010
143
2011
126
2012
94
2013
73
2014
160
2015
390
2016
156
2017
64
2018
76
2019
56
2020
28
2021
14
2022
10
2023
7
2024
3
2025
5
2026
3
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20087
200918
2010143
2011126
201294
201373
2014160
2015390
2016156
201764
201876
201956
202028
202114
202210
20237
20243
20255
20263

2008: 7; 2009: 18; 2010: 143; 2011: 126; 2012: 94; 2013: 73; 2014: 160; 2015: 390; 2016: 156; 2017: 64; 2018: 76; 2019: 56; 2020: 28; 2021: 14; 2022: 10; 2023: 7; 2024: 3; 2025: 5; 2026: 3

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 573 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 356 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 158 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10228553 · 2008-05-21 (May 21, 2008)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE JOURNEY. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE GEAR SHIFTER WILL AUTOMATICALLY MOVE OUT OF POSITION WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHEN THE CONTACT SLIGHTLY TAPPED THE GEAR SHIFTER, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR OR NEUTRAL WHILE IN MOTION. THE CONTACT CONSIDERS THIS TO BE A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 300. UPDATED 06/09/08 *BF

Owner-reported narrative. 40 miles reported. Look up ODI 10228553 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10231205 · 2008-06-16 (June 16, 2008)

2009 JOURNEY SXT WITH 860 MILES WAS DRIVING INTO PARKING LOT WHEN VEHICLE LOST POWER, VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. TAKEN TO DEALER AND PCM WAS REPLACED. ALSO COMPLAINED OF GRINDING/WHINING NOISE WHILE DRIVING, RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES BEFORE REPAIRS WERE ATTEMPTED. POWER STEERING PUMP AND RACK AND PINION REPLACED. STILL HAVE WHINING NOISE INTERMITTENTLY WHILE TURNING LEFT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 860 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231205 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10234262 · 2008-07-14 (July 14, 2008)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE JOURNEY. THE VEHICLE HAS KUMHO 20550R15 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 70-75 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A SLIGHT VIBRATION, WHICH THEN BEGAN TO WORSEN. WHEN HE STOPPED FOR GAS, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS BULGE FROM THE INSIDE OUT. HE PAID TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES BECAUSE HIS WIFE FEARED THAT THE OTHER THREE WOULD EXPERIENCE THE SAME FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,900 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,439. UPDATED 09/16/08 *BF UPDATED 09/22/08.

Owner-reported narrative. 3,439 miles reported. Look up ODI 10234262 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10237302 · 2008-08-06 (August 6, 2008)

WHILE DRIVING THE DODGE JOUNEY, UP A HILL, IT JUST STOP. WE WERE NOT OUT OF GAS. HAD TO E TOWED TO LEVEL GROUND. THE RIDE IS VERY ROCKY, AND SHE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE ALL AROUND THE CAR. THE EXHAUST SEEMS OUT OF CONTROL. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10237302 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10241061 · 2008-09-05 (September 5, 2008)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE JOURNEY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND VIBRATED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION TO THE MALFUNCTIONS. ALSO, THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED CORRECTLY FOR THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,235. UPDATE…

Owner-reported narrative. 60 miles reported. Look up ODI 10241061 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10247399 · 2008-10-31 (October 31, 2008)

ON THE DODGE JOURNEY,THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTER HAS BEEN KNOCKED OUT OF DRIVE INTO REVERSE AT LEAST 5 TIMES AND ALL THE WAY INTO PARK AT LEAST ONE TIME. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THIS OCCURRED BY BEING BUMPED BY A DOG MOVING AROUND FROM THE REAR SEAT INTO THE FRONT SEAT. THE JOURNEY WAS NOT ONE OF THE SELECTIONS ON WHICH SORT OF VEHICLE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10247399 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10249490 · 2008-11-21 (November 21, 2008)

2009 DODGE JOURNEY R/T EXTREME MOANING,GRINDING NOISE FROM RIGHT FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY STRUT BEARING IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND STRUT SPRING ROTATED PUNCTURING SAME AND BECAME JAMMED INSIDE HOUSING NEW STRUT BEARING WAS INSTALLED BUT IT IS STILL MADE OF PLASTIC THE LEFT SIDE SPRING IS STARTING TO SHIFT ALSO & WILL BE REPLACED OLD PART IS AVAILABLE AND I ALSO HAVE PHOTOS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10249490 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10260817 · 2009-03-05 (March 5, 2009)

I HAVE A BRAND NEW 2009 DODGE JOURNEY. THE STEERING MAKES NOISE, INTERIOR LIGHTS DON'T WORK, HAZARD LIGHTS DON'T WORK, LOCKS MALFUNCTION, ALARM MALFUNCTIONS AND WON'T TURN OFF...I BROUGHT IT IN TO HAVE THE STEERING ISSUE LOOKED AT AND WAS TOLD THEY NEED TO KEEP IT FOR AT LEAST A DAY TO FIX IT. THEY REFUSE, HOWEVER TO GIVE ME A RENTAL UNTIL THEY FIND A DIAGNOSIS, WHICH THEY NOW TELL ME WILL TAKE AT LEAST 2 DAYS. SO, I'M DRIVING AROUND WITH A CAR THAT HAS ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER BREAKING ON IT BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO GO 2 DAYS WITHOUT A CAR. I …

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10260817 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

8 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

08V247000 · Electrical System:Wiring

Reported: 2008-06-03 (June 3, 2008)

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 6,692 MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.5L ENGINE. THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS MAY CONTACT THE LEFT TRANSAXLE MOUNT.

Consequence: DAMAGE TO THE WIRING HARNESS COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS FOR DAMAGE. IF THE HARNESS IS DAMAGED, THE WIRING WILL BE REPAIRED AND A TIE WRAP INSTALLED TO SECURE THE HARNESS AWAY FROM THE LEFT TRANSAXLE MOUNT. IF NO DAMAGE IS FOUND, A TIE WRAP WILL BE INSTALLED TO SECURE THE HARNESS AWAY FROM THE LEFT TRANSAXLE MOUNT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 7, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
08V528000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)

Reported: 2008-10-09 (October 9, 2008)

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 712 MY 2009 SEBRING, DODGE CALIBER, AVENGER, JOURNEY, JEEP PATRIOT, AND COMPASS VEHICLES. A NEW ADHESIVE USED IN THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) MANUFACTURING PROCESS CAN CAUSE THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD TO BREAK.

Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PCM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
09V082000 · Electrical System

Reported: 2009-03-12 (March 12, 2009)

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 16,852 MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITHOUT OPTIONAL 115 VOLT AUXILIARY POWER OUTLET. AN UNUSED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE OPTIONAL 115 VOLT AUXILIARY POWER OUTLET OPTION MAY BECOME CORRODED AND COULD SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence: IF THE FUSE FOR THIS CIRCUIT DOES NOT BLOW, THE CONNECTOR COULD OVERHEAT AND POTENTIALLY CATCH FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE AND STOW THE 115 VOLT AUXILIARY POWER OUTLET CONNECTOR AND PULL THE 25 AMP FUSE TO REMOVE POWER FROM THIS UNUSED CIRCUIT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
09V118000 · Air Bags:Frontal | Air Bags | Electrical System:Wiring

Reported: 2009-04-09 (April 9, 2009)

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 4,314 MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, COMMANDER AND WRANGLER VEHICLES. WIRING MAY BE REVERSED ON THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE DRIVER AIRBAG SQUIB CONNECTOR. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT PROPERLY INFLATE AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG SQUIB WIRES AND REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
10V658000 · Electrical System:Wiring

Reported: 2010-12-24 (December 24, 2010)

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 DODGE JOURNEY VEHICLES MANUFACTURER FROM NOVEMBER 1, 2007, THROUGH NOVEMBER 7, 2008. THE WIRES WITHIN THE FRONT DOOR WIRE HARNESSES MAY FATIGUE AND BREAK, WHICH CAN INTERRUPT THE CIRCUITS FOR THE SIDE IMPACT SENSOR(S), RESULTING IN AN AIRBAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATION AND LOSS OF SIDE CRASH SENSING CAPABILITY.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SIDE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, REDUCING THE PROTECTION INTENDED FOR THE OCCUPANT AND INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.

Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT DOOR WIRING HARNESSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
14V373000 · Air Bags | Electrical System:Ignition:Switch

Reported: 2014-06-26 (June 26, 2014)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V047000 · Air Bags:Frontal

Reported: 2016-01-29 (January 29, 2016)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V273000 · Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections

Reported: 2016-05-06 (May 6, 2016)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 31, 2007, to November 12, 2016. After exposure to cold temperatures, the power steering return hose may rupture at engine start-up causing a loss of power steering assist.

Consequence: A loss of power steering assist may require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return hoses, steel tubes, and power steering oil cooler, free of charge. The recall began on May 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S08.

NHTSA campaign record ↗