Problems · NHTSA complaints

2009 Dodge Journey problems

Owners filed 1,594 complaints about the 2009 Dodge Journey with NHTSA between May 2008 and Apr 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (814).

Complaints
1,594
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
42
Reported by owners
Fires
37
Reported by owners
Injuries
35
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system814
  2. Air bags286
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic228
  4. Engine166
  5. Power train132
  6. Service brakes125
  7. Steering79
  8. Tires73
  9. Wheels40
  10. Vehicle speed control36
  11. Electronic stability control (esc)30
  12. Engine and engine cooling30
  13. Structure23
  14. Equipment22

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20087
200921
2010167
2011148
2012110
201389
2014176
2015413
2016173
201775
201883
201962
202028
202114
202210
20237
20243
20255
20263

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

814 reports12 crashes17 fires5 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 14, 2026Electrical systemODI 11731127

Air bags

286 reports24 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“On [XXX] around [XXX] I was driving 25mph in Alameda CA, and about two minutes into the ride, the airbag warning light came on. My fiance was in the passenger seat and our dog was in the back. About 15 minutes into the drive, my side airbags deployed without any collision or even bump in the road. I carefully and swiftly turned onto a side street and pulled over. My fiancé and I got out of the car, and as we took our dog out of the back seat, the primary airbags (steering wheel and passenger seat) deployed, and shattered the windshield. The dashboard was cracked as a result of the primary bags deploying. My fiancé's arm was bruised from the side airbag deploying (photo evidence taken). We called the police and they came to document the incident and confirmed that there was no collision (police report included). Vehicle was then towed home and is available for inspection. We've tried calling the dealership that the car was purchased, but it seems to be out of business. 1. Component that malfunctioned: Airbag and Indicator lights; available for inspection 2. Safety: This incident easily could've led us to crash teh vehicle and harm ourselves and others in the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 6, 2025Air bagsODI 11641187

Service brakes, hydraulic

228 reports4 crashes2 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE JOURNEY. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STABILITY CONTROL, ABS, AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V047000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/26/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE BRAKES BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO AN ABRUPT STOP. UPDATED 08/02/16.*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 25, 2016Service brakes, hydraulic, Air bagsODI 10870844

Engine

166 reports6 crashes12 fires
“I have issues starting it. New starter, new battery and it just dies. Luckily I was parked when it died. I have children, if it dies while driving I could be in a serious car crash with my children in the car. I do not want to die, I love my car but I do not want to be put in danger because of this type of issue. I also do not want to be stranded somewhere. PLEASE HELP.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 23, 2025Electrical system, EngineODI 11682538

Power train

132 reports6 crashes10 fires1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. Additionally, the transmission failed to properly shift into the intended gear, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and shut off the vehicle and the vehicle failed to operate normally. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the ECM/ECU needed to be rewired. The ECM/ECU wiring harness was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the PCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 165,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 13, 2023Power trainODI 11532123

Service brakes

125 reports4 crashes3 fires
“MY WIFE DRIVE THIS VEHICLE MOSTLY TO WORK AND I AM AFRAID FOR HER TO DRIVE ANYMORE I HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE CALIBRES THEY LOCK UP AND THEN I END UP REPLACING THE ROEDER AND THE BRAKE PADS THEY ARE ALSO THE POWER STEERING PUMP I HAD TO REPLACE AND THE HOSES FOR IT HAS BUSTED A FEW TIMES.I HAVE LUCKILY BEEN THE ONE DRIVING WHEN IT HAS DONE ANY OF THOSE THINGS. I'M AFRAID OF MY WIFE TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE. IT IS HER CAR.I OWN A DODGE DAKOTA AND LOVE IT,BUT THE JOURNEY IS A TERRIBLE MADE VEHICLE. I'M NOT EXPECTING ANYTHING FROM THIS JUST WANT DODGE TO KNOW, BUT I'M SURE THEY ALREADY DO.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 28, 2021Steering, Service brakesODI 11390437
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.