Problems · by component

2009 Dodge Journey air bags problems

286 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2009 Dodge Journey cite air bags, 18% of all 1,594 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
286
18% of all complaints
Crashes
24
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
25
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to start-up. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V373000 (Electrical System, Air Bags). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 6, 2023Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11510324
“The rear end is going out fuel system is causing a misfire number six and the airbag light is on we have had more problems with it with the power steering starting it when it's cold and it rupturing the hose plus the wiring and the door front door there's wires broke supposedly fixed in 2011 but are broke again every recall if you type in 09 Dodge journey is what's going wrong with mine right now but there's supposedly no recall on it”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 21, 2022Power train, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11461710
“I have power door locks not working except manually or driver door by key. Key fob and door module for locks will not function. I cannot open the hatch due to power lock function. The Airbag light comes on when vehicle is started and the door is open and only disappears after the door is closed, engine shut off then restarted. Also the engine light came on for awhile then off and is now back on. This is what code scan report says. Engine and Transmission are P0420 Catalyst Efficiency (Bank1), OBDll Codes ($03) is Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1. The Airbag is U0172 Lost Commuication w/Left Side Satellite Accelerator Sensor 1- Stored. The Door Module- Front Right (DMFR) is B16A5 Passenger Window Switch Backlighting Circuit High-Stored. Not sure exactly what these all mean but I think the Power Locks are a safety issue along with the Airbags. The power locks don't lock after driving it like they used to after driving so many feet.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 7, 2022Electrical system, Air bags, EngineODI 11446588
“The gear will not shift unless I press the release button. After I took it for a recall in Route 18 Dodge dealer East Brunswick NJ, it came back without been able to shift. I asked the mechanic why my car is no moving, they said you have to press the release button and shift gears at the same. I told them I didn’t bring my car in like this. After I spoke to “Mike” the manager, he said it was a matter of time. I’m scare for my life when driving because now is making all these sounds on the transmission.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 3, 2021Electrical system, Air bags, EngineODI 11442593
“REPORTING COMMON PROBLEMS OF 2009 DODGE JOURNEY 2.0CRD 103KW 1.A CAR STARTED SHUTTING OFF WHENEVER IT DRIVES, RUNNING IN PARKING LOT, STOPPED AT RED LIGHT. 2.BATTERY FAILS SUDDENLY, WITHOUT ANY WARNING, JUMPING CABLES CAN'T HELP, BECAUSE A CAR JUST MAKING A CRANKING NOISE UNDER A HOOD. 3. WHEEL AIRBAG IS HAVING SHORT CIRCUITS, SO DUE TO IT SOMETIMES LIGHTS A WARNING IN DASHBOARD. 4. STEERING WHEEL RELAY SHOWS MISUNDERSTOOD DEGREES OF WHEEL ANGLE, SO IT COMES TO ESP BAS ERROR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 13, 2021Electrical system, Air bags, EngineODI 11402721

Showing 6 of 286 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 29, 2016NHTSA 16V047000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

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