Problems · NHTSA complaints

2010 Dodge Journey problems

Owners filed 1,085 complaints about the 2010 Dodge Journey with NHTSA between Mar 2010 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (653).

Complaints
1,085
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
18
Reported by owners
Fires
17
Reported by owners
Injuries
19
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system653
  2. Engine178
  3. Service brakes116
  4. Air bags95
  5. Steering83
  6. Power train53
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)49
  8. Exterior lighting42
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic40
  10. Vehicle speed control29
  11. Engine and engine cooling26
  12. Seats24
  13. Suspension16
  14. Visibility/wiper16

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 8, 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
201019
201167
201257
201354
2014118
2015206
2016111
201783
2018113
2019119
202063
202128
20229
202314
202411
20256
20267

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

653 reports4 crashes8 fires1 related recall
“On two separate occasions my doors have locked on there own while I was inside the car and I was not able to open the doors or manually unlock the door. My front lock levers are long enough that you can get a decent grip to pull them up and in normal cases they unlock pretty easy. But when they lock on your own I don't think you get pul) them up with a pair of vice grips. Both levers on the back doors drop almost all the way into the door panel. Most people probably can't open them even without them being glitched.. The only way I was able to unlock them was by the key fob. The unlock switches are useless as well. The changes of it happening are slim but if it happened during a flood or fire and I didn't know to use the key fob. There was no threat to me either time it happened and I still somewhat panicked. Lucky or I guess unlucky for me I knew it was probably a electrical problem since I also have some electric problems that happen as long as the main battery is connected. Key fob and key could be in another universe and my wipers will move, my horn will randomly go off. I've not had a horn since my mother bought me the vehicle. There is more and these seem…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 18, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Unknown or otherODI 11757835

Engine

178 reports3 crashes3 fires
“Car since bought either won't start or fails to come out of gear then stalls out in reverse or randomly in intersections I have small children and it's dangerous and several mechanic cant figure it out. Replaced batteries starters and issue continues”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 18, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11744916

Service brakes

116 reports1 crash1 fire
“The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Journey. The contact sated while driving 15 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact made a left turn and the brakes seized. The contact stated that the ECS, engine check, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics where it was determined that the brake hose was leaking, and an unknown hose had detached. The vehicle was repaired for the most recent failure. The remained at the residence and had not been driven since. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 10, 2025Service brakesODI 11635339

Air bags

95 reports8 crashes1 fire
“This situation is occurring more and more often with this vehicle. The vehicle will be in drive, moving, and in the middle of a road or highway just shutdown completely. It happened 4 times 2 weeks ago. Brought to a auto mechanic and nothing could be discovered to be malfunctioning.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 20, 2026Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11732518

Steering

83 reports1 crash1 fire2 related recalls
“My horn started to honk on its own the front windshield wipers will not stop and the turn signals does not work anymore I was told the clock spring needs replaced there is a recall on google but now showing with my vehicle”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 26, 2026Steering, Electrical systemODI 11727297

Power train

53 reports2 fires
“The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the throttle warning light would flash on the instrument panel as the vehicle would either stall or go into limp mode. The contact also stated that the vehicle would fail to start up after multiple attempts without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the ECU, suspension, and several various electrical components were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 8, 2021Power train, Electrical systemODI 11439714
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026

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