2009 Dodge Journey AWD Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2009 Dodge Journey AWD most often write about brakes that pulse, shudder and wear out early, and about electrical problems such as random no-starts, flickering dash lights and accessories that switch on by themselves. Transfer case failures and premature tire wear also come up, generally at higher mileage than the brake complaints.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Intermittent no-start and electrical faults

   • 100 complaints (62%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 5.6 yrs old (69 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2010–2019

   Complaints describe the vehicle failing to crank at random, sometimes only clicking, with lights, radio and dash still working; owners report shifting in and out of park or wiggling the shifter to get it going. Others mention dash lights dimming, the radio switching off or changing volume while driving, wipers running on their own, and door locks or windows acting up. Several say dealers replaced the battery, ignition components or wiper switches without resolving it, and some couldn't get a recall remedy because parts were unavailable. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 34,000 to over 130,000 miles, often starting after the first few years of ownership.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Try several cold and warm restarts during a test drive, check that all dash warning lights, windows, locks and wipers work, and ask whether any ignition or wireless ignition recall work was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car won't start at random intervals. Will not make any noise, just a click. Started roughly a year ago, after a few minutes it would start again. Now I wait more than a half hour. Never sure if it will start. This car is stranding me. It has a list of problems such as bad brakes that have been fixed multiple times and other electrical issues.”

   NHTSA complaint #10484897, filed 2012-11, 24,000 miles

   “Recall NHTSA 14v-373 dealer told me they do not have part to do the repair. I contacted Dodge/chrysler - answer, we do not have the part and do not know when the part becomes available. The Dodge / mopar website for the recall status of the car states incomplete but repair parts are available .”

   NHTSA complaint #10644973, filed 2014-10, 66,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake pulsation and worn rotors/pads at low mileage

   • 51 complaints (32%)
   • median 21,624 mi at 2.0 yrs old (47 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2019

   Owners describe a pulsing or shudder through the pedal and steering wheel when braking, sometimes reported within the first 10,000-20,000 miles. Complaints say rotors and pads were resurfaced or replaced, often more than once, and that the vibration returned within roughly 10,000-12,000 miles. Several say the dealer declined to cover the work under warranty, and some mention a shake that also wore the tires. Mostly reported below 30,000 miles, often after repeated city or stop-and-go driving.

   What to check: Drive the car and brake firmly from highway speed to feel for pedal or wheel shudder; ask for brake service records showing when rotors and pads were last replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Rotors, brake pads, and calipers. I have had my car in the shop 3 times within the last month to try to fix this problem. My tires/brakes vibrate and make a loud humming sound on the freeway at speeds above 50 MPH and when I apply the brakes. The problem started in october, I was told they couldn't find anything wrong with the vehicle. I took it back in january and have been back 3 times since then.”

   NHTSA complaint #10308981, filed 2010-02, 21,153 miles

   “I had to replace the brakes and rotors at 10,000 miles. No warning or grinding noises. I would not have known how bad they were if a friend had not pointed out the amount of brake dust on my wheels. Very disturbing, especially because I regularly drive my own children and others.”

   NHTSA complaint #10392998, filed 2011-03, 10,000 miles
3. 3
   Tires

   Premature tire wear and corrosion-related tire issues

   • 38 complaints (24%)
   • median 35,858 mi at 2.7 yrs old (33 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2010–2017

   Complaints describe tires wearing out unusually fast, sometimes needing replacement within a year, along with alignment that doesn't hold. Some owners report tire pressure sensor stems that corroded or broke off, and a few report blowouts or difficulty getting replacement tires in the original size. Several also mention that with AWD all four tires need matching replacement. Generally reported between about 14,000 and 60,000 miles, often noticed during routine service.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Inspect tire tread depth and evenness on all four wheels, check valve stems for corrosion, and ask whether an alignment or rear toe link service was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving and the low tire pressure indicator came on. I pulled over to a parking lot and proceeded to add air to the tire using an air pump. After filling the tire with air and attempting to dislodge the air pump hose. The end of the tire stem broke off inside of the tire pressure gauge causing the tire to deflate completely. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10551972, filed 2013-11, 88,000 miles

   “Have had ongoing issues with 2009 Dodge journey. Vehicle loses power while driving, this has happened approximately 10 times in the last year. The tires sold on the vehicle (225-55-r19) are not replaceable. I got a flat and was told to ride on the donut until they could locate a new tire, 12 days later still no tire, I demanded the dealer sell me a tire off of a car in the lot, they finally agreed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10408991, filed 2011-06, 16,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transfer case cracking or leaking

   • 15 complaints (9%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 5.8 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2010–2019

   Owners report a burning or exhaust-like smell, then a loud bang, smoke or fluid leaking underneath, and in some cases the vehicle loses drive or won't move. Complaints say the transfer case was found cracked or leaking and needed replacement, with some owners reporting more than one replacement. One complaint describes an engine-compartment fire traced to a cracked transfer case. Mostly reported between about 5,000 and 135,000 miles, with several clustered above 70,000 miles.

   What to check: Look for fluid seepage or a burnt smell around the transfer case area, and ask for records of any transfer case repair or fluid service.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car I bought 9/2015 has had 3 transfer cases at 3,000.00 each and now needs another, cracked and leaking. At this point it now needs the also need intermediate shaft that goes into the transfer case and is not available anywhere in the united states, according to Dodge. I have a loan on this vehicle and unable to drive since sept 20th, 2017. I wrote to the attorney general in masachusetts. Received a letter on oct 12, 2017 from them , telling me to contact your dept right away. I drive my vehicle on city streets. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11033473, filed 2017-10, 130,000 miles

   “Bought this vehicle used in september of 2009. Assumed that the unlimited powertrain warranty applied to this vehicle. Noticed a foul, pungent odor 2-3 days prior to following incident. On the day of the incident, I made a slow left hand turn when I heard a loud metallic sound from underneath the engine compartment. I exited the vehicle, looked underneath and found thick, dark fluid pouring from underneath the vehicle, as well as a small fire. Fire self extinguished. Was able to drive vehicle slowly home (approximately 1/2 mile) and park it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10486328, filed 2012-11, 67,400 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   Engine misfire and shaker at highway speed

   • 25 complaints (16%)
   • median 40,551 mi at 2.5 yrs old (23 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2018

   A few owners report pronounced shaking at around 50-60 mph that the dealer traced to a misfire on one cylinder, repaired by clearing carbon buildup, with the symptom returning afterward. Some describe ticking or stalling symptoms and smoke from under the hood, and one complaint mentions an engine-compartment fire. Reported from roughly 30,000 to 75,000 miles, typically at steady highway speeds.

   What to check: Test drive at steady 50-60 mph to feel for shaking or misfire, and ask whether ignition components or injectors have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving 2009 Dodge journey something smelled like it was burning by the time I could safely pull the vehicle over the front end and the engine had locked up there was smoke coming in through vents under the hood and out the exhaust. Called 911 for electrical harness and engine compartment fire. All appropriate people responded and put the fire out safely. The failure obviously occurred only once and still waiting on the insurance company to decide if the vehicle is totaled or not. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10348925, filed 2010-08, 74,000 miles

   “There was a exhaust smell in the cabin that was repeatedly checked by the dealer and couldn't find the source. Then on the highway while traveling out of town, I heard a loud bang. Pulled over and the car wouldn't start. Got it towed, and the mechanic said the transfer case needed to be replaced for $3000 with only 75,000 miles on it”

   NHTSA complaint #11063700, filed 2018-01, 75,000 miles

Buying note. Check brake condition and service history carefully, since brake work comes up repeatedly at low mileage, and verify that any open electrical recalls were completed. A pre-purchase inspection covering the transfer case, tire condition and cold-start behavior is worthwhile on this model year.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.