2010 Dodge Journey AWD Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe erratic electrical behavior — a horn that sounds on its own, windows and locks moving without command, and intermittent no-starts or sudden shutdowns while driving. The second recurring theme is front brake vibration and repeated rotor work, often reported at low mileage. Many electrical reports come in between roughly 40,000 and 120,000 miles, while brake complaints cluster much earlier.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Horn sounds on its own; windows and locks move by themselves

   • 36 complaints (37%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 5.2 yrs old (27 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2019

   Owners describe the horn honking without anyone pressing it, sometimes while parked and locked, sometimes while driving, and continuing on and off until a fuse is pulled. Alongside it, complaints mention windows rolling down, doors unlocking, alarm chirping and wipers running on their own, often in cold or wet weather. Several say dealers replaced batteries, key fobs or modules and updated software without lasting results, and some report the vehicle would not respond to a scan tool. Reported from roughly 40,000 to 120,000 miles, with several owners noting the behavior arrives in cold weather.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Before buying, sit in the car with it locked and listen for the horn or alarm triggering on its own, and test every window, lock and wiper function. Ask whether the body control module or fuse box has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The horn blows continuously out of no where. I have changed the battery on the vehicle after I had one completely dead. It wakes up neighbors in the middle of the night. My alternator is good and provides the correct amperage. It honks when started, sitting still and off and all the time. This has been going on for 6 months now.”

   NHTSA complaint #11229311, filed 2019-07, 95,000 miles

   “My problems first started with my horn and alarm randomly going off. Then I go out to my car after work and the doors are unlocked, and the front windows are rolled down. I don't carry the remote/fob on me, so that's not the cause. I have had at least 2 separate times now where the car has remote started itself, while the keys were on the counter at my house. The first time my car was in the garage, with the door closed, when I heard it running. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10781858, filed 2015-10, 96,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Intermittent no-start, click-only crank or sudden stall

   • 37 complaints (38%)
   • median 71,000 mi at 5.7 yrs old (31 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2020

   Owners describe turning the key and hearing a single click with the dash lit but the engine not cranking, sometimes resolving after waiting, wiggling the shifter or trying another key. Others report the engine quitting without warning while driving at city or highway speed, with the loss of power steering and brake assist that follows. Complaints mention batteries, starters and modules replaced without solving it, and dealers unable to reproduce the fault. Spread widely, from under 20,000 to over 150,000 miles, and described as random rather than tied to a specific condition.

   Recall 11V1390002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch recall work (campaign 11V139000) was completed on this vehicle, and confirm it starts reliably from cold on more than one attempt.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have been having problems with my car not starting for several months. I would have to take the fob key out, turn it around, and insert it again. After doing this it would finally start. On june 17, 2013, I stopped at an auto parts store to get something and then couldn't leave. When I put the key in, the indicator on the dashboard read bad key. A couple days later I had the car towed to a dealership to get a new key programmed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10524306, filed 2013-07, 77,000 miles

   “My auto is not part of the recall involving the ignition/fob. But I've had issues when my auto shuts off for no reason, if my car is turned off and my key is left in the ignition..I closed the doors and 5-10 sec.later all my doors locked. Thankfully my windows were crowded, I was in my garage because it was summer and my dog was in the auto. Sometimes my fob works .sometimes doesn't. Have replaced battery and fob but still have ignition issues at times.”

   NHTSA complaint #11176125, filed 2019-02, 94,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Front brake vibration and repeated rotor replacement

   • 12 complaints (12%)
   • median 21,899 mi at 2.4 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 2011–2019

   Owners report the steering wheel and pedal shaking when braking, often beginning at highway speeds and sometimes described as violent. Complaints say dealers machined or replaced rotors and pads, in some cases repeatedly within a few years, and that the shaking returned. Several owners state the repairs were not covered as warranty items and that replacement pads still had life left when rotors were condemned. Often reported very early — from a few thousand miles up to around 70,000, with several cases under 20,000 miles.

   What to check: Test-brake from about 50 mph on a clear road and feel for shudder; inspect rotor surfaces for scoring or heat pitting and ask for service records showing how often brakes were done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Purchased Dodge journey in december of 2011. Have only driven 11,300 miles. Bought 4 new tires two months ago. Have been keeping up with all regular maintenance to the vehicle. Wheel shakes tremendously when applying the brakes. Also, car drags when releasing the throttle. A car cut me off and I had to brake fast. Brakes didn't feel like they were working properly.”

   NHTSA complaint #10476704, filed 2012-09, 54,000 miles

   “I bought this vehicle brand new since I put at least 3-4 sets of brakes on this car and 2 sets of rotors a year since owning it. I have 56000 miles on my car I know that brakes and rotors are not covered under warranty it's regular maintenance on a vehicle. But this is over kill. My car is currently in the shop I believe that my anti lock brake pump assembly is out. I've replace the master cylinder and 2 brake lines I still have no pedal to speak of. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11208794, filed 2019-05, 56,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine misfire and shudder at mid speeds

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the vehicle shaking badly at moderate speeds and a cylinder repeatedly misfiring, with repeat dealer visits for the same fault. Related reports mention rough running, the engine revving on its own after a restart, and stalling after hitting a bump. Some complaints tie rough running to reduced fuel economy and a dragging feeling when coasting. Reported across a broad range, from around 10,000 miles to over 100,000.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: On a test drive, hold a steady 55-65 mph and feel for vibration or hesitation, and ask whether ignition coils or spark plugs have been replaced and whether any misfire codes are stored.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “First had a problem with car shutting down and would not start so I bought a battery,because it kept draining then starter made noise had to replace it , then my car started over heating so I was told it was the reservoir so I bought one , now my transmission slips in reverse. I'm still having problems with shut downs no starting, everything is acting up all over again.”

   NHTSA complaint #10678531, filed 2015-01, 65,000 miles

   “This car is six years old and I have now had to replace brake pads and rotors three times. Each time the technician indicates that there is minimal brake pad left and the rotors are rusted, pitted and overheated. They recommend in each case that the the repair is a safety concern. What I have read online from other journey owners is that the brakes are woefully inadequate for the vehicle size and weight. It is time that chrysler repair this once and for all.”

   NHTSA complaint #11014552, filed 2017-08, 72,000 miles
5. 5
   Steering

   Power steering hose failure in cold weather

   • 5 complaints (5%)
   • median 109,177 mi at 8.8 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2017–2018

   Complaints describe the power steering assist disappearing suddenly, sometimes right after a cold start, with fluid found leaking near the right front wheel area. Owners report the return hose or line came off or ruptured and that replacing it restored assist, with a few saying the hose was replaced more than once. One owner noted the factory spring clamp could be squeezed by hand and substituted a screw-type clamp. Mostly reported above 90,000 miles, and in several cases specifically after exposure to cold temperatures.

   What to check: Check power steering fluid level and look for wetness or residue on the hoses and cooler behind the right front wheel; on a cold morning, start the car and confirm assist is present immediately.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Everytime it gets cold outside my power steering line which I believe is the return hose keeps blowing off and lose the power steering. My wife and kids where driving and almost got into a bad accident due to it. It been happening for past 3 days.”

   NHTSA complaint #11157039, filed 2018-12, 114,355 miles

   “Was leaving work and lost steering. Upon checking realized there was no power steering fluid in car. I added power steering fluid and started car it immediately started running out of the car just inside and behind the right front tire. Upon further inspection I discovered the rubber line had simply slid off of the hard line. It slid right back on. The factory spring clamp can be compressed with my fingers. I took it off and replaced with a worm gear clamp to insure that it stays on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11163825, filed 2018-12, 55,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection that includes a scan for stored codes, a brake test at highway speed and a cold-start check covers most of what owners report here. Ask for records on brake work, the ignition switch recall and any electrical module replacements before deciding.

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.