2009 Dodge Journey Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe no-start and intermittent electrical problems, often traced by shops to the ignition module, starter or the integrated power module, along with an unusually high number of power steering hose failures that owners relate to cold weather. Front brake and rotor wear appearing at low mileage is also a recurring theme, and many complaints reference recalls that owners say the vehicle was not covered by or that parts were unavailable for.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   No-start / intermittent crank failure

   • 450 complaints (31%)
   • median 78,000 mi at 6.0 yrs old (373 state mileage)
   • 14 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,200 (median of 20 quotes)
   • filed 2008–2026

   Owners describe the vehicle refusing to crank or starting only after several attempts, sometimes after being parked briefly, and sometimes stalling while driving. Complaints frequently mention clicking from the starter area, gauges and lights working normally while the engine will not turn over, and repeat replacement of the starter and battery without a lasting fix. Several owners say a dealer or shop traced the problem to the integrated power module, the ignition node or the key fob, and some report that the symptom returned after the remedy. Reported from roughly 42,000 miles upward, with many complaints in the 100,000-190,000 mile range and no clear seasonal pattern.

   Recall 14V373000Recall 10V6580003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for service records showing whether the ignition node, starter or power module were already replaced, and start the car several times cold and warm during a test drive. A scan tool check for stored body-control codes is worthwhile before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Something wrong with it stating as sometimes it won't start. I replaced starter and still same issue, I have to pur it in neutral and try to start it and eventually it does but it shouldn't be this way also it stop working as I was driving getting ready to make a turn and I had to restart it but once again it wouldn't start the first few times which I had to put in neutral and I was in the city traffic very dangerous”

   NHTSA complaint #11378198, filed 2020-12, 190,000 miles

   “While parked with full battery turning the ignition switch on...car refusing to start. Car is parked on a city street. This has happened multipletimes.todayit will not start at all. Car was taken to chrysler jeep recently . I was informed that I needed a new ignition nodule at an approx. Cost of $1,000. In checking online I find that I am one of hundreds with the same complaint.I believe chrysler has recalled these cars for faulty ignition switches. I am looking for help with the next step. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11378116, filed 2020-12, 100,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Stalling, hesitation and throttle/transmission faults

   • 264 complaints (18%)
   • median 83,000 mi at 6.0 yrs old (219 state mileage)
   • 16 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 12 quotes)
   • filed 2008–2025

   Owners describe the engine stalling at low speed, at turns or while idling, and sometimes failing to accelerate beyond a crawl, with the electronic throttle or check engine light on. Complaints mention throttle body replacement that did not resolve the symptom, and others describe harsh or delayed shifting, a transmission stuck in a single gear, and a shop recommending wiring or module repair. In a few reports the engine seized and required major engine work. Mostly reported between about 23,000 and 200,000 miles, with several cases recurring after an initial repair.

   Recall 08V528000Recall 08V2470005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive at low speed and from a stop, watching for hesitation, warning lights or delayed shifts, and ask whether the throttle body or PCM has been replaced. Check that the engine wiring harness recall was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car won't start , when trying to start , everything works(lights radio) except the engine won't crank. It has happened numerous times. Sometimes I get stalled in the highway, which is really dangerous.”

   NHTSA complaint #11352402, filed 2020-08, 170,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while turning at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. After restarting the engine, the vehicle operated as normal. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10585545, filed 2014-04, 76,000 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Power steering hose rupture, often in cold

   Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe a sudden loss of power steering assist, sometimes preceded by a popping sound, with the wheel becoming very hard to turn and fluid found leaking underneath. Owners commonly link the event to cold weather or start-up in freezing temperatures, and several say a shop found a split or detached power steering hose. Some owners report the same failure repeating after the hose was replaced, and a number note the dealer told them their vehicle identification number was not included in the related recall. Mostly reported between about 68,000 and 195,000 miles, with several complaints tied to winter cold starts.

   Recall 16V273000

   What to check: Inspect the power steering return hose and fluid level for leaks or seepage, and ask whether the steering hose recall was completed for this vehicle. Before buying in winter, start it cold and check steering effort immediately.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There is a recall for the power steering pressure line for Dodge Journey 2009 to 2016 . When subjected to cold weather the power steering line can rupture at start up. That is exactly what happened to our 2009 Dodge Journey this past winter and the line split open. Dodge is telling us that our vehicle VIN number does not fall under that recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #11222234, filed 2019-06, 93,799 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11390437, filed 2021-01, 180,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light and non-deployment complaints

   • 355 complaints (25%)
   • median 86,000 mi at 6.7 yrs old (155 state mileage)
   • 28 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2025

   Complaints describe the airbag warning lamp staying lit on the instrument panel, sometimes alongside window switch or mirror functions. A few owners report that the airbags did not deploy in a collision, and others mention a bad-key or starting problem appearing after airbag-related recall work. Several owners state the dealer could not reproduce the warning or that their vehicle was outside the recall population. Reported across a wide range, from about 60,000 to 190,000 miles, in both collision and non-collision circumstances.

   Recall 16V047000Recall 14V373000Recall 10V658000Recall 09V1180002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Confirm the airbag recalls were performed and that the warning lamp goes out after the self-check at start-up. Ask whether the side-impact sensor wiring in the front doors has been inspected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The driver's side window switch will not operate the front windows or side mirrors but does operate the back windows. The air bag light is also illuminated on the instrument panel. I've been researching about the fault and found out there was a recall about the wiring harness. I need the proper paperwork or steps to get this problem and recall fixed. Thanks.”

   NHTSA complaint #11321791, filed 2020-04, 135,000 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11402721, filed 2021-03, 19 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Early front brake pad and rotor wear

   • 298 complaints (21%)
   • median 24,000 mi at 1.9 yrs old (259 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $700 (median of 31 quotes)
   • filed 2009–2023

   Owners describe grinding or squealing when braking and a soft pedal that travels close to the floor, often at mileage far below what they expected from brakes. Complaints commonly state that front pads and rotors were replaced or resurfaced more than once, in some cases within the first year of ownership, and that the dealer attributed it to normal wear. Some also report front-end vibration or shimmy that persisted after brake and tire work. Mostly at low mileage, with many reports between about 10,000 and 22,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have the front rotors measured and check pad thickness rather than relying on appearance, and ask whether front brake components were replaced under the extended warranty coverage described in the service bulletin.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased my 2009 Dodge Journey new, in 2009. The vehicle now has 18,329 miles -- it's basically still brand new -- its still under warranty!!!!. Unfortunately, I have just had to replace all four (4) brake pads, and had all four(4) rotors resurfaced. This cost over $500 -- and the warranty does not cover this! It is my understanding that this is a known issue that the manufacturer is fully aware of. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10392140, filed 2011-03, 18,329 miles

   “I own a 2009 Dodge Journey and had my front/brakes replaced and the rotors turned at 12,000 miles. I am approaching 20,000 miles and they need to be replaced again. From my research, this has become a serious issue with Dodge journeys.”

   NHTSA complaint #10320591, filed 2010-03, 12,000 miles

Buying note. These complaints centre on starting reliability, power steering hoses and early brake wear, so a used example is worth a cold-start check, a look at the steering hose and fluid, and brake measurement before purchase. Verifying which of the listed recalls were completed for the specific vehicle is more useful than the model year alone.

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.