MYRModel Year Report

2009 Dodge Journey

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2009 Dodge Journey
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge Journey Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2009 highlighted. 2007: 4 complaints 2007 2008: 8 complaints 2009: 1433 complaints 2009 2010: 986 complaints 2011: 169 complaints 2011 2012: 375 complaints 2013: 351 complaints 2013 2014: 408 complaints 2015: 548 complaints 2015 2016: 383 complaints 2017: 196 complaints 2017 2018: 219 complaints 2019: 92 complaints 2019 2020: 61 complaints 2020
2009: 1433 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20074
20088
20091433
2010986
2011169
2012375
2013351
2014408
2015548
2016383
2017196
2018219
201992
202061

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 52%

52% of complaints: electrical system — 743 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

The Carbondale Fire Department was dispatched to a vehicle fire In the parking lot behind the above-listed address. Fire personnel arrived and found a 2009 Dodge Journey with an engine compartment fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250612

No warning. Car caught on fire due to electrical issues in the back lighter port.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240417

AIR BAGS 18%

18% of complaints: air bags — 265 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180327

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 13%

13% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 187 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

2009 DODGE JOURNEY BRAKE PROBLEMS. PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED ON FRONT @ 20K MILES, REAR PADS REPLACED @35K MILES. DEALER CLAIMS 'NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR'. FINALLY INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. CAR DID NOT BRAKE APPROPRIATELY AND REAR-ENDED ANOTHER CAR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20100908

ENGINE 10%

10% of complaints: engine — 149 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

The Carbondale Fire Department was dispatched to a vehicle fire In the parking lot behind the above-listed address. Fire personnel arrived and found a 2009 Dodge Journey with an engine compartment fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250612

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE JOURNEY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120612

SERVICE BRAKES 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes — 106 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I HAD A COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE AND RAN OFF THE ROAD, LOST CONTROL AND SPUN BACKWARDS STRIKING A BURIED BOULDER BENDING MY EXHAUST PIPE, THIS WAS AT 19K MILES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120724

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20080707 — electrical system

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 6,692 MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.5L ENGINE. THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS MAY CONTACT THE LEFT TRANSAXLE MOUNT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS FOR DAMAGE. IF THE HARNESS IS DAMAGED, THE WIRING WILL BE REPAIRED AND A TIE WRAP INSTALLED TO SECURE THE HARNESS AWAY FROM THE LEFT TRANSAXLE MOUNT. I

Campaign 08V247000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20081110 — power train

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 712 MY 2009 SEBRING, DODGE CALIBER, AVENGER, JOURNEY, JEEP PATRIOT, AND COMPASS VEHICLES. A NEW ADHESIVE USED IN THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) MANUFACTURING PROCESS CAN C

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PCM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Campaign 08V528000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2009 — complaint volume: 1433
R 20090330 — electrical system

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 16,852 MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITHOUT OPTIONAL 115 VOLT AUXILIARY POWER OUTLET. AN UNUSED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE OPTIONAL 115 VOLT AUXILIARY POWER OUTLET

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE AND STOW THE 115 VOLT AUXILIARY POWER OUTLET CONNECTOR AND PULL THE 25 AMP FUSE TO REMOVE POWER FROM THIS UNUSED CIRCUIT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2009. OWNE

Campaign 09V082000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090601 — air bags, electrical system

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 4,314 MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, COMMANDER AND WRANGLER VEHICLES. WIRING MAY BE REVERSED ON THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE DRIVER AIRBAG SQUIB CONNECTOR. T

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG SQUIB WIRES AND REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-

Campaign 09V118000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20110218 — electrical system

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 DODGE JOURNEY VEHICLES MANUFACTURER FROM NOVEMBER 1, 2007, THROUGH NOVEMBER 7, 2008. THE WIRES WITHIN THE FRONT DOOR WIRE HARNESSES MAY FATIGUE AND BREAK

Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT DOOR WIRING HARNESSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Campaign 10V658000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20140616 — RQ (closed 20150302)

Air Bag Non-Deployment/Engine Stall

I 20140925 — DP (closed 20150724)

Totally Integrated Power Module Failure

R 20150526 — air bags, electrical system

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R03.

Campaign 14V373000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160524 — steering

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 31, 2007, to November 12, 2016.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return hoses, steel tubes, and power steering oil cooler, free of charge. The recall began on May 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Campaign 16V273000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161206 — air bags

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,...

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S07.

Campaign 16V047000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20230501 — PE (closed 20240815)

Vehicle entrapment

I 20240801 — EA (open)

Vehicle entrapment

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2009 Dodge Journey — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (743 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (265 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (187 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 08V247000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08V528000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V082000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V118000 (air bags, electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V658000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V373000 (air bags, electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V273000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V047000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2020 ▲ 2019 ▲ 2011

WORST YEARS

■ 2010 ◆ 2015 ● 2014

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2009 Dodge Journey reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Dodge Journey is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Dodge Journey?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 52% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2009 Dodge Journey have?

8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.