2009 Dodge Journey Problems

Severe Issues

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Dodge Journey.

20082010
Complaints
2,091
Crashes
71
Fires
53
Injuries
50
Fatalities
3
Recalls
4

Worst 2009 Dodge Journey Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1743 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:79,511 mi
Crash-related:11
Fires:16
#2265 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:98,682 mi
Crash-related:21
Fires:1
#3187 complaints

Hydraulic Brakes

Avg mileage:24,781 mi
Crash-related:4
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 Dodge Journey.

Electrical Faults
743
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
16
Avg Miles
79,511
Airbags
265
complaints
Crashes
21
Fires
1
Avg Miles
98,682
Hydraulic Brakes
187
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
24,781
Engine Problems
149
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
10
Avg Miles
85,073
Brakes
106
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
3
Avg Miles
65,547
Transmission / Drivetrain
87
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
4
Avg Miles
86,612
Steering Defects
71
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
90,091
Tire Defects
33
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
33,906
Unintended Acceleration
33
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
102,265
Wheel Issues
30
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
45,569
Electronic Stability Control
23
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
96,724
Engine & Cooling
19
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
57,973
Wipers & Visibility
19
complaints
Crashes
Fires
3
Avg Miles
94,707
Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
40,936
Headlight/Taillight Failures
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
97,496
Service Brakes, Electric
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
23,155
Electrical System:Ignition
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
101,781
Automatic Transmission
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
18,045
Suspension Failures
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
61,020
Structural Problems
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
26,900
Fuel System
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
122,099
Latches / Locks
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
44,026
Seat Belt Issues
9
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
77,877
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
34,783
Other Equipment
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
26,414
Body Structure
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
39,470
Tires:Valve
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
41,081
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
31,810
Suspension:Front
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
34,976

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Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Dodge Journey. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2009 Dodge Journey

4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~906,690 vehicles.

16V273000Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
~8,569 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 31, 2007, to November 12, 2016. After exposure to cold temperatures, the power steering return hose may rupture at engine start-up causing a loss of power steering assist.

16V047000Air Bags:frontal
~110,482 affected

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, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.

14V373000Airbags · Electrical System:ignition:switch
~722,705 affected

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. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured June 29, 2007, to June 17, 2010, and 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured January 26, 2007, to June 17, 2010. Road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

10V658000Electrical System:wiring
~64,934 affected

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, WHICH CAN INTERRUPT THE CIRCUITS FOR THE SIDE IMPACT SENSOR(S), RESULTING IN AN AIRBAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATION AND LOSS OF SIDE CRASH SENSING CAPABILITY.

Other Dodge Journey Years

2009 Dodge Journey — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2009 Dodge Journey reliable?
Verdict: Severe Issues. The 2009 Dodge Journey has 2,091 NHTSA complaints, 71 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 743 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2009 Dodge Journey?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (743 complaints, avg 79,511 mi); Airbags (265 complaints, avg 98,682 mi); Hydraulic Brakes (187 complaints, avg 24,781 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Dodge Journey?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 74,244 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2009 Dodge Journey?
NHTSA complaints for the 2009 Dodge Journey include 71 crash-related reports, 53 fire reports, 50 injuries, and 3 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2009 Dodge Journey have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 906,690 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2009 Dodge Journey?
Proceed with extreme caution. The 2009 Dodge Journey shows significantly more complaints than average for its class. If you're buying one, a pre-purchase inspection and a VIN history check are essential — skip them and you're gambling.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Dodge Journey reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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