2009 Dodge Journey problems, complaints & recalls

2009 Dodge Journey recalls (4)

• Recall 16V273000May 6, 20168,569 vehicles
  STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

  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.

  Risk: A loss of power steering assist may require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

  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. Chrysler's number for this recall is S08.

• Recall 16V047000Jan 29, 2016110,482 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

  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.

  Risk: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. Additionally, the air bags may inadvertently deploy, increasing the risk of a crash.

  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.

• Recall 14V373000Jun 26, 2014722,705 vehicles
  AIR BAGS · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

  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.

  Risk: If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

  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. Note: This is an expansion of recall 11V-139.

• Recall 10V658000Dec 24, 201064,934 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

  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.

  Risk: In the event of a crash, the side airbag may not deploy, reducing the protection intended for the occupant and increasing the risk of injuries.

  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.

NHTSA defect investigations

• EA24003Opened Aug 1, 2024Open

  Vehicle entrapment

  The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-008 on May 1, 2023 to investigate an incident involving a 2009 Dodge Journey alleging occupant entrapment during a vehicle fire that resulted in a fatality. During the investigation, ODI collected information from the manufacturer and involved parties to confirm or refute the defect allegation. ODI has determined that additional reports of vehicle entrapment exist for other model year Dodge Journey vehicles. ODI continues to explore the cause of the thermal event and its potential effect on the actuation of the door locks. ODI also continue…

• PE23008Opened May 1, 2023Closed Aug 15, 2024

  Vehicle entrapment

  The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23008 on May 1, 2023 to investigate an incident involving a 2009 Dodge Journey alleging occupant entrapment during a vehicle fire that resulted in a fatality.  During this investigation, ODI collected information and evidence related to the defect allegation and incident, from the manufacturer and involved parties. The information and evidence collected in this initial phase was insufficient to make a defect determination. ODI has upgraded this investigation to an Engineering Analysis (EA24003) to develop a more comprehensive understanding of …

• DP14004Opened Sep 25, 2014Closed Jul 24, 2015

  Totally Integrated Power Module Failure

  In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year. The petitioner alleges that TIPM defects may result in engine stall, airbag non-deployment, failure of fuel pump shutoff resulting in unintended acceleration, fire, and other symptoms. On September 25, 2014, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened DP14-004 to…

• RQ14002Opened Jun 16, 2014Closed Mar 2, 2015led to recall 14V373000

  Air Bag Non-Deployment/Engine Stall

  In March 2011 Chrysler submitted a defect information report for NHTSA Recall No. 11V139 declaring a defect condition that could cause the ignition key to inadvertently move from the RUN to the ACC position on model year (MY) 2010 Dodge Journey, Grand Caravan, and Chrysler Town and Country.The report identified engine stalling as the defect consequence and cited customer complaints and warranty claims, as well as two rear-end collisions, as leading to the recall action.Chrysler determined that a defective WIN module, which is effectively the equivalent of the ignition switch, was the cause of …

Recent 2009 Dodge Journey complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Apr 14, 2026160,000 miARTowedElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11731127 · source
2. Filed Feb 4, 2026SCSteering

   Power steering hose ruptured after a few days of snow and ice. I went to drive to the store but was unable to turn out of the driveway due to no power steering. I done some research to where I found out there was a recall for this same issue but evidently my VIN # isn't included in this recall as while as many others I have read about online. I think this needs to be looked into.

   NHTSA complaint #11715663 · source
3. Filed Feb 2, 202677,000 miCTTowedSteering

   The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while reversing in cold weather, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. Upon inspection, the contact became aware that the power steering hose was leaking fluid and had detached. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V273000 (Steering). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not associated…

   NHTSA complaint #11714906 · source
4. Filed Nov 15, 2025MOOther / Unknown

   Car doesnt start all the time when it does it ends up shutting off. it shuts off while driving, also cuts in and out while driving.

   NHTSA complaint #11699592 · source
5. Filed Oct 20, 2025NCElectrical SystemOther / UnknownSteering

   The steering locked up could not turn or straighten car out. All electrical things lights air conditioning gas light just went haywire and is still not working. The shifting system I guess is what u call it started slipping out of gear like going into natural or first gear and nothing else. Several cars had to serve to keep from getting hit at 70+ miles an hour and I had no control other than to hit the break on the freeway and pray. Accordingly to the Bob site there's so…

   NHTSA complaint #11694469 · source
6. Filed Aug 23, 2025VAElectrical SystemEngine

   I have issues starting it. New starter, new battery and it just dies. Luckily I was parked when it died. I have children, if it dies while driving I could be in a serious car crash with my children in the car. I do not want to die, I love my car but I do not want to be put in danger because of this type of issue. I also do not want to be stranded somewhere. PLEASE HELP.

   NHTSA complaint #11682538 · source
7. Filed Jun 12, 2025ILFireElectrical SystemEngine

   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. Fire personnel used tank water and a pre-connected 1 3/4 In. hose line to extinguish the fire. There were no exposures or damage to other property. Upon completing the extinguishment, an origin and cause investigation was conducted, which Included, but was not limited to,…

   NHTSA complaint #11666519 · source
8. Filed Feb 6, 2025CAAirbags

   On [XXX] around [XXX] I was driving 25mph in Alameda CA, and about two minutes into the ride, the airbag warning light came on. My fiance was in the passenger seat and our dog was in the back. About 15 minutes into the drive, my side airbags deployed without any collision or even bump in the road. I carefully and swiftly turned onto a side street and pulled over. My fiancé and I got out of the car, and as we took our dog out of the back seat, the primary airbags (steering…

   NHTSA complaint #11641187 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology