2009 Dodge Journey AWD problems & reliability
161 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Dodge Journey AWD. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
1 complaint report injuries (1 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System → | 47 | 29% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic → | 33 | 20% |
| Power Train → | 28 | 17% |
| Service Brakes → | 19 | 12% |
| Tires → | 19 | 12% |
| Air Bags → | 17 | 11% |
| Engine → | 17 | 11% |
| Unknown OR Other | 13 | 8% |
| Wheels | 9 | 6% |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 7 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 51,923 miles (middle 50% between 22,255 and 89,950 miles), based on 120 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Takara recall: when leaving work I started my car and began to back out of the parking lot when I went to push on my brakes to stop my car my brake pedal went all the way to the floor as if I had nothing but air. I called and had the car towed to a local shop 4 different master cylinders put on the car two new…”
Service Brakes · filed May 21, 2019
“Transfer case is going out, and vehicle will stall and not start again for a while. Vehicle would not even backup, had to call a toll truck.”
Engine · filed Apr 24, 2019
“Horn honks randomly by itself. Parked, middle of the night, or driving this is dangerous distracting for me and other drivers. Scary startles me and freaks my neighbors out! Draining my battery too. Also a clicking sound when nothing on. I googled it and was shocked to find hundreds of others complaints. I called…”
Electrical System · filed Apr 13, 2019
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Vehicle entrapment
Engineering Analysis EA24003 · opened Aug 1, 2024 · open
- Vehicle entrapment
Preliminary Evaluation PE23008 · opened May 1, 2023 · closed Aug 15, 2024
- Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
Defect Petition DP14004 · opened Sep 25, 2014 · closed Jul 24, 2015
- Air Bag Non-Deployment/Engine Stall
Recall Query RQ14002 · opened Jun 16, 2014 · closed Mar 2, 2015 · led to recall 14V373000
Technical service bulletins
20 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2009 Dodge Journey AWD. The 10 most recent:
ACTUATOR - A/C AND HEATER
103954 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 2, 2025
ACTUATOR - A/C AND HEATER
104087 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 2, 2025
Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service…
9100226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 15, 2023
Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service…
9100226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 15, 2023
Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
23-015-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 30, 2020
Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery…
08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 22, 2020
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
3100519 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
3100319 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Authentic Mopar® Glass Replacement This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the recommended usage of Authentic Mopar® Glass.
3100419 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
3100619 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 2009 Dodge Journey AWD in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2009 Dodge Journey AWD?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 51,923 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.