Electrical System. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports7 fire reports1 injury reports

Power Train complaints

28 reports

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43,000 miles · Sep 21, 2012

Power Train

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN SOME SMOKE AND THERE IS A BAD SMELL. BUT THEN SHE HEARD A CLICKING SOUND. SO I WHEN OVER AND DROVE IT AROUND AND THE CLICKING/GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10476622

30,000 miles · Aug 9, 2011

Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicTires

BRAKE, ROTORS, TIRES AND POWER TRANSFER UNIT REPLACE ONLY AT ONE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR AND I HAVE TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN. REPAIR COST OFF THE ROOF AND CONTINUE TO BUILD UP. I DON'T FELL SAFE DRIVING IT BECAUSE OF THE FAST RATE THIS VITAL PARTS CONSUME. DEALER CONTINUES TO TELL ME THAT THE REPAIR COST IS N…

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NHTSA ODI #10418285

53,846 miles · Jul 15, 2011

Power Train

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I HAVE A 2009 DODGE JOURNEY SXT AWD. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN OCT 2008. THE ISSUES WERE BRAKE/CALIPER FAILURE, WATER LEAK, WIRING HARNESS, IGNITION FAILURE ETC(THE LIST GOES ON). RECENTLY ON JULY 10-13 2011 MY VEHICLE WOULD AUTOMATICALLY STALL WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP OR IDEAL BRAKIN. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT REASON FOR STALLING. THE STATED IT WAS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION WIRE BEING FRIED AND IT WAS GOING TO COST ME $227 TO REPLACE WIRE. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND PLACED A CASE IN REGARDS TO MY CONCERN AS I FELT THIS WAS A WARRANTY/SAFETY ISSUE. I ALSO, INQUIRED ABOUT THE BUY BACK PROGRAM AS EVERY 3K TO 6K MILES SOMETHING GOES WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE THAT IS NEVER MINOR. I WAS WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR 3 DAYS DUE TO THE NEGLIGENCE AND FOLLOW-UP BETWEEN CHRYSLER CASE MANAGER AND DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE MANAGER. I HAD NO TRANSPORTATION LEAVING MYSELF AND CHILD STRANDED. THEREFORE, DUE TO NO RESPONSE I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIXED & PAID FOR IT AS I NEEDED MY VEHICLE BACK. THAT SAME DAY I GET A CALL FROM THE CASE MANAGER STATING THEY ARE UNABLE TO COMPENSATE ME DUE TO VEHICLE ALREADY BEING REPAIRED/PICKED UP. I WAS SO DISGUSTED AND UPSET AT THE FACT THE DISREGARDED MY CONCERN AND COULD CARE LESS. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10412412

16,000 miles · Jun 27, 2011

Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainTires

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HAVE HAD ONGOING ISSUES WITH 2009 DODGE JOURNEY. VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING, THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. THE TIRES SOLD ON THE VEHICLE (225-55-R19) ARE NOT REPLACEABLE. I GOT A FLAT AND WAS TOLD TO RIDE ON THE DONUT UNTIL THEY COULD LOCATE A NEW TIRE, 12 DAYS LATER STILL NO TIRE, I DEMANDED THE DEALER SELL ME A TIRE OFF OF A CAR IN THE LOT, THEY FINALLY AGREED. HOWEVER, I WAS CALLED AFTER I LEFT THE CAR AND TOLD THAT BECAUSE IT IS AWD ALL 4 TIRES MUST BE REPLACED OR IT WILL DAMAGE MY TRANSMISSION AND THAT POSSIBLY, I ALREADY HAVE DAMAGED DUE TO DRIVING ON DONUT. HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO BUY 4 NEW TIRES, WHILE AT DEALER HAVING 4 NEW , LARGER TIRES (235 55 R19) PUT ON THE DEALER BROKE VALVE SENSOR ON 2ND TIRE, 1ST TIME THEY BROKE ONE WAS IN MARCH 2011. VEHICLE HAS 31,000 MILES ON IT AND THE SENSORS SHOULD LAST A MINIMUM OF 5 YEARS. DEALER WILL NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER PAYING $827 TO REPLACE 4 TIRES, WHEN I ONLY NEEDED 1 NEW TIRE AND 2 MISSING VALVE SENSORS, I DROVE OFF THE LOT AND THE VEHICLE AGAIN LOST POWER, DEALER HAS HAD VEHICLE IN AT LEAST 4 TIMES TO FIX PROBLEM IN THE PAST, THEY STILL HAVE NOT RESOLVED OR LOCATED THE PROBLEM. I RESTARTED VEHICLE AND IT DIED AGAIN, RESTARTED A 3RD TIME AND I LOST ALL DASH LIGHTING. THIS WAS WITHIN AN 8TH OF MILE OF THE DEALER LOCATION. I TURNED THE CAR AROUND AND RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER, WHICH IS WHERE IT REMAINS UNTIL THEY CAN FIX IT!! NYS ATTORNEY GENERAL STATES THIS DOES NOT QUALIFY AS A "LEMON" BECAUSE THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR, I DISAGREE! I AM FILING A 2ND LEMON LAW CASE WITH THEM AT THIS TIME. BUYER BEWARE!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10408991

22,000 miles · Nov 1, 2010

EquipmentPower TrainService Brakes, HydraulicFire

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2009 SXT AWD DODGE JOURNEY IS A REPLACEMENT FOR THE INITIAL JOURNEY WE PURCHASED WHICH WAS A LEMON. WE PICKED UP THIS CAR 5/2009. IT HAD A STRANGE SMELL, MUCH LIKE PROPANE WHEN THE ENGINE WAS WARM. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY AFTER SEVERAL VISITS. WE GAVE UP. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUED FOR THE LAST YEAR - PROGRESSIVELY THE SMELL WORSENED. ON THURSDAY, 10-28-10 WHILE ON INTERSTATE 270 I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM MY ENGINE, AND THE PROPANE SMELL WAS ALMOST OVER POWERING. I PHONED THE DEALER AGAIN. THEY SAID TO BRING IN ON MONDAY, 11-1-10. ON THE EVENING OF 10-31-10 I NOTICED DRIPPING COMING FROM THE CAR ON MY GARAGE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO PUT A PAN UNDERNEATH AND TAKE TO DEALER MONDAY MORNING. AT THE DEALER 11-1-10, I WAS TOLD THIS FLUID WS "GEAR FLUID." SEVEN HOURS LATER I PHONED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY HAD TO ORDER A PTU SEAL. PLEASE, PLEASE GOOGLE OR SEARCH YOUR SITE FOR PTU ISSUES ON THIS CAR. THERE HAVE BEEN FIRES CAUSED, ENGINE FAILURES, ETC. EVEN AFTER THE PTU SEAL HAS BEEN REPLACED IT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS IT APPEARS THAT WHEN THIS INITIAL SEAL IS BREACHED, IT DAMAGES THE OTHER SEALS, WHICH IN TURN CAUSES PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND BRAKING SYSTEM. ALSO, NOTEWORTHY, I JUST HAD TO HAVE MY BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED AT 18,000 DUE TO THE "TURNING BLUE." AND NOW, AFTER THAT WORK MY STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY, WHICH THE DEALER CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHY. I AM ALSO FILING A COMPLAINT WITH CONSUMER AFFAIRS, THE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE (MARYLAND) AND MOST LIKELY WILL BE GETTING A LAWYER. THE DODGE JOURNEY IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM FOR OUR ROADS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10363616

5,300 miles · May 19, 2010

Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE 3 MPH IN HIS GARAGE, HE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. A FEW WEEKS LATER AFTER DRIVING FIFTEEN MILES AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, HE SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW IT BEHIND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE WAITING FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING THE FAILURE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 5,300. THE POWER TRANSFER SEAL UNIT WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 11/12/10

NHTSA ODI #10331185

33,000 miles · May 6, 2010

Power Train

WHILE MAKING A TURN THERE WAS A LOUD BANG FROM THE UNDER THE ENGINE AREA. AFTER THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE, HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER REPLACED PTO UNIT. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A REAR END COLLISION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329214

6,052 miles · Mar 21, 2010

Latches/locks/linkagesPower Train

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WE BOUGHT A 2009 DODGE JOURNEY SXT BACK IN MAY 09. IN THE LAST MONTH FEB 2010 ON, THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING/SECURITY MECHANISM FOR THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HAS FAILED (SCHEDULED TO BE LOOKED IN TWO DAYS) AND TODAY OUR TRANSMISSION/GEARBOX LITERALLY EXPLODED UNDER THE HOOD AT 6,000 MILES. WE WERE DRIVING DOWN A BACK ROAD ON THE WAY TO STORE WHEN A STRING SMELL OF BURNING CAME INTO THE CABIN AND THEN WE HEARD A SEVERE POP AND THEN NOTHING BUT BILLOWING SMOKE. WE HAD OUR TWO YOUNG CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS AND IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE TO TRY AND GET THEM AWAY FROM THE POSSIBILITY OF THE ENGINE BEING ON FIRE. WE GOT THE KIDS OUT AND I WENT BACK TO SHUT OFF THE CAR ONCE I SAW IT WASN'T FUEL LEAKING. ONCE IT COOLED DOWN AND STOPPED SMOKING I RAISED THE HOOD AND SAW WHAT LOOKED TO BE BURNT TRANSMISSION FLUID AND SMALL METAL FLAKES ALL OVER MY ENGINE AND UNDERSIDEOF THE HOOD. SO IT WAS JUST TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO FIND THE CAUSE. SO NOW I HAVE A CAR WITH A FAULTY SECURITY SYSTEM AND POSSIBLY NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION AND WE ONLY HAVE 6,000 MILES ON THE CAR. STILL WAITING FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO DO THE WORK. ON A SIDE NOTE, WITH ALL OF THESE ISSUES ON A BRAND NEW CAR WE MAY BE EXPLORING LEGAL OPTIONS IF CHRYSLER DOESN'T MAKE THIS RIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10321272

Official recalls

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

EA24003 · Vehicle Entrapment

Opened Aug 1, 2024 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages

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 continues to explore other potential causes for door lock malfunction. ODI has determined that an upgrade to an Engineering Analysis (EA) is necessary to continue the review of the investigative material and to assess the risk to motor vehicle safety . To review the ODI report cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

PE23008 · Vehicle Entrapment

Opened May 1, 2023 · Closed Aug 15, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch; Latches/locks/linkages:doors:lock; Latches/locks/linkages:electronic Lock/latch Actuator

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 whether a potential safety defect exists. To review the ODI report cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Latches/locks/linkages:doors:lock

Latches/locks/linkages:electronic Lock/latch Actuator

DP14004 · Totally Integrated Power Module Failure

Opened Sep 25, 2014 · Closed Jul 24, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

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 evaluate the petition for a grant or deny decision. ODI analyzed complaint data provided by CAS as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 296 complaints submitted by the petitioner in the original petition and five supplements, including 271 complaints related to the subject vehicles equipped with TIPM-7. Approximately 3 percent of CAS complaints are related to vehicles equipped with TIPM-6 and ODI?s review of these complaints did not identify any safety defect trends. ODI conducted a detailed review of complaints narratives submitted by CAS and consumers including careful analysis of vehicle repair histories, warranty claims obtained from the manufacturer and any available Customer Assistance Inquiry reports (CAIR). Analysis of the field data indicated that MY2011-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles exhibited significantly higher complaint rates related to fuel pump relay (FPR) failures than other subject vehicles. In a September 3, 2014 letter to NHTSA, Chrysler submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the FPR within the TIPM-7 which can result in a no start or stall condition in approximately 188,723 model year (MY) 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK) and Dodge Durango (WD) vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010 through July 20, 2011 (14V-530).In a February 24, 2015 letter, Chrysler submitted a second DIR expanding the scope of the FPR defect condition to include an additional 338,216 MY 2012 through 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured from September 17, 2010 through August 19, 2013 and MY 2012 through 2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 18, 2011 through August 19, 2013 (15V-115).ODI analysis of the CAS allegations of TIPM defects resulting in stall while driving, airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration, fire and other faults identified a single defect condition related to 1 of over 60 different circuits in the TIPM assembly. The most common effect of this defect condition, related to the fuel pump relay, was a no-start concern, but it could also result in stall while driving (76 complaints). No valid evidence was presented in support of claims related to airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration or fire resulting from TIPM faults and these claims were found to be wholly without merit based on review of the field data and design of the relevant systems and components.Except insofar as the petitioner's contentions relate to the defect condition addressed by the Chrysler recalls, the factual bases of the petitioner's contentions that any further investigation is necessary are unsupported. In our view, additional investigation is unlikely to result in a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists or a NHTSA order for the notification and remedy of a safety-related defect as alleged by the petitioner at the conclusion of the requested investigation. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is den

RQ14002 · Air Bag Non-Deployment/Engine Stall

Opened Jun 16, 2014 · Closed Mar 2, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Electrical System:ignition:module

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 the inadvertent key rotation, and that a new design WIN module would be installed as a remedy.In Spring 2014 ODI conducted outreach to major light vehicle manufacturers regarding ignition key position and its effect on air bag system availability.The outreach was conducted in connection with NHTSA Recall No. 14V047, a recent recall involving inadvertent ignition key rotation and subsequent air bag disablement in certain GM products.During discussions held in April 2014, Chrysler advised ODI that Chrysler air bag systems of this vintage, including the subject vehicles, revert to energy reserve when the ignition key moves to the ACC or OFF position, and that under energy reserve the air bags would only be available for a short period, approximately two tenths of a second (ODI notes this consequence was not identified in the 11V139 recall report).A review of the ODI consumer database conducted after the April 2014 discussions identified complaints alleging that MY 2008-2009 vehicles may have a similar defect as the MY 2010 vehicles, and that some MY 2010 consumers reported experiencing ignition key position concerns after the 11V139 recall remedy was applied.Accordingly this investigation was opened.In response to ODI?s information request letter, Chrysler reported that MY 2008-2009 subject vehicles used the same design WIN module as the recalled vehicles, and also identified 66 consumer reports and one non-injury crash incident potentially related to inadvertent ignition key rotation.Chrysler?s review of the MY 2010 remedy used in 11V139, which involved installation of a Trim Ring as opposed to replacement of the WIN module, showed the remedy did not adequately address ignition key position concerns, and in some use-cases could cause other systems to operate improperly (radio, instrument panel lighting, HVAC fan motor, etc.).Chrysler subsequently filed multiple defect information reports to 1) add the MY 2008-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country, and the MY 2009 Dodge Journey to the original recall scope, and 2) stating that the complete WIN module would be replaced with a new design component in all recalled vehicles (including those that had the Trim Ring installed during 11V139).Chrysler?s report also advises of constrained remedy parts availability, see NHTSA Recall No. 14V373 for further details.Accordingly, the investigation is closed based on the recall action Chrysler is undertaking.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10584873, 10583399, 10573295, 10566365, 10546805, 10513060, 10509284, 10503121, 10496599, 10475027, 10456099, 10450629, 10443680, 10422766, 10410447, 10409269, 10402947, 10402751, 10402660, 10396943, 10394957, 10356632, 10315972

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags

Electrical System:ignition:module