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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

33 reports

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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

22,340 miles · Sep 29, 2010

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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I'VE HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKES REPLACED ON MY DODGE JOURNEY 2009 AND THE ROTORS AT 22,000 MILES. NOW THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. THE FIRST JOURNEY I PURCHASED HAD THESE SAME PROBLEMS AND WAS REPLACED BY DODGE/CHRYSLER AS A LEMON MAY 2009. NOW THE DEALER HAS NO IDEA WHY THE BRAKES ARE GOING BAD OR THE ROTORS SO FAST OR WHY THE STEERING WONT STOP SHAKING. I FEAR NOW THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THE CAR IS BAD. DEALER STATED THE JOURNEYS WERE KNOWN FOR POOR / FAULTY BRAKES BUT CHRYSLER WON'T RECALL THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10358349

20,000 miles · Sep 15, 2010

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES PADS AT ONLY 12,000 MILES. THIS SEEMED WRONG ALREADY. THEN, I TOOK MY VEHICLE FOR THE REGULAR SERVICE AND THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. JUST AFTER 1000 MILES I STARTED TO SMELL BURNED FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, BY THE REAR TIRES. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND I WASN'T EVEN ABLE TO GET THERE THAT MY CAR WAS SMOKING IN THE BACK. I HAD TO CHANGE THE PADS AND DISKS. THE REASON WAS THAT THEY WERE ALL RUSTED AND THEY BASICALLY SAID THAT IT WAS MY FAULT!! A NEW CAR WITH ONLY 20,000, NOT EVEN 2 YEARS OLD SHOULD NOT RUST LIKE THAT. AND WHAT ABOUT TELLING ME THAT IT WAS RUSTING WHEN I TOOK IT FOR SERVICE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355749

28,000 miles · Sep 7, 2010

EquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

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MY DODGE JOURNEY HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT, AND WAS PURCHASED NEW IN MARCH OF 2009. THERE HAS BEEN A NOTICEABLE PULSING, AND NOISE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE MY LOCAL MECHANIC URGED MY TO HAVE MY BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED FOR SAFETIES SAKE, AND NOTED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. THEY WERE IN SUCH POOR CONDITION THAT MY MECHANIC WOULD NOT RESURFACE THE ROTORS, AND ONLY REPLACE THEM. I IMMEDIATELY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM(REEDMAN TOLL, LANGHORNE PA). THE DEALER WOULD PROVIDE NO COMPENSATION, AND WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT CHRYSLER HAS AN ISSUE WITH THEIR BRAKES/ROTORS. UPON THE DEALERS INSPECTION, HE CONFORMED THE BRAKE AND ROTOR WEAR, AS EXPECTED. THE DEAL TOLD ME THAT I COULD GO "ANOTHER 1,000 OR SO MILES" ON THESE BRAKES AND ROTORS BEFORE I NEEDED TO DO ANYTHING. I QUESTIONED THE NEED FOR ROTORS AT LESS THAN 30,00 MILES AND I WAS TOLD THAT 30,000 MILES IS AN ACCEPTABLE AMOUNT FOR REPLACEMENT. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS, AND NONE OF THEM HAVE HAD ROTORS REPLACED BEFORE 50,000. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, THEIR ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST CHRYSLER IN REGARDS TO BRAKES AND ROTORS, AND THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING. BRAKES ARE THE MOST CRITICAL ITEM ON YOUR CAR AND THEY ARE WILLING TO ROLL THE DICE WITH MY FAMILY. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I SHOULD HAVE NO SAFETY CONCERNS OR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES WITH A NEW CAR. BUT, NOW I'M FACED WITH $900 IN REPAIRS IN AN ECONOMY THAT I SHOULD BE SAVING IN. CHRYSLER SHOULD BE STEPPING UP AND TAKING CURE OF ITS CUSTOMERS RATHER THAN RISKING POSSIBLE INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354208

12,000 miles · Sep 4, 2010

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAVE GONE OUT FOUR TIMES. I HAD THE ROTORS RESURFACED TWO TIMES AND HAD TO PURCHASE NEW ROTORS TWO OTHER TIMES BECAUSE THEY WERE TOO FAR OUT OF SPEC. THE VEHICLE HAS 49,000 MILES. THE BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE GONE OUT EVERY 10,000 TO 12,000 MILES. LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY AND PULSATING STEERING…

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NHTSA ODI #10353884

14,000 miles · Aug 31, 2010

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

PRE-MATURE BRAKE ROTOR WARPING AND SUBSEQUENT PAD WEAR. 2009 DODGE JOURNEY HAD ALL 4 ROTORS AND ALL PADS REPLACED AT 14,000 MILES AT MY EXPENSE. NOW AT 28,500 MILES, I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. DODGE/CHRYSLER WILL DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353115

17,000 miles · Aug 2, 2010

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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I PURCHASED MY JOURNEY IN MARCH 08. I HAVE 17,000 MILES ON IT AND I HAD TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKE PADS REPLACED. I HAD BEEN NOTICING A HOT SMELL COMING FROM MY CAR FROM TIME TO TIME, BUT UNTIL I WALKED BY MAY REAR TIRE I DID NOT KNOW WHERE THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM. WHEN I BET DOWN TO INVESTIGATE THE SMELL MY REAR WHEELS WERE SO HOT I COULD NOT TOUCH THE WHEELS. THE SMELL WAS NOT A HOT BREAK SMELL BUT A DIFFERENT ONE. I CONTACT MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD ME BRING IT RIGHT IN. AFTER EVALUATING THE PROBLEM THEY TOLD ME IT IS A DESIGN ISSUE WITH THE JOURNEY AND A COUPLE OTHER MODELS. WHAT WAS HAPPENING WAS THE BREAKS WERE OXIDIZING AND THE CALIPERS WOULD RELEASE, BUT THE BRAKE PADS WOULD NOT. SO THE BRAKE PADS WERE CONSTANTLY RUBBING THE ROTORS. THEY SAID THEY HAVE SEEN THIS ISSUE MANY TIMES BEFORE BUT CHRYSLER WAS NOT ADDRESSING THE ISSUE. MY DEALERSHIP TREATED ME WELL, BUT THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE REMEDY. I CALLED THE RECALL DEPARTMENT AND THEY STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS MATTER, BUT ADVISED ME TO GO TO NHTSA.GOV AND STATE MY COMPLAINT. THEY WILL NOT START AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER UNTIL THEY RECEIVE A LARGER CONSENSUS OF COMPLAINTS. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THIS WOULD BE AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10346844

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

11,090 miles · May 19, 2010

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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2009 DODGE JOURNEY SXT AWD. FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM. HAD VIBRATION IN FRONT END, DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS RUST FROM BEING PARKED OUTSIDE AND THAT THE TECHNICIAN HAD SANDED IT OFF. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM THAT I FELT WERE WARPED ROTORS. I TOOK A TRIP TO MECHANICSBURG, ABOUT 350 MILES FROM HOME, AND UPON RETURN MY BRAKES ARE "TOAST". PADS, ROTORS AND WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE ARE ALL GOING TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A SIGNIFICANT COST TO ME; MORE THAN $400.00 (US) IN THIS ECONOMY. I BOUGHT AN AMERICAN CAR TO DO MY PART FOR THE ECONOMY. I THINK I AM GOING TO REGRET THIS PURCHASE. I TRADED MY 2001 LAND ROVER IN FOR THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10331174

8,234 miles · May 12, 2010

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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AT 8234 MILES I TOOK MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY AWD TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH SLIGHT PULSATION WHILE BRAKING AND THE DEALERSHIP RESURFACED THE FRONT ROTORS. AT 11156 THE CAR WENT IN FOR BRAKE ISSUES AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS. AT 11574 THE CAR WENT IN ONCE AGAIN FOR BRAKE VIBRATION AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED BOTH FRONT ROTORS. AT 16049 THE REPLACED ROTORS WERE RESURFACED. AT 17669 AGAIN FOR BRAKE VIBRATION BUT THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. AT 20554 THE FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED ONCE AGAIN. AT 23669 THE 2ND SET OF ROTORS WERE RESURFACED. AT 24944 THE ROTORS AGAIN WERE REPLACED FOR THE 3RD TIME. NOW IT SEEMS TO ME THIS MIGHT BE A DEFECT ON THE BRAKES, BUT ACCORDING TO THE DISTRICT MANAGER AT CHRYSLER IT IS MY DRIVING THAT IS CAUSING THE BRAKES TO GET BAD. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY THAT DODGE HAS NOT CHARGED ME UP UNTIL THIS WEEK. DODGE WILL NO LONGER REPAIR THE BRAKES BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THE DISTRICT MANAGER "IT IS NOT THE CAR, BUT MY DRIVING". I CURRENTLY HAVE 25K MILES AND HAVE GONE THROUGH 3 SETS OF ROTORS (AND STILL VIBRATES) AND BELIEVE ME I DO NOT RIDE THE BRAKES AS THEY CLAIM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330159

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