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

What owners actually said

161 reports

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2010

Service Brakes, Electric

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I HAVE A 2009 DODGE JOURNEY THAT I PURCHASED IN JUNE 2008. I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES (FRONT AND BACK) OF MY CAR. I HAD PROBLEMS EVER SINCE I WAS AT 9,000 MILES. IT'S CRAZY.. .THE DEALERSHIP KEPT "FIXING" THE PROBLEM, SUPPOSEDLY BUT I HAD TO TAKE MY CAR IN THERE AT LEAST FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES BEFORE MY CAR EVEN HIT 20,000 MILES. I FILES A COMPLAINT AT CHRYSLER... THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE... AND TOOK IT UPON MYSELF TO GO TO ANOTHER DODGE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY SAW THE SAME PROBLEMS AND THEY (WITH THE COOPERATION OF CHRYSLER'S COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT) TOOK CARE OF IT FREE OF CHARGE. I HAD TO SWITCH DEALERSHIPS BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL DEALER HAD ENOUGH AND WOULDN'T FIX IT FOR FREE ANYMORE. IT WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT MY FAULT! I QUESTIONED WHETHER THEY WERE EVEN FIXING IT AT ALL. I HAVE TO CHANGE MY BACK BRAKES NOW, YET AGAIN! IT'S TOO MUCH MONEY FOR A PRETTY NEW CAR, BARELY 2 YEAR OLD. I TOLD THEM TO TAKE MY CAR BACK AND NEVER HEARD ANYTHING MORE ABOUT IT... I WOULD LOVE TO GIVE IT BACK... AND I HOPE THEY RECALL THEM SOON! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10343490

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

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

21,000 miles · Apr 21, 2010

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY R/T AWD HAS JUST OVER 21,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. RECENTLY, THE BRAKES WERE ACTING WORSE THAN NORMAL, SO I TOOK IT IN TO A SERVICE CENTER. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THE PADS AND ROTORS ARE COMPLETELY SHOT, MAKING METAL-TO-METAL CONTACT. ALL WILL NEED REPLACED - AT 21,000 MILES! CHECKING THE INTERNET, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE DODGE JOURNEY. NUMEROUS OWNERS HAVE HAD TO HAVE COMPLETELY NEW BRAKES INSTALLED WITH LESS THAN 23,000 MILES ON THEIR CARS. THE FACTORY WARRANTY ONLY COVERS BRAKE PROBLEMS FOR 12 MONTHS / 12,000 MILES. THERE IS CLEARLY A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE LINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10326926

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

21,153 miles · Feb 12, 2010

EquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

ROTORS, BRAKE PADS, AND CALIPERS. I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES WITHIN THE LAST MONTH TO TRY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. MY TIRES/BRAKES VIBRATE AND MAKE A LOUD HUMMING SOUND ON THE FREEWAY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH AND WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN OCTOBER, I WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE V…

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NHTSA ODI #10308981

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2009

Engine And Engine Cooling

HAVE HAD A 2009 JOURNEY SINCE AUGUST 2008. AT ABOUT THE ONE-YEAR MARK, THE VEHICLE BEGAN AN ODD NOISE WHEN TURNING HARD LEFT. THE DEALER REPLACED A PS RESERVOIR, BUT THE NOISE IS STILL OFTEN EVIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10289751

29,000 miles · Oct 14, 2009

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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REDUCED BRAKING CAUSED BY WORN FRONT ROTORS AND FRONT BRAKE PADS FROM PREMATURELY WEARING OUT IN 13 MONTHS OF USE. ROTORS WORN BEYOND REPAIR (CANNOT BE RESURFACED) AND PADS WORN COMPLETELY. APPEARS TO BE DESIGN AND PRODUCT FAILURE. BRAKING SYSTEM MAYBE INADEQUATE FOR THE LOAD OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR. REQUIRES UPGRADED BRAKING SYSTEM TO OFFSET SIZE AND WEIGHT OF VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, CANNOT PURCHASE ANY UPGRADE ROTORS FROM THIRD PARTY SUPPLIERS DUE TO NEWNESS OF MODEL. NOTHING IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE EXCEPT THE SAME OEM PARTS FROM DODGE/CHRYSLER. VEHICLE SUSTAINED A LOSS OF BRAKING EFFICIENCY UNTIL ALMOST COMPLETE LOSS OF FRONT BRAKING SYSTEM. LOUD GRINDING AND HIGH PITCH NOISE FROM ROTORS. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR WARNING SYSTEM THAT BRAKING SYSTEM REQUIRED REPAIR OR SERVICE. VEHICLE LOST FRONT BRAKES SOONER THAN A REASONABLE PERSON WOULD HAVE OR COULD HAVE ANTICIPATED AND NO WARNING TO CAUSE INSPECTION TO OCCUR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10287357

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