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

77,000 miles · Dec 30, 2013

Power Train

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I WAS DRIVING HOME MY WIFE, DAUGHTER AND MY PREGNANT WIFE, WHEN ABOUT 1/2 FROM HOME A DARK BLACK SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, I PULLED OVER AND PULLED THE HOOD LATCH, AND AFTER I WAS ABLE TO GET MY FAMILY OUT OF THE CAR, I LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE CAR,A DARK FLUID WAS POURING ON TOP OF THE EXHAUST. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. AFTER AN INSPECTION, HE FOUND THAT THE POWER TRANSFER CASE UNIT CRACKED. HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET SINCE DEALER SAID THAT IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT'S NORMAL WEAR FOR THESE VEHICLE. $1350 FOR TRANSFER CASE, $85 TOW TRUCK AND $450 LABOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10557828

96,000 miles · Nov 20, 2013

EnginePower Train

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I NOTICED OVER THE WEEKEND THAT THE CAR STARTED MAKING A WEIRD TICKING NOISE. ALSO WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE IT SEEMED LIKE IT WANTED TO STALL SOMETIMES. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND IT STARTED TO BUCK AND SPUTTER. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT PULLED OVER AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CRACKED TRANSFER CASE WHICH CAME WITH A $2400 ESTIMATE! AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A TYPICAL PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR AND FOUND MANY ACCOUNTS ON DODGEJOURNEYFORUM.COM. SOUNDS LIKE A RECALL NEEDS TO HAPPEN BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT IF IT HASN'T HAPPENED ALREADY! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553011

88,000 miles · Nov 12, 2013

Service BrakesSteeringTires

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I WAS DRIVING AND THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR CAME ON. I PULLED OVER TO A PARKING LOT AND PROCEEDED TO ADD AIR TO THE TIRE USING AN AIR PUMP. AFTER FILLING THE TIRE WITH AIR AND ATTEMPTING TO DISLODGE THE AIR PUMP HOSE. THE END OF THE TIRE STEM BROKE OFF INSIDE OF THE TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE CAUSING THE TIRE TO DEFLATE COMPLETELY. I NOTICED THAT THE TIRE STEM LOOKED CORRODED, AND I IMMEDIATELY GOOGLED THE PROBLEM WITH THIS TIRE STEM AND LEARNED THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WHERE THE TIRE STEMS ON THE VEHICLE CORRODE (WHICH MINE DID EXACTLY) AND THEN BREAK OFF WHILE MOST ARE DRIVING. IN ADDITION TO THIS PROBLEM THE VEHICLE ANTIFREEZE RESERVOIR'S CRACK CAUSING THE ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK OUT ON A CONSTANT BASIS. THIS TOO IS A ITEM WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED LONG AGO. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION INTO THESE REPORTED BY UN-NOTED DEFECTS IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551972

13,687 miles · Oct 15, 2013

Service Brakes

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NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AT THIS LOW MILEAGE(13,687). FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED AGAIN AS WELL AS REAR ROTORS AND BRAKES AT 19,765 MILES. FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED AGAIN AND REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS RESURFACED AT 34,745 MILES. REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED AGAIN AT 59,951 MILES. FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED AGAIN AT 67500 MILES. FRONT BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS, AND HOSES ALL REPLACED AT 72,773 MILES. FEEL THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547995

23,000 miles · Aug 26, 2013

Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes

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BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW OFF SHOW ROOM FLOOR IN FEB OF 2009 AND ONLY OWNER....FIRST 6 MONTHS OF OWNING IT STARTED WITH SERPENTINE BELT, HEAT SHIELD, GEAR BOX, AC COOLANT, ELECTRICAL , TRANSMISSION (4 TIMES) BRAKES AND ROTORS (5 TIMES), BATTERY ISSUES AND NOT TO MENTION TIRE REPLACEMENT ALL BEFORE 50K MILES. WITH THIS BEING SAID YOU WOULD THINK I HAVE BUILT A NEW CAR BY NOW. YES L EVEN PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT STILL PAY OUT OF POCKET CAUSE GUESS WHAT "EVERYTHING IS NOT COVERED" ITS A LEMON AND I AM SCARED FOR ME AND MY DAUGHTER TO DRIVE IT!!! EVERY MONTH ITS SOMETHING NEW THAT I HAVE TO FIX AND REPLACE, CAN NO LONGER AFFORD IT. I WAS PROUD TO BE ABLE TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR WITH ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES I WANTED, BUT HECK I CANT AFFORD IT. THE MAINTENANCE COST HAS WIPED OUT ANY SAVINGS I TRIED TO HAVE. I WILL HAVE TO TRY AND TRADE IT IN, HOWEVER I KNOW I AM NOT GOING TO GET WHAT I STILL OWE AND ITS SAD I WILL STILL BE PAYING FOR THIS PIECE OF CRAP. REALLY SAD WHEN YOU CONTACT CHRYSLER TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF ALL THE ISSUES AND PROBLEMS THEY DON'T EVEN APOLOGIZE FOR PRODUCING SUCH POOR WORK. GUESS IT WILL TAKE MANY MORE FAMILIES TO GO BANKRUPT OR PEOPLE GETTING HURT FOR THEM TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS CAR!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10537320

54,702 miles · Jul 22, 2013

Tires

TIRE IS WORN , WENT FOR OIL CHANGE , TIRE AT ALMOST DANGEROUS LEVEL , THIS IS SECOND TIRE TO WEAR THROUGH IN A YEAR . I WAS TOLD THESE TIRES HAVE TERRIBLE WEAR LIFE. I CAN ONLY GET THEM AT DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE . IF YOU ARE PUTTING SUCH A HIGH PRICE TAG ON THESE TIRES THEN IMPROVE THEM. I AM ON DISABILITY A…

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NHTSA ODI #10526243

91,000 miles · Jul 11, 2013

Power TrainFire

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I PURCHASED THE 2009 DODGE JOURNEY SXT USED IN 2012. IN LESS THEN A YEAR I HAD TO REPLACE AN AXLE, THEN REPLACE A DRIVE SHAFT. ONCE THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS REPLACED, LESS THEN A MONTH LATER I WAS DRIVING HOME AND HEARD A CLICKING NOISE. IT LASTED NO LONGER THEN A MINUTE AND THEN ABOUT 1 MILE DOWN THE ROAD AS I WAS TURNING ON TO MY ROAD I HEARD A LOUD CRACK. MY VEHICLE THEN SHOOK VIOLENTLY AS I DROVE, AS IF ONE OF THE TIRES MIGHT BE FALLING OFF. I CAUTIOUSLY CONTINUED ON AT NO MORE THEN 15MPH TO MY DRIVE (MAYBE 2/10 OF A MILE). WHEN I PULLED IN MY CAR WAS SMOKING. THE NEXT DAY WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, THINKING MAYBE IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. AND WERE INFORMED IT WAS A TRANSFER CASE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. IT HAD CRACKED AND SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE AND WAS LEAKING FLUID. WHEN WE CALLED TO CHECK ON THE $1200.00 PART (AFTER ALREADY PUTTING IN ANOTHER $1500 IN PARTS AND LABOR TO THE OTHER TWO PROBLEMS) WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE COMPANY WAS OVER 300 PARTS BEHIND ON THEM AND IT COULD TAKE A WHILE. GREAT. AFTER IMMENSE ONLINE RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE SXT AWD VERSION OF THIS VEHICLE. HAD WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER A LIFETIME WARRANTY, HOWEVER BECAUSE IT WAS USED WE GET SCREWED. IF YOU ASK ME, DODGE SHOULD BACK ITS VEHICLES, NO MATTER WHAT. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED AND DODGE SHOULD HAVE TO FIX WHAT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524375

54,000 miles · Jul 2, 2013

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

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MY CARS HAS BEEN ACTING UP LATELY. RANDOMLY IT WILL NOT TURN ON WHEN I TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION EVEN THOUGH ALL THE LIGHTS, RADIO, AND AC TURNS ON. ALL'S I HEAR IS A CLICK AND THEN IT DOES NOTHING. SOMETIME IT WORKS FINE, BUT OTHER TIMES I HAVE TO TRY 8-10 TIMES BEFORE IT WILL TURN OVER. I AM NOT SURE IF I WILL ALWAYS BE SO LUCKY OR IF ONE OF THESE TIMES I WILL BE STRANDED. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND THEY CHECKED THE BATTERY AND IT WAS OKAY. ALSO ABOUT A MONTH AGO I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CAR STARTED AUTOMATICALLY LOCKING AND UNLOCKING DOORS. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522962

94,702 miles · Jun 11, 2013

Electrical System

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THE CAR WILL NOT START ON A RANDOM BASIS. ALL LIGHTS, RADIO, DASH WORKING PROPERLY BUT THE CAR JUST "CLICKS" AND REFUSES TO CRANK OVER. WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SHOP WHERE THEY DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE AND BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY. EXACTLY ONE YEAR LATER, SAME PROBLEMS. WE'VE HAD IT INTO THE SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS AND BOTH TIMES WERE TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG (ALTHOUGH THEY DID PUT A NEW BATTERY IN). NEXT DAY CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN . NOW IT IS STUCK OUT OF TOWN AND IS BEING TOWED TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10519393

71,030 miles · Apr 23, 2013

Tires

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ALL 4 TIRES REPLACED 11/15/2012. ORDERED BRAND NEW KUMHO TIRES, HAD THEM MOUNTED, BALANCED AND SECURED WITH RH WARRANTY. IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THEY WERE MORE NOISY THAN THE TIRES THAT WERE ON JOURNEY BEFORE REPLACEMENT 11/15/2012. SLIGHT SHIMMY AND HUMMING NOISE. NOVEMBER 2012 - TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO SERVICE CENTER THAT MOUNTED TIRES. EXPLAINED ISSUE(S), OWNER TOLD SERVICE CENTER POSSIBLE BAD TIRE(S), REQUESTED TIRE INSPECTION. NO RESULTS FOUND. SERVICE CENTER ASKED OWNER TO DRIVE ON TIRES FOR 2/3 DAYS TO SEE IF SHIMMY IS COMING FROM FRONT OR REAR END. OWNER COMPLETED REQUESTED ACTION BY SERVICE CENTER, REPORTED SHIMMY COMING FROM REAR END AND REQUESTED ADDITIONAL INSPECTION OF TIRES. SERVICE CENTER "SAYS" THEY INSPECTED AGAIN AND FOUND NOTHING. DECEMBER -2012 OWNER RETURNED TO SERVICE CENTER FOR THIRD TIME TO REQUEST ROTATE & BALANCED. SERVICE CENTER ONCE AGAIN "SAYS" THEY ROTATED, BALANCED AND CHECKED TIRES AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. SHIMMY AND HUMMING NOISE NOW COMPLETELY LOCATED IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. 04/21/2013 FRONT RIGHT BRAKE CALIPER AND PAD NEEDS REPLACED. CALIPER DRAGGING AND SMOKING. WHEN FRONT RIGHT TIRE WAS REMOVED TO REPLACE CALIPER TIRE WAS WOBBLY AND WOULD NOT STAND ON ITS OWN OR ROLL ON FLOOR "NORMALLY". NO OTHER TIRES WERE INSPECTED 4/21/2013. OWNER PLANS TO RETURN TO SERVICE CENTER WHERE TIRES WERE PURCHASED/MOUNTED TO REQUEST ANOTHER INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509301

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