CarModelProblems.com

2009 Dodge Journey Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 4.8× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
1,433Complaints
8Recalls
41Crashes
30Fires
34Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Electrical System (51.8% of complaints) — is covered by 5 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Electrical System complaints here are 4.8× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.

3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Electrical System743 · 51.8%RecalledRecall 14V373000 · Recall 10V658000 · Recall 08V247000 · Recall 09V082000 · Recall 09V118000
Air Bags265 · 18.5%RecalledRecall 16V047000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic187 · 13%No official action
Engine149 · 10.4%No official action
Service Brakes106 · 7.4%No official action
Power Train87 · 6.1%RecalledRecall 08V528000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM743 · 51.8%
AIR BAGS265 · 18.5%
ENGINE149 · 10.4%
SERVICE BRAKES106 · 7.4%
POWER TRAIN87 · 6.1%
Unspecified / other84 · 5.9%
STEERING71 · 5%
TIRES33 · 2.3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL33 · 2.3%

Percentages are the share of the 1,433 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 8 campaigns

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

NHTSA campaign 16V273000 · 2016 · reported 05/06/2016

A loss of power steering assist may require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal

NHTSA campaign 16V047000 · 2016 · reported 01/29/2016

If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. Additionally, the air bags may inadvertently deploy, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:ignition:switch

NHTSA campaign 14V373000 · 2014 · reported 06/26/2014

If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:wiring

NHTSA campaign 10V658000 · 2010 · reported 12/24/2010

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SIDE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, REDUCING THE PROTECTION INTENDED FOR THE OCCUPANT AND INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:wiring

NHTSA campaign 08V247000 · 2008 · reported 06/03/2008

DAMAGE TO THE WIRING HARNESS COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System

NHTSA campaign 09V082000 · 2009 · reported 03/12/2009

IF THE FUSE FOR THIS CIRCUIT DOES NOT BLOW, THE CONNECTOR COULD OVERHEAT AND POTENTIALLY CATCH FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

NHTSA campaign 08V528000 · 2008 · reported 10/09/2008

THIS CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:wiring

NHTSA campaign 09V118000 · 2009 · reported 04/09/2009

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT PROPERLY INFLATE AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“BRAKES DO NOT LAST. HAD TO REPLACE REAR AND FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS AT 40,000 MILES, ONLY 500 AFTER WE PURCHASED VEHICLE. WHEN BRAKING AT…”NHTSA complaint 10349114 — filed 08/12/2010 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“I HAVE A 2009 DODGE JOURNEY THAT HAS STALLED ON ME WHILE DRIVING TWICE IN THE LAST MONTH. I LOSE ALL CONTROL OF STEERING AND…”NHTSA complaint 10347138 — filed 08/03/2010 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“BRAKES, TIRES AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I HAVE TO GET NEW TIRES ALREADY AND I ONLY HAVE 36,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I HAVE HAD TO…”NHTSA complaint 10346072 — filed 07/29/2010 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

13120121142152014566233201696119201891442020242120221342024932026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Dodge Journey?

Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 743 of 1,433 NHTSA complaints (51.8%), followed by air bags (265), service brakes, hydraulic (187), engine (149). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2009 Dodge Journey have?

1,433 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 41 involved a crash, 30 involved a fire, and 34 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 2009 Dodge Journey have any recalls?

Yes — 8 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 16V273000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2009 Dodge Journey's reported problems?

3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.