Is the 2009 Dodge Journey a bad year?
1,594 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Journey years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2009 Dodge Journey are in line with other Journey years. Electrical system stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2009 Journey owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 80,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 814 (51%) | 52k–105k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 286 (18%) | 62k–131k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 196 (12%) | 54k–107k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 132 (8%) | 37k–120k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Steering | 79 (5%) | 54k–135k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Speed control | 36 (2%) | 74k–128k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 34 (2%) | 54k–91k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 30 (2%) | 60k–125k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 14 (1%) | 43k–106k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 13 (1%) | 64k–100k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Seats | 6 (0%) | 12k–113k miles · around this mileage | — |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 374 (23%) | 16k–40k miles · mostly behind | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| TiresSTANDS OUT | 73 (5%) | 21k–54k miles · mostly behind | — |
| WheelsSTANDS OUT | 40 (3%) | 35k–77k miles · mostly behind | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 80,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,594 complaints: 42 mention a crash · 37 mention a fire · 28 report an injury · 32 say the car was towed.
4 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Apr 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The car will not start. It comes with a faulty win module that has given many consumers grief. The car has left me stranded before due to the same issue.
The vehicle keeps overheating. I've added coolant. There doesn't seem to be a leakage stain in the garage or driveway.
Car all of a sudden shuts off while driving down the street at various SPEEDS.35-70 steering wheel locks, you have very little control.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 80,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2009 Dodge Journey: 8
After exposure to cold temperatures, the power steering return hose may rupture at engine start-up causing a loss of power steering assist. A loss of power steering assist may require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail. 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.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. 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.
The wires within the front door wire harnesses may fatigue and break, which can interrupt the circuits for the side impact sensor(S), resulting in an airbag warning lamp illumination and loss of side crash sensing capability. 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.
Wiring may be reversed on the steering column control module driver airbag squib connector. The driver's airbag may not deploy as intended. 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.
An unused electrical connector for the optional 115 volt auxiliary power outlet option may become corroded and could short circuit. If the fuse for this circuit does not blow, the connector could overheat and potentially catch fire.
A new adhesive used in the power train control module (PCM) manufacturing process can cause the printed circuit board to break. This can cause the engine to stall and cause a crash without warning.
The engine wiring harness may contact the left transaxle mount. Damage to the wiring harness could result in an engine compartment fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 36
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2009 Dodge Journey. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Vehicle Exhibits Vibration From The Transmission During Vehicle Launch (X43 Warranty Extension 5 Years 160,000 KMS)
Cargo and floor cargo organizer storage bin and latch
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Vehicle entrapment
Vehicle entrapment
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
Air Bag Non-Deployment/Engine Stall
Neighbouring years
2010 Journey: 1,085 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Dodge Journey year
2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · All Journey years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2009 Dodge Journey a bad year?
1,594 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Journey years. At 80,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Dodge Journey?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (814), air bags (286), engine (196), transmission and drivetrain (132), steering (79).
How many recalls does the 2009 Dodge Journey have?
8 recall campaigns list this model year: Steering (NHTSA 16V-273), Air bags (NHTSA 16V-047), Electrical system (NHTSA 14V-373), Electrical system (NHTSA 10V-658) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.