CarComplaints.com Notes: A prime example of why you should never buy the first model year of a new vehicle.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 9
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 1
Average Mileage:
69,760 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2009 Dodge Journey engine problems

engine problem

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2009 Dodge Journey Owner Comments (Page 1 of 8)

problem #146

Sep 012021

Journey

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I've gone through 6 batteries in 1 year and I still have to keep jumping my vehicle Everytime I start it. I am currently stranded in Walmart parking lot with no jumper cables and I am being forced to walk now. Also there are times when I am driving down the highway and at any given moment it acts as if I stomped on the brakes. The lights go off and on, the windows roll up and down, the door locks are out of control and the gauges on the dashboard go out of control as well. I recently bought a new TIPM and ECM because when I replaced the battery it would no longer start. This vehicle is very dangerous and I'm sorry I ever bought it. It seems as if dodge cares more about their money than a human life

- Paducah , KY, USA

problem #145

Dec 092022

Journey

  • miles
Vehicle owner was driving and pulled over when all warning lights began flashing, wipers came on, horn started honking, windows would not go down, doors would not unlock, and vehicle started on fire. Fire appeared to begin in the engine compartment, with fire eventually consuming entire vehicle.

- Middleton, WI, USA

problem #144

May 112022

Journey

  • miles
Hi I bought this Dodge Journey on May 24 2021 since the First day I bought it the car started giving me problems the dealer wouldn't take the car back and in stuck with it the engine from the car is Giving me problems it won't accelerate is very scary I'm very concerned because I got kids and also the car started smoking.

- Reading, PA, USA

problem #143

Aug 012021

Journey

  • 137,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to start the vehicle. The ABS, Traction Control System, and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warning lights were illuminated. The contact replaced the battery twice; however, the failure reoccurred. Additionally, the contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as designed and hesitant to respond. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or local dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.

- Zephyrhills, FL, USA

problem #142

Aug 142022

Journey

  • miles
09 Dodge Journey 3.5l v6 issues started the day after I bought the vehicle!! will cut off while driving, stall and cut off at stop lights, stop signs. Way too much heat coming from motor, ac compressor making allot of noise. Overheating issues, brake light switch issue. Cruise control malfunction, driver-€™s window switch and window not working. Rear tv stopped working after a snow storm, rear ac/ heater not blowing at all, cars won-€™t shift out of park at all. Headlights stopped working. All lights flashed on and off while driving down the freeway at 80mph, now it-€™s saying gas cap on dash, while driving to a job the timing belt broke after being replaced 2 months earlier, water pump is leaking after being replaced 2 months ago. Water soaking the passenger and backseat floorboards and I can-€™t figure out why. This is honestly the worst vehicle I-€™ve ever bought and I regret buying it at all every day. This vehicle should be outlawed and against the law to sell to anyone.

- Whiteville, NC, USA

problem #141

Dec 222021

Journey

  • miles
I have power door locks not working except manually or driver door by key. Key fob and door module for locks will not function. I cannot open the hatch due to power lock function. The Airbag light comes on when vehicle is started and the door is open and only disappears after the door is closed, engine shut off then restarted. Also the engine light came on for awhile then off and is now back on. This is what code scan report says. Engine and Transmission are P0420 Catalyst Efficiency (Bank1), OBDll Codes ($03) is Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1. The Airbag is U0172 Lost Commuication w/Left Side Satellite Accelerator Sensor 1- Stored. The Door Module- Front Right (DMFR) is B16A5 Passenger Window Switch Backlighting Circuit High-Stored. Not sure exactly what these all mean but I think the Power Locks are a safety issue along with the Airbags. The power locks don't lock after driving it like they used to after driving so many feet.

- Harrison, MI, USA

problem #140

Feb 012021

Journey

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The gear will not shift unless I press the release button. After I took it for a recall in Route 18 Dodge dealer East Brunswick NJ, it came back without been able to shift. I asked the mechanic why my car is no moving, they said you have to press the release button and shift gears at the same. I told them I didn-€™t bring my car in like this. After I spoke to -€œMike-€ the manager, he said it was a matter of time. I-€™m scare for my life when driving because now is making all these sounds on the transmission.

- Perth Amboy , NJ, USA

problem #139

May 012021

Journey

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled. The driver restarted the vehicle and continued to drive; however, the failure recurred. The driver was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed back to the residence. An independent mechanic went to the residence to inspect the vehicle. The mechanic replaced the starter and installed a new battery however, the failure recurred. The mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact was concerned that the failure was related to the ignition switch and the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Trapper Creek, AK, USA

problem #138

May 182021

Journey

  • miles
Something in the engine is causes the alternator to die. I-€™ve gotten it changed 3 times within a year. The car has been having multiple issues since I purchased it. The file is to lengthy to upload

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #137

Mar 012021

Journey

  • 19 miles
Reporting common problems of 2009 Dodge Journey 2.0crd 103kw 1.a car started shutting off whenever it drives, running in parking lot, stopped at red light. 2.battery fails suddenly, without any warning, jumping cables can't help, because a car just making a cranking noise under a hood. 3. wheel airbag is having short circuits, so due to it sometimes lights a warning in dashboard. 4. steering wheel relay shows misunderstood degrees of wheel angle, so it comes to esp bas error.

- Alytus, AL, USA

problem #136

Jul 012020

Journey

  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the air bag, check engine, and the eps traction warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact initially took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who replaced the brake module control sensor however, the failure persisted. The mechanic referred the contact to an authorized dealer for assistance. The contact then took the vehicle to lithia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of Santa Fe (7401 cerrillos rd, Santa Fe, nm 87507) where the diagnosis confirmed that the brake module control sensor was defective. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The contact brought the vehicle back to the dealer for a second diagnostic test to be performed. The results were still pending. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Las Vegas, NM, USA

problem #135

Aug 312020

Journey

  • 170,000 miles
Car won't start, when trying to start, everything works(lights radio) except the engine won't crank. It has happened numerous times. Sometimes I get stalled in the highway, which is really dangerous.

- Grand Forks, ND, USA

problem #134

Jan 162020

Journey

  • 203,573 miles
While driving the engine caught fire. Dealer says it is not covered under recall. Even though I see other Dodge Journey recalls of same fire being recalled.

- Canton, MS, USA

problem #133

Dec 022019

Journey

  • 61,226 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. While driving the entire board flashed and then vehicle engine seized and the vehicle stopped. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the rod and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been serviced earlier by the dealer ourisman Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of bowie 2406 crain hwy, bowie, md 20716 (855) 822-3228. The contact suspected the dealer did subpar work that caused the engine to shut down and needed replacement the contact did not get her vehicle back until the end of November 2019, the vehicle issue of stopping occurred in 12/2019. The manufacturer gave the contact a case number but had not called back with an update. The contact was referred to the ftc and her state's attorney general's office the failure mileage was 61,226.

- Welcome, MD, USA

problem #132

Oct 162019

Journey

  • miles
There was a recall on the airbags & airbag module.. they supposedly replaced.. the electrical wire is now messed up bc the airbag light keeps coming on & off, the drivers side front door control lock to lock the car will not work, now engine light comes on & off and the transmission was replaced, all new components, driving the car on Jan 4th 2020 & the engine just stops on me at traffic light.. this car has had nothing but problems after problems from the 1st day I bought it from the sales agent that lied to me about everything.. there are recalls on my car that still never got replaced.. I am the new owner of this 2009 Dodge Journey SXT on (2/16/2018).. I was told I'm the 2nd owner, I am the 4th owner and was lied about if this car was in a accident.. it was in a accident to do with the transmission stopping and the ppl that had this car B4 me the report says it was side swiped passenger side on (10/18/2017).. found out more about the car I bought was in a major flood so someone didn't tell the truth & I was sold a car that has water damage & they covered it up and I been complaining since I bought this car... something isn't right with this car & I got ripped off, this car the transmission stopped on me and I almost got in a bad car accident.. I've had a mechanic at a Dodge dealership tell me & my dad I was sold a car that has water damage etc... I am having problems with the airbag light on & off and this was a recall and should be redone, the engine light is faulty and the steering wheel and electrical still, along with the fob ignition switch..

- Rockford, MI, USA

problem #131

Nov 012017

Journey

  • miles
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. While driving, the instrument panel lighting illuminated and the vehicle stopped in the middle of the road. The failure almost caused a crash. The vehicle was taken to multiple independent mechanics and dealers. The contact researched and found other vehicle's experiencing the same failure. The vehicle was taken to ganley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (310 broadway ave, bedford, oh 44146, (440) 232-2121) where it was determined that the electrical and computer systems failed. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic for a second opinion, but they did not have the equipment to clearly diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer stated that they would document the contact's file; however, the vehicle was no longer under warranty and there were no current recalls. The contact stated that the failures occurred ever since the vehicle was purchased in 2015. The contact was informed to call NHTSA. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Streetsboro, OH, USA

problem #130

Sep 012016

Journey

  • 135,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. While driving various speeds, the vehicle shook and jerked before shutting off. After restarting the engine, the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 135,000.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #129

Aug 132019

Journey

  • miles
After driving home from my house to my mom, in the morning I went to start the car and it would crank on but not fully start. It's been doing that for the past three days can't move my car out of start because it's not fully turning

- Zephyrhills, FL, USA

problem #128

Aug 052019

Journey 6-cyl

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving the contact heard an abnormal noise and the engine stalled. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road. When the contact attempted to turn off and restart the vehicle there was a popping noise and black smoke came out of the engine compartment. The contact exited the vehicle and the vehicle was quickly engulfed in flames. The flames were extinguished by the fire department but the vehicle was completely destroyed by the fire. A police report was not filed but a fire department report was filed. There were no injuries. The remains of the vehicle were towed to a lot for the insurance company to inspect. The dealer john hiester Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (940 N main St, lillington, nc 27546 (910) 893-8088) was asked about recalls and told the contact there were no recalls related to the vehicle catching on fire. The manufacturer had not been informed yet. The failure mileage was 170,000.

- Fuquay-Varina, NC, USA

problem #127

Apr 112019

Journey

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that the vehicle could not shift out of park and the engine failed to start occasionally. The contact had to place the vehicle into neutral or make multiple attempts to restart the engine. In addition, the eps and ABS warning indicators illuminated. The contact had to turn off and restart the vehicle to turn off the indicators and get the vehicle to operate normally. The vehicle was driven to atlanta West Dodge Jeep (1251 thornton rd, lithia springs, ga 30122, (770) 942-1102) where it was diagnosed that a brake sensor needed to be installed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failures recurred. The dealer installed a new starter, transmission sensors, and PCM module, but the failures recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and did not assist. The failure mileage was 94,000.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

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