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

8.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$750
Average Mileage:
73,050 miles
Total Complaints:
20 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (12 reports)
  2. replaced integrated power module (6 reports)
  3. replace wiring system (2 reports)
2009 Dodge Journey electrical problems

electrical problem

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2009 Dodge Journey Owner Comments

problem #20

Jan 012017

Journey V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

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

THE HORN WILL SOUND OFF WHEN THE IT WANTS TO...VERY RANDOM...I MEAN IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE IS LAYING ON THE HORN. I'VE REPLACE SEVERAL BATTERIES. THE GEAR SHIFT REFUSES TO MOVE. THE SUNROOF LEAKS.

- mslitab, Indianapolis, US

problem #19

Jun 162018

Journey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 128,313 miles

Accelerating to merge at an on ramp on the TCH ESP sensor flashed. Car shuttered and skewed sideways. Engine sputtered and shut off. Once restarted error message cleared bur motor acted sluggishly, Had my mechanic check computer codes. Nothing was recorded regarding ESP code. Recurred within 15 km. Waiting to take car to dealer.

- Charles M., New Glasgow, NS, Canada

problem #18

Jun 232017

Journey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

The car will not shut off when you remove the keys! The windows will not go or down. Fixed the recall on wire harness in window and ignition switch which did absolutely nothing! The parts are defective, the car is defective and the dealer's mechanic are useless! I brought in the car to the 1st dealer because it would not shut off. They could not fix it and made it worse. When I picked up my car it no longer would go into gear. I towed to a 2nd dealer. They had it for 17 day to diagnose it? Then they tell me it is the TIPM they think? Repairs $1700.00 oh but they don't know if it will fix the issues? Now after 2nd dealer car will not start.

Dodge does not know how to make a reliable car and their dealership have no clue on how to repair them.

- parrilli, Punta Gorda, US

problem #17

Feb 142017

Journey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 111,847 miles

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

When ignition key turned on, city lights are on same as the window wipers. I got no direction lightning, it looks if there are no reaction on the handles next to the steering wheel. Can someone tell me what the problem is?

I also got a recall: R03

Is it possible, that after this maintenance, it is fixed again.

R03 has to fix a problem with the ignition key, which can switch from ON to ACC

Please Help

- A. V., Westergeest, Netherlands

problem #16

May 012016

Journey RT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

It just started one day for no reason. My wipers won't shut off, the headlights come on when the ignition is on, the blinkers will not work, and several other things will not work. I took it to Reno Dodge where I bought it. After two weeks and a broken windshield, the worthless service writer decided it may be the instrument cluster but he wasn't sure. He wanted me to pay $1000 to see if this was the problem. If it wasn't I was out $1000 and they would check other things. Needless to say I didn't do it. They are crooks.

- melnrs, Reno, NV, US

problem #15

Aug 102015

Journey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

Dealer wants to tear apart on the right side to check out the electrical problem, therefore they could not give me a price to fix the tail light, they forgot that I mentioned the lock on the front passengers side door. I would be guessing no less then $500. In fact that is probably labor, parts are probably $20.00. No One can even guess how much. I do not want to spend another dime on this lemon of a car. already put in to complaints.

- northroup, Peoria, AZ, US

problem #14

Jun 152015

Journey SXT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

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

Driver side door window control works whenever it wants. If it won't work, I can open the door close it and then it will work. It won't power down the passenger front window either when it does this. It also rolls itself down out of nowhere!!!! Then doesn't want to go back up!!! There is a recall on same make/model but Dodge has repeatedly told me my VIN # is not included in the recall. YET I'm experiencing the SAME exact issue!!!!!! It's a defective wire harness on front driver side which also controls the airbag deployment!!!! Great something else that can kill me in this deathtrap car!!! Dodge should really fess up and buy back all these Journeys that are clearly made cheap!

- Kimberly B., palm bay, FL, US

problem #13

May 242015

Journey SXT 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,964 miles

bought new battery, 4 days later car went dead. Took to dealer replaced starter and module TR 08035031 per recall. 8/19/15 took car in for oil change to Firestone. Next day car battery dead car wont start. Charged battery, towed to Firestone- had car all day and nothing was wrong car started on every attempt. Took car home and next morning car is dead. Tried to recharge and car's alarm went off and would not shut off until I took battery charger off. Tomorrow Dealer again?

- larsontn, Memphis, TN, US

problem #12

Nov 252011

Journey RT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

Well where do I start! I have read a lot of the complaints and ditto to all of them! I bought mine brand new for my wife who loves her car mostly, but problems with electrical started pretty early on. First window actuators, then doors, now turn key and it just clicks. Sometimes it starts a try or two later, sometimes not. Replace main door actuator twice in 3 windows and front passenger twice. Now it's acting up again.

Only have 80,000 on the car now. Windows don't go down sometimes. Recall on wiring harness helped for awhile but not now. Paint on mirrors peeling, leather seat all cracked, have taken my car to Lethia Dodge 3 times they are idiots! Never have the parts so waste my time have to go back, complained to Lethia they never responded.

Brakes grind replaced pads 3 times now, about to put my 4th set of tires on this car! Now waiting to take in for the key fob recall!

This is really a POS Dodge what are you waiting for all of us to get killed! Really ticked

- Larry S., Choteau, MT, US

problem #11

May 252015

Journey SXT 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

I bought a used 2009 Dodge Journey. Biggest mistake of my life. Since I bought it about a year and a half ago I have sunk close to $3,000 into it. I have had starting problem to electrical failures. The latest is the TIPM Module. I will never buy another Dodge or go back to these dealers again in Arlington Heights Illinois.

- Herbert J., Palatine, IL, US

problem #10

Dec 062014

Journey SXT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

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

When sitting idle at an intersection the wipers suddenly came on there is no control to either switch's for the lights or the wipers. The door locks on the inside don't work, the warning lights for the brake, air bags, and abs stay on and no fan to the front a/c.

- paulgr55, Tucson, AZ, US

problem #9

Oct 162014

Journey SXT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,000 miles

I WAS DRIVING ALONG ABOUT 30 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY SEAT BELT ALARM GOES OFF. I LOOK AT MY DASH AND ALL MY SYMBOLS ARE LIT UP. I DON'T LOOSE POWER. IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE IT'S GOING TO STOP. THEN MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS START GOING. IT STOPS AS QUICK AS IT START. I CONTINUE DRIVING AND IT DOES IT AGAIN AND AGAIN.

I STOP AT THE DODGE DEALER THAT I SEE. I TELL THEM WHAT'S GOING ON. THEY HOOK THEIR LITTLE GADGET UP UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL/DASH. SHE COMES BACK AND SHOW THE OTHER WORKERS WHAT THE IPAD/COMPUTER SAYS. THEY WHISPER AND KIND OF GIGGLE, THEN THEY SAY THEY BELIEVE IT'S THE TIPM. I SAY THE WHAT? WHAT IS THAT? THEY TELL ME THE PART IS BETWEEN $800 AND $1000. I AM TOTALLY PISSED OFF.

AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHY HAS CHRYSLER NOT ISSUED A RECALL. THIS IS BS. THE PART THAT REALLY HAS ME PISSED OFF MORE IS THE FACT THAT THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE THE PART AVAILABLE. IVE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET TO WORK EVERYDAY. WHEN IS CHRYSLER GOING TO HAVE THIS PART AVAILABLE???

- Marian P., Cincinnati, OH, US

problem #8

Sep 012014

Journey 4 cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 52,000 miles

Engine light went on while driving, as did the traction control... car wouldn't go above 40-and shuttered badly. As I was going up a hill, the car stalled. Limped it to the garage-where they replaced a sensor (per the code given). 2 days later, on the freeway, hit 55, BAM!!!! no more power, got it off the freeway and couldn't go over 40 again, shuttering on idle and while driving. Had to turn it off several times to get it to "go". Now code shows "misfire" but they can't figure out where from!!! So far $500 in the damn car and back in the shop...this is getting O L D!!! OH and there is a recall on it that they don't have parts to fix that can cause...SHOCKING-STALLING and crashes and the airbags to fail! BUT go ahead and continue to drive with confidence. WTH!!! Dodge will be contacted 1st thing Monday AM to get an EAR full!!!

- Aimee S., Franklin, WI, US

problem #7

Dec 202013

Journey SXT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

While driving the car started to sputter with the wipers going extremely fast then stopping and coming back on. Door locks wouldn't work with key fob or door buttons, left low beam and right high beam wouldn't work, neither front turn signal would work, and temp gauge was off by 30 or 40 degrees. Replaced the battery and none of the issues were fixed. Had to take it to the closest mechanic it finally shut down completely on him while running tests. He called the local Dodge Service Center and they told him it is a known electrical issue with Journeys and Durangos that they see all the time. He had to order a complete new Integrated Power Module or fuse and circuit board for $860 part only. When he ordered the part out of Chicago they only had 1 in stock as the guy stated they can't keep these in due to so many issues. Car is running now but it is at the dealer service center because only they can reset the computer so everything works as normal. So, another $100+ for that as well. This needs to placed in a recall status before someone is seriously injured when their car shuts down while driving. I will be submitting a reimbursement request.

- Donald R., Indianapolis, IN, US

problem #6

Nov 072012

Journey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

For the last year, at random, when I start my car I have no wiper, lights, power windows, radio, heat, etc. The car will run but I have no electrical. Somtimes if I turn the car off and back on again it will work. For the last few weeks, if it is cold in the morning, it could take 30 min of warming the car before electrical returns. I took my car into Twin City Dodge. Because my problem is intermittent and unable to be recreated in the shop, they tell me they do not know what to do. I rented a car and left it over night. They told me they called Chrysler and they do not know what to do. This is a HUGE safety issue. I paid for an extended warranty which is useless to me at this point. Chrysler DOES NOT stand behind their vehicles. I am left with an unsafe vehicle with NO options. I will never buy another Chrysler!! I was trying to be loyal to the US and buy an American car. I may go back to buying NIssan!

- Susan C., West Lafayette, IN, US

problem #5

Jun 162010

Journey R/T 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

My 2009 Dodge Journey R/T has been a living nightmare. Gasoline mileage has never exceeded 18MPG. This vehicle is under-powered and is prone to electrical problems. Examples: (1) Automatic Up on the driver's side window has a mind of its own. It works on occasion. (2) Wire Loom In the Steering Column: When adjusting the steering column for height and length, the wire loom eventually sheds its insulation and shorts out.(Three trips to the dealer for this repair.) (3) Rear Right Passenger Window: Opens and closes according to the phase of the moon. Dealer replaced that wire loom because of a recall notice. (4) The All-Wheel Drive Transfer Unit(PTU): This unit has failed twice. I am now on my third unit. The vehicle at the time of this repair had about 45,000 miles on the OD. Five trips to the dealer: The first failure was originally diagnosed as an oil leak in the housing. WRONG! After, the installation of the second unit, the technician improperly hooked up the exhaust pipe causing a great deal of noise in the undercarriage. (5) The third and current transfer unit is noisy and at around 65 MPH, there is a strong, low resonance vibration throughout the car. I brought it back to Autoland Chrysler in Springfield, NJ, and the service representative said that they could find nothing wrong with it. (6) When the PTU(Power Transfer Unit) failed, the safety systems also failed. (7) When the wire loom failed in the steering column, the dash board lit up like a jackpot on a slot machine. All-wheel-drive and all safety systems will not function, when the steering column wiring failed. (8) Tire Replacement: Total Ripoff. Does Chrysler own the tire manufacturer that supplies these one-of-a-kind tire size? (9) Ride and Handling: I live in NJ and commute to work. The road noise is overwhelming at times and the suspension is wavy and harsh. (10) The six-speed automatic transmission is clunky and arbitrarily downshifts after accelerating. (11) Chrysler can claim refinements to this vehicle ad nauseum, however, this will be my last Chrysler product. I have leased and/or purchased Chrysler vehicles for about 25 years. The Journey is a consumer's hell on earth.

Update from Mar 28, 2015: ...heater hose array failed...mounted on the firewall...incredibly difficult to replace...costly repair ...signal/turn control arm fails to properly engage...takes two or three tries ...backup camera failed...when transmission is in reverse...black, blank screen appears ...RECALL!!!!!!!!...STARTER/IGNITION SWITCH...went to a dealership on Route 18 in East Brunswick, NJ last summer August, 2014...with the official recall card that I received in the mail...receptionist put me on a recall list ASAP when the part becomes available... followed up last month...February, 2015...parts were never shipped to dealership...still waiting for a call/service appointment... ...brakes still a major problem...tried major brand replacements...expensive... ...seats are starting to crack...even in the passenger seats in the back...hardly ever used...

- geos, MONROE TOWNSHIP, NJ, US

problem #4

Apr 142011

Journey 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles

window on passenger would not go up or down, this didn't happen all the time. took to shop, after the 3rd trip they had it happen to them. waiting for parts to come in. mirror on drivers side wont move, parts ordered. key fob quit working.

- jgiff, Selah, WA, US

problem #3

Feb 012011

Journey SXT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

Strange electrical problem. When you start the car, the wipers come on even with the switch in the off position. All the warning lights come on. The bell chimes for the seat belt, even when fastened. All the dash gauges surge on and off about every 30 seconds. It just keeps repaeating this problem. Also the drivers side door controls do not work for the locks and windows. Haven't figured it out yet. It oges in the shop on Monday.

- deweys1427, Ottawa, KS, US

problem #2

Jun 142010

Journey R/T 3-5

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles

The dashboard lights all come on along with the chime and windshield wipers go on.

Happened once at 28k miles and went away, then again at 32k miles. Now at 42k miles it happens a couple times per week.

Dealer has no idea of cause and after paying diagnostic fees twice with no solution it has become a nightmare.

Now it's out warranty, and since i did not report it the first couple of times it happened because i wrote it off as a glitch, i have no idea were to go from here.

- Pedro C., Fords, NJ, US

problem #1

Oct 112010

Journey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

I have been hearing a noise from the front passenger side of my vehicle for months. I took in on 2 different occasions and was told the 1st time, they could not find anything. The 2nd time it was a chip that needed to be re-adjusted but should work "fine". The noise got significantly worse. Normally it would happen as soon as I started the car, and then began to drive. My power locks on the driver door no longer worked and the power windows on my driver door would not work but the back windows would. My key has a unlock/lock buttons and the unlock would not work but the lock would. I had to unlock my car with the manual key, the alarm would go off and I would have to jump in and start the vehicle for the alarm to turn off. Its currently in the shop but I am told it needs a new wiring system replaced. Apparently its an electrical issue and I'm very concerned after reading some of the consumer reports/reviews on electrical problems.

- Annette V., Chula Vista, CA, US

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