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

8.1

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$610
Average Mileage:
61,350 miles
Total Complaints:
156 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (99 reports)
  2. no solution (8 reports)
  3. replaced starter motor (8 reports)
  4. put your car into neutral first and then start (7 reports)
  5. replace key fobs (5 reports)
  6. clean & protect ground connections (3 reports)
2009 Dodge Journey electrical problems

electrical problem

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2009 Dodge Journey Owner Comments (Page 2 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #136

Aug 132014

Journey STX V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 55,000 miles

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

The '09 Journey has always been hard starting but for the past two years it has turned into an intermittent "fake dead battery" syndrome. The engine will not turn over and there is an audible click. The dealership told us its a bad battery; we've replaced the battery three (3) times within 18 months.

The Wireless Access Node (WIN) and the FOBIX has been replaced a total of three times, once by me for $740 and twice by two different Chrysler dealerships but the problem still persists. The dealerships say they have no idea as it only occurs twice a month.

Symptoms are: Parking lights on when everything is off, Keyless entry FOBIX does not unlock the car, Radio is found on, Windows won't open but then they do. This "key" to start the vehicle is Frequency Operated Button Integrated Key is also know as a FOBIK.

Recalls: 1.) Safety Recall L25 for the Wireless Ignition Node Module Detents 2. R03 WIN Module with 2 Keys

- Jennifer R., Willoughby Hills, US

problem #135

May 052009

Journey ES 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles

Read all your complaints. Been complaining about it since the car was new. Got the same bs from dealers from Florida to Michigan. This is 2015 got the recall notice 3 months ago, but they have no parts. WIN They just got a nice fine for not fixing the gas tank on the Jeeps and 150 million dollar judgment for one of the deaths it caused. I don't think they are to concerned about the pain in the ass they sold us. They know eventually the cars will wear out and disappear, end of problem. I got a life time warranty on the drive train and I plan to use it so I will find away to keep it starting and pass it on to the kids thinking of bypassing the WIN when it won't start and have a direct switched line to the starter.

- zrey, Lake Orion, MI, US

problem #134

Jul 012015

Journey V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

Intermittent starting problems, had battery and starter replaced for over $500. Problem continues! (FOB recall part on back order) Then FOB recall part finally arrived (wait list over 2 months) After FOB module recall was completed, STILL had intermittent failure to start, so this did NOT resolve the starting issue. Reported to dealer and took car in - could not duplicate starting problem at dealership - stated they needed to see this happening before it could be diagnosed/repaired. Then, while traveling at 70 MPH - speedometer begins to wildly move back and forth!! Many dash lights (symbols) are on for no reason. VERY frightening!

Car seemed to drive well, however and got to destination safely. Car continues to have intermittent starting problems. Also, back up cam does not always work. One door refuses to unlock. Door is very sensitive to any movement and will sound off the panic horn which is often VERY difficult to turn off. (FOB off button will not work - must use key in ignition to turnoff alarm) TWICE- within 6 weeks - we packed up our car and trailer for a vacation - turned the key to start our trip - and NOTHING! Stuck at home in our driveway - families waiting at our destination to enjoy a much needed vacation! Car towed each time and NO VACATION!!!!! Tried to reach Dodge Customer Service - line either BUSY - or cannot reach a rep. VERY disappointed! NEEDS to be resolved asap, VERY concerned about SAFETY!!!!!

- chaack, Fredonia, WI, US

problem #133

Dec 132011

Journey

  • 4,500 miles

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

Ever since I bought this Dodge Journey '09 It has been lemon, I had already mention an engine problem. This gripe is the key and starting the engine. From the beginning I would get stuck somewhere not being able to start the car, many times had to have the car towed to Larry Miller Dodge in Peoria, Arizona. Every time they told me it starts for they...like they did not believe me. After being towed many times, They decided to changed out the key fob, replace win module and program...this cost me $804.38.

This yr 2015, I received a letter from Dodge saying they had a problem but don't know how to fix it, but they sent me my money back but had to wait till they have a answer to the problem.

This not only won't start the car but the car would on occasion engine would stop willing driving down the road or turning the corner at a stop light, cars would honk and flip me off and I could not start the car when this happened, totally out of control.

I finally received a call from Larry Miller Dodge (Mike Dekach) my service guy who knows me quit well by now, said to bring in my car and they will put new win module and replace key fob and program, I would get 2 keys, one with the valet key and the other one without. This was done, guess what! The car is doing the same thing.

I called Dealer, they said bring it in they will charge me $95 to check it out. I DON'T THINK SO. UGH!

- northroup, Peoria, AZ, US

problem #132

Jan 132015

Journey RS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,000 miles

I paid $200 & it turned out not to be the issue, it will still decide to not turn over & will not start. This is so annoying when you are stuck in 100 degree heat with kid's in tow!!!! This vehicle has been one problem after another!!!

- julieks, Wichita, KS, US

problem #131

Sep 052015

Journey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles

It did it again, the car wont start. This time I had to run across town to get my wife and daughter, who were stranded at the movie theater, 10:00 pm on a Saturday night. It's done it before and in the past its started up after; waiting a half hour, cracking a Di Vinci Code, or some other fandangled recipe found on the internet. The car is staying the night at the theater tonight. It has nothing to do with the ignition recall; I picked it up from the dealer yesterday from having that done and its not the battery. I'm taking it in tomorrow to a shop, we'll see were this goes. I'm concerned about taking it on a 2000 mile trip I have planned in 2 weeks. Btw, we've only had the car a few months.

- Jay T., Burton, MI, US

problem #130

Jul 232015

Journey 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles

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

For the past six months my Dodge Journey has been having starting issues -- I would go to leave and my car would not start, just would hear clicking. At about the same time I received my issue from Dodge/Chrysler that I would be getting a new starter/key fobs for a major recall. So I waited patiently until three weeks ago when I went to Kee Automotive in Moline, IL to have it replaced.

That all was good until on Monday, July 13 I pulled into Sams Club to get gas and never was able to start the car again. Thankfully a man stopped to help -- he thought that maybe it needed jumped, but I showed him that I had lights and radio but all the car was doing was clicking. He crawled under with a mallet and tapped the starter and it worked again.

I took it straight to my mechanic at Midas where he determined that it needed a new starter because it was green and corroded. So I got a new one and drove it fine for a week. I went to leave on Saturday, July 18 to travel to Columbus Oh when three different times -- the car would not start after being turned off. But this time there was no clicks -- just when I turned the key there was nothing. Lights and radio and battery worked fine -- but would not start.

After taking it to a second Midas shop and a Dodge Dealership in Dublin, OH -- I was told it was my TIPM that was not working. And the news was good and bad -- good thing was he could get me back to Iowa by unhooking the battery every time the car would not start. That would reset the computer. But the bad thing is there is NO TIPM parts available in any dealership in the entire USA!!!!!!! So I am not sure how Dodge is going to fix my car!!!!!!!!

- Linda H., Bettendorf, IA, US

problem #129

Aug 142015

Journey SXT 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,000 miles

Where do I start!!! You have one vehicle go down already and find out it is your transmission. It hits home that you need to get to work and are out of options and family to rely on. You can't afford to lose your job as that will leave you and your family homeless, not an option. So what do you do? Jump on the Internet , secure a loan, with an extremely unreasonable APR and you scour the internet in search of something reliable that will accommodate your Family,

Only for it not to flippin' turn over 2 weeks later... so what do you do? You scour the Internet some more... and then you find out this is the worst year for this vehicle and not only are you having this issue, but anyone who bought the flipping vehicle is having this mickey ficking problem.

So you call the dealership, only for them to tell you they are booked 2-3 weeks out, and that they can only see you after this time. WTF.So happy to sell it to you, but once it's off the lot, it's out of their hands!!!!

FAWWWWWWWWWWWWWK U VERY MUCH DODGE.....FIX UR SH*T

- lcallahan1, Fairfield, US

problem #128

Sep 012014

Journey

  • Manual transmission
  • 67,000 miles

Dodge Journey 2009 is a piece of SH*T. Tires, brakes, rotors, transmission all replaced. Door lock wiring both doors, driver seat replaced. Radio replaced. Now this hunk of sh*t won't start. Key fob recall. Waiting for hell to freeze over to get this fixed. HO! And the key fob falls out while driving. DODGE nice hunk of SH*T I paid way tooooooo much money for hope you sleep well. If you are thinking of buying one DON'T run, run, run away! The rotors were under specs new car form hell how do you like that DODGE I know you could give a sh*t about this but for me never again I learned the hard way.

- Mark M., Surprise, AZ, US

problem #127

Jul 152015

Journey SXT 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,000 miles

My Journey has been doing this to me for a while now. Before, I would try and start once and nothing then I would try again and it would be fine, but today it did nothing! I was close to calling a tow service because it was making me late for work, but thankfully I found a YouTube video of someone showing how putting it in neutral solved the issue.

- Alisa W., Hinton, IA, US

problem #126

Jul 012015

Journey Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,501 miles

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

Took my Journey in for regular service, local trusted garage. Was told the battery message said replace battery. After $180.00 to replace battery, the car would give me problems like a dead battery. The garage replaced the battery again at no cost. When this happened again, they told me to take it to the dealer and gave me some back up information regarding this problem online.

When I got there they told me there was a recall notice for this problem. I waited a few days until they got the part, they replaced whatever and gave me 2 new key fobs.

Went home and all was good for about 2-3 weeks and then it started all over again just like before. Left it with the dealer for a week and they could not replicate the problem, but the machine said to replace the battery,

Back to trusted local garage and they were very kind to replace it for the 3rd time, but still the reading came back to replace battery. I will take the car back to the dealer and see what they think about reprograming the computer or what they suggest.

I believe this was all caused from the recall problem and they don't know how to fix it.

Like others have stated, the engine fails to turn over and then you wait for a while 15 min plus in very hot weather then it may or may not start. Had to have the tow service come out and he rocked my car and it started. This is very annoying and time consuming and not very reassuring to never know if the car will start or not. Please let me know if this sound familiar to your 2009 Dodge Journey. Uggh!!!!

- pcrondo, San Dimas, CA, US

problem #125

Jun 152015

Journey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

Had the recall wireless ignition node replaced and 2 new key fobs. One day after this was done the car would not start. Turned the key to Start all I got was a clicking sound. Got jump started right up. Day later did it again. Waited about 2 hours while I was at work and went out to Start it and it turned right over. Forgot to mention that between times I could Start it no problem.

I also only had it in a week ago for the ignition win node. Didn't have the problem before it was replaced. Dealer wants me to bring it back in thinks it could be the starter. Said I had been researching the problem and found that this was common and starter wasn't a fix. Not replacing parts so they can make extra money. Service said they understood and when did I want to bring it back in. Yea right, from all I've read they sucker you and still don't fix the problem . Not falling for it. Taking it in first to have the battery checked to make sure it's OK. I have also heard that the flashlight in the back can drain the battery when connected so I took it out.

Called my mechanic and told him what is going on and he said probably a battery or charging issue. We shall see but I'm not about to put undue money into repairs and parts that I see others have done to no avail to try and fix this issue. Dodge and Chrysler need to acknowledge that this is a problem and fix it at there expense and stop giving people the run around.

I maybe a female but I'm not a stupid one. My next step is going to be contacting an attorney about a law suit. This is all to crazy they need to fix this from what I can see it has been going on for a while with these cars what is going to take someone getting killed or it being a safety issue. From what I can tell it already is a big issue. Any one out there already start a class action suit.

- Debbie H., waterford, MI, US

problem #124

Jun 252015

Journey SXT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

I took my car to the dealer to have the WIN replaced according to the recall. We had to jump your car to get it to the garage, says the dealer. We'll check your battery says the dealer.

Well I had no sympathy. I've been dealing with the problem for 1 year now. I knew I had a new battery and that wasn't the problem. The car has left me stranded in the cold and heat. Caused my insurance to increase because I had it towed three times in the same month this past winter.

The dealer returned the car to me with no explanation. We don't know what went wrong. Your battery is fine. They said.

This is very sad. The car can run fine, start up fine and the next time you get in it, with a load of groceries or bunch of kids (the most inconvenient time) it just won't start! Jiggling the key, waiting, trying over and over again is annoying. It's even worst that the dealer has no solution! At least he didn't charge me to tell me that.

My husband says, "I told you not to buy an american car." No one likes eating crow, continuously! Dodge Help!!!!!

- rmobley, Waldorf, MD, US

problem #123

Jun 132015

Journey SXT 6-3.5L-Fi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 116,000 miles

The car will not start when you turn the key in the ignition. Dealership states they haven't heard this problem before nor has the Dodge Corporation, despite the fact their are several complaints on the internet. Please call Dodge Corp office at 800-423-6343 to report this issue. I know its not the battery, I had that replaced last summer. Its been at the dealership now for 3-days waiting on the ignition recall part R03 Wireless ignition node module. This may fix the problem. When you read the issues related to the recall it has nothing to do with the car not start. Just like other complaints, if wait a few minutes the car will start. Please report this to Dodge. I have promised Dodge corp every time this happens I will call their corp office prior to call AAA.

- Vergie W., Charlotte, NC, US

problem #122

May 122015

Journey 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,656 miles

Sometimes my engine will not start. It just clicks and does nothing. I come back later and it starts right up.

- popinc, Olympia, WA, US

problem #121

Apr 212015

Journey SXT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,000 miles

Car would not crank.Tried to boost it off, wouldn't boost. Husband had a fit, lost sleep, thought there was something majorly wrong. Let it sit overnight, it cranked right up the next morning. Afraid to drive long distances in it now because I am afraid it will leave me stranded.

- Terri B., Logan, AL, US

problem #120

Jul 012014

Journey V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

Its been almost a year since the problem started on my 09 Journey. I turn the key and it just clicks. Everything lights up in the car but the engine just makes a click sound. Its been towed several times. I lost count. The car has been in shop multiple times. Some times for two weeks. No one can tell me whats wrong. They replaced the starter, the shifter the module thing, got two new keys, nothing. Battery replaced and some other stuff. Lost track. Nothing has worked. I have been working with Dodge customer care and its not helping. I have also contacted Dodge Corp. At this point waiting to see what's gonna happen. Now no one seems to know about these problems.

Has anyone else dealt with customer care? Just wanted to see maybe if enough of us call, they will do something. It's so upsetting. I lost my car in Sandy and I bought the Journey to replace. I have been stuck with my kids in dark parking lots. This is so unacceptable. They wouldn't let this happen to their families. So now I'm fighting to get me house repaired from Sandy and now I have to fight to get my car fixed.

Please if anyone has info, let me know

- cheboo036, Lindenhurst, NY, US

problem #119

Nov 012014

Journey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,974 miles

For several months the car stalls, which I wasn't concerned about since it would start on re-try; however, the past few months the car has stalled more. A few times would not start and my husband charged it with jumper cables (and a stranger had to at a lake I was at by myself after kayaking). So my husband bought a really nice new battery.

However, a few weeks later I was driving to work (which is 45 miles one way), I stopped at a store for about 5 minutes, came out and would not start at all. I would just hear a clicking noise. Called Triple A and they came and said battery is fine, but he jumped it and it did start. The next day my husband took to our mechanic and he couldn't find anything wrong. Then I received a recall on the ignition switch BUT that indicated the dealerships don't have the replacement part yet. It goes on to say... okay to drive but could cause accident as it may stall - ????

Very disappointed in the Dodge Journey. I did buy it used a few years ago but there always seems to be some 'issue' with it AND it is stupidly built... the battery is in the wheel well - ridiculous!! So the left wheel has to come off, cover on the fender wall that removes it for access, such a nightmare. So currently I travel back and forth to work about 90 miles a day and the airbag light is on and the engine light (which is related to the recall issue) - but the dealers don't have the part!!!!!

Dodge/Chrysler needs to get this out asap... my life, my family... everyone who rides in my vehicle (and I'm sure others feel about their own situation) are at risk.

- chrissym, Berlin, VT, US

problem #118

Dec 012013

Journey SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

This car has been nothing but trouble replaced both alternator and starter twice, new transmission, new wiring for windows and doors, brakes every 6 months, ESP and BAS warning lights on dealer can't find the fix and the car is woefully underpowered.

- smithjon, Little Falls, NJ, US

problem #117

Dec 222014

Journey 2.0 CRD

  • Manual transmission
  • 70,836 miles

Also in Germany there is this problem well known. My car is manufactured in Mexico. I am the owner since 2 weeks and had this problem 3 times. One time, it took until the next day that I could "start my Journey" again.

BUT - I found complaint #88 very interesting. A corroded wire seems to be very possible because of the power going through. If there is less power running through - the starter will not turn because the magnetic switch needs full battery power.

Now my experience

I had this problem 3 times. And it's only happened after a short ride - short distance. After a long highway (autobahn) ;) drive it has never happened. After hours I had no problems starting over.

Next ... and important (for me) thing: the last time it happened , I tried 4 times in a row to start - nothing happened. When I turned the key the 5th time, I was holding it in this starting position and after ... 15 sec the starter turned, engine was running immediately. Since this time, I could not reproduce this sequence because ....car is running well. This time (knock, knock, knock).

Please - try it out and post your experience here. Maybe it can help us all.

With regards, Ingo

ps. please be patience with my English skill.

pps. Good luck in 2015

- ingomg, Monchengladbach, NRW, Germany

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