YearToAvoid

2009 Dodge Journey Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2009 Dodge Journey has the highest complaint index (100) of any year in the model's 14-year history and ranks worst overall, with 1,433 complaints, 8 recalls, and a top problem area of Electrical System (767 complaints, 54% share). NHTSA data give it an Avoid verdict relative to other Journey years.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
100/100
#1 of 14 Journey years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
1,433
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
8
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
41
reported in complaints
Fires
30
Injuries
34
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2019
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
18
16 city / 23 hwy
Injuries / deaths
34 / 1

Top 2009 Dodge Journey problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System767 (54%)
  2. Brakes335 (23%)
  3. Airbags269 (19%)
  4. Engine200 (14%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain104 (7%)
  6. Other98 (7%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires85 (6%)
  8. Steering72 (5%)
  9. Structure & Body33 (2%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers30 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Front door wiring harnesses reportedly fatigue and break, interrupting electrical circuits, prompting a dedicated recall.
  • Owners report sudden stalling at highway speeds accompanied by grinding noises or burning smells from the engine bay.
  • Several complaints describe engine compartment fires occurring while driving around 45 mph, in some cases traced to catastrophic engine failure.
  • Brake pads and rotors are described as wearing out very early, sometimes within a few thousand miles, with dealers calling it normal wear.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in rollover and side-impact crashes, including one case involving multiple injuries.
  • Some owners report vehicles losing power or stalling unexpectedly, followed by rollovers or collisions.
2009 Dodge Journey complaints: complaints filed per quarter1382008 Q22010 Q32012 Q42015 Q12017 Q22019 Q32021 Q42024 Q2
1,433 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2008 Q2 to 2026 Q2; peak 2015 Q3 (138).

2009 Dodge Journey recalls

8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V273000May 6, 2016Steering8,569 vehicles

    Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 31, 2007, to November 12, 2016. After exposure to cold temperatures, the power steering return hose may rupture at engine start-up causing a loss of power steering assist.

    Risk: A loss of power steering assist may require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return hoses, steel tubes, and power steering oil cooler, free of charge. The recall began on May 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S08.

  2. NHTSA 16V047000Jan 29, 2016Airbags110,482 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal

    FCA US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured December 31, 2007, to August 31, 2008, 2008-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured June 18, 2007, to August 31, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.

    Risk: 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.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S07.

  3. NHTSA 14V373000Jun 26, 2014Airbags722,705 vehicles

    Air bags

    This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured June 29, 2007, to June 17, 2010, and 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured January 26, 2007, to June 17, 2010. Road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

    Risk: 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. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R03. Note: This is an expansion of recall 11V-139.

See all 8 recalls for the 2009 Dodge Journey →

2009 Dodge Journey fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16 MPG
Highway
23 MPG
Combined
18 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,600
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2009 compared with other Journey years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2007No verdict040—
2008Good880—
2009Avoid1001,433818
2010Avoid92988320
2011Good31169421

All Dodge Journey years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Dodge Journey reliable?
Compared with other Journey model years, the 2009 ranks worst, with a complaint index of 100, the highest of all 14 years tracked, and an Avoid verdict.
What is the biggest problem with the 2009 Dodge Journey?
Electrical System issues dominate, accounting for 767 of 1,433 complaints (54%), with a median failure mileage of 80,000 miles.
Does the 2009 Dodge Journey have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns covering Electrical System, Airbags, Steering, and Transmission & Powertrain components, though none are do-not-drive recalls.
Which Dodge Journey years are better than 2009?
NHTSA data rank 2019 and 2020 as Best years (complaint indexes of 23 and 15), while 2008, 2011, 2017, and 2018 earn Good verdicts.
How many airbag complaints does the 2009 Journey have?
NHTSA lists 269 airbag-related complaints for the 2009 Journey, about 19% of total complaints, including 23 crashes.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.