YearToAvoid

2010 Dodge Journey Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2010 Dodge Journey ranks 2nd worst out of 14 model years, with a complaint index of 92 and 988 complaints, most tied to the Electrical System. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Journey years, with three recalls covering steering and airbags.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
92/100
#2 of 14 Journey years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
988
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
18
reported in complaints
Fires
16
Injuries
19
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2019
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20
17.5 city / 24.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
19 / 0

Top 2010 Dodge Journey problems

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

  1. Electrical System610 (62%)
  2. Engine210 (21%)
  3. Brakes174 (18%)
  4. Other116 (12%)
  5. Airbags89 (9%)
  6. Steering69 (7%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain48 (5%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires33 (3%)
  9. Structure & Body31 (3%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers19 (2%)

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

What owners report

  • Vehicles stall unexpectedly at speeds ranging from 5 to 60 mph, sometimes with no warning lights before the stall.
  • Owners report electrical failures accompanied by blue or white smoke from under the hood, occasionally followed by fire.
  • Some drivers describe losing steering control right after a stall, leading to collisions.
  • Engine compartment fires have started both while driving and while parked, in some cases with no identified cause.
  • Brake pedals reportedly went to the floor with no stopping power during normal turns.
  • Power steering failures occurred at highway speeds, with the SBA warning light coming on before loss of control.
2010 Dodge Journey complaints: complaints filed per quarter692010 Q12012 Q22014 Q32016 Q42019 Q12021 Q22023 Q32025 Q4
988 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2015 Q3 (69).

2010 Dodge Journey recalls

3 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 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.

  3. NHTSA 10V475000Oct 7, 2010Steering23,237 vehicles

    Steering:electric power assist system

    Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 chrysler sebring, 300, charger (lx) and dodge challenger (lc), avenger (js), and journey (jc), as well as model year 2011 dodge ram light duty pickup (ds) vehicles. Some of these vehicles may experience a separation at the crimped end of the power steering pressure hose assembly.

    Risk: Leaked power steering fluid onto hot engine components could cause a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary the power steering pressure hoses free of charge. The safety recall began on december 20, 2010. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

2010 Dodge Journey fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17.5 MPG
Highway
24.5 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,250
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.

2010 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
2008Good880—
2009Avoid1001,433818
2010Avoid92988320
2011Good31169421
2012Caution69376621

All Dodge Journey years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Dodge Journey reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 Journey ranks 2nd worst among 14 model years, with a complaint index of 92 out of 100 and 988 complaints. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Journey years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Dodge Journey?
The Electrical System accounts for 62% of complaints (610 of 988), with a median mileage at failure of 72,000 miles for the model year overall and 79,000 miles for electrical complaints specifically.
Does the 2010 Dodge Journey have recalls?
NHTSA lists three recalls for the 2010 Journey, covering power steering return hoses, power steering pressure hoses, and an ignition switch/key fob airbag issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
Which Dodge Journey years should I avoid?
Besides 2010, NHTSA data shows Avoid verdicts for 2009, 2014, and 2015. The 2019 and 2020 model years rank as Best, with much lower complaint indexes of 23 and 15.
What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Dodge Journey?
EPA rates the 2010 Journey at 20 mpg combined (17.5 city / 24.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,250.

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.