Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2009 Dodge Journey AWD submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 24 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
TRANSFER CASE IS GOING OUT, AND VEHICLE WILL STALL AND NOT START AGAIN FOR A WHILE. VEHICLE WOULD NOT EVEN BACKUP, HAD TO CALL A TOLL TRUCK.
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE HORN BLOWS LIKE YOU ARE HOLDING THE HORRN DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES N TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. IT ALSO HAS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. WHILE WE WERE SLEEPING. WE THOUGHT SOMEONE WAS STEALING IT. AT LEAST 4 TIMES IT WENT OFF. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP IN OCT. 2017 THEY TOOK OUT THE HORN FUSES. BECAUSE IT BLOWED ALL NIGHT AND IT KILLED THE BATTERY. THEY CALLED IT THE GHOST HORN. SO I'M DRIVING AROUND NOW IN THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT A HORN.
WIFE WAS DRIVING CAR 1/2 MILE FROM HOME, STARTED SMOKING, STALLED ON BUSY STREET, COASTED INTO SHOPPING CENTER HAD CAR TOWED TO A GARAGE-FOUND FREEZE PLUG BETWEEN ENGINE AND TRANS FAILED, ENGINE OVERHEATED , CLY HEAD GASKETS FAILED,ENGINE HAD TO BE REMOVED AND REBUILT.
I HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED WHICH I FILED A COMPLAINT ALREADY AND SINCE THAT THE ESP , ALL WHEEL DRIVE, SKIDDING AND ANOTHER LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF AND MY BRAKES ONLY WORK HALF THE TIME AND NOW MY DRIVER WINDOW WONT GO UP OR DOWN OR MIRROR WORK AND TODAY MY CAR WONT START. MY HUSBAND CHECKED FUSES THEY ARE GOOD BUT HAVE NO POWER TO OVER HALF OF THEM. I CALLED TATE DODGE THEY WANT ANOTHER 1102.00 JUST FOR ME TO BUT THE TIPM PART AND DO THE WORK MYSELF. I CANT BREAK A FUSE BOX AND DO NOT FEEL THIS IS FAIR AND UNLESS I REPLACE THEN MY CAR DONT WORK NOW.
I WAS ON I95 DOING 70 MILES AN HOUR AND MY CAR STAYED IN DRIVE AND ALL THE SUDDEN STARTED GOING IN REVERSE. BACKING ME UP ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD TRACTOR TRAILERS FLYING ALL AROUND ME. CARS GOING AROUND ME RUNNING OFF SHOULDER TO KEEP FROM HITTING ME. I TRIED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. I TRIED AGAIN ONCE I GOT TO 20 IT STARTED GOING IN REVERSE AGAIN. THEY SAID IT WAS A INTERNAL TRANSFAULT AND IT GRINDING METAL INTO MY TRANSCOOLER THAT WILL NEED TO ALSO BE REPLACED WITH THE TRANSMISSION. IF ITS INTERNAL AND NO FAULT OF MINE AND ALMOST KILLED ME AND I DO NOT EVER WANT TO DRIVE ON A HIGHWAY AGAIN FROM FEAR. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AND THEY SHOULD HAVE TO FIX IT. I AM VERY ANGRY AND UPSET AND NOT RICH.
TAKATA RECALL - WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 40 MPH. CAR BEGAN TO IDLE HIGH, PULLED OVER TO SHOULDER AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. OPENED THE HOOD, SMELLED BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL. CLOSED THE HOOD, TRIED TO START THE CAR. NO START, LIGHTS ON BUT WOULD NOT START. TRIED TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, STILL NO START. VEHICLE WAS TOWED 15 MILES TO MY APARTMENT COMPLEX. *TR
A PLASTIC PIECE HOLD TWO MALE HOSES TOGETHER MELTED FROM THE HEAT OF THE ENGINE'S MANIFOLD CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REACH POSSIBLE DAMAGING TEMPERATURE DUE TO THE LOSS OF COOLANT. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY AND STREET BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTED TO STEAM FROM COOLANT LOSS ONTO THE MANIFOLD. THE PLASTIC PIECE THAT MELTED WAS ENOUGH TO CAUSE A SMALL FIRE ON THE MANIFOLD.
TRANSMISSION FLUID KEEPS LEAKING OUT,I HAVE HAD IT REPAIR TWICE AND THAT'S KEEPS HAPPENING.
MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY VEHICLE IS POSSESSED AS IT SOMETIMES LEAVES US STRANDED AFTER RUNNING OUT ON A SHORT ERRAND, SO AFTER STOPPING AND PARKING THE VEHICLE FOR SHORT PERIOD OF TIME THEN IT WILL NOT START. WE'VE TRIED TO ELECTRICALLY JUMP THE BATTERY BUT THIS HAS NO EFFECT. IT SEEMS IF YOU GIVE IT SOME TIME, PERHAPS TO COOL OFF LIKE 30 MINUTES THE CAR WILL START AGAIN. WE'VE REPLACED THE BATTERY THREE (3) TIMES IN THE PAST 18 MONTHS BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. THE ELECTRICAL POWER WINDOWS WILL NOT OPEN BUT THEN THEY DO. THE FOBIX KEY'S KEYLESS ENTRY DOES NOT WORK SOMETIMES, THE PARKING LIGHTS ARE FOUND ON WHEN EVERYTHING IS OFF. THE WIRELESS IGNITION NODE AND IT'S MATCHING FOBIX KEYS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIME TO NO AVAIL.
CAR STARTED SMOKING FROM HEATING HOSE BUSTING AND STARTED RUNNING HOT.... ALSO FRONT WINDSHIELD WATER DISPENSER NO LONGER WORKS.... TOLD DEALERSHIP CAR KILLS SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING.... WAS TOLD A RECALL BUT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE... ALSO WHEN CAR IS PUT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AFTER COMPLETE STOP... IT JERKS AND ENGINE BANGS... GOT TOLD BLOCK AROUND ENGINE WALL.... ALSO NOT COVERED UNDER FULL EXTENDED WARRANTY...... SOMETIMES CAR WILL NOT START B/C OF IGNITION SWITCH WHICH SOMETIMES TAKES ABOUT 15 TRIES TO START CAR... OR HAVE TO PUT IN NEUTRAL TO START..... JUST TOTALLY DISAPPOINTMENT B/C I LOVE THE SIZE AND ALL MY AMENITIES IN MY SUV, HEATED SEATS, LEATHER, T.V., INIFINITY RADIO..... DEFINITELY DISAPPOINTMENT.... WENT WITH A DODGE AGAIN.... BC MY DURANGO SAVED MY LIFE.... AND I FELT SAFE IN ANOTHER SUV...... *TR
AS I WAS TURNING INTO A SUBDIVISION A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE FOLLOWED BY A SQUEAL AND MY ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND SEIZED. I HAVE A LITTLE OVER 83,000 MILES ON MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF ANY PROBLEMS. IT WAS ONE OF THE QUIETEST VEHICLES I HAVE EVER OWNED, AND THIS HAPPENED OUT OF NO WHERE. THE SHOP HAS INFORMED US THAT THE ENGINE IS COMPLETELY SEIZED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC HAS NOT SEEN SUCH SILVERY OIL IN A LONG TIME. THIS COMES ACROSS LIKE A MANUFACTURE ERROR SUCH AS YOUR RECALL FOR THE ROD BEARING IN YOUR 2012. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS. I JUST MADE MY THIRD PAYMENT ON THIS VEHICLE, AND NOW I AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE, AFTER OWNING IT FOR 87 DAYS AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. AN OIL CHANGE WAS DONE APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT AND THERE WERE ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING SIGNS. WE NEED OUR VEHICLE, AND IT IS GOING TO COST $4000 TO FIX, AND WE STILL OWE OVER $10,000 BECAUSE WE PURCHASED IT ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2014 AND THIS HAPPENED ON DECEMBER 22, 2014. THIS HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO WHAT TO DO TO HAVE THIS FIXED. *TR
I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR IN JULY 2014 USED WITH 56,000 MILES ON IT. AND I ALREADY HAD IT IN THE SHOP JUST IN THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST BECAUSE THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IT SOUNDED LIKE A NORMAL "MORNING KNOCK" BUT IT WAS ALWAYS THERE AND WHEN YOU DROVE IT SOUNDED WORSE. I HAVE NOT STARTED MY CAR ALL DAY TODAY, THEN WHEN I WENT TO GO SOMEWHERE I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND IT JUST GAVE ME TICK NOISES IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. I KNOW THE BATTERY WASN'T DEAD BECAUSE THE CAR DOOR WAS OPEN AND THERE WAS THE DING NOISES AND THE LIGHTS WERE ALL ON IN THE CAR WHEN THE DOORS WERE OPEN. NOW I HAVE GOTTEN THE VEHICLE TO TURN OVER, BUT WITH A 1 YEAR OLD I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE MY ALMOST NEW CAR! I NEED SOMETHING FIXED. *TR
WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED AT THE END OF 2013. WE HAD TWO OCCURRENCES FAIRLY SPACED APART WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN ITSELF OFF AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION TO OFF AND REMOVING THE KEY. WITH KEY IN HAND, STANDING OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. WE TOOK IT TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP NEAR OUR HOME, THEY HOOKED IT UP TO TRY EVERY CODE AND EVERY RECALL THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN AN ANSWER. THEY FOUND NO ANSWER. WE ALSO HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED ABOUT THAT TIME. NOW HERE WE ARE SEPTEMBER OF 2014. LESS THAN A YEAR LATER, AND THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME AN EVERY DAY OCCURRENCE. THE CAR WILL NOT START WITHOUT A JUMP, IT WILL NOT HOLD ITS CHARGE EITHER. WE HAVE HAD OUR STARTER AND ALTERNATOR CHECKED, WHICH ARE BOTH FINE. NOW AFTER JUMPING THE CAR, WE START HEADING TO OUR DESTINATION. THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE. IT REACHES ABOUT 25MPH AND THEN THE RPMS CONTINUE TO CLIMB INTO THE 4S, 5S, 6S, AND 7S IF I TRY TO GO ANY FASTER, IT JUST WILL NOT SHIFT. NOW AFTER PATIENTLY DRIVING TO OUR DESTINATION AT 25MPH, THE CAR DOES NOT SHUT OFF AFTER TURNING THE KEY OFF. WE MUST OPEN OUR HOOD AND PULL A FUSE TO STOP OUR ENGINE. IT HAS GOTTEN SO BAD TO WHERE I CANNOT TRANSPORT MY 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TO THE BABYSITTER OR MAKE IT TO EITHER OF MY JOBS. I NEED AN ANSWER AND NO DEALERSHIP SEEMS TO HAVE ONE. PLEASE HELP! *TR
MY CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND OR THIRD GEAR - I HAD TO PARK CAR, SHUT OFF AND RESTART. DID SAME THING COUPLE DAYS LATER AND MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. HAD MY MECHANIC CHECK THE CODE AND IT IS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR JUST HIT 90,000 MILES. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE WATER PUMP REPLACED, FRONT AND BACK BRAKES, PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS REPLACED. THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF GARBAGE.
HAD BEEN INTERMITTENTLY SEEING WHITE SMOKE COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD OR FRONT UNDERCARRIAGE OF VEHICLE. NO CAUSE VISIBLE TO THE EYE WAS FOUND. ON DATE IN QUESTION, ENGINE AREA CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. VEHICLE TOWED TO COLLISION SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT TRANSFER CASE/ PUA UNIT WAS "BAD" AND CRACKED. NO COLLISION OR EXTERNAL DAMAGE CAUSED IT. PART SIMPLY CRACKED FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON ACCORDING TO CHRYSLER COLLISION/BODY SHOP. DAMAGE NOT COVERED BY AUTO INSURANCE BECAUSE IT WAS SPONTANEOUS. FRONT END OF VEHICLE PULLS, IGNITION STALLS, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, BRAKES (PADS, ROTORS & OFTEN CALIPERS) & TIRES MUST BE REPLACED EVERY 4-6 MONTHS. UPON REGULAR MAINTENANCE INSPECTION THERE IS NO SIGN OF PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES & TIRES BUT FULL REPLACEMENT IS USUALLY REQUIRED WITHIN SEVERAL WEEKS OF INSPECTION. *TR
FOR A WHILE NOW, RANDOMLY MY JOURNEY WILL GET STUCK IN 2ND OR 3RD GEAR AFTER TAKING OFF. I WILL HAVE TO STOP, PUT IT IN PARK, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT FOR IT TO RESET ITSELF. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, BUT I'VE HAVE A COMPLETE NEW SET OF BRAKES PUT ON IT, ROTORS AND NEW CALIPERS IN THE FRONT. THE BRAKES ALSO MAKE A KNOCKING SOUND. I ALSO GOT A COMPLETE SET OF TIRES AND THEY SEEM TO BE WEARING QUICKER THAN NORMAL. I HAVE HAD 3 DIFFERENT SHOPS LOOK AT THE BREAKS FOR A DIAGNOSES AND ALL OF THEM SAY THAT THE RIGHT PARTS ON IT AND THEY DON'T SEE AND REASON FOR THE NOISES. *TR
I NOTICED OVER THE WEEKEND THAT THE CAR STARTED MAKING A WEIRD TICKING NOISE. ALSO WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE IT SEEMED LIKE IT WANTED TO STALL SOMETIMES. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND IT STARTED TO BUCK AND SPUTTER. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT PULLED OVER AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CRACKED TRANSFER CASE WHICH CAME WITH A $2400 ESTIMATE! AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A TYPICAL PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR AND FOUND MANY ACCOUNTS ON DODGEJOURNEYFORUM.COM. SOUNDS LIKE A RECALL NEEDS TO HAPPEN BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT IF IT HASN'T HAPPENED ALREADY! *TR
ENGINE SPUTTERS THEN DIES WHILE IDLE. *TR
TOOK MY DODGE JOURNEY 2009 SXT- AWD ON 09/16/2011 TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE ENGINE WOULD NOT CRANK, THEY MADE THE REPAIRS. AT CHECK-OUT I WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE NEEDED 4 NEW TIRES. AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE HAD 31,328 MILES. *TR
WHEN I TURN A CORNER OR HIT A BUMP OR JUST DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, THE IGNITION WILL TURN OFF AND THE CAR WON'T RUN. ONCE I HAVE IT STOPPED AND PUT IN PARK I CAN RESTART THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, LATELY WHEN I TURN THE KEY TO START THE CAR, THE KEY WILL SWITCH BACK TO THE OFF POSITION. I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE MORE THAN ONCE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE PROFUSELY WHEN DRIVING 50-60 MPH. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A MISFIRE IN CYLINDER FIVE AND REPAIRED THE FAILURE BY CLEARING OUT THE CARBON CORROSION, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,600. KMJ
MY COMPLAINT CONSISTS OF THE TIRES, STARTER, AND PRESSURE SENSORS ON MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY. FIRST, THE CHEAPEST TIRES MY DEALER CAN FIND FOR MY VEHICLE ARE PRICED AT $225/TIRE. THUS, A $1000.00 COST FOR TIRE REPLACEMENT. THIS WOULD BE REASONABLE IF THE VEHICLE WAS A LUXURY VEHICLE I.E.: AUDI, BMW, CADILLAC, MERCEDES, ETC... HOWEVER, IT IS A DODGE. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY DODGE'S TIRES EVERY WINTER SINCE PURCHASE. THEREFORE, THESE PERFORMANCE TIRES ARE ONLY LASTING APPROXIMATELY 20,000/MILES A PIECE. AFFORDABLE, IS WHY I PURCHASED DODGE. I AM NOT RECEIVING THIS, NOT EVEN IN THE BASIC MAINTENANCE OF TIRES. NEXT, MY STARTER HAD TO BE REPLACED RECENTLY. I WAS TOLD THAT MANY DODGE JOURNEY STARTERS ARE "GOING." HOWEVER, WITH NO RECALL ON THE PART, I ENDED UP PAYING A $100.00 TOWARDS A DEDUCTIBLE THAT IS PART OF MY WARRANTY. FINALLY, I HAD TO REPLACE TWO TIRE SENSORS AS WELL ON MY VEHICLE THIS YEAR. AGAIN, NO RECALL ON THE PART. THEREFORE, A $100.00 DEDUCTIBLE WAS REQUIRED. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT DESPITE MY WARRANTY I AM PAYING DEDUCTIBLES AND DESPITE OTHER NUMEROUS JOURNEYS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS THE PARTS AREN'T BEING RECALLED. I AM FORCED TO SPEND $1000.00 ON TIRES EVERY 20,000 MILES ON TOP OF MY ACTUAL MONTHLY CAR PAYMENT >$500.00. THE ABOVE EXPENSES SHOULD DEFINITELY NOT BE REQUIRED ON A BRAND NEW CAR. *TR
HAVE HAD ONGOING ISSUES WITH 2009 DODGE JOURNEY. VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING, THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. THE TIRES SOLD ON THE VEHICLE (225-55-R19) ARE NOT REPLACEABLE. I GOT A FLAT AND WAS TOLD TO RIDE ON THE DONUT UNTIL THEY COULD LOCATE A NEW TIRE, 12 DAYS LATER STILL NO TIRE, I DEMANDED THE DEALER SELL ME A TIRE OFF OF A CAR IN THE LOT, THEY FINALLY AGREED. HOWEVER, I WAS CALLED AFTER I LEFT THE CAR AND TOLD THAT BECAUSE IT IS AWD ALL 4 TIRES MUST BE REPLACED OR IT WILL DAMAGE MY TRANSMISSION AND THAT POSSIBLY, I ALREADY HAVE DAMAGED DUE TO DRIVING ON DONUT. HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO BUY 4 NEW TIRES, WHILE AT DEALER HAVING 4 NEW , LARGER TIRES (235 55 R19) PUT ON THE DEALER BROKE VALVE SENSOR ON 2ND TIRE, 1ST TIME THEY BROKE ONE WAS IN MARCH 2011. VEHICLE HAS 31,000 MILES ON IT AND THE SENSORS SHOULD LAST A MINIMUM OF 5 YEARS. DEALER WILL NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER PAYING $827 TO REPLACE 4 TIRES, WHEN I ONLY NEEDED 1 NEW TIRE AND 2 MISSING VALVE SENSORS, I DROVE OFF THE LOT AND THE VEHICLE AGAIN LOST POWER, DEALER HAS HAD VEHICLE IN AT LEAST 4 TIMES TO FIX PROBLEM IN THE PAST, THEY STILL HAVE NOT RESOLVED OR LOCATED THE PROBLEM. I RESTARTED VEHICLE AND IT DIED AGAIN, RESTARTED A 3RD TIME AND I LOST ALL DASH LIGHTING. THIS WAS WITHIN AN 8TH OF MILE OF THE DEALER LOCATION. I TURNED THE CAR AROUND AND RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER, WHICH IS WHERE IT REMAINS UNTIL THEY CAN FIX IT!! NYS ATTORNEY GENERAL STATES THIS DOES NOT QUALIFY AS A "LEMON" BECAUSE THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR, I DISAGREE! I AM FILING A 2ND LEMON LAW CASE WITH THEM AT THIS TIME. BUYER BEWARE!! *TR
HAVE HAD A 2009 JOURNEY SINCE AUGUST 2008. AT ABOUT THE ONE-YEAR MARK, THE VEHICLE BEGAN AN ODD NOISE WHEN TURNING HARD LEFT. THE DEALER REPLACED A PS RESERVOIR, BUT THE NOISE IS STILL OFTEN EVIDENT. *TR
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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