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

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
11 / 15
Injuries / Deaths:
11 / 1
Average Mileage:
47,249 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2009 Dodge Journey electrical problems

electrical problem

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2009 Dodge Journey Owner Comments (Page 3 of 37)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #698

Aug 052019

Journey

  • 160,000 miles

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

Takara recall. The horn will randomly go off. And so will the alarm.

- Galena, KS, USA

problem #697

Jul 012019

Journey

  • 130,000 miles
Vehicle will not consistently start in park. Placing the vehicle in neutral worked for a few months ths and now, after the starter and O2 sensors have been replaced, the vehicle has begun to have the same problems. Our current short term fix is to jiggle the battery cables/wiring harness and after 5 minutes that works. Hadn't had this issue for five years (as the owner) and during the past year it's been one non-start after another. Drove the vehicle for an hour without a problem starting. Stopped to get gas, tried to start the vehicle, nothing. The dash turns on, the vehicle cli is, but wont turn over. Battery, alternator, starter...charging system checked out to be ok. Concerned I will be stranded without a true fix to this issue. The vehicle was stationary each time we tried to start it. Wwle even captured a video of the non-start and our resolution for the mechanic to view. They didnt wxoweince the issue; but I did, and they needed more information to trouble shoot further.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #696

Jul 122019

Journey

  • 101,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. While the vehicle was parked, the contact removed the key from the ignition switch, but the engine did not shut off. The contact had to remove a fuse from the fuse box in order to shut off the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or a dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.

- Middleriver, MD, USA

problem #695

Jul 022019

Journey

  • 162,000 miles

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

On several occasions my Dodge Journey has shut off while driving and while sitting at a traffic light. Some instances occurred while turning at a traffic light or driving straight ahead on a local city road. The check engine light, traction equalizer warning and air bag lights all come on just prior to the car shutting off most times. Other times there is no warning until my steering wheel and brakes lock up indicated that the car has shut off. I've had the car serviced for the engine amongst other repairs and the problem still persists and the codes clear only temporarily. The car lights dim or flicker and the car shakes sometimes when starting up indicating that the car will not hold power to drive. The battery is good and the mechanic has stated that the issue is electrical.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #694

May 222019

Journey

  • miles
I bought this Dodge Journey SXT last yr 2/16/2018, I asked the salesman if there's any recalls or anything wrong with this car.. he said only need to replace the rear tires.. I contacted a lemon law lawyer the next day after getting the tires replaced bc he lied to me, the tie rod & ball joint had to be replaced, on top of that I found out there are (4) recalls on my car that were never taken care of, so Dodge chyrsler dealership replaced the front/back airbags in (Mar/April)of year 2018.. I received the recalls to my phone, to top that off I purchased this vehicle in cash over ($4,263), the lemon law lawyer told me to go to a website to get the history on my car I bought, it was involved in a car accident on passenger side on (10/18/2017).. I was lied to totally, I almost got rear ended bc the transmission stopped on me, my sister raised $$ to get transmission replaced, now had to put new brakes/new battery/new starter/another new tire/ then the hub assembly broke along with the sway bar arm, the electrical system is faulty & car starts but then if I go anywhere & then try to start to go home, it won't start & the fob key needs to be replaced as well.. this car is a safety hazard, too many problems that shouldn't be happening..it has stopped on me too many times to count, I'm at thee point I afraid to drive it.. this vehicle has (2 recalls) that have not been taken care of yet, I had to call Canada to tell them I bought the vehicle bc they didn't have me as the new owner, I didn't get any recall notices in the mail bc I just bought this car last yr & it was at a dealership, they never took care of the recalls, , I was sent a notice to my credit karma acct telling me there's 4 recalls but the airbags are dismissed bc they were taken care of, . I have 2 recalls that have not been repaired.my ignition switch hasn't worked from the day I bought this car, it's loose.

- Rockford, MI, USA

problem #693

May 062019

Journey

  • 146,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled on several occasions. While driving approximately 60 mph on a major highway, the vehicle stalled causing the contact to crash into a brick wall. The drivers side air bag deployed with force however the front passenger side air bag failed to deploy. The driver sustained neck pains, body pains, muscle spasms in the left arm and scarring to the left arm. The front passenger sustained head, mouth and face injury due to no air bag deployment. Both received further medical treatment. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed and a dealer was not contacted. The contact was unaware that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V373000 (air bags and electrical system) as the vehicle was not purchased from a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and the crash to determine if they may open an investigation. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000.

- Grimes, IA, USA

problem #692

Jun 142016

Journey

  • 140,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start when the key was placed in the ignition and all the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine timing switch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred a few days later. The vehicle was not repaired again. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

- Davenport, IA, USA

problem #691

Mar 012019

Journey

  • miles
My car fails to stay started when sticking the key in the ignition.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #690

Mar 252019

Journey

  • 113,966 miles
My Dodge Journey is starting sometimes..and will not start at other times. There have been hundreds of driver complaints.Dodge is not addressing this major problem. Driving fine..park it..get in and it will not start. It seems to be a problem with the electronics...computer issue. Dodge should know. Due to all the same complains they are receiving. They need to do a recall. It has been happening intermittently last time 3/25/19..

- Allegan, MI, USA

problem #689

Feb 232019

Journey

  • 126,908 miles
Battery goes dead all the time, check enjine light, traction light, loses power going up small hills, won't shift, air bag light stays on, testing says it has a battery drain, cam shat sensor light changed but still says bad, we put a new battery in but doesnt help.

- Hardy, AR, USA

problem #688

Jul 052017

Journey

  • 0 miles

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

Recall the starters! I am sick of bwing syranded because our car won't start!!!! this is an issues for thousands of people!

- Mcarthur, OH, USA

problem #687

Oct 212018

Journey

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. While driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle slowed down and the brake lights illuminated. The contact stopped the vehicle and noticed smoke outside the front passenger side. The vehicle shut off and the instrument panel blacked out; however, the windshield wipers did not stop. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact called jim browne Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram tampa bay at 813-452-5499 (located at 10909 N Florida ave, tampa, fl 33612) and was informed that there was no recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and also stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #686

Feb 172018

Journey

  • 129,988 miles
Not right, , transmission stopped on me driving, K & M Dodge mechanic says it's not my fault that the transmission just stopped on me while driving, he said the 2 gear isn't there, this is 2 times now I almost got killed, to top that off I purchased this mused vehicle on 2/16/2018 & paid cash of $4,263 I asked if this car had any problems bc I do not want to put any money into it.. he told me & my parents only needed rear tires, I asked if it's neen in a car accident, he said no.. he said I will be the 2nd owner, , something isn't right, so I took it in on 2/17/2018 to get 2 new rear tires & omg, are you kidding me, , this car didn't have any airbags, electrical system was messed up, had to have a oil change on 2/22/2018, then it went in repair shop on 2/26/2018 for recall on airbags, then got it back on 3/26/2018, just for it to go back in on 4/1/2018 for a ball joint/tie rods/rotors/brakes front & back/ wheel alignment/new battery you got to be kidding me, , I am pissed as heck, found out I'm the 4th/5th owner, , it was in S car accident passenger side in Oct 2017 car stalled on ppl, minor frame work, car is missing lots of parts, then I had to buy another tire front passenger side, key fob doesn't want to start car, ,then I almost got hit driving bc ignition stopped on me driving, , then had starter replaced new on 8/26/2018 to top that off on Aug 28 car stalls again, friend comes over with meter to check out car statistics & says car needs the transmission control modular reset so I can drive, so then try to drive car on Sept 5th, won't move, so I have to get rides, then on Sept 12th start up, try to drive it & the car stops, tried to drive it back to K & M Dodge on Sept 12th 2018, , it's been there since that day bc not drivable, needs a new transmission, I can't afford bc I am on disibility (social security disabilty), I called a lawyer on 2/17/2018

- Rockford, MI, USA

problem #685

Oct 182018

Journey

  • 140,000 miles
The car would randomly fail to start. Sometimes the battery would completely drain. Putting it in neutral would sometimes work but not always.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #684

Oct 152018

Journey

  • 70,000 miles
Journey would not start despite healthy battery & other components while stationary. Had happened multiple times after being driven for about 30 miles or after sitting overnight. Have been told they don't know what is causing the issue. Hundreds of other Dodge owners complain in online forums about the same issue. Problem didn't start until we had the recall repairs done for the ignition and airbags.

- Riverdale, UT, USA

problem #683

Oct 132018

Journey

  • 133,942 miles
Bought a used 2009 Dodge Journey in February, have replaced the battery and starter in the last few months. Sometimes we can start the car normally, sometimes you have to jump the car off. Yesterday, the car would not shift or start, tried the neutral safety switch which enabled me to push the Journey but still would not crank. Research online shows that many other consumers have or are experiencing the same problem. I feel Dodge needs to take responsibility and figure out why these vehicles are malfunctioning. It's costing us money and time we do not have trying to chase down an electrical issue. I even had the PCM checked out and it too was in a good bill of health

- Tomball, TX, USA

problem #682

Sep 272018

Journey

  • 67,000 miles
Car does not start after being parked - sometimes when turned off for a short time (like getting gasoline), sometimes at the end of a work day or overnight. The car will sometimes start on its own after leaving it alone for more than a few hours. Car has been into shop several times and has had the following done: Changed to new battery 2X, checked alternator, ran computer diagnostic. This has happened 4 times in the past years. The car "clicks" one time, power windows and radio still work. We are afraid this will keep happening.

- Dumont, NJ, USA

problem #681

Sep 112014

Journey 6-cyl

  • miles
I already filed a report on how the electrical system is messing up. Also how the braking system is to small for this vehicle, and how they were out extremely to fast. This time I am trying to find another form in which I can through the mail system try and get hold of NHTSA to try and receive a recall. Due to me and the other tens of thousands who also have this same problem.

- Lewistown, PA, USA

problem #680

Apr 112015

Journey

  • miles
My name is [xxx] and I am complaining about my 2009 Dodge Journey R/T AWD. First the electrical system or wiring harness has a severe problem. It does not want to start like it should. I've been through 2 good interstate batteries in the last 2 years that have not seemed to work. Next and the most dangerous is the braking system which is to small for this vehicle. From what I have researched they used a braking system from a Dodge magnum(in the series 1 from 2008-2012) when it should have been used from an SUV. The rotors where out after 9000 miles while the front pads go after 3000-4000 miles. Leaving the back brake pads with the longest life of around 5000 miles this is with aggressive or non-aggressive driving it doesn't matter. This kind of brake and rotor wear and tear is nowadays unheard of. This kind of vehicle is unsafe and very expensive for the average american vehicle owner. These vehicles are as plain as day as much of a lemon as they come. Between the electrical or ignition problems that are as plain as day and can not be fixed by your average mechanic and thousands of dollars. Also the breaking system which is to small that also can't be fixed without many thousand dollars worth of parts and labor. Not to mention the thousands that have already been put into these problems that did not fix for long. The only other thing that I feel that can happen is for there to be a recall by Dodge. To fix the electrical-ignition problem and to have a bigger breaking system put on like they did the (series 2 Journey from 2012 on till now). And the braking issues are better. So if they can do it now why can they fix the series 1. I think it's a combination of laziness and greediness with there money. Pleas help my vehicle right along with the other tens of thousands who have the same problems. Don't let Dodge get away with this and help make these problems an active recall !! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Lewistown, PA, USA

problem #679

Jul 012018

Journey

  • 47,000 miles
Horn randomly sounds off while parked, while driving. Started July 2018. August 2018 took to a dealership, who could find nothing wrong. Also, wrote to Chrysler corporation noting the problem. Dealership said they never heard of the problem. Chrysler kept referring me to dealership. No help from either. I researched and found there is a huge problem with the tipm and can cause the problem I am having. As of September 15,2018, neither dealership nor Chrysler Corp will listen to me about the tipm issue. I now drive with no horn (found out how to remove the fuses), causing a huge safety risk. I need help and no one will help with this prolem. Horn has sounded in parking lots causing people to get angry as they think I am honking at them or people have come running out from buildings to see what is happening, one time horn sounded as an elderly lady entered a crosswalk and it scared her horribly, it sounds while driving causing other drivers to become angry because they think I am honking at them. My car is unusable if I leave fuses in...dangerous if I take fuses out.

- Milton, DE, USA

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