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

8.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,530
Average Mileage:
69,800 miles
Total Complaints:
13 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace transmission (7 reports)
  2. not sure (5 reports)
  3. have to replace under drive assembly (1 reports)
2009 Dodge Journey transmission problems

transmission problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2009 Dodge Journey:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2009 Dodge Journey Owner Comments

problem #13

Feb 182020

Journey R/T V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,077 miles

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

So, missing complaints #2 and #3, this is the 4th transmission failure. The last transmission was replaced at around 68k miles, and I made it another 70k with this one. However, now, Dodge will not honor my "lifetime" engine and powertrain warranty, because I "failed to take it for a 5 year transmission inspection". This present transmission hasn't been in the vehicle for 5 years! I was informed that it "wasn't how it works" that I was supposed to go to the dealership at the 10 year anniversary of my vehicle purchase for that "inspection". They never informed me of this, nor were they willing to work with me on it. I am stuck now with a vehicle that will not move. So, I am going to be "getting out of Dodge" so to speak. NEVER will I EVER buy another Dodge/Jeep/Chrysler/MOPAR product.

- Christopher D., Somers, CT, US

problem #12

May 012015

Journey SXT 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

Transmission was slamming into 2nd gear. Took into dealer. Needs replacement. They put in a rebuilt one. It was bad before I got the vehicle back. Got another rebuild, it seems ok but there is fluid all over the transmission case.

- Mike W., New Florence, PA, US

problem #11

Mar 012010

Journey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles

As soon as the manufacturer warranty expired (36k miles) the transmission went completely out on me while at the pharmacy. Had to have the vehicle taken over 6 miles to the dealer to repair. Awful experience for a fairly new car, very disappointed.

- sandralita7, Warrenton, NC, US

problem #10

Mar 012016

Journey STX 2.0L Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,313 miles

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

Bought this beautiful MADE IN THE USA (for export) 2009 Dodge Journey (used) with just 119,000KM (71,000Miles). Drove fantastic on the test drive, but a few days later when I drove it in the cold January morning in Krakow, Poland the car would not shift out of 1st gear. I slowly drove to the store, 30 minutes later when I drive home, everything was fine.

Fast forward 3 years (up to 155000 km or 93,000 miles) and when ever it is cold the Journey would not shift out of first gear. I would drive it slowly for about 1 KM, turn off the engine and restart it and everything was fine.

Dealer claimed there were "dirty valves" or there was a "solenoid problem". But that was B.S.

This was a problem that I have from the very beginning. Dealer had to know it when they sold it to me used in 2013. In 2014, I changed the transmission fluid at a cost of $400. It had been changed 30K km or 18K miles earlier according to dealer records.

Anyhow, I took it to my trusted mechanic and it went to a transmission specialist who said the transmission was broken and to repair it would be $2000 or a new transmission would be $8000.

Complete BS. So upset. How can DODGE BE SO CRUEL to export this to Europe and destroy my trust in MADE IN AMERICA???

- bonsai, Krakow, Poland

problem #9

Sep 192015

Journey SXT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

Just bought this vehicle in June 2015. Financing it over 72 months. Less than 90 days later, I have total complete loss of transmission. Ran fine one minute, then heard a low squeal. Within 2-3 mins lost most of power on a major road, car started banging, vibrating terribly. Mechanic diagnosed as transmission is completely cracked. This is not normal wear for a vehicle with only 80,000 miles and thousands of people are complaining of same thing. Made like crap. Dodge won't recall or buyback. Everyone report it to department of highway safety!!!

- Kimberly B., palm bay, FL, US

problem #8

Apr 212010

Journey R/T V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

Brought the car to the dealer (Artioli Dodge in Enfield CT) before the failure and was told that it was OK to drive, and they would order parts to repair the issue. While exiting my wife's OB-GYN appointment, pregnant with child #2 with child #1 (18 months old) in car seat, the transmission completely failed and vehicle would not roll. It happened on a busy street in the middle of Hartford CT. Had to have it towed to the dealer who took 2 weeks to repair it.

- Christopher D., Somers, CT, US

problem #7

Feb 212015

Journey SXT 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,000 miles

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

DO NOT BUY A DODGE JOURNEY. I HAVE ONLY HAD PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I HAVE ONLY HAD IT 11 MONHTS. I ONLY DRIVE IT ON THE FREEWAY. I DON'T HAUL ANYTHING WITH IT EITHER. FOR DODGE, IF THERE IS A RECALL ON IT AND YOU ARE NOT MAKING THE CONSUMER AWARE OF IT, SHAME ON YOU.

I HAVE BOUGHT DODGE CARS FOR YEARS. WILL CONTINUE BUT NEVER A JOURNEY AGAIN. THIS YEAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. 3 WKS AFTER I BOUGHT IT THE IGNITION SWITCH WENT OUT ON IT. BY THE WAY, WHERE YOU HAVE THE BATTERY SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Ramona M., Downey, ID, US

problem #6

Jun 142014

Journey V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

I had a vacation to Mexico, when I was in El Paso 600 Miles away from home The Transmission broke and would not go nowhere. I ended up haven to repair the Journey and it cost me 2,695.00 plus Hotel and Food for 7 people and total mess up my Vacation.

- clerk642001, San Antonio, TX, US

problem #5

Apr 232013

Journey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,300 miles

transmission failure at 63,000 miles, engine made "whirring" sound. Told by my mechanic that I had sheered off metal pieces making the sound. Dodge told mechanic that there are now over 1000 of the parts on back order with an expected delivery time of 10-12 weeks.

- Kacie R., Fairfax, VA, US

problem #4

Mar 232013

Journey SXT 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

Car has had a myriad of standard Journey problems- brakes, check engine, door pods etc, but this one was scary-

Car was running, shifted into reverse and car lurched forward at an incomprehensible speed. The only time the engine was not sluggish in responding. Put both feet on brake- car went crashing through garage doors, and just stopped. Car is at dealer as we speak. And no, this was not an incident of one stepping on the gas instead of the brake. Waiting to hear from Chrysler- Let the battle begin. Car will be sold. Should have read reviews before I bought. Scariest thing of my life

- horodyskyj, Chesterfield, MI, US

problem #3

Jun 132011

Journey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,500 miles

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

So much for our summer vacation. Had to have the car towed to a dealership 40 miles away (since Dodge closed all the other ones). Now Dodge tells me I'm 500 miles over the limit and there is no warranty. You've got to be kidding!

They have convinced me to never buy another Dodge. Back to Japanese cars for me. My Nissan has 230k miles on it, and it's STILL running great.

- Kellie M., Milledgeville, GA, US

problem #2

Aug 292011

Journey RT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,650 miles

The vehicle was towed yesterday. I was driving the vehicle, the computer system went haywire again and I lost power. It was limping along at 40kms per hour. It would suddenly then jerk forward and resume normal driving.

Then when I got to the next set of traffic lights, it did it again - and so on and so forth - until I phoned road side assist. The vehicle was towed to the Dodge authorized service center.

We have tried on numerous occasions to find out what is wrong with the car, without any answers. We have been told many times that they will call back, but that does not happen until we call back and ask for answers.

We have not been given a replacement vehicle, and due to the fact that I live out of the city limits, work full time and am the primary care-giver for two school aged children - I am very inconvenienced.

I appreciate that they don't have answers, but my vehicle is under warranty - and I should be given a replacement vehicle while they ponder the problem at hand. Simple..... Customer Service 101. Or Zero in this case.

- Kaylene M., Perth, Western Australia, Australia

problem #1

Mar 102010

Journey SXT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,000 miles

We purchased our 2009 Dodge Journey in January of 2010, used with 22,000 miles on it. In March 2010 the transmission went out!!! The vehicle had 29,000 miles on it and it needed a new transmission!!! This is my opinion is completely unacceptable!!! The warranty was still on the car and when I was told I'd have to pay for a 10 day rental I was furious!!! The dealership did eventually wave the rental fee!!!! I have since put two sets of brakes on set of rotors and am still having brake problems. Does anyone else out there have problems first thing in the morning with their brakes? It almost feels like I don't have brakes.

- kerih, Accident, MD, US

Not what you are looking for?