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2009 Dodge Journey: common problems and reliability
One of the worst Journey years.
One of the Dodge Journey years to avoid. All Journey years
1,594 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 8 recalls.
Should I buy a 2009 Journey?The 2009 Dodge Journey has 1594 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and service brakes.
Safety record for the 2009 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2009 Dodge Journey vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Journey years only. How we score it
Is 2009 a good year for the Journey?
Across the 13 Journey model years we track, complaint volume runs from 8 (2008) to 1,594 (2009). With 1,594 complaints, the 2009 Journey sits above the model's median of 353.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2009 Journey
steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections
Campaign 16V273000Chrysler (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.
air bags:frontal
Campaign 16V047000FCA 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.
electrical system:ignition:switch
Campaign 14V373000This 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.
electrical system:wiring
Campaign 10V658000CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 DODGE JOURNEY VEHICLES MANUFACTURER FROM NOVEMBER 1, 2007, THROUGH NOVEMBER 7, 2008. THE WIRES WITHIN THE FRONT DOOR WIRE HARNESSES MAY FATIGUE AND BREAK, WHICH CAN INTERRUPT THE CIRCUITS FOR THE SIDE IMPACT SENSOR(S), RESULTING IN AN AIRBAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATION AND LOSS OF SIDE CRASH SENSING CAPABILITY.
Show 4 more recalls
electrical system:wiring
Campaign 08V247000CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 6,692 MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.5L ENGINE. THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS MAY CONTACT THE LEFT TRANSAXLE MOUNT.
electrical system
Campaign 09V082000CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 16,852 MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITHOUT OPTIONAL 115 VOLT AUXILIARY POWER OUTLET. AN UNUSED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE OPTIONAL 115 VOLT AUXILIARY POWER OUTLET OPTION MAY BECOME CORRODED AND COULD SHORT CIRCUIT.
power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Campaign 08V528000CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 712 MY 2009 SEBRING, DODGE CALIBER, AVENGER, JOURNEY, JEEP PATRIOT, AND COMPASS VEHICLES. A NEW ADHESIVE USED IN THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) MANUFACTURING PROCESS CAN CAUSE THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD TO BREAK.
electrical system:wiring
Campaign 09V118000CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 4,314 MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, COMMANDER AND WRANGLER VEHICLES. WIRING MAY BE REVERSED ON THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE DRIVER AIRBAG SQUIB CONNECTOR. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED.
What owners say across generations
Overwhelmingly negative sentiment based on long-term owner reports. The vehicle is characterized by pervasive and severe reliability issues, particularly with electrical systems, transmissions, and engine management, leading to repeated, expensive repairs.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Journey. See the full Journey owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Journey listings typically run $7,366–$11,775 across 2010 to 2020 model years.
Other Journey model years
Compare every Journey year side by side to see how 2009 ranks against the rest.
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