Dodge Journey 2009–2020
1st generation (only generation) · JC49 (FCA JC / D-segment)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20267,953 complaints, 5,162 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 30,000 and 97,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 44 complaints (0.9%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 10,000
- 25%
- 30,000
- Median
- 62,000
- 75%
- 97,000
- 90%
- 130,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 353 | 6.8% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 146 | 2.8% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 188 | 3.6% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 221 | 4.3% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 197 | 3.8% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 181 | 3.5% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 240 | 4.6% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 177 | 3.4% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 166 | 3.2% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 147 | 2.8% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 237 | 4.6% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 174 | 3.4% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 248 | 4.8% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 193 | 3.7% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 184 | 3.6% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 152 | 2.9% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 219 | 4.2% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 190 | 3.7% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 197 | 3.8% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 138 | 2.7% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 171 | 3.3% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 97 | 1.9% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 131 | 2.5% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 83 | 1.6% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 117 | 2.3% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 75 | 1.5% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 85 | 1.6% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 62 | 1.2% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 68 | 1.3% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 51 | 1.0% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 46 | 0.9% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 24 | 0.5% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 49 | 0.9% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 15 | 0.3% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 37 | 0.7% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 14 | 0.3% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 16 | 0.3% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 4 | 0.1% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 18 | 0.3% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 7 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 44 | 0.9% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 7,953 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009–2020 Dodge Journey, and 5,162 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 30,000 and 97,000 miles. The median is 62,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the electrical system (26.3% of complaints, typically around 72,000 miles), the engine (11.9% of complaints, typically around 71,000 miles), the brakes (8.5% of complaints, typically around 40,000 miles).
22 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Electrical system72,000median 72,411 miles, middle half 45,000 to 100,000
- Engine71,000median 71,143 miles, middle half 41,000 to 100,000
- Brakes40,000median 40,000 miles, middle half 21,000 to 75,000
- Airbag system78,000median 78,272 miles, middle half 44,000 to 113,000
- Problems owners could not categorise70,000median 69,990 miles, middle half 38,000 to 108,000
- Transmission and driveline65,000median 65,000 miles, middle half 22,000 to 95,000
- Steering65,000median 65,000 miles, middle half 25,000 to 103,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2,092 | 26.3% | 72,000 | 45,000–100,000 |
| Engine | 944 | 11.9% | 71,000 | 41,000–100,000 |
| Brakes | 673 | 8.5% | 40,000 | 21,000–75,000 |
| Airbag system | 635 | 8.0% | 78,000 | 44,000–113,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 609 | 7.7% | 70,000 | 38,000–108,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 496 | 6.2% | 65,000 | 22,000–95,000 |
| Steering | 340 | 4.3% | 65,000 | 25,000–103,000 |
| Seats | 303 | 3.8% | 73,000 | 50,000–106,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 296 | 3.7% | 21,000 | 15,000–35,000 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 273 | 3.4% | 72,000 | 36,000–102,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 62,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The electrical system accounts for 26.3% of complaints (2,092 reports, 1,326 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 72,411 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 45,000 and 100,000 miles.
A single system taking 26.3% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The engine accounts for 11.9% of complaints (944 reports, 632 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 71,143 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 41,000 and 100,400 miles.
The brakes account for 8.5% of complaints (673 reports, 449 of them with a mileage figure), and they fail early — a median of 40,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 21,000 and 75,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 8.0% of complaints (635 reports, 300 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 78,272 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 44,429 and 112,799 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 7.7% of complaints (609 reports, 324 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 69,990 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 38,200 and 108,253 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 6.2% of complaints (496 reports, 361 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 65,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 22,200 and 95,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2009 model year drew the most — 2,091 complaints — while 2020 drew the fewest at 87. The median year sits at 560.
That makes 2009 an outlier: roughly 3.7 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 22 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the electrical system (3), the airbag system (3), the engine and its cooling system (3). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 7,953 complaints filed against this generation, 348 reported a crash; 163 reported a fire; 381 reported an injury; 3 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 4.4% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 30,000 and 97,000 miles, with a median of 62,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the electrical system and the engine are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The engine in particular shows a median failure mileage of 71,143, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Engine — 3.6l Pentastar Left Cylinder Head 2011–2013 (head redesigned after; some sources extend symptom reports to 2015)
Premature valve guide wear in the left (driver's side) cylinder head causes a distinct ticking noise from the driver's side of the engine bay, progressing to misfires on cylinders 2/4/6 (P0302, P0304, P0306) and a check-engine light. Chrysler extended the cylinder head warranty on affected Journeys to 10 years / 150,000 miles from in-service date.
Electrical — Tipm (totally Integrated Power Module) 2011–2013 most heavily reported; module used across the run
Failure of the integrated fuse/relay module, classically a stuck or failed fuel pump relay, causing crank-no-start, stalling while driving, and assorted phantom electrical faults. One of the defining FCA defects of this era.
Engine — Pentastar Oil Filter Housing 2011–2013
The plastic oil filter housing/oil cooler assembly cracks and leaks, and the integral oil by-pass valve can fail. Signs are oil leakage down the front of the engine and low oil pressure warnings.
Cooling System / Cylinder Head 2011–2020
Debris collecting in the cylinder head coolant passages is among the most frequently reported Journey engine faults in aggregated repair data.
Transmission (4-Speed with 2.4l) 2009–2020 (2.4L only)
The carryover 4-speed automatic paired with the 2.4L for the model's entire life draws consistent harsh-shift and durability complaints; it was never updated even as the V6 moved to the 6-speed 62TE in 2011.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 2,091 | 1,407 |
| 2010 | 1,481 | 1,111 |
| 2011 | 253 | 204 |
| 2012 | 623 | 442 |
| 2013 | 507 | 330 |
| 2014 | 644 | 416 |
| 2015 | 866 | 518 |
| 2016 | 613 | 379 |
| 2017 | 316 | 160 |
| 2018 | 341 | 145 |
| 2019 | 131 | 36 |
| 2020 | 87 | 14 |
Recalls (22)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 25V552000 | 2026-07-21 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera |
| 22V723000 | 2023-02-16 | Exterior Lighting |
| 18V524000 | 2018-10-02 | Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood |
| 18V523000 | 2018-08-29 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper |
| 18V398000 | 2018-08-02 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera |
| 18V396000 | 2018-08-02 | Visibility:rearview Mirrors/Devices |
| 18V332000 | 2018-06-04 | Electrical System:software |
| 17V824000 | 2018-02-14 | Equipment |
| 17V432000 | 2017-08-28 | Air Bags:frontal |
| 16V907000 | 2017-02-08 | Engine and Engine Cooling:engine |
| 16V047000 | 2016-12-06 | Air Bags:frontal |
| 16V461000 | 2016-08-18 | Power Train:automatic Transmission |
| 16V273000 | 2016-05-24 | Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, and Connections |
| 15V675000 | 2015-12-21 | Electronic Stability Control (esc) |
| 15V431000 | 2015-10-15 | Engine and Engine Cooling:engine |
| 14V373000 | 2015-05-26 | Air Bags |
| 14V711000 | 2015-04-08 | Equipment:other:labels |
| 11V550000 | 2012-03-01 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid |
| 11V487000 | 2011-12-28 | Engine and Engine Cooling |
| 11V315000 | 2011-07-04 | Steering:column |
| 10V658000 | 2011-02-18 | Electrical System:wiring |
| 10V475000 | 2010-12-27 | Steering:electric Power Assist System |
What owners reported
Tell me why i have this l25 recall that has been in existence for now 3 years, Chrysler says their engineers are working on it but if your family or loved one got into an accident how would you feel? We need this to be rectified and a part needs to be resolved. I need a rental car until this is resolved paid by…
2009 · Problems owners could not categorise
Power steering pressure line for Dodge Journey 2009 to 2016 . When subjected to cold weather the power steering line can hose ruptured at start up when it was cold outside . That is exactly what happened to our 2009 Dodge Journey this past winter and the line split open, didn't realize it while i was in heavy traffic…
2009 · Steering
After buying the car from the dealer we drove home and stopped to get gas. The car would not start. Finally after locking and unlocking the doors it started. Since then every day i drive it i continually have issues with it starting. Once while driving down the road it shut off and stopped. Almost caused an accident.…
2009 · 5 miles · Electrical system
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. After restarting, the vehicle resumed normally. The failure recurred numerous times. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 14v373000 (air bags , electrical system) however, the…
2009 · 10 miles · Airbag system
Built from 5,162 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page