The Lemon Index2009 Dodge Journey.
The 2009 Dodge Journey is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 453 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 561, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 8 recalls, and it gets 17 to 21 mpg combined. The best Dodge Journey year is 2020.
Lemon alert. 5.6× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2020
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,594 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Dodge Journey year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 27K to 98K miles on the car (1,114 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 50K–104K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 55K–130K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 15K–27K miles
Recalls 8
- steering 2016
After exposure to cold temperatures, the power steering return hose may rupture at engine start-up causing a loss of power steering assist.
- airbags 2016
In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.
- electrical 2014
Road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to mo.
Show all 8 recalls
- electrical 2010
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 DODGE JOURNEY VEHICLES MANUFACTURER FROM NOVEMBER 1, 2007, THROUGH NOVEMBER 7, 2008.
- electrical 2009
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 4,314 MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, COMMANDER AND WRANGLER VEHICLES.
- electrical 2009
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 16,852 MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITHOUT OPTIONAL 115 VOLT AUXILIARY POWER OUTLET.
- transmission & drivetrain 2008
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 712 MY 2009 SEBRING, DODGE CALIBER, AVENGER, JOURNEY, JEEP PATRIOT, AND COMPASS VEHICLES.
- electrical 2008
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 6,692 MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.5L ENGINE.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 52 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 2009 (jc) electrical switch replacement
- Part Description: Short Runner Valve (Actuator) Issue Description: Issue 1~ JC,JS '08-09MY…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenVehicle entrapment2024
- ClosedVehicle entrapment2023–2024
- ClosedTotally integrated power module failure2014–2015
- ClosedAir bag non-deployment/engine stall2014–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Interior dash lights dim or turn off completely when wipers or other electronic controls are operated. This has happened numerous times.
2009 Dodge Journey owner · NHTSA complaint 10336142
More owner reports
My 2009 Dodge Journey will not start intermittently. The dealership is unable to diagnose the problem. It has happened 4 times since we bought it in august of 2012.
NHTSA complaint 10485455
Brakes and rotors are bad at only 15,000 miles..car has vibrating problem and was told I needed new brakes and rotors.
NHTSA complaint 10349276
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Dodge Journey reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 5.6× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 561; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Dodge Journey year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2009 Dodge Journey problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (51%), electrical (20%) and tires (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Dodge Journey have?
8 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Dodge Journey get?
17 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Dodge Journey problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 27,000 and 98,900 miles. The middle report was at 61,900 miles, from 1,114 complaints.
Does the 2009 Dodge Journey have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Dodge Journey cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Dodge Journey have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Dodge Journey year is better than the 2009?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2020, 2019 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works