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2009 Dodge Journey Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2009 Dodge Journey has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “TIPM electrical failure to start.” Dodge uses Stellantis' Oil Change Indicator — it watches engine load and duty cycle and messages when to change oil, capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months. Know your engine: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 goes 100,000 miles on plugs, while HEMI V8s carry sixteen plugs (two per cylinder) on a roughly 30,000-mile interval — that's a real cost difference at the service counter. HEMI models with MDS cylinder deactivation are especially sensitive to overdue oil.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2009 Dodge Journey.

Reported to NHTSA

TIPM electrical failure to start

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

70 NHTSA complaints · 2018-02 → 2026-04

“The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) had failed and needed to be replaced”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11731127
“FAULTY TIPM . CAR STARTS INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIPS AND ALL MECHANICS ARE UNABLE TO RESOLVE. THERE ARE DODGE FORUMS EVERYWHERE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHY WONT DODGE RECALL IT ALREADY?”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11118653
“THE CAR WOULD RANDOMLY FAIL TO START. SOMETIMES THE BATTERY WOULD COMPLETELY DRAIN. PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL WOULD SOMETIMES WORK BUT NOT ALWAYS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11142243

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering return hose rupture in cold weather

STEERING

28 NHTSA complaints · 2018-02 → 2026-02

“Power steering hose ruptured after a few days of snow and ice. I went to drive to the store but was unable to turn out of the driveway due to no power steering”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11715663
“Power steering return hose ruptured when I started the vehicle after setting in sub zero temps for about a week. Found a recall for this same problem but my vehicle was not listed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11566676
“HAVE HAD POWER STEERING HOSE FAIL TWICE IN TWO WEEKS. THIS HAS HAPPENED AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE IN EXTREME COLD TEMPERATURES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11072761

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transfer case and transmission failure

POWER TRAIN

24 NHTSA complaints · 2018-03 → 2023-07

“The viscous coupler located at the carrier rear malfunctions and causes the front transfer case to crack open. Do to this causing a catastrophic malfunction and possibly causing a severe accident I feel this should be recalled”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11514118
“WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE DRIVESHAFT MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11150174
“WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GREENBRIER DODGE OF CHESAPEAKE (1717 S MILITARY HWY, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23320) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11076680

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag warning light and deployment malfunction

AIR BAGS

18 NHTSA complaints · 2018-03 → 2025-02

“About 15 minutes into the drive, my side airbags deployed without any collision or even bump in the road. I carefully and swiftly turned onto a side street and pulled over”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11641187
“HEAD ON COLLISION AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11300973
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11081478

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall and seizure while driving

ENGINE

14 NHTSA complaints · 2018-04 → 2022-11

“WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AT THE SCENE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT OF A CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CIRCUIT BANK ONE FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11088408
“WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND JERKED BEFORE SHUTTING OFF. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11258601
“WHILE DRIVING THE ENTIRE BOARD FLASHED AND THEN VEHICLE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11308989

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Premature brake wear and ABS module failure

SERVICE BRAKES

10 NHTSA complaints · 2018-04 → 2020-09

“OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS I HAVE HAD AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF WORK DONE ON MY BRAKES. ON THE FRONT WHEELS, BOTH HAVE HAD 3 NEW SETS OF ROTORS, 2 OF WHICH HAD TO BE RESURFACED, 3 SETS OF BRAKE PADS, 2 NEW CALIPERS FOR THE LEFT AND 1 FOR THE RIGHT, 1 BRAKE HOSE AND 1 HUB BEARING FOR THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11090177
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG, CHECK ENGINE, AND THE EPS TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11361992
“WHEN LEAVING WORK I STARTED MY CAR AND BEGAN TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING LOT WHEN I WENT TO PUSH ON MY BRAKES TO STOP MY CAR MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AS IF I HAD NOTHING BUT AIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11208903

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the indicator says so — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L: 0W-20. HEMI 5.7L: 5W-20 (0W-40 for 6.4L SRT). MDS-equipped HEMIs punish stretched oil intervals with lifter and cam wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles. Charger/Challenger R/T and Scat Pack: staggered-width setups can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads and rotors at every oil change. Heavy Durangos used for towing and hard-driven Chargers both run through rear pads faster than the front-pad-first rule of thumb suggests.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

HEMI 5.7L: sixteen plugs roughly every 30,000 miles — check your year's manual. Pentastar 3.6L (Charger/Challenger V6, Durango V6, Journey, Grand Caravan): 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Grand Caravan/Journey (62TE): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles in family duty. Charger/Challenger/Durango with the TorqueFlite 8-speed: no published normal interval, but specialists recommend service around 60,000-100,000 miles — sooner with towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

RWD Charger/Challenger and AWD Durango: replace rear diff fluid around 60,000 miles, sooner with towing or drag-strip duty. Limited-slip units need the friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. HEMIs pull serious airflow — a clogged filter costs measurable power before it throws a code.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles, replace on cracking or glazing. On the HEMI, a shredded belt can take the cooling drive with it mid-drive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped (behind the glovebox on most models). Some earlier Journeys and Avengers shipped without one — check before buying a filter.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant is scheduled for 10 years / 150,000 miles; shops commonly refresh by 100,000. OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing chemistries gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Big-audio Chargers and tow-package Durangos lean on the battery hard; weak batteries surface as gremlins in the electronics before they fail to crank.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

80 crashes 1990–2024

How the 80 occupant deaths break down

49

driver deaths

31

passenger deaths

80

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2010 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

42

complaints mentioning a crash

37

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2009 Dodge Journey reflects Dodge's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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