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2010 Dodge Journey Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2010 Dodge Journey carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering hose, piping, and connections and switch. Owners report 4 recurring issue clusters, led by “Random horn activation and erratic electrical accessories.” 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.

3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

Campaign #16V273000 · Jun 5, 2016

Issue: Chrysler (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.

Risk: A loss of power steering assist may require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return hoses, steel tubes, and power steering oil cooler, free of charge. The recall began on May 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S08.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

Campaign #14V373000 · Jun 26, 2014

Issue: This 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.

Risk: If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R03. Note: This is an expansion of recall 11V-139.

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Campaign #10V475000 · Jul 10, 2010

Issue: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING, 300, CHARGER (LX) AND DODGE CHALLENGER (LC), AVENGER (JS), AND JOURNEY (JC), AS WELL AS MODEL YEAR 2011 DODGE RAM LIGHT DUTY PICKUP (DS) VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A SEPARATION AT THE CRIMPED END OF THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE ASSEMBLY.

Risk: LEAKED POWER STEERING FLUID ONTO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS COULD CAUSE A FIRE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE AS NECESSARY THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2010 Dodge Journey.

1 active NHTSA investigation

Source: NHTSA

  • Vehicle entrapment

    Action #EA24003 · opened Aug 1, 2024

    The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-008 on May 1, 2023 to investigate an incident involving a 2009 Dodge Journey alleging occupant entrapment during a vehicle fire that resulted in a fatality. During the investigation, ODI collected information from the manufact…

    View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

Random horn activation and erratic electrical accessories

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

68 NHTSA complaints · 2019-05 → 2026-08

“Horn honks randomly will driving or turned off/parked. Windows go up/down on their own. Locks/unlocks. wipers turn on/off. Emergency flashers turn on/blink all on their own. Appears to be an issue with security system. Replaced TIPM and still having issues with all of the above”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11559352
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED RANDOM AND ERRONEOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH INCLUDED THE DOORS UNLOCKING, THE WINDOWS ROLLING DOWN, THE HORN ACTIVATING, THE WIPERS RANDOMLY ACTIVATING, AND THE ABS RANDOMLY ACTIVATING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11360454
“THE HORN BLOWS ON ITS OWN AT ANY TIME. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF I AM DRIVING OR IF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. IT DOES THIS AT ALL HOURS OF THE DAY/NIGHT. PUSHING THE CAR ALARM BUTTON OR PANIC BUTTON DOES NOT STOP IT FROM BLOWING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11232493

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unexpected active head restraint deployment

SEATS

17 NHTSA complaints · 2019-07 → 2026-07

“THE HEADREST ON OUR 2010 DODGE JOURNEY POPPED OPEN AS WE WERE DRIVING DOWN I-20. NO ACCIDENT, NO BUMP IN THE ROAD, NO SUDDEN STOP... IT JUST SPRUNG OPEN AND SMACKED MY HUSBAND IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11309845
“2010 JOURNEY SXT FOUND WITH ACTIVE HEADREST DEPLOYED ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. NO ACCIDENTS - NO BUMPING. THE STEEL PIN WAS STILL IN THE CATCH AND PLASTIC CASING THAT IS SUPPOSED TO HOLD THE STEEL PIN BROKE AWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11375759
“Faulty active head restraints in both front driver and passenger seats, causing both units to deploy while driving, causing my driver to temporarily lose control of the vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11687796

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalling and intermittent failure to start

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE

37 NHTSA complaints · 2019-06 → 2026-06

“Car since bought either won't start or fails to come out of gear then stalls out in reverse or randomly in intersections I have small children and it's dangerous and several mechanic cant figure it out. Replaced batteries starters and issue continues”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11744916
“VEHICLE KEEPS RANDOMLY STALLING WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF AND I HAVE TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF COMPLETELY THEN LET IT SIT TO RESTART. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO GET IT TO START. HAD BATTERY, FUEL, SPARK PLUGS, ALTERNATOR CHECKED AND THEY ARE WORKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11331079
“MY VEHICLE WILL RANDOMLY NOT START. I TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE LIGHTS AND RADIO COME ON, BUT IT ONLY CLICKS AND DOESN'T START. THEN I ATTEMPT TO START IT AGAIN AND IT WILL MAGICALLY START. THIS INTERMITTENT STARTING HAS NO RHYME OR REASON AND HAS LEFT ME STRANDED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11245341

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering line failure and fluid loss

STEERING

14 NHTSA complaints · 2019-07 → 2025-05

“STARTED THE CAR TO GO TO WORK AND HAD NO POWER STEERING. TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND HAD SOME BROKEN LINES REPLACED. TWO DAYS LATER WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. I LOST CONTROL AND ALMOST LANDED IN A DITCH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11396167
“THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW WE HAVE TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING LINES. LAST YEAR THE RETURN LINE BURST WHILE DRIVING. NOW JUST YESTERDAY ( 02/09/2021) A LINE BURST AGAIN WHILE DRIVING.THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS THIS ISSUE IN THE WINTER. IT STARTED TO BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11395548
“THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WITHIN THREE MONTHS THIS HAS HAPPENED. FIRST TIME I WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER. SECOND TIME. DRIVING AND ALL THE SUDDEN LOSE POWER STEERING. A HOSE UNDER CAR KEEPS BURSTING AT THE PINCH CLAMP AND LOSING ALL POWER STEERING FLUID”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11311795

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 3 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

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

59 crashes 2010–2024

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

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.

18

complaints mentioning a crash

17

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls 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 2010 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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