Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Dodge Journey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that the rotors, calipers, transfer case, and front passenger seat sensor caught fire, the vehicle also experienced a loss of power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed that the brake rotors and the brake caliper were defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also had the vehicle repaired at the dealer for the transfer case malfunction. Upon inspection for the seat sensor failure, the contact noticed that a rubber boot was not installed, which resulted in the insulation igniting. The contact extinguished the flames and placed electrical tape at the end of the wire. The vehicle was able to be restarted after numerous attempts. The tire sensor also malfunctioned, which resulted in the tire constantly going flat. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V047000 (seat belts, air bags). The parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to holt Dodge and Jeep dealer to get the recall repaired. Upon taking apart the vehicle, the contact noticed that the parts were not the correct ones. The vehicle was reassembled and the parts were ordered. The next day, while traveling at highway speeds, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle, which resulted in a front end collision. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. While driving at any speed, the ESP and ABS lights illuminated and the vehicle lost power. Afterwards, all four brakes locked up and smoke appeared. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road. The fire department was called and diagnosed that the two front brakes had locked up. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was later driven to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the failure occurred due to wear and tear. The master cylinder, rotors, brake caliber, and all four brakes were replaced; however, the failure recurred numerous times. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 168,924.
I've had the car for 2 years. Since I've had it, it would randomly not start, the heat would only work in the back vents. Got everything fixed associated with starter, battery, everything. For the last 6 months, my engine like has been on, and an ESP light. I got the engine checked, brakes fixed, routers, brake pedal switch replaced and it's still doing the exact thing. Gear won't shift sometimes but it isn't the transmission.now they are saying possible electrical issue but this has been going on for months! After I've put more than 1000 into everything that has not fixed the issue.
While driving at a speed of 45 MPH on a road that is rated for 55 MPH, the left driver side tire separated from the car. While trying to control the car by hitting the brakes the car speed began to increased.
We bought the car new in April of 2009. In August of 2012 brakes started acting 'sticky and jerky'. Took it back to the dealership just because of the brakes (had extended warranty). We had a strong feeling it had something to do with the ESP bas system. They didn't even look at it before saying 'no' it wasn't the ESP bas system. Through multiple dealership service visits, oil changes and such; brakes stayed constantly jerky. 2+ years ago I went into dealership for tire rotation and oil change and they told me I'd have to replace my brakes soon. Unhappy with the long wait and cost of service at the dealership I've been taking the Journey into another shop where I asked them to check my brakes and they said they were fine. Yesterday while driving approx. 35mph the ESP bas lights came on and all of a sudden the brakes weren't sticky or jerky. …
I had a complete brake failure and ran off the road, lost control and spun backwards striking a buried boulder bending my exhaust pipe, this was at 19K miles. Right front brake pads blew apart, towed into dealership, didn't work on it due to out of warranty and they stated it would be approx 1000 to fix it, took it to midas, spent 400, replaced front rotors and pads, at 23K miles, brakes worn down to metal, took to midas, said Dodge problem, Dodge would not work on it stating it was midas' issue. Got letter from Dodge to fix brakes after 100 deductible, they replaced front rotors and pads, 2 days(two days later) brakes failed and ran through hwy interchange and almost got side swiped by a big rig. …
I have an 09 Dodge Journey that has issues from day one. 1st the A/C broke. They fixed it that was only 2 weeks after I bought the car. The car was new and bought in 01/2009. At a little over 12000 miles my brakes were gone. I had to rotate rotors and put new brake pads. Ever since then I have had to change the pads (2 times the rotors completely all other times rotating the rotors)5 more times. I have called Chrysler and all they have done is made the warranty to 36000 miles but that is not fixing a problem. I have gotten online and researched. I am not the only one having this problem . There are thousands of others and there are actually lawsuits out there for this reason. I was in a fenderbender in dec. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. 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. The contact initially took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who replaced the brake module control sensor however, the failure persisted. The mechanic referred the contact to an authorized dealer for assistance. The contact then took the vehicle to lithia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of santa fe (7401 cerrillos rd, santa fe, nm 87507) where the diagnosis confirmed that the brake module control sensor was defective. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The contact brought the vehicle back to the dealer for a second diagnostic test to be performed. The results were still pending. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. While driving various speeds, the contact heard an abnormal noise when the brake pedal was depressed. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The contact also stated that the brakes failed to stop the vehicle immediately when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brakes and the rotors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, after a short period of time the failure recurred multiple times. Additionally, the tires were replaced multiple times due to the continuous failures. The contact received NHTSA campaign number: 14V373000 (air bags , electrical system) and stated that the parts were unavailable. The dealer was uncertain when the parts would become available to service the vehicle under the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. …
Brake complaints in other Journey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2009 Dodge Journey?
NHTSA has 374 complaints about the brakes of the 2009 Dodge Journey, 23% of the model year's 1,594 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Dodge Journey brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2009 Dodge Journey, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Dodge Journey brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 23,000 miles, and 55% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 5 fires and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.