Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled. The driver restarted the vehicle and continued to drive; however, the failure recurred. The driver was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed back to the residence. An independent mechanic went to the residence to inspect the vehicle. The mechanic replaced the starter and installed a new battery however, the failure recurred. The mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact was concerned that the failure was related to the ignition switch and the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start up. The vehicle also failed to start up after receiving a jumpstart. The contact mentioned that the starter needed to be tampered with for the vehicle to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred several times. The starter was replaced several times. The contact contacted several dealers and notified the dealers of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,614.
Me and my son were sitting in the car waiting for my wife and the car started dying lights started were flashing the horn was honking wipers were going interior lighting and gauge cluster was all flashing then smoke started to come through the vents so we jumped out and that's when I seen flames under the hood the wiring harness from the firewall to the fuse box was completely in flames. I eventually tamed to fire with snow beings that it was all I had at the moment. The vehicle hasn't been inspected by anyone yet I wasn't sure how to go about this never had to deal with anything like it. It is available for inspection anytime.
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the destination. The contact stated that the following day while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with TIPM failure. The contact was informed that the totally integrated power module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 194,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to start-up. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V373000 (Electrical System, Air Bags). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
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. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Vehicle owner was driving and pulled over when all warning lights began flashing, wipers came on, horn started honking, windows would not go down, doors would not unlock, and vehicle started on fire. Fire appeared to begin in the engine compartment, with fire eventually consuming entire vehicle.
SYMPTOMS - Dangerous Malfunction Critical Component Failure - Wipers constantly on slow speed, even in driving rain. No Rear Wiper. No TURN SIGNALS Engine rough and limited to ~2,500 RPM. No HORN. Left signal initiated by Driver in Vehicle#1 when turning left in front of other driver Vehicle#2, no left signal light resulted; Driver in Veh#2 presumed Veh#1 was proceeding straight and pulled out; Result was Near Miss frontal collision. Right Steering column stalk - Front Windshield Wipers constantly on, can not shut off. No WW washer activation. No wiper speed control - almost like default: lowest continuous operation (not intermittent and not high speed). No rear WW wiper and wash operation either. Left steering column stalk - No turn signals, no bright lights, no dash light control. Most dash gauges do work except Navigation compass. …
The Carbondale Fire Department was dispatched to a vehicle fire In the parking lot behind the above-listed address. Fire personnel arrived and found a 2009 Dodge Journey with an engine compartment fire. Fire personnel used tank water and a pre-connected 1 3/4 In. hose line to extinguish the fire. There were no exposures or damage to other property. Upon completing the extinguishment, an origin and cause investigation was conducted, which Included, but was not limited to, scene examination, documentation, and interviews. The owner of the vehicle stated the following: He purchased the vehicle new. He has liability Insurance only through Allstate. This Is not his primary vehicle. He does his own service. No known electrical Issues, and there were no warning lights on the vehicle before the fire. …
09 Dodge Journey 3.5l v6 issues started the day after I bought the vehicle!! will cut off while driving, stall and cut off at stop lights, stop signs. Way too much heat coming from motor, ac compressor making allot of noise. Overheating issues, brake light switch issue. Cruise control malfunction, driver's window switch and window not working. Rear tv stopped working after a snow storm, rear ac/ heater not blowing at all, cars won't shift out of park at all. Headlights stopped working. All lights flashed on and off while driving down the freeway at 80mph, now it's saying gas cap on dash, while driving to a job the timing belt broke after being replaced 2 months earlier, water pump is leaking after being replaced 2 months ago. Water soaking the passenger and backseat floorboards and I can't figure out why. …
Related recalls
Electrical system › Wiring
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009 Dodge journey vehicles manufacturer from November 1, 2007, through November 7, 2008. The wires within the front door wire harnesses May fatigue and break, which can interrupt the circuits for the side impact sensor(s), resulting in an airbag warning lamp illumination and loss of…
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and replace the left and right door wiring harnesses free of charge. The safety recall began on February 18, 2011. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Electrical system › Wiring
Chrysler is recalling 4,314 my 2009 Dodge journey, Jeep grand cherokee, commander and wrangler vehicles. Wiring May be reversed on the steering column control module driver airbag squib connector. The driver's airbag May not deploy as intended.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driver's airbag squib wires and replace the steering column control module free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during May 2009. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Electrical system
Chrysler is recalling 16,852 my 2009 Dodge journey vehicles equipped without optional 115 volt auxiliary power outlet. An unused electrical connector for the optional 115 volt auxiliary power outlet option May become corroded and could short circuit.
Remedy: Dealers will re-route and stow the 115 volt auxiliary power outlet connector and pull the 25 amp fuse to remove power from this unused circuit free of charge. The recall began on March 30, 2009.
Electrical system › Wiring
Chrysler is recalling 6,692 my 2009 Dodge journey vehicles equipped with a 3.5l engine. The engine wiring harness May contact the left transaxle mount.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine wiring harness for damage. If the harness is damaged, the wiring will be repaired and a tie wrap installed to secure the harness away from the left transaxle mount.
NHTSA investigations
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year.
Electrical complaints in other Journey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2009 Dodge Journey?
NHTSA has 814 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Dodge Journey, 51% of the model year's 1,594 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Dodge Journey electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-658 (wiring, Dec 24, 2010); NHTSA recall 09V-118 (wiring, Apr 9, 2009); NHTSA recall 09V-082 (electrical system, Mar 12, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Dodge Journey electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 17 fires and 11 injuries and 1 death to electrical system 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.