Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
My car I bought 9/2015 has had 3 transfer cases at 3,000.00 each and now needs another, cracked and leaking. At this point it now needs the also need intermediate shaft that goes into the transfer case and is not available anywhere in the united states, according to Dodge. I have a loan on this vehicle and unable to drive since sept 20th, 2017. I wrote to the attorney general in masachusetts. Received a letter on oct 12, 2017 from them , telling me to contact your dept right away. I drive my vehicle on city streets. I saw leaking while I was in parking lot at work on sept 15,2017 . I brought back to aamco on sept 16, they called Dodge because this would be number 4 transfer case. They told them I had to bring to a Dodge dealership, which I did. Aamco put in 3 transfer cases.harr Dodge in worcester, ma diagnosed on sept 20, 2017 and that is when I found out what it needs. …
Suspension parts failing constantly, front tie rods, sway bars, struts, ball joints, bushings wear after 10,000 a 15,000 miles. As a result alignment is off and cause unusual wear on the tires resulting in rough uncomfortable ride. Brakes get hot and wear/ squeak after 10K miles, sometimes sooner resulting in hub cap dust and paint chipping. Rear tie rods go bad resulting in rear camber being offset and inside of tires wear real quick. Right side door locks have to be manually locked/ unlocked. Intermittent not starting problems, win module already replaced once due to recall. Driver side window up and down buttons broke off. Front dash rattles bad when taking off/ going over bumps. Rear left side door hinge got loose resulting in spring popping off, now door won't stay open and closes by itself, that's the door that's least used.
Brakes, allignment, drive shaft was bent...4th set of tires purchased in feb. 2013 gas tank & fuel pump needed replaced April 2013 caliper locked up causing fire, vehicle needed to be towed May 2013.
04/10/11 NHTSA headquarters 1200 new jersey avenue, se west building washington, dc 20590 to whom it May concern. I am writing you in reference of the purchased of my brand new vehicle, a 2009-Dodge Journey se on June 08, 2008. This car beginning to have problems after it 6,000 miles having a numerous repairs since them. I submitted the car to the lemon law before the warranty time expired. Chrysler group denied it arguing that my car is running under the company expectation. Currently the car still has suspension problem and noises(such as brake noises, turn wheel noises and other). The car bouncing after 50 mp miles and every time that bumps on the street or on the highway the vehicle makes strongly bounces. The company states the bouncing and the noises are part of the cars manufactured. …
I have been having problems with my 2009 Dodge Journey. I also have problems trying to turn it on sometimes. I believe it might be the key or ignition. I bought a new battery thinking my old one was dead and it also started great for a few weeks and then it started doing it again. Sometimes I turn the key around and it turns on fine and sometimes it does not. It is frustrating because sometimes it does it when I am away from home. I am also having problems with my front brakes or suspension because when I press on the brakes my steering wheel starts to shake. I had my brake pads and rotors checked and they are good. I just do not know what else to do because every trip to the mechanic costs money. There should be a recall on this vehicle!
2009 Dodge Journey sxt. In the year I have owned it, I have replaced brakes twice, as rite now I am replacing them cause they started squeaking a week ago and today they locked up. Also replacing one of the calipers. Any time I take a hard left turn, there is a loud grinding noise. I have replaced the tires already, and have had to replace the rear 2 again recently. Any time I go to brake when going over 40 MPH, the steering wheel shakes uncontrollably. I have also received a recall from a local dealership for a wiring harness in drivers side. When I went in to dealership, they put it on order and said they would call when it came in, but never did. That was 6 months ago.
Tl contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact heard a loud noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the front driver side wheel bearing would need to be replaced. She was informed that the part was unavailable and when it became available, they would perform the repairs. No repairs were performed since the part was still unavailable at the local and surrounding dealers. The contact did not inform the manufacturer. The current mileage was 34,000 and the failure mileage was 31,000.
Purchased vehicle new in June of 2009. Front brakes gone and eating into rotors by 26,000 miles. Little over a year. 90% of driving is freeway driving. Very little stop and go. Replaced brakes and had rotors turned. Rotors warped and front and rear brakes gone again at 35,245 miles one year later. Replaced front rotors and all 4 sets of brakes. Front struts have gone out now as well. Definitely too much weight for vehicle brakes and suspension. If not watched complete failure expected before recommended maintenance changes!!
Have had the rack and pinion fixed 1 1/2 years ago and it is leaking again. Have had to put 3 sets of brake pads on in 3 years. Also had to put new rotor and brake caliper on right front due to brake locking up! This car only has 53,600 miles on it and has been one thing after another breaking down on it. Been told by two Dodge mechanics this should not be happening. Would like for the dealer to do something about it. Been told there were recalls on this car and we have never gotten one in the mail. Help!!
I have a 2009 Dodge Journey. I have not had any injuries associated with the issue, however feel as though there is the possibility for injury to occur. The car is 2 years old and already the rotors have been diagnosed as being warped 3 times, one of which the car had only been driven 6000 miles since the warpage and then warped again. Completely unacceptable. There is also a problem with the suspension. Due to the fact that all this is occurring, I feel as though this could lead to major safety issues.
Suspension complaints in other Journey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2009 Dodge Journey?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the suspension of the 2009 Dodge Journey, 1% of the model year's 1,594 complaints. The component named most often is front (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Dodge Journey suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 31% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to suspension 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.