The Dodge Journey is a capable vehicle. Whether you’re using it for your long road trips or daily driving needs, it’s dependable and reliable as long as you take care of it properly. It’s surprisingly affordable to maintain compared with other midsize SUVs. Also, it holds value well. It only depreciates 40% after 5 years, according to CarEdge.com.
The Dodge Journey received good scores in terms of reliability. RepairPal rated it 4.0 out of 5.0, ranking 6th out of 26 vehicles in the same category. The Journey has a basic design with a comfortable interior. It can easily run over 100,000 miles. If you follow its regular maintenance activities and service schedule, it can last up to over 200,000 miles with no problems.
Your Dodge Journey may be reliable, but some model years may have their fair share of problems. Here are the most common issues you may encounter with your Dodge Journey:
Your 2009-2018 Dodge Journey’s ride comfort may get ruined by cabin dampness due to water leaks. Some owners have experienced it at around 58,000 miles. They have reported that the floor under the driver’s seat may become wet if the vehicle is exposed to rain. Some have also shared that they found leaks near the rear side of their vehicles, which may drench your floor and carpet. They have reported that the leaks may appear near windows, headliners, and vents. Sealing up the leaky areas of your Journey may help resolve this issue and prevent further damage to your interior.
The 2009-2017 Dodge Journey has many great features, but its remote keyless entry system is probably not one of them. It’s been known to malfunction quite frequently. It’s one of the most widely reported issues, happening at around 66,000 miles. It’s indicated by a bad key reading or “key not detected” message. Some owners have also shared that it may affect the key fob and the vehicle’s doors won’t lock or unlock. Aside from locking issues, the vehicle may not be able to detect the key, causing it to not start at all. There’s no clear cause that may trigger this issue, but a wireless ignition node (WIN) software upgrade may resolve it.
The 2009-2016 Dodge Journey’s engine has a tendency to overheat once it hits around 78,000 miles. The most likely cause is coolant flow problems due to debris blocking the primary thermostat housing’s cylinder head coolant port. At first, the vehicle’s car temperature light may turn on, but it may get worse over time. Some owners have shared that their vehicles were losing power, which gradually led to overheating. The vehicle may develop coolant leaks, which may become too much for its overflow reservoir and cause coolant fluid to spill over. If you suspect that your Journey has this issue, take your vehicle to your mechanic for debris removal or thermostat housing replacement if necessary.
2014 Dodge Journey head gasket problems are notorious among vehicle owners. It may start off with performance issues, progressing over time and causing the engine to fail or not run at all. It may be due to damaged or cracked head gaskets. Some owners have shared having leaky or blown head gaskets, which may cause severe engine damage. They have recommended a compression test to determine if your head gaskets are faulty. If they are damaged, you may replace them yourself or take your vehicle to a professional. It may happen with Dodge Journey vehicles at around 100,000 miles.
Dodge Journey transmission problems are common with the 2014 model year. It happens at around 15,000 miles and there’s no clear cause why it happens. Some owners have shared that the transmission may become stiff and erratic, producing abnormal clunking sounds while shifting. They also shared that they took their vehicles to their dealerships, but they cannot figure out what’s causing it. A few transmission-related technical service bulletins (TSBs), namely #10140106 and #10170368, were released over the years. However, there is no guarantee that they can help resolve this issue. If you’re experiencing transmission problems with your Dodge Journey, you’re not alone.
One of the most troublesome 2009-2010 Dodge Journey problems is its brakes that are prone to premature wear. It happens to relatively new Journey vehicles at around 33,000 miles. Some owners have shared that the issue may become severe, requiring drivers to get their brakes fixed every 3 months. Some shared that they had to get their brake discs, calipers, rotors, and pads replaced, but they may wear out again not long after their last repair. Some reports say that it can get pretty expensive because each replacement may cost up to $400, depending on part and labor costs. It’s a common issue, but some owners have shared that Dodge did not cover any of their repair costs.
The 2009 Dodge Journey’s electrical problems may cause your engine to not start at all. You may experience these problems setting in at around 60,000 miles. Some owners have shared that their vehicles may not start most of the time, forcing them to abandon their vehicles and get them towed. Some owners have reported that their Journeys may also shut off while driving in the middle of the road. They have shared that a starter motor or key fob replacement may resolve the issue, but it may not be a guaranteed fix. Other model years may also have these issues, so take your vehicle to your mechanic if you suspect that it has electrical problems.
The 2009 Journey is also known for faulty wiring, which prompted multiple recalls. It was recalled in 2008 for a bad wiring harness, which may cause a vehicle fire if not repaired immediately. The same model year was recalled in 2009 for a bad electrical connector, which may get too hot and potentially ignite. If you own an affected vehicle, take it to your dealership and you can get all recall-related repairs for free.
Despite these common Dodge Journey problems, you can expect this SUV to last around 150,000 to 200,000 miles.
To prolong your Dodge Journey’s lifespan, follow its maintenance schedule. Clean your SUV’s interior and exterior regularly, and avoid overloading it when going on long drives. If your Dodge Journey develops any issues, ask a mechanic to check it as soon as possible.
If you’re in the market for a Dodge Journey of your own, then there are some model years you might want to avoid.
The 2009 Dodge Journey’s problems range from an overheating engine to interior water leaks, making it an unfavorable model year for many. Other owners also complained about cramped and uncomfortable seats, so if you’re looking for a spacious cabin, you might want to steer clear of the 2009 model.
The 2010 Dodge Journey’s problems also make it an unpopular model year for many owners. Like the 2009 model year, it suffers from an overheating engine and interior water leaks. This is to be expected as there’s not much difference between the two model years, so you might want to avoid the 2010 version too.
Buying a new or used vehicle always comes with some risk. Learning about the possible problems of the model you’re interested in can definitely help you make up your mind. If you know about your Dodge Journey’s problems, you can manage them well as soon as they happen. Make sure to research the year model you have in mind and clear out any details with your seller before sealing the deal.
Whatever model year of Dodge Journey you own, your vehicle is bound to experience issues that might require professional attention down the road. Some of the problems listed above require failed parts to be replaced before you can safely drive your vehicle again. Luckily, CarParts.com makes it easy for you to find compatible parts and accessories online.
Shopping for auto parts online is simple and secure when you shop from our website or our mobile app. Simply use our built-in vehicle selector to browse the parts and accessories that are compatible with your specific model year.
We also have warehouses strategically located across the country to maximize ordering and shipping efficiency. This means you can even expect your order to arrive in as little as two business days if you place your order before 12 pm ET.
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
View Comments
I had problems with my battery going dead after a couple days. I found out that there is a nifty flashlight in the back that had a rechargeable battery. The battery went dead and you can’t replace it. The car was trying so hard to recharge the flashlight that it drained the battery. I took the flashlight out and the car has not had a problem since!
What year was it
Mine Dodge journy is having problems with mostly
Recall that needs to be addressed and
General moters has told me that my Dodge journy has no Recall for this year and 2009
Journy
But I'm still waiting for my car to be safe 😕
GM has nothing to do with Dodge take it to a Dodge dealership and they will scan the car for open recalls. Not all recalls for a specific year are for all cars built that year. Also Mopar USA website has a Recall check just google “Mopar USA recall check” and enter your VIN number and it will check every recall on that vehicle and if it’s been taken care of. Mopar is apart of the Dodge Chrysler Jeep brand.
2019 journey jumps at 20 miles and then ride smoothly from there. I’ve had the transmission checked and it’s not that so I don’t know what it could be.
Are struts a particular problem?
I have a 2014 With only 49,000 km (I think that’s around 30,000 miles) and I’ve been told The front struts need replacing.
I’m a gentle driver, almost zero freeway driving and no bumpy roads.
I remember shortly after I bought it m, some guy was parked next to me with the same vehicle and he mentioned at 60,000 km (40k mi. ish) the DJs are liable to start making noise In the front… I can’t remember what he said was the issue, but I know that noise can be one of the signs of strut problems (I haven’t noticed any though).
In my opinion.....Yes, I have a 2017 and I just had to replace my front struts and sway bars. One strut was leaking and covered in grease and my sway bar would rattle with every slight bump in the road.
2017 Journey front struts, Sway bar, bushings, 4 engine mounts, rear struts all replaced. Plus my AC turns on by itself!! They going to replace the Ac controller. I don't drive my Journey crazy. This car shouldn't be in this condition! Only has 69800 miles.
Pls I'm Nigeria, my dogde journey 2009 have starting issue the battery drains after driving on daily bases. What can i do about it?
Something is being left on. Give it a thorough once around to make sure nothing is being left on, loose or open.
could be the flash light that gets charged, apparently once the flash light's battery dies, the car tries to charge it but it never gets full because its dead and the car battery gets drained since the car would be off
I have a 2020 Dodge journey AWD. I and many others, have had seals replaced on engine, transmission and transfer case in the less than 3 years. Thankfully they were covered under warranty for now. A new vehicle shouldn't have these types of problems at least 5 years.
I hope that's the end of the problems, but I doubt it.
I have a 2015 dodge journey limited and it’s given me nothing but problems. First problem was a faulty battery, replaced the battery and then the alternator went bad because a connector on the battery kept coming a loose. After replacing the battery and alternator, the truck started overheating. There were all kinds of leaks going on, I had to replace the radiator/ cooling system. Brakes have needed to be replaced like two or 3 times (I’ve only had the truck a year there was 123,000 miles on it when I got it) just replaced the struts and now it needs whole new differentials and rear axles. The truck has been parked at least 6 months out of the year I’ve had it. I keep being told it was regular wear and tear from the previous owner either way I’m over repairing it all of the time sad part is when I tried to trade it in it had no trade value so I’m stuck paying for a truck I can’t drive. It’s disabled once again because in addition to the axle issue when I had it towed to the dealer for an appraisal the connector on the battery was loosened again and now the car is back to not cutting on
How about if the ac turns on by itself and then takes three to four times to keep it off
I have changed all computers and components but still having issues
I have a 2015 journey that I love. I have had some problems with leaking under the driver side floor which got worse after taking the car to the dealer. I do have one suggestion. Find a reliable, trustworthy mechanic other than the dealer. My warranty is expired, so when that happened there was no reason to expose my vehicle to their incompetence. Nearing 130,000, some minor suspension repairs, but still running just fine. I take good care of the car, fluid changes, new tires, rotation,align...., brakes, lubes etc - maintenance when needed. It's loving me back, thank you girl.
I have a 2013 Dodge Journey. Check engine light comes on every day. After driving 4 or 5 blocks Traction control light comes on. I pull over, turn vehicle off for 5 minutes then vehicle drives fine for the rest of the day. What's going on?