2009 Dodge Journey Electrical System Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Apr 14, 2026 · 767 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 767 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the 2009 Dodge Journey, 54% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 80,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “air bags electrical” (28% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Air bags electrical: mentioned in 214 of 767 complaints (28%)
  • Failed start: mentioned in 75 of 767 complaints (10%)
  • Stalled without: mentioned in 41 of 767 complaints (5%)

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical electrical system repair on the 2009 Dodge Journey at $950, and half of them between $720 and $1,550.

Based on 7 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2012–2017), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.

At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?

Based on 459 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles18 · 4%
10k–25k miles21 · 5%
25k–50k miles65 · 14%
50k–75k miles105 · 23%
75k–100k miles110 · 24%
100k–150k miles111 · 24%
150k+ miles29 · 6%

How serious are the reports?

Of 767 complaints, 12 mention a crash, 16 a fire, 9 an injury.

Dodge Journey electrical system complaints by model year

Peak: 2009, with 767 complaints
2007: 1200712008: 6200862009: 76720097672010: 60020106002011: 432011432012: 11620121162013: 732013732014: 10620141062015: 11820151182016: 852016852017: 592017592018: 722018722019: 232019232020: 19202019

n = 2,088 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearElectrical System complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2020 Journey1929%—
2019 Journey2323%15,375
2018 Journey7231%22,000
2017 Journey5930%35,750
2016 Journey8522%61,000
2015 Journey11821%47,500
2014 Journey10625%47,000
2013 Journey7321%57,000
2012 Journey11631%85,000
2011 Journey4325%80,000
2010 Journey60061%79,000
2009 Journey76754%80,000
2008 Journey675%91,000
2007 Journey125%57,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2015, with 341 complaints
2008: 1200812009: 552010: 142010142011: 30302012: 332012332013: 27272014: 10120141012015: 3413412016: 912016912017: 32322018: 342018342019: 22222020: 122020122021: 772022: 6202262023: 552024: 2202422025: 332026: 120261

n = 767 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (5)

Air bags; electrical system:ignition:switchJun 26, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V373000 · 722,705 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Electrical system:wiringDec 24, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V658000 · 64,934 vehicles

Problem: 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 side crash sensing capability.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the side airbag may not deploy, reducing the protection intended for the occupant and increasing the risk of injuries.

Fix: 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.

Air bags:frontal; electrical system:wiringApr 9, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V118000 · 4,314 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the driver's airbag may not properly inflate and may not be able to properly protect an occupant, increasing the risk of injuries.

Fix: 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 systemMar 12, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V082000 · 16,852 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the fuse for this circuit does not blow, the connector could overheat and potentially catch fire.

Fix: 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. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Electrical system:wiringJun 3, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V247000 · 6,692 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: Damage to the wiring harness could result in an engine compartment fire.

Fix: 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. If no damage is found, a tie wrap will be installed to secure the harness away from the left transaxle mount. The recall began on july 7, 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Received Apr 14, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11731127

The steering locked up could not turn or straighten car out. All electrical things lights air conditioning gas light just went haywire and is still not working. The shifting system I guess is what u call it started slipping out of gear like going into natural or first gear and nothing else. Several…

Received Oct 20, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11694469

I have issues starting it. New starter, new battery and it just dies. Luckily I was parked when it died. I have children, if it dies while driving I could be in a serious car crash with my children in the car. I do not want to die, I love my car but I do not want to be put in danger because of this…

Received Aug 23, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11682538
Dodge Journey
Second generation Dodge Journey based on the second generation GAC GS5 (GAC GS4 Plus) in Playa del Carmen. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Cannonball walk, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2009 Dodge Journeys have electrical system problems?

No. NHTSA has 767 owner complaints about electrical system for the 2009 Dodge Journey (54% of the 1,433 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2009 Dodge Journey electrical system?

Yes: 5 safety recalls list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do electrical system problems start?

The median reported mileage is 80,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

How much does it cost to fix electrical system problems on the 2009 Dodge Journey?

Owners report a typical cost of $950 (half paid between $720 and $1,550), from 7 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

What do owners say about electrical system problems on the 2009 Dodge Journey?

The most frequent phrase is “air bags electrical”, in 214 of 767 complaints, followed by “failed start” (75).

Other 2009 Dodge Journey problems

See all 2009 Dodge Journey problems or electrical system problems across all Journey years.