PROBLEM GUIDE

2009–2016 Dodge Journey Common Problems

Here's what owners are experiencing, based on our research of real owner reports and repair data.

Last updated May 2026

169

complaints filed for the 2011 model year

2009–2016

Model years affected

$150 – $1,500

Typical repair cost, by problem

NHTSA complaints for this generation describe vehicles being excluded from recalls despite matching the affected description — a pattern that spans the brake, steering, and airbag problems below. TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) electrical failures are also widely reported on this generation, as they are on several other Chrysler and Jeep models.

Quick Scan: 11 Issues

Click a problem for the full write-up — symptoms, what we found, and typical repair costs where we have them.

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PROBLEM DETAILS

Electrical system / TIPM failures

Battery drain, starting failures, alternator problems

Check engine light: On

Battery drain, starting failures, alternator problems, and ECU/TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) malfunctions dominate the complaint sample for this generation — one owner reports replacing the battery 8 times and the alternator 4 times. The same TIPM electrical failures are reported on other Chrysler-family vehicles of this era, including the Chrysler Sebring, Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Patriot, and Jeep Compass.

$150 – $1,5002,000 – 180,000+ mi

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Service brakes — severe wear

Excessive premature wear, caliper seizing, ABS module failures

Check engine light: On

Multiple owners report replacing brakes every 15,000–20,000 miles — a fraction of normal service intervals — alongside caliper seizing and ABS module failures. Partially addressed by Campaign 15V675000, though owners report that not all matching vehicles were included.

replaced every 15,000 – 20,000 mi (documented, a fraction of a normal service interval)

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Power steering fluid leaks / loss of control

Fluid leaks in cold weather, loss of steering control, hose ruptures

Check engine light: Off

Power steering fluid leaks, particularly in cold weather, with some owners reporting loss of steering control from hose ruptures. Addressed by Campaign 16V273000 / recall code S08, though owners report that not all matching vehicles were included.

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Engine stalling / overheating

Stalling at highway speeds, overheating, fuel pump failures

Check engine light: On

Stalling at highway speeds is a severe safety problem for this generation, alongside overheating and fuel pump failures. Addressed by Campaign 15V431000 (Engine/Cooling), though owners report that not all matching vehicles were included.

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Module and control failures

Door control module, Bluetooth/telematics, UConnect infotainment, PCM failures

Check engine light: Off

Door control module failures affecting windows, locks, and mirrors; Bluetooth/telematics modules repeatedly failing; UConnect infotainment rebooting or freezing randomly; and PCM (power control module) failures.

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Lighting and key fob issues

Key fob malfunctions, headlight socket melting, backup camera failures

Check engine light: Off

Key fob malfunctions (failing to lock/unlock, physically falling apart), headlight socket melting from faulty connections (fire-risk-adjacent), backup camera failures, and hatch light failures from pinched wiring.

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Dampness Inside the Vehicle Due to a Water Leak

Dampness inside the vehicle caused by a water leak

Check engine light: Off

Dampness inside the vehicle caused by a water leak. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 185 owner reports on file.

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Engine May Overheat Due to Debris in the Cylinder Head Coolant Port

Engine overheats due to debris in the cylinder head coolant port

Check engine light: On

Engine overheats due to debris in the cylinder head coolant port. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 123 owner reports on file.

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Inaccurate Speed Settings or Excessive Engine RPM When Using Cruise Control

Inaccurate speed settings or excessive engine RPM when using cruise control

Check engine light: Off

Inaccurate speed settings or excessive engine RPM when using cruise control. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 20 owner reports on file.

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Rattle/Howl/Drone/Buzz Type Noise From the Rear of the Vehicle

Rattle, howl, drone, or buzz type noise from the rear of the vehicle

Check engine light: Off

Rattle, howl, drone, or buzz type noise from the rear of the vehicle. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 19 owner reports on file.

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Temperature Display in the Cabin Compartment Node May Not Be Correct

Temperature display in the cabin compartment node is incorrect

Check engine light: Off

Temperature display in the cabin compartment node is incorrect. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 10 owner reports on file.

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This generation has partial recall coverage for engine/cooling (Campaign 15V431000), steering (Campaign 16V273000 / recall code S08), service brakes (Campaign 15V675000), and airbags/electrical (Campaign 14V373000) — but complainants explicitly describe vehicles matching these issues that were excluded from the actual recalls. Enter your VIN to get the confirmed, current recall picture for your specific car.

The information on this page is for general educational purposes only and is not a diagnosis. It is compiled from aggregated owner-reported data and publicly available sources, not from an inspection of your vehicle. Symptoms described here can have multiple causes, and the presence of a commonly reported problem does not mean your vehicle has it. Repair cost ranges are estimates that vary by region, shop, vehicle condition, and parts availability. Recall and service campaign information may be incomplete or out of date — verify current recall status with NHTSA or your manufacturer. MyGearGuru is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any vehicle manufacturer; manufacturer and model names are used for identification only. Always consult a qualified technician before making repair decisions.

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