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2009 Dodge Journey airbags problems
severe
Owners of the 2009 Dodge Journey have filed 90 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 110,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Q1 64kmed 110kQ3 140kn=44
Complaints
90
Recalls
1
Avg fix
$1,100
airbags complaints on the Dodge Journey, by model year
Of the 90 airbags complaints filed for the 2009 Dodge Journey,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
0 (0%)
25-50k
1 (33.3%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
1 (33.3%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
1 (33.3%)
150k+
0 (0%)
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted.
Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits
and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 11 model years of Dodge Journey we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 90.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
FCA US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured December 31, 2007, to August 31, 2008, 2008-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured June 18, 2007, to August 31, 2008
If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. Additionally, the air bags may inadvertently deploy, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S07.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented
repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall
(it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 Dodge Journey airbag system shows two clusters of problems: deployment failures during crashes and unintended deployments without impact.
Deployment failures in collisions appear most frequently. Owners report side-impact, head-on, and rear-end crashes where airbags did not deploy—sometimes with serious injuries (head, neck, back, broken ribs). One owner hit at 25 mph had the steering wheel compress into his chest, sustaining chronic neck pain years later. Another was rear-ended on a highway, struck the steering wheel despite wearing a belt, and suffered nerve damage. Multiple complaints describe vehicles struck with the front end removed or fishtailing into secondary vehicles, yet airbags stayed inactive. A few cases mention dealers or technicians saying the impact angle wasn't severe enough, but owners dispute this given vehicle damage and injury severity.
Spontaneous deployments also occur without any collision or road bump. One owner driving 25 mph had side curtain airbags deploy, then primary airbags deploy while sitting still, shattering the windshield and bruising a passenger's arm. Another accelerating on a highway had front curtain airbags deploy continuously as the engine restarted. A third reported a driver-side airbag deploying over a 4-inch pothole at unknown speed. These incidents caused secondary crashes or near-crashes.
Airbag warning light persistence is widespread, often tied to the ORC (Occupant Restraint Control) module. Owners report the light staying on, sometimes after recall repair attempts, requiring repeated dealer visits without resolution. A clockspring failure also appears once.
Recall part shortage dominates roughly half the complaints: NHTSA Campaign 16V047000 (airbags) and 14V373000 (airbags/electrical system) were issued, but ORC module parts remained unavailable for over a year, some dealers citing mid-2017 availability in 2016. Owners waited 7+ months or never got called back.
Same Dodge Journey airbags reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag non-deployment in collisions
Airbags fail to deploy during crashes including head-on, rear-end, side-impact, and multi-vehicle collisions despite significant vehicle damage and high-impact forces.
When: At impact ranging 20–55 mph; vehicles with mileage from 18,750 to 149,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment in head-on collision; No airbag deployment in rear-end collision; No airbag deployment in side-impact collision; No airbag deployment during rollover; Occupants struck by steering wheel or dashboard; No airbag warning light before crash
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs completed post-incident at body shops after vehicle towing; one case involved $15,000 in damage. Some owners sustained serious injuries and were transported to emergency rooms.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 14V373000 issued for air bags/electrical system; parts unavailable at time of crash. Dealer technician in one case stated impact angle was insufficient for deployment.
Spontaneous airbag deployment without impact
Airbags deploy suddenly while driving at low speed, sitting at traffic lights, or restarting the engine with no collision or significant road disturbance.
When: At 25–40 mph during acceleration or normal driving; one case involved a 4-inch pothole at unknown speed; another during engine restart
Symptoms owners cite: Side curtain airbags deploy during normal driving (25 mph); Primary airbags deploy while vehicle is stationary or restarting; Airbag warning light illuminated before or after deployment; Windshield shattered from deployment force; Passenger arm bruised from side airbag; Secondary crash into pole or other vehicle after initial deployment
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle towed home and available for inspection; another crashed into telephone pole, resulting in neck and back injuries requiring medical attention; vehicle destroyed. No repairs completed on unintended deployments.
ORC (Occupant Restraint Control) module failure
The ORC module malfunctions, causing the airbag warning light to remain illuminated. Module corrosion of the power supply integrated circuit can prevent deployment or cause unintended deployment. The Takata recall (16V047000) addresses this but replacement parts were unavailable for extended periods.
When: Mileage ranging 53,000 to 200,000 miles; failures reported as early as 5,500 miles in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light remains illuminated; ORC module requires replacement; Light does not clear after recall repair attempts; Intermittent airbag warning light
Codes mentioned:ORC module fault
Repairs/costs cited: ORC module replacement required but parts unavailable; dealers placed orders on backorder. One vehicle required reprogramming in addition to module replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V047000 (Takata recall for air bags) and Campaign 14V373000 (air bags/electrical system). Parts unavailable throughout 2015–2017; manufacturer indicated mid-Q2 2017 availability in early 2016. Some dealers never received parts or provided no estimate.
Airbag clockspring failure
The driver-side airbag clockspring becomes faulty, causing the airbag warning light to remain illuminated.
The push-button ignition key fails to fully seat in the 'On' position on bumpy roads, shifting to 'Accessory' mode and shutting off the engine and passive restraint systems (airbags). Described in a safety recall notice.
When: During operation on bumpy roads; no specific mileage given
Symptoms owners cite: FOBIK not fully seated in 'On' position; Inadvertent shift to 'Accessory' mode on bumpy roads; Unintended engine shut-off; Airbags shut off
Repairs/costs cited: Owner advised to remove objects from FOBIK and ensure proper alignment before driving until repair completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued requiring Chrysler repair; owner waited over a year for resolution with no parts/service available.
Sensor failure and repeated airbag light recurrence
After airbag sensors are replaced, the airbag warning light returns within months, indicating underlying sensor reliability or electrical circuit issues.
When: First failure at 5,500 miles; recurrence by 14,900 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag light illuminated at low mileage (5,500 miles); Light returns 9 months after sensor replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced sensors; failure recurred within 9 months.
Partial or incomplete airbag deployment
Airbags deploy only partially or incompletely in response to collision, potentially leaving occupants unprotected.
When: At 90,200 miles upon rear-end impact
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags partially deployed in rear-end collision
Repairs/costs cited: No injuries reported; vehicle not diagnosed or repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner was aware of NHTSA Campaign 10V658000 (electrical system) but unclear if vehicle was included.
Synthesized from 90 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting
3 most recent
airbags · 42,000 mi
· filed 12/30/2010
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 Dodge journey. While driving approximately 65 MPH the air bag light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who performed a diagnostic test that located the failure in the drivers side door wiring. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer filed report 20274743. The failure and the current mileages were 42,000.
airbags · 79,000 mi
· filed 12/28/2016
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Dodge journey AWD. While driving at an unknown speed, the driver ran over a 4 inch deep pothole and the front driver's side air bag deployed. The driver crashed into a telephone pole. The contact sustained neck and back injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN…
airbags · 125,000 mi
· filed 12/24/2014
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge journey. The contact stated that another vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained minor injuries to the chest and hands that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was deemed totaled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.
Had airbags trouble with your 2009 Dodge Journey?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2009 Dodge Journey?
It's a meaningful issue. 90 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 44 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 64,130 and 140,000 miles, with the median around 110,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 64,130; a quarter make it past 140,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Dodge/Journey.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.