Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge journey. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact also mentioned that the failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the throttle controller needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure…
2009 Dodge Journey cruise control problems
severe Owners of the 2009 Dodge Journey have filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control, typically surfacing around 98,000 miles at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Journey (this page) | 13 |
| 2010 Journey | 15 |
| 2011 Journey | 4 |
| 2012 Journey | 11 |
| 2013 Journey | 6 |
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 13 cruise control complaints filed for the 2009 Dodge Journey, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
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
Among the 10 model years of Dodge Journey in our records for cruise control problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2009 Dodge Journeys report a mix of power delivery and brake-system issues that don't strictly fit cruise control but align with the vehicle's electronic control architecture. The most common complaint is accelerator-pedal failure—either the pedal fracturing at the firewall or refusing to respond, with the vehicle stuck at low speeds or unable to accelerate even when demanded. Electronic throttle control faults appear frequently, ranging from intermittent deceleration to complete stalling; several owners mention the throttle-control light illuminating. A few report the accelerator pedal sticking or requiring multiple brake applications to stop the vehicle. Brake concerns include warning lights (ABS, brake, traction control, ESP) illuminating together, often with temporary clearing after restart. One owner describes sudden loss of power while cruising at highway speed. Several narratives mention Takata recalls in passing, though the connection to cruise control is unclear from the complaints themselves. Notably, one complaint involves a tire separation leading to brake failure, and another notes smoking from the engine alongside acceleration problems. Most vehicles were not formally diagnosed or repaired; dealers identified issues like a lateral acceleration sensor failure or throttle controller replacement need, but parts were unavailable or repairs were not completed.
Same Dodge Journey cruise control reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Accelerator pedal mechanical failure
Accelerator pedal fractured at firewall or pedal assembly failure preventing normal acceleration response.
When: 73,000 miles; also reported at 158,080 miles intermittently
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle unable to accelerate or locked at low speed (20 mph max); Pedal fractured from firewall while driving at 70 mph; Intermittent failure when attempting to increase speed
Repairs/costs cited: One case required temporary field repair by a mechanic followed by dealer diagnosis/repair in progress; other cases not repaired.
Electronic throttle control intermittent failure
Electronic throttle control system malfunction causing deceleration or stalling without warning.
When: 58,000–99,000 miles; some failures at lower mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle deceleration or stalling at various speeds; Electronic throttle control light illuminates; Vehicle unable to accelerate beyond 20 mph; Intermittent failures that recur after restart
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers identified throttle controller replacement needed; not completed in reported cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer advised turning vehicle off and restarting; this did not resolve the issue.
Lateral acceleration/dynamic sensor failure
Lateral acceleration dynamic sensor failure triggering multiple warning lights and vehicle instability.
When: 50,736 miles
Symptoms owners cite: ESC, ABS, and traction control warning lights illuminate; Vehicle shimmy when brake pedal depressed; Warning lights clear temporarily after restart but recur
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer identified lateral acceleration dynamic sensor replacement needed; vehicle not repaired.
Brake system warning lights and reduced braking performance
Multiple brake and stability control warning lights illuminate; brake performance degraded on inclines.
When: Mileage not consistently stated
Symptoms owners cite: ABS, brake, traction control, and ESP lights illuminate and flash; Brakes ineffective going downhill; vehicle unable to slow or stop; Abnormal sound from vehicle when brake pedal pressed; Brake light illuminated; brakes require multiple applications
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced control module, booster, and master cylinder; repairs not completed in other cases.
Loss of power/reduced engine power during highway driving
Vehicle power reduction without warning while cruising at speed.
When: Mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Power reduced suddenly while driving at 70 mph; Abnormal sound from vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired; parts for NHTSA recall 14V373000 unavailable.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner received recall notification 14V373000 (air bags, electrical system); parts unavailable, delaying repair.
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had cruise control 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 cruise control problem on the 2009 Dodge Journey?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 58,000 and 158,080 miles, with the median around 98,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 58,000; a quarter make it past 158,080. 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
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.