CAR STARTED MAKING WHINNING NOISE THEN GEARS WOULDNT SHIFT, THEN THEY WOULD, N WHEN THEY DID THEY SHIFTED HARD MAKING CAR JUMP, ALMOST HIT A CAR WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME, AS WELL AS A PARKED CAR WHEN I TRIED TO PARK AND CAR JUMPED REAL HARD AGAIN.. DEFINITELY NOT SAFE CAR HAS 92000 MILES ON IT AND THEY SAY ITS IN WARRANTY 4 LIFETIME BUT ONLY BY ORIGINAL OWNER, SO I GUESS IM THE 3RD OWNER SINCE I BR…
2009 Dodge Journey powertrain problems
severe 111 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
111
Recalls
0
Crashes
4
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I WAS DRIVING HOME MY WIFE, DAUGHTER AND MY PREGNANT WIFE, WHEN ABOUT 1/2 FROM HOME A DARK BLACK SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, I PULLED OVER AND PULLED THE HOOD LATCH, AND AFTER I WAS ABLE TO GET MY FAMILY OUT OF THE CAR, I LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE CAR,A DARK FLUID WAS POURING ON TOP OF THE EXHAUST. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. AFTER AN INSPECTION, HE FOUND THAT THE POWER TRA…
WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, I FELT THE CAR JERK SEVERAL TIMES AS THOUGH I WAS USING ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. THIS WAS CONFUSING SINCE I DID NOT EVEN HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. SECONDS LATER I HEARD AN ALMOST GRINDING OR DRAGGING NOISE. I PULLED OVER INTO THE FIRST EMPTY LOT I FOUND AND CHECKED THE TIRES, GOT DOWN AND CHECKED UNDER THE CAR FOR ANYTHING HANGING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DRAGGING ON THE GR…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2009 Dodge Journey?
It's a meaningful issue. 111 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.