Vehicle Exhibits Vibration From The Transmission During Vehicle Launch (X43 Warranty Extension 5 Years 160,000 KMS) This bulletin involves replacing the clutch and damper assembly. The customer may experience a vibration feeling as they accelerate from a stop or accelerating while rolling at slow speeds. This condition could be caused by the damper and clutch.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Dodge Journey suspension problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
1crash
1fire
What stands out
Of the 10 model years of Dodge Journey we track for suspension problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 18.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension 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.
Vehicle Exhibits Vibration From The Transmission During Vehicle Launch (X43 Warranty Extension 5 Years 160,000 KMS) This bulletin involves replacing the clutch and damper assembly. The customer may experience a vibration feeling as they accelerate from a stop or accelerating while rolling at slow speeds. This condition could be caused by the damper and clutch.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 Dodge Journey shows a pattern of premature suspension and brake failures that cost owners repeatedly. Struts, tie rods, ball joints, and bushings wear out at 10,000–15,000 miles instead of lasting much longer. One owner reported a plastic strut bearing failure with spring rotation that jammed the bearing housing; another complained of the front spring sitting too low and rubbing the wheel well. Brake pads and rotors are failing between 6,000 and 35,000 miles, forcing complete brake system replacement cycles every 9,000–13,000 miles. One vehicle had warped rotors three times by two years old; another experienced a caliper lock-up that caused a fire.
Multiple owners report wheel bearing noise, rear suspension knocking sounds that dealers cannot locate, and one vehicle was discovered to lack a stabilizer bar entirely from the factory. Alignment problems are widespread—rear camber adjustments are impossible on some vehicles, and front tie rod wear drives tire wear inward. Owners describe excessive bouncing at highway speeds and steering wheel vibration during braking. One early lemon-law complaint documented six thousand miles of failures. Chrysler told one owner the bouncing is "part of the cars manufactured," but the consistency and cost of failures across these complaints suggest systemic design or manufacturing defects rather than normal wear.
Same Dodge Journey suspension reports on nearby years: 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Strut and spring assembly wear/failure
Front struts, springs, and related components wearing out prematurely. One owner reported plastic strut bearing failure with spring rotation puncturing the bearing; another reported spring sitting low and rubbing in wheel well. Struts replaced multiple times across complaints.
When: 7,000–35,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding or moaning noise from front strut assembly; Excessive vibration at highway speeds; Rubbing in wheel well under load; Spring rotation causing jammed bearing housing; Left side spring starting to shift (same plastic bearing issue)
Repairs/costs cited: New strut bearings installed (still plastic material); full front and rear suspension replaced at 31,000 miles in one case
Tie rods and ball joints premature wear
Front and rear tie rods, ball joints, and bushings failing well ahead of normal service intervals. Multiple complaints indicate wear at 10,000–15,000 miles, causing alignment problems and tire wear.
When: 10,000–15,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Front tie rods failing; Rear tie rods going bad, rear camber offset; Ball joints worn out; Bushings worn prematurely; Alignment problems and unusual tire wear (especially inside edges); Rough, uncomfortable ride
Repairs/costs cited: Tie rods and ball joints replaced; one alignment shop reported rear camber unable to be adjusted
Brake pad and rotor premature wear/warping
Brake components failing and warping far sooner than expected. Multiple owners report complete brake replacement cycles every 9,000–13,000 miles, with rotors warping repeatedly. One vehicle required four brake services by 35,245 miles.
When: 6,000–35,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes worn through pads at 19,500–26,000 miles; Rotors warped multiple times (one warped three times by 2 years old); Brake pads eating into rotors; Brakes getting hot and wearing/squeaking; Hub cap dust and paint chipping from brake wear; Caliper locked up causing fire (one incident at 13,000 miles)
Repairs/costs cited: Brake pads and rotors replaced multiple times; one vehicle had rotors warped and replaced three times in two years; caliper lock-up case resulted in tow
Front wheel bearing noise/failure
Loud noise from front wheel bearing requiring replacement. One owner reported the part being unavailable at dealer and surrounding locations.
When: 31,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise coming from front end; Front driver side wheel bearing wear
Repairs/costs cited: Front driver side wheel bearing replacement needed; part unavailable at local and surrounding dealers
Sway bar/stabilizer bar missing or defective
One vehicle discovered to have no stabilizer bar installed from the factory. Another vehicle with sway bar/stabilizer concerns related to suspension geometry.
When: 41,000 miles (discovery)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle manufactured without stabilizer bar; Handling issues related to missing component
Repairs/costs cited: Stabilizer bar installation not covered under warranty; owner liable for cost
Rear suspension noise and geometry problems
Rear suspension knocking sounds, rattling, and alignment issues. Rear camber cannot be adjusted on some vehicles, preventing proper alignment.
When: Early ownership; alignment issues discovered at inspection
Symptoms owners cite: Knocking sound from rear suspension; Metal-on-metal rattling from rear; Rear camber unable to be adjusted; Rear bumper around tires appearing loose; Dealer unable to locate source of noise
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to locate source of knocking; one rear camber could not be adjusted for alignment
Steering wheel vibration during braking
Steering wheel vibration or shaking when braking, despite brake pads and rotors being in acceptable condition. Suggests suspension or brake geometry issue.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel shakes when brakes applied; Vibration occurs even with good brake pads and rotors
Repairs/costs cited: Brake pads and rotors checked and found good; cause remains undiagnosed
Excessive bouncing and ride quality issues
Vehicle bounces excessively after 50 mph and on bumps; owners report this was attributed by Chrysler to normal operation, but complaints indicate it is abnormal and affects safety and comfort.
When: Early in vehicle life; reported at 6,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Strong bouncing after 50 mph; Excessive bouncing over bumps on street and highway; Vehicle vibrating excessively at 65 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Manufacturer stated bouncing is normal; no successful repair reported
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler Group stated bouncing and noises are part of car manufacture
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had suspension 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 suspension problem on the 2009 Dodge Journey?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 16,000 and 70,000 miles, with the median around 31,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 16,000; a quarter make it past 70,000. 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.