CHRYSLER/DODGE:VEHICLES MAY PULL SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH INSUFFICIENT CLAMP LOAD ON THE REAR TOE LINK CAM BOLT. INSUFFICIENT CLAMP LOAD CAN ALLOW THE ALIGNMENT TO CHANGE. UPDATED 10/07/09.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Dodge Journey tires problems
moderate 47 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $150 · see tires across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
47
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$150
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of Dodge Journey we track for tires problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 47.
Owners have filed 47 tires complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering tires 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 suffers from multiple tire and TPMS failures that owners describe as safety hazards. Most common: aluminum TPMS valve stems corrode, break off, or detach without warning, causing instant tire deflation while driving or parked. Owners report the stem snapping when they attempt to add air, retaining nuts shattering under light gauge pressure, and oxidized threads too damaged to accept new sensors. One certified inspection mechanic found both front TPMS units loose on a customer's vehicle and observed corrosion so severe that a replacement sensor could not be threaded on.
The stock Kumho Solus tires (225/55R19) fail prematurely with belt separation, sidewall rupture, or tread peeling. Failures occur as early as 3,500 miles and recur at 16,000–55,000 miles. Owners report violent shaking, bulging treads, and V-shaped sidewall ruptures. Kumho and dealers offer no coverage. Replacement tires in that specific size are unavailable or on indefinite backorder; owners pay $240–$289 per replacement or must replace all four wheels.
TPMS sensors trigger false warnings despite correct pressure or fail to alert to actual deflation. Multiple dealership visits produce no resolution. One owner reports sensors are on national backorder with no known availability. Using the supplied spare tire triggers an AWD warning light, making the vehicle undriveable per the owner's manual without clarifying exceptions or warranty coverage.
Same Dodge Journey tires reports on nearby years: 2010
Failure modes owners describe
TPMS valve stem corrosion and detachment
Aluminum TPMS valve stems corrode, crack, or detach entirely from the tire rim, causing rapid air loss. Owners report stems coming loose without warning, threads becoming oxidized and unusable, and retaining nuts shattering when pressure gauges are applied.
When: Varies; some cases in winter cold, others at any mileage including under 10,000 miles. One report at 39,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden, instantaneous tire deflation while driving or parked; TPMS warning light illumination; Valve stem breaks or snaps off when attempting to add air or remove cap; Rapid air loss after gentle contact with tire pressure gauge; Visible corrosion and oxidation on valve stem threads
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement TPMS sensors cost $65 each according to one owner. Dealers initially quote $240+ per replacement tire. Parts were on national backorder for extended periods (months to indefinite). One owner replaced all four wheels/rims at cost of $1,325.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owners report Dodge acknowledged the problem after the fact; Chrysler changed the sensor material to brass in 2011 vehicles instead of cast aluminum. One dealer noted TPMS failures are 'known problem' with 2009 models. No recall issued for the 2009 model year per owner reports.
Kumho tire tread separation
Kumho Solus KH16 and Solus KHH16 tires (stock OEM) exhibit belt separation or sidewall failure at relatively low mileage, with severe cases occurring under 30,000 miles. Failures include V-shaped ruptures in sidewalls and tread peeling away from the carcass.
When: Mileage range 3,439 to 55,000 miles; several reports at 16,000–26,000 miles. Some occurred within first year of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Violent front-end shaking or steering wheel vibration at highway speeds; Sudden bulging on the tire tread surface (up to 12 inches long by 2 inches wide); Flat tire with belt or tread damage; V-shaped rupture in sidewall with frayed cords instead of clean cuts; Tire goes flat while driving or parked
Repairs/costs cited: Tires replaced at dealership (some cases) or independent mechanics. Kumho stated 'nothing could be done' per owners. Replacement Kumho tires of the same size (225/55R19, 205/55R19) were on backorder for months; some dealers never stocked them. Owners paid for full-tire replacements ($240–$289 per tire mentioned); one owner replaced all four tires and rims at a cost due to unavailable parts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No TSBs or recalls noted by owners. Kumho offered no coverage. One owner stated Dodge dealership failed to mention tire separation during routine brake service.
Spare tire incompatibility with AWD system
The temporary donut spare tire is undersized and triggers the AWD warning light when installed, which per the owner's manual indicates the PTO (power transfer unit) may be damaged if driven with the light on. No exemption stated for using spare.
When: Upon tire replacement requiring spare tire use.
Symptoms owners cite: AWD warning light illuminates when spare tire is installed; Vehicle cannot be safely driven with spare due to warning light risk
Repairs/costs cited: Owner required towing after tire failure because spare could not be safely driven.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner's manual states to service immediately when AWD light illuminates but does not clarify spare tire exception or limited-mileage guidance. Unclear if PTO damage is covered under warranty if incurred while driving with spare.
Excessive tire wear and poor tire quality
Kumho OEM tires wear through prematurely; owners report needing replacement at under 10,000 miles in one case and within 1–2 years in multiple cases despite regular rotation and maintenance. Inner sidewalls separate on all four tires.
When: Within first 1–2 years of ownership; one case under 8,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Tires wear rapidly despite balanced and rotated regularly; Inner sidewall separation on all four tires; Metal tread visible on one tire at premature failure; Shimmy and humming noise from tires even after rotation and balancing
Repairs/costs cited: Full tire replacement required. Kumho no longer makes the exact size (225/55R19) for 2009 Journey; owners had to pay $240+ per tire or more and wait for backorder. One owner spent over $1,325 to replace all four tires and rims.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers cited 'normal wear' and did not flag separation during routine maintenance. No warranty replacement offered.
Tire pressure sensor false warnings and persistent malfunction
TPMS warning light illuminates repeatedly despite proper tire inflation, or stays off despite low pressure. Sensor malfunction prevents detection of genuine low-pressure events.
When: Recurring, every 2–3 weeks in one case; throughout vehicle ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: TPMS light comes on intermittently or constantly despite proper air pressure; Multiple dealership visits yield 'nothing wrong' verdict; Sensor fails to warn of actual tire deflation in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple service visits (3–5 hours each) with no resolution reported in one case. Dealers eventually recommend new tires without addressing sensor root cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers tell owners to ignore warning lights or buy new tires instead of fixing sensors.
Synthesized from 47 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had tires 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 tires problem on the 2009 Dodge Journey?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 47 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $150 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the tires typically fail?
Across the 37 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most tires failures cluster between 25,000 and 54,000 miles, with the median around 35,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 25,000; a quarter make it past 54,000. 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 $150 for tires 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 tires?
No active recalls currently cover tires 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.