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 wheels problems
moderate Owners of the 2009 Dodge Journey have filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the wheels, typically surfacing around 49,000 miles at roughly $400 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See wheels across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$400
| Model year | wheels complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Journey (this page) | 13 |
| 2010 Journey | 7 |
| 2012 Journey | 6 |
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Dodge Journey we track for wheels problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 13.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering wheels 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 dominant complaint centers on TPMS valve stem failure. Owners report factory-installed stems corroding and snapping off between 18,000 and 58,000 miles, often with little or no warning. The failure happens in multiple scenarios: when trying to inflate a tire, during tire rotation, while washing wheels, or spontaneously while driving. In one case, the stem ejected with enough force to nearly strike the owner's eye. Another vehicle lost tire pressure completely within a single second while cruising at highway speed.
Owners and tire technicians attribute the corrosion to dissimilar metals—steel shafts inside aluminum wheels reacting with road salt. Dodge acknowledged the issue in at least one case but declined to provide warranty coverage or a fix. One Firestone location reportedly kept a collection of defective stems from these vehicles. Some tire shops refuse to replace the stems because the integrated TPMS sensor chip cannot be separated.
Secondary issues include premature brake rust (two replacements by 18,000 miles on a lightly driven vehicle) and front-end shimmy at highway speed. One owner tied the shimmy to a defective Kuhmo tire set and resolved it by switching brands; another blamed snow buildup and was told by the manufacturer to avoid inclement weather. A fifth complaint involved brittle valve stems that fracture with minor contact during routine washing.
Failure modes owners describe
Corroded TPMS valve stem fracture
Factory-installed TPMS valve stems corrode due to road salt and dissimilar metals (steel shaft through aluminum wheels), becoming brittle and snapping off with minimal contact—sometimes during tire inflation, rotation, washing, or while driving.
When: Typically 18,000–58,000 miles; some as early as 36,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Tire pressure warning light illuminates; Sudden complete tire deflation (seconds to minutes); Valve stem shoots out under pressure when trying to inflate; Visible corrosion on stem end; Tire goes flat during routine maintenance or washing
Codes mentioned: TPMS warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Replace valve stems with TPMS sensor unit; one owner noted Firestone reported collecting defective stems from these vehicles; some tire shops unable to replace due to integrated sensor chip
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge denied assistance in at least one case (50,600 miles); one owner reported Dodge stated no intention to repair the defective material problem after three-week review
Front-end shimmy and steering wheel shake (Kuhmo tire set)
Pronounced front-end vibration and steering wheel shake at highway speed; owner replaced Kuhmo 225/55×19 tires with Goodyear Assurance 235/55×19 and shimmy resolved. Owner noted a TSB exists for Kuhmo tire issue on Dodge Journey forums.
When: At 42,500 miles on used vehicle; symptom appeared in September 2013 after Kuhmo tire installation
Symptoms owners cite: Pronounced shimmy from front end; Visible shaking of steering wheel at 60–65 mph; Problem persisted after wheel rebalancing (all four wheels)
Repairs/costs cited: Replaced all four Kuhmo tires with Goodyear Assurance; shimmy eliminated
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB concerning Kuhmo tires mentioned in Dodge Journey forums
Snow accumulation on front wheels causing abnormal shimmy
Vehicle shimmies abnormally in inclement weather due to snow buildup on front wheels. Steering wheel exhibited severe instability (45-degree jump) at normal speeds.
When: Starting at 4,000 miles; reported at 15,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal shimmy while driving in snow/inclement weather; Steering wheel jumps approximately 45 degrees; Vehicle still shakes even at speeds below 25 mph
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer advised owner to refrain from driving in inclement weather
Premature brake and rotor deterioration
Brakes and rotors rust and deteriorate prematurely, requiring replacement twice on one low-mileage vehicle within the first few years and shortly after warranty expiration.
When: First replacement before 18,000 miles; second replacement thereafter; failure reported shortly after warranty expiration
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes rust out; Rotors deteriorate
Repairs/costs cited: Owner replaced brakes twice on low-mileage (18,000 miles) vehicle; described as excessive cost
Tire pressure loss due to cracked valve stems
Tires consistently lose pressure over time due to cracked or failing valve stems, requiring repeated air refills. Stems develop cracks prematurely.
When: By 18,000 miles; ongoing pressure loss from early vehicle use
Symptoms owners cite: Tires constantly low on pressure; Tires lose pressure repeatedly until stems are replaced; Cracked valve stems found during tire service
Repairs/costs cited: Three stems found cracked; tire dealer unable to replace due to integrated sensor chip
Wheel wobble and tire pressure warning (rear wheels)
Rear wheels sound like they are wobbling while driving; tire pressure warning light illuminates. No root cause confirmed by diagnostic testing.
When: At 36,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rear driver and passenger side wheels sound like wobbling; Tire pressure warning light illumination
Codes mentioned: TPMS warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not taken to dealer or repaired
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had wheels 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 wheels problem on the 2009 Dodge Journey?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $400 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the wheels typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most wheels failures cluster between 36,000 and 59,600 miles, with the median around 49,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 36,000; a quarter make it past 59,600. 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 $400 for wheels 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 wheels?
No active recalls currently cover wheels 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.