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ProblemsByVin File / 2010-DODGE-JOURNEY NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
Dodge

2010 Dodge Journey problems

The 2010 Dodge Journey has 1,084 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 1 active recall campaign.

The 2010 Dodge Journey has 1,084 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 604 complaints, typically surfacing around 82,751 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Dodge Journey owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2009 Journey 1,594 4
2010 Journey (this page) 1,084 1
2011 Journey 169 0
2012 Journey 375 1
2013 Journey 351 0
2010 Dodge Journey
Photo: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain · representative photo of the Dodge Journey
0 5 10
Reliability score
6.4 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2010 Journey?
Avoid — the engine

The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

Buying a used 2010 Dodge Journey? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 71,727 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 6.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2010 Dodge Journey

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

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<iframe src="https://problemsbyvin.com/embed/reliability/2010-dodge-journey/" width="100%" height="340" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:640px" title="2010 Dodge Journey reliability snapshot" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p style="font:12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;color:#64748b;max-width:640px;margin:6px 0 0">Source: <a href="https://problemsbyvin.com/2010-dodge-journey/" style="color:#b8540a;font-weight:600">2010 Dodge Journey reliability snapshot — ProblemsByVin</a></p>

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
604 reports · fails ~82,751 mi · avg $850
moderate
brakes
102 reports · fails ~28,925 mi · avg $450
moderate
steering
83 reports · fails ~87,828 mi · avg $700
moderate
engine
75 reports · fails ~71,727 mi · avg $3,100
severe
powertrain
42 reports · fails ~82,062 mi · avg $2,500
severe
airbags
25 reports · fails ~86,373 mi · avg $1,100
severe
cruise control
15 reports · fails ~57,319 mi · avg $600
severe
suspension
13 reports · fails ~70,538 mi · avg $900
severe

Your road ahead on this 2010 Dodge Journey

When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.

  1. ~24,000 mibrakes~$450
  2. ~49,000 mitires~$150
  3. ~52,019 micruise control~$600
  4. ~70,000 misuspension~$900
  5. ~73,000 miengine~$3,100
  6. ~79,955 mielectrical~$850
  7. ~82,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
  8. ~84,000 miairbags~$1,100
  9. ~90,000 misteering~$700

"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.

Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2010 Journey's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2010 Journey?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2010 Journey · electrical
When I go to start ITIT's sometimes shut itself off or just doesn't wanna start all the way And the killing mission seem to be loose I can wiggle it around power in then we'll around and get nothing at all Ignition seems to we have an issues and sometimes when I have started and…
2010 Journey · powertrain
Horn blew intermittently at first when shutting doors, and occasionally for no reason. Windows would go down part way when doors were shut. Ignition would sometimes just click click when key is turned, wipers would move when not engaged to be on. Battery would go complexly dead…
12/31/2019 · at 1,300 mi · NHTSA ODI #11292352.0 · see powertrain pattern →
2010 Journey · electrical
While sitting in the yard, locked ....my 2010 Dodge journey just randomly starts blowing the horn. This is happening on a daily basis for the last few days and even during the middle of the night. There is something wrong with there electrical system because sometimes the radio…
12/30/2015 · at 89,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10816928.0 · see electrical pattern →
2010 Journey · brakes
When braking at speeds above 50 MPH, there is a violent shake in the vehicle. Vehicle is only 5 years old, and now needs a third set of brake pads and rotors. This is a clear and well known problem with the 2009 and 2010 journeys, yet the dealer (and Chrysler) refuses to…
View all 1,084 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2010 Dodge Journey? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 14V373000 June 26, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system

If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R03. Note: This is an expansion of recall 11V-139.

Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA

EA Latches/Locks/Linkages · opened August 2024

NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA24003 on NHTSA →

How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →

Common questions

Is the 2010 Dodge Journey reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.4 out of 10 based on 1,084 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Dodge Journey has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2010 Dodge Journey?

On the NHTSA data, the 2010 Dodge Journey is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 7 fire-related complaints and 4 crash-related complaints on the electrical system; Engine: 75 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 30,000–100,000 mi; Powertrain: 42 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 42,000–112,000 mi; Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2010 Dodge Journey?

Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 604 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 82,751 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2010 Dodge Journey a good used car to buy?

It scores 6.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 1,084 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 82,751 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2010 Dodge Journey?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 604 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 82,751 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 82,751 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Dodge Journey has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2010 Dodge Journey?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 1,084 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Dodge/Journey. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Dodge. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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