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 ↗2010 Dodge Journey suspension problems
severe Owners of the 2010 Dodge Journey have filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the suspension, typically surfacing around 70,000 miles at roughly $900 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
| Model year | suspension complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Journey | 18 |
| 2010 Journey (this page) | 13 |
| 2011 Journey | 5 |
| 2012 Journey | 6 |
| 2013 Journey | 7 |
| 2014 Journey | 5 |
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 13 suspension complaints filed for the 2010 Dodge Journey, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 10 model years of Dodge Journey in our records for suspension problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA suspension complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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
Owners of 2010 Dodge Journeys describe a pattern of suspension failures that span the vehicle's life from 37,000 to 97,000 miles. The most common complaint is violent vibration and wobbling at various speeds, sometimes persisting for miles and making steering difficult over minor road bumps. Multiple owners report rear control arms bending inward, causing inside-edge tire wear so severe it can hide until tires fail; one garage told an owner this is common. One documented case involved a broken driver's side front axle at 40,000 miles that separated the wheel during a right turn, causing loss of steering control and a collision—though the manufacturer ruled it impact damage, not a defect. Motor mounts and wheel bearings also wear prematurely. Brake pads and rotors fail repeatedly; one owner needed replacements every two months. Several owners discovered multiple suspension issues during unrelated repairs but were out of warranty by the time failures were identified. None reported recalls or technical service bulletins addressing these problems.
Same Dodge Journey suspension reports on nearby years: 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Strut/Spring Wear and Suspension Collapse
Front and rear struts fail prematurely, causing loss of suspension damping and ride control. Owners report violent vibration, wobbling, and bouncing that can persist for miles and affect steering control even on minor road irregularities.
When: 37,000–97,000 miles; varies by vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Violent wobbling and vibration at various speeds; Excessive bouncing over small bumps or dips; Bouncing continues for extended distance; Steering becomes difficult during suspension oscillation; Front end thumps as if loose on uneven road patches
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite struts as needing replacement; costs not always stated. One estimate included front and rear struts in a major repair package. Dealers often identify the issue but do not document specific repair costs for struts alone.
Rear Control Arm Bending and Premature Tire Wear
Rear control arms bend inward, causing severe inside-edge tire wear that can be hidden by normal-looking middle and outer tread. Owners cite this as a common defect and report one repair cost of $457 for arm replacement.
When: Mileage not consistently reported; one instance noted at higher mileage during routine driving
Symptoms owners cite: Rear control arms bend inward; Tires wear completely on inside edge while middle and outside appear normal; Premature tire failure risk, especially during highway commutes
Repairs/costs cited: $457 to repair rear arms and tires. Garage told owner this is common on 2010 Journey.
Front Axle Failure and Wheel Separation
Driver's side front axle breaks during normal turning, causing immediate wheel separation. One documented case resulted in loss of steering control and collision. Manufacturer attributed failure to driver impact rather than defect.
When: 40,000 miles; occurred while turning right at 25 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Jerking and popping noise during right turn; Complete wheel separation from vehicle; Loss of steering control; Vehicle collision into adjacent lane
Repairs/costs cited: Broken driver's side front axle identified by dealer inspection. Vehicle not repaired; manufacturer deemed failure impact-related.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer engineer investigation concluded failure was caused by driver impact, not a defect. No recall issued.
Brake Pad and Rotor Premature Wear
Brake pads and rotors wear out or warp in short intervals, often requiring replacement every 2 months or every few thousand miles. Owners report shaking and pulsation when braking.
When: Occurs repeatedly throughout ownership; one owner reported need for replacement every 2 months
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pads require frequent replacement (every 2 months in one case); Rotors warp and shake when braking; Brake failure risk during extended driving
Repairs/costs cited: One owner estimated major repair package including front and rear brake pads and rotors without specific cost breakdown. Another owner has not yet repaired due to out-of-warranty status.
Motor Mounts Failure
Front and rear motor mounts wear out or break prematurely, allowing excess engine movement. Owners report this during diagnostic visits but costs are not always documented.
When: Timing varies; one owner identified need at 70,000+ miles during unrelated repair
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive engine vibration; Engine movement visible or felt during acceleration/deceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Identified by dealer as needing replacement; specific repair cost not stated by owners.
Wheel Bearing Noise
Right rear wheel bearing develops excessive noise, indicating accelerated wear or internal damage.
When: Identified during diagnostic visit; mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive noise from right rear wheel bearing
Repairs/costs cited: Identified by dealer service department; repair not completed due to warranty expiration.
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The transmission will shift from park into drive with a loud clang and jerk. This occurs when you pull up and stop, turn motor off, restart and put into drive. Then at other times hesitates to shift. Brakes will push themselves down with no pressure given by driver. Front end on uneven patches of roadway will thump as thought it is loose and wobble. *tr
Had suspension trouble with your 2010 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 2010 Dodge Journey?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 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 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 40,000 and 87,000 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 87,000. 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/2010/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.