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Dodge Journey VIN Number Check

Run a free NHTSA vPIC decode on a Dodge Journey VIN to confirm the model year and engine, then see which of the 27 NHTSA recall campaigns for 2009–2020 cover that year.

VIN prefix3C43D4

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Vinny, the VinNumber key mascot
Dodge Journey

About the Dodge Journey

Dodge sold the Journey in the US for model years 2009–2020. Across those years NHTSA lists 27 vehicle recall campaigns and 5,531 owner complaints. The 2009 has the most complaints of any model year (1,594). EPA rates it at 17–22 mpg combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2009–2020
EPA classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle
NHTSA recall campaigns27
Owner complaints5,531 at NHTSA
Dodge Journey photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

Dodge Journey at a glance

One generation in the data, 2009–2020: 27 NHTSA recall campaigns and 5,531 owner complaints.

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Journey
2009–2020Small Sport Utility Vehicle
Dodge Journey (2009–2020)

Photo: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

200920152020
2009–2020

Dodge Journey

EPA classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle
EPA combined mpg17–22
NHTSA recalls27

Engines (EPA)

  • 2.4 L 4-cyl · 2009–2020
  • 3.5 L 6-cyl · 2009–2010
  • 3.6 L 6-cyl · 2011–2019

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • AWD/4WD, FWD
  • automatic (2009–2020)

Known issues to check

Electrical system (2,203)Engine and cooling (1,048)Brakes (1,023)5 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 5,531 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · Journey3D4GG57V?9T······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2009 Dodge Journey SXT, built in Toluca, Mexico
Check a Journey VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Journey model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 27 campaigns on file for Journey model years 2009–2020, and the 2009 shows up in more of them than any other year (8), ahead of the 2014 (7). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2009
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Dodge Journey owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2009 and 2010 hold 2,679 of the 5,531 complaints, or 48%. Tap any bar or generation.

5,531NHTSA complaints, 2009–2020
208mention a crash
112mention a fire
245injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearJourney: 5,531 complaints · most for the 2009 (1,594)

Top complaint areas · Journey

Mentions in 5,531 complaints, 2009–2020.

Electrical system2,203
Engine and cooling1,048
Brakes1,023
Air bags661
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)533
Steering359
Crashes 208Fires 112Injuries 245

2009–2020

NHTSA data summary

The 2009 is the outlier. On its own it has 1,594 of the JC49’s 5,531 complaints (29%), more than any other Journey model year, and owners across the generation name electrical system most often (2,203 mentions), then engine and cooling (1,048).

What Journey owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2009–2020 (1st generation)

The 2009 draws by far the most complaints, and CarComplaints calls it a prime example of why not to buy the first model year. Its top 2009 problems are premature brake and rotor wear, an engine that will not start and transmission failure, and hundreds of NHTSA owners of the 2009 report brake wear, electrical faults and stalling. Recalls cover power steering return hoses on 2009–2016 models that may burst in cold weather, driver air bags on 2011–2015 models that may deploy unexpectedly and ignition switches on 2009–2010 models. [1] [2] [3]

What to check before buying

  • Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the power steering hose, driver air bag and ignition switch recalls.
  • Ask for brake and transmission repair records.
  • On the drive, check that the SUV starts reliably, feel for pulsing or grinding when braking, watch for electrical glitches or warning lights and check that the power steering feels normal from a cold start.
Sources (3) and method
Sources:
  1. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2009 Dodge Journey
  2. CarComplaints.com, 2009 Dodge Journey problems
  3. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2015 Dodge Journey

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner opinions · Reddit

What Dodge Journey owners say on Reddit

Summarized from public threads

Dodge Journey owners on Reddit are split. Fans like the 3.6 Pentastar V6, the seven seats and a comfortable ride on long trips, and some describe a 2015 near 260,000 miles, a 2014 past 300,000 and a 2018 at 160,000 with regular service. The most common complaint is electrical trouble, from Uconnect faults and warning lights to random no-starts. Owners also mention a torque converter at 72,000 miles, a failed AWD coupler at 110,000, an awkward battery location and a weak 2.4 four-cylinder.

Pros

  • The 3.6 V6 is seen as strong and fairly efficient
  • Seven seats and a comfortable ride for family road trips
  • Some owners pass 160,000 to 300,000 miles with regular maintenance

Cons

  • Electrical gremlins, Uconnect faults and random no-start problems
  • Battery placed behind the front wheel makes simple jobs harder
  • The 2.4 four-cylinder with the four-speed automatic is widely discouraged
  • Drivetrain repairs such as a torque converter and AWD coupler

Opinions of individual owners, summarized in our own words. Not verified data; check recalls and complaints above.

Owner complaints · by model year

Journey complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every Journey version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

5,531complaints, 2009–2020
208mention a crash
112mention a fire
245injuries reported
1complaint reports a death
Most complaints: 2009 (1,594), 2010 (1,085), 2015 (553)
1,594’091,085’10553’15’20

2009 · 1,594 complaints

Crashes 42 · fires 37 · injuries 35 · complaints reporting a death 1

Electrical system814
Service brakes374
Air bags286
Engine166
Power train132

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Journey CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 34 Journey versions for model years 2009–2020. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 404 g/mi (2012). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Journey2009–2020

17–22 mpg · CO₂ 404–523 g/mi

2019
21combined MPG
420CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$3,200EPA yearly fuel cost
3/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
4/10Greenhouse gas rating
Federal Tier 3 Transitional Bin 110Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2019: Journey · Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L — 21 MPG · 420 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
3504004505005502010201520202009 · Gas: 4232010 · Gas: 4232011 · Gas: 4042012 · Gas: 4042013 · Gas: 4192014 · Gas: 4202015 · Gas: 4202016 · Gas: 4202017 · Gas: 4202018 · Gas: 4202019 · Gas: 4202020 · Gas: 420
Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Journey vs Honda CR-V vs Toyota RAV4

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2009–2020. NHTSA lists 27 recall campaigns for the Journey, while the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 have 37 each. Pick a range to compare.

Dodge Journey

Model years 2009–2020

NHTSA recall campaigns
27
NHTSA owner complaints
5,531
EPA combined mpg
17–22
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.4 L · 6-cyl 3.5, 3.6 L
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
4★ overall (2020)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Electrical system 2,203
  2. Engine and cooling 1,048
  3. Brakes 1,023

Honda CR-V

Model years 2009–2020

NHTSA recall campaigns
37
NHTSA owner complaints
9,314
EPA combined mpg
22–38
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.5, 2.0, 2.4 L
Also listed
turbo, hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2020)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Engine and cooling 2,049
  2. Electrical system 1,381
  3. Fuel system 1,369

Toyota RAV4

Model years 2009–2020

NHTSA recall campaigns
37
NHTSA owner complaints
4,527
EPA combined mpg
21–40
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.5 L · 6-cyl 3.5 L · Electric
Also listed
hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2020)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Electrical system 846
  2. Engine and cooling 698
  3. Speed control / acceleration 442

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Dodge Journey VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Journey

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Dark grey Dodge Journey (first generation) crossover, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

Locate the Journey's VIN on the plate at the lower driver's side windshield. The door jamb sticker and a B-pillar label on the driver's side are secondary locations.

  1. Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
    Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
  2. Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
    Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ

Common Dodge Journey VIN questions

Which Dodge Journey model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2009 leads with 1,594, ahead of the 2010 (1,085) and 2015 (553). Those first two alone make up 48% of the 5,531 Journey complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Dodge Journey had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 27 vehicle campaigns for model years 2009–2020, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

Which Dodge Journey recalls are high risk?

NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 08V-247, 09V-082, 10V-475, 15V-431 and 17V-824. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

What fuel economy does the Dodge Journey get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2009–2020 Journey at 17–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Dodge Journey compare with the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 on recalls?

For 2009–2020 models the Journey has 27 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Honda CR-V has 37, the Toyota RAV4 37. Complaints run 5,531, 9,314 and 4,527 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Dodge Journey have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2020 Journey 4 stars overall. One version, FWD, is rated.

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