VehicleVerdict

2010 Dodge Journey Awd problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2010 Dodge Journey Awd carries two red flags at once: 163 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Vehicle entrapment). It is one of the Journey Awd years to avoid.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 63 reports (39% of the total).

163

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

3

Investigations · 1 open

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Journey Awd years?

Journey Awd NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted247 complaints2009: 247 complaints2010: 163 complaints
Journey Awd NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Journey Awd years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Dodge Journey Awd problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System6339%
Brakes2314%
Other1610%
Engine1610%
Steering149%
Airbags64%
Tires & Wheels64%
Transmission53%
Lighting53%
Fuel System32%
Speed Control21%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Suspension11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2010 Dodge Journey Awd have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V139000Electrical SystemMarch 1, 2011 · 195,798 units

Defect

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 DODGE JOURNEY, GRAND CARAVAN, AND CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VEHICLES MANUFACTURER FROM AUGUST 3, 2009, THROUGH JUNE 17, 2010. SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE INADVERTENT IGNITION KEY DISPLACEMENT FROM THE RUN TO ACCESSORY POSITION WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF.

Consequence

ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIN MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Open NHTSA investigations

EA24003

Vehicle entrapment

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-008 on May 1, 2023 to investigate an incident involving a 2009 Dodge Journey alleging occupant entrapment during a vehicle fire that resulted in a fatality. During the investigation, ODI collected information from the manufacturer and involved parties to confirm or refute the defect allegation. ODI has determined that additional reports of vehicle entrapment exist for other model year Dodge Journey vehicles. ODI continues to explore the cause of the thermal event and its potential effect on the actuation of the door locks. ODI also continues to explore other potential causes for door lock malfunction. ODI has determined that an upgrade to an Engineering Analysis (EA) is necessary to continue the review of the investigative material and to assess the risk to motor vehicle safety . To review the ODI report cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WENT TO GO GET GAS DRIVING THE 2010 DODGE JOURNEY SXT. CORNER OF VILLA AND NORTH AV. IN VILLA PARK , ILLINOIS FILLED MY GAS TANK UP PULLED OUT OF THE GAS STATION. WITHIN 100 FEET OF DRIVING AWAY FROM THE GAS STATION MY CARS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTED TO MALFUNCTION. MEANING WINDSHIELD WIPERS GOING,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 18, 2017 · fire

“PURCHASED DODGE JOURNEY IN DECEMBER OF 2011. HAVE ONLY DRIVEN 11,300 MILES. BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES TWO MONTHS AGO. HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP WITH ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE TO THE VEHICLE. WHEEL SHAKES TREMENDOUSLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. ALSO, CAR DRAGS WHEN RELEASING THE THROTTLE. A CAR CUT ME OFF AND I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 3, 2012

“ FIRST HAD A PROBLEM WITH CAR SHUTTING DOWN AND WOULD NOT START SO I BOUGHT A BATTERY,BECAUSE IT KEPT DRAINING THEN STARTER MADE NOISE HAD TO REPLACE IT , THEN MY CAR STARTED OVER HEATING SO I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE RESERVOIR SO I BOUGHT ONE , NOW MY TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN REVERSE. I'M STILL HAVING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 28, 2014

“THE HORN BLOWS CONTINUOUSLY OUT OF NO WHERE. I HAVE CHANGED THE BATTERY ON THE VEHICLE AFTER I HAD ONE COMPLETELY DEAD. IT WAKES UP NEIGHBORS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. MY ALTERNATOR IS GOOD AND PROVIDES THE CORRECT AMPERAGE. IT HONKS WHEN STARTED, SITTING STILL AND OFF AND ALL THE TIME. THIS HAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 3, 2019

“PURCHASED DODGE JOURNEY IN DECEMBER OF 2011. HAVE ONLY DRIVEN 11,300 MILES. BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES TWO MONTHS AGO. HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP WITH ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE TO THE VEHICLE. WHEEL SHAKES TREMENDOUSLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. ALSO, CAR DRAGS WHEN RELEASING THE THROTTLE. A CAR CUT ME OFF AND I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 3, 2012

2010 Dodge Journey Awd — common questions

Is the 2010 Dodge Journey Awd reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 163 complaints put the 2010 model at #2 of 2 Journey Awd years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Journey Awd years to avoid.

What are the most common 2010 Journey Awd problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (63 complaints), brakes (23 complaints), other (16 complaints).

Does the 2010 Dodge Journey Awd have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2010 Dodge Journey Awd. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2010 Dodge Journey Awd under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Vehicle entrapment). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Dodge Journey Awd years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Journey Awd years to avoid are 2009, 2010.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.