2010 Dodge Journey: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 987 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (51% of complaints); the 2011 and 2012 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall May 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 987 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I was backing out of the driveway. Pulled forward to a two-way stop and my driver side headrest exploded and shot my head forward and I almost went in a two-way traffic. Now I have whiplash”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2026
“This situation is occurring more and more often with this vehicle. The vehicle will be in drive, moving, and in the middle of a road or highway just shutdown completely. It happened 4 times 2 weeks ago. Brought to a auto mechanic and nothing could be discovered to be malfunctioning.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2026
“My horn started to honk on its own the front windshield wipers will not stop and the turn signals does not work anymore I was told the clock spring needs replaced there is a recall on google but now showing with my vehicle”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that the horn engaged unintendedly while driving. The contact stated that the failure persisted even while the vehicle was parked and turned off. The vehicle was taken to AAA several times, and the battery and the battery terminals were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2026
“Faulty active head restraints in both front driver and passenger seats, causing both units to deploy while driving, causing my driver to temporarily lose control of the vehicle.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2025
“I was sitting, idling in my car when my active headrest restrain system in my passenger seat suddenly went off. I am lucky no one was in my passenger seat and that I wasn't driving at that time. I looked more into it and it looks like the plastic encasing the metal bar which holds the headrest together snapped. Googling online I saw that this is a common issue with dodge, jeep, and Chrysler cars. I am now worried my driver side active headrest restraint system could go off while I am driving and cause an accident, as the passenger one definitely flew forward fast when it snapped.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2025
“It all started with no starts and had starter replaced and then charging problem had new battery and alternator replaced . Then driving to work all the dashboard lights lit up like a Christmas tree and died a couple of times once in the middle of the road . Even when the car was in park and key out of the ignition the lights on dashboard would light up , like the car never totally shut off?Replaced ecm afterwards thinking that was the problem but wasn't the case (I still have the original ecm unit ) and still there was a battery drain , driving it and the lights lit up the dashboard and stalled out . You can here a buzzing sound after the car if off and key is removed ?”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2025
“I went to go start my vehicle to commute home from work and had no power steering. I did some research and saw that my vehicle model from 2007-2016 was recalled for this issue”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2024
“My active headrests on the front seats have suddenly sprung, i.e. they have opened up. The car was parked in my yard, no other vehicles around, no accident/fender bender. I went out one day and the headrests were both opened up. This is a known problem for Dodge (at the time it happened, I researched) and they did extend the warranty for ten years; however, my vehicle is a 2010 so past that extended warranty. This is an expensive fix. I am a senior on a fixed income and wonder if there is any way to remedy this problem?”Owner report · Seats · Sep 2024
“The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the horn inadvertently honked. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2024
When filing, owners marked a crash in 18 of these complaints and injuries in 19 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING, 300, CHARGER (LX) AND DODGE CHALLENGER (LC), AVENGER (JS), AND JOURNEY (JC), AS WELL AS MODEL YEAR 2011 DODGE RAM LIGHT DUTY PICKUP (DS) VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A SEPARATION AT THE CRIMPED END OF THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE ASSEMBLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE AS NECESSARY THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 31, 2007, to November 12, 2016. After exposure to cold temperatures, the power steering return hose may rupture at engine start-up causing a loss of power steering assist.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return hoses, steel tubes, and power steering oil cooler, free of charge. The recall began on May 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S08.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured June 29, 2007, to June 17, 2010, and 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured January 26, 2007, to June 17, 2010. Road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Remedy: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2010 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Journey by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Dodge Journey reliable?
NHTSA has 987 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2010 Dodge Journey. The most complained-about area is electrical system (51% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2010 Dodge Journey problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 73,876 miles or less.
Does the 2010 Dodge Journey have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:electric power assist system. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.