2009 Dodge Journey AWD: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Dec 21, 2016 · Brakes, Electrical · 111,200 miles · MS

Takata recall - was driving down the road at 40 MPH. Car began to idle high, pulled over to shoulder and turned off the car. Opened the hood, smelled burning electrical smell. Closed the hood, tried to start the car. No start, lights on but would not start. Tried to put it in neutral, still no start. Vehicle was towed 15 miles to my apartment complex.

Filed Jul 14, 2016 · Brakes, Electrical · 74,000 miles · OK

Electrical systems don't work all the time such as radio. Burning smell. Seat belt stopped working last year had to replace entire unit. Pto went out 8 months after 6 months purchase.

Filed Jul 14, 2014 · Engine · 121,849 miles · MI · fire

Had been intermittently seeing white smoke come from under the hood or front undercarriage of vehicle. No cause visible to the eye was found. On date in question, engine area caught fire while driving at a low rate of speed. Vehicle towed to collision shop where it was determined that transfer case/ pua unit was "bad" and cracked. No collision or external damage caused it. Part simply cracked for an unknown reason according to chrysler collision/body shop. Damage not covered by auto insurance because it was spontaneous. Front end of vehicle pulls, ignition stalls, electrical problems, brakes (pads, rotors & often calipers) & tires must be replaced every 4-6 months. Upon regular maintenance inspection there is no sign of problems with brakes & tires but full replacement is usually required within several weeks of inspection.

Filed Dec 30, 2013 · Transmission · 77,000 miles · NY

I was driving home my wife, daughter and my pregnant wife, when about 1/2 from home a dark black smoke came out of the engine compartment, I pulled over and pulled the hood latch, and after I was able to get my family out of the car, I looked underneath the car,a dark fluid was pouring on top of the exhaust. The car had to be towed to the mechanic. After an inspection, he found that the power transfer case unit cracked. Had to pay out of pocket since dealer said that it wasn't under warranty and that's normal wear for these vehicle. $1350 for transfer case, $85 tow truck and $450 labor.

Filed Nov 20, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 96,000 miles · NY

I noticed over the weekend that the car started making a weird ticking noise. Also when put into reverse it seemed like it wanted to stall sometimes. I was driving to work and it started to buck and sputter. I was able to get it pulled over and there was smoke coming from under the hood. I had it towed to a garage where it was diagnosed with a cracked transfer case which came with a $2400 estimate! After doing a little research it sounds like this is a typical problem with this model and year and found many accounts on dodgejourneyforum.com. Sounds like a recall needs to happen before someone gets hurt if it hasn't happened already!

Filed Nov 1, 2010 · Brakes, Steering · 22,000 miles · MD · fire

2009 sxt awd dodge journey is a replacement for the initial journey we purchased which was a lemon. We picked up this car 5/2009. It had a strange smell, much like propane when the engine was warm. The dealer was unable to identify after several visits. We gave up. This problem continued for the last year - progressively the smell worsened. On thursday, 10-28-10 while on interstate 270 I noticed smoke coming from my engine, and the propane smell was almost over powering. I phoned the dealer again. They said to bring in on monday, 11-1-10. On the evening of 10-31-10 I noticed dripping coming from the car on my garage floor. I was able to put a pan underneath and take to dealer monday morning. At the dealer 11-1-10, I was told this fluid ws "gear fluid." seven hours later I phoned dealer and was told they had to order a ptu seal. Please, please google or search your site for ptu issues on this car. There have been fires caused, engine failures, etc. Even after the ptu seal has been replaced it does not fix the problem. Within a few weeks it appears that when this initial seal is breached, it damages the other seals, which in turn causes problems with the transmission and braking system. Also, noteworthy, I just had to have my brakes and rotors replaced at 18,000 due to the "turning blue." and now, after that work my steering wheel shakes violently, which the dealer can't seem to figure out why. I am also filing a complaint with consumer affairs, the attorney generals office (maryland) and most likely will be getting a lawyer. The dodge journey is a serious safety problem for our roads.

Filed Aug 12, 2010 · Electrical · 74,000 miles · PA · fire

I was driving 2009 dodge journey something smelled like it was burning by the time I could safely pull the vehicle over the front end and the engine had locked up there was smoke coming in through vents under the hood and out the exhaust. Called 911 for electrical harness and engine compartment fire. All appropriate people responded and put the fire out safely. The failure obviously occurred only once and still waiting on the insurance company to decide if the vehicle is totaled or not. The car had been into the shop for engine tick upon start and told by dodge that it was normal because that is how the sending unit for the oil was built. Called my VIN number in for recalls as I did not buy it brand new was told by dodge that the wiring harness and transaxle did not apply to my vehicle. Still waiting on insurance as I said but its kind of curious that this specific failure would sound very much like the recall notices.

Filed Mar 21, 2010 · Locks, Transmission · 6,052 miles · WV

We bought a 2009 dodge journey sxt back in may 09. In the last month feb 2010 on, the automatic locking/security mechanism for the driver side door has failed (scheduled to be looked in two days) and today our transmission/gearbox literally exploded under the hood at 6,000 miles. We were driving down a back road on the way to store when a string smell of burning came into the cabin and then we heard a severe pop and then nothing but billowing smoke. We had our two young children in car seats and immediately stopped the vehicle to try and get them away from the possibility of the engine being on fire. We got the kids out and I went back to shut off the car once I saw it wasn't fuel leaking. Once it cooled down and stopped smoking I raised the hood and saw what looked to be burnt transmission fluid and small metal flakes all over my engine and undersideof the hood. So it was just towed to the local dealership to find the cause. So now I have a car with a faulty security system and possibly needs a new transmission and we only have 6,000 miles on the car. Still waiting for the dealership to do the work. On a side note, with all of these issues on a brand new car we may be exploring legal options if chrysler doesn't make this right.