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2009 Dodge Journey: steering wheel locks up

5 of the 1,433 complaints about the 2009 Dodge Journey describe steering wheel locks up.

owner complaints
5
of this car's complaints
0%
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

Steering wheel locks up by model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 20, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · NC

The steering locked up could not turn or straighten car out. All electrical things lights air conditioning gas light just went haywire and is still not working. The shifting system I guess is what u call it started slipping out of gear like going into natural or first gear and nothing else. Several cars had to serve to keep from getting hit at 70+ miles an hour and I had no control other than to hit the break on the freeway and pray. Accordingly to the Bob site there's so many problems I know the ones I've had I just didn't know I could let any one know that mattered. I've reported it today. The first time it slipped out of gear I thought maybe it was something I may have done as far as the electric it was Little things like AC works as it pleases airbags light up tire pressure ECT the gas light no longer moves stays on E unknown to exact dates

Filed Jun 7, 2021 · MD

1- My steering started making a noise when I would make a right turn. I took it to the dealer service and they informed me that the metal battery holder completely rusted away and the battery dropped down onto the inner wheel well and when I made a turn it would hit the tire and steering arm. When this started I had not driven the car after that because I felt unsafe. So I called Chrysler Customer Service and ask them to refund my money for the repair ($700+} since I Told them of possibly be injured or killed if the steering locked up while driving. They gave me a case number and said they would review it. They denied the request and blew me off with " it's out of warranty". I said I knew that and you were not concerned with my family's safety. So I need your help to recalling all Journeys which could happen to them. 2- The lugs nuts on dodges are covered in a casing and after a few years they separate from the nut. This is a big problem because the lug wrench not longer fits and I had to buy a MM deep socket to fit that nut when I would have fix a flat tire. You should review that too.

Filed Jan 5, 2017 · Steering · WY

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge journey. While driving various speeds, the steering seized without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage and VIN were unknown.

Filed Aug 19, 2014 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 109,000 miles · NH

Car all of a sudden shuts off while driving down the street at various speeds.35-70 steering wheel locks, you have very little control. Very very dangerous has been hooked up to certified auto shop diagnostic computer all codes come back fine and they can not tell me why this happens. I already replaced crankshaft sensor to test if that was what was wrong with it. I am not going to go thru all these fixes for testing. Dodge needs to do a recall on this problem. I called dodge direct to start a recall process. Something needs to be done before a fatality happens!

Filed Aug 8, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 100,000 miles · CA

While driving on the freeway @ about 70 MPH suddenly the steering locked up and there was no power. While I was trying to merge over to the side of the freeway( I had to cross 3 lane, I was almost hit by multiple cars. I had no control of the car. I managed to get off to the side off the freeway and happened to look down to see the ignition key turned to the off position. I dont have any other keys attached to it because I had just had the starter replaced maybe 1 week before & was advised not to. I started the car thinking maybe it was a freak thing and it wouldnt happen again. It did 2 days later. This time I was approaching an intersection turning left on a green arrow. Just as I started to turn the car turned off making it very difficult to turn and barely missed a group of people on the sidewalk where my car ended up before stopping. I had the car towed to the service center the dealership I bought the car from. This was not a dodge, chrysler, or jeep dealership either. I was told that rwi module had to be replaced and it was not covered under my warranty and dodge would not cover it either. While the car was being repaired I came across recall l25. But was told my VIN number was not included in the recall. The car was in the repair shop for 5 days. It cost me over $600. The day I picked the car up I came across documentation of the expansion to the l25. I was then again told the VIN was not part of the recall & an investigation was being done and eventually the VIN would be in the recall but I could not be given a date as to when this would happen. I called dodge corporate offices and was told the same thing. I feel like I own a coffin on wheels. . All in all I have had this car in for repair for the key turning to the off position 3 times now. Something needs to be done now before someone is seriously hurt or killed in a crash because of this defective part.

Related recalls

Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connectionsReported May 6, 2016 · 8,569 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
A loss of power steering assist may require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.

Recall number 16V273000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2009 Dodge Journey steering lock-up

Is steering wheel locks up a common problem on the 2009 Dodge Journey?

5 of 1,433 owner complaints about the 2009 Dodge Journey (0%) mention steering wheel locks up. The model year with the most reports is 2015.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2009 Dodge Journey?

There is 1 recall and 0 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2009 Dodge Journey

Stalling 163Won't start 149Grinding brakes 72Airbag light 50Wipers 46Check engine light 40Premature wear 33Key fob 30Warning lights 30Brake failure 27Fire or smoke 22Loss of power 22No deployment 21Door locks 19Headlights 19Engine failure 17ABS 15Power steering loss 15Won't shift 11Tire blowout 11Hesitation 10Ball joint 9Jerking 9Overheating 9Transmission failure 9Battery drain 8Power windows 7Pulling 7Adaptive cruise 6Steering noise 6Knocking 5Fuel gauge 5Fuel pump 5Whining noise 5

All model years of the Dodge Journey

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