NHTSA Upgrades Dodge Journey Investigation Looking Into Faulty Power Windows and Door Locks

by Chris Teague

Published: August 2nd, 2024

nhtsa upgrades dodge journey investigation looking into faulty power windows and door

Remember the Dodge Journey? Pepperidge Farm, I mean, the NHTSA remembers. It recently upgraded its investigation into the much-maligned crossover to an engineering analysis. The evaluation is ongoing due to concerns that its door locks and windows could become inoperative.

Though not yet a recall, the action impacts almost one million Journeys built between 2009 and 2020. The defect could cause a malfunction of the power windows and door locks, preventing passengers from exiting if there’s an emergency.

Seven examples of faulty locks and windows have been recorded, and there has been one fatality related to the issue. A Stellantis spokesperson said, “We extend our sincerest sympathies to the family and friends of the customer whose life was lost, and we are providing NHTSA with our full cooperation.”

If this moves toward an official recall, it will only add to the Journey’s pile. The 2009 model has been recalled eight times for power steering hoses rupturing, an airbag control unit issue, issues with the reverse wiring steering column driver-side airbag, and more. Dodge sold the SUV from 2009 through 2020, so the investigation impacts a solid majority of the vehicles on the roads.

Though it was the cheapest three-row SUV on sale in 2020, it never earned much recognition. Its styling was old in 2009, and its appalling driving experience didn’t help. Near the end of its life, it was aging badly and lacked many of the driver assistance features people expected at the time.

[Images: Dodge/Stellantis]

Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.

#NHTSA #Dodge #DodgeJourney #Recalls

Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

More by Chris Teague

Comments

Join the conversation

3 of 18 comments

SCE to AUX on Aug 02, 2024
To save time and money, Dodge should send every owner this kit: https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Emergency-Cutter-Window-Accessories/dp/B073JCMTW2?th=1

2 Reply
Indibet on Aug 05, 2024
Dive into the electrifying atmosphere of the Indian Premier League with IPL betting. This platform allows you to leverage your cricket knowledge and intuition to place bets on a variety of outcomes, from the overall match winner to the number of runs scored in an over. With user-friendly interfaces and real-time updates, IPL betting sites provide a seamless and immersive experience

Like Reply
- Forward Observer on Aug 05, 2024
  THIS IS A BETTER COMMENT THAN MANY OF YOU HAVE MANAGED TO ACHIEVE IN MONTHS. Flagged as Spam.
  
  Like

Recent Comments

MaintenanceCosts We need a $15k EV, probably a tall hatch, that satisfies US safety standards with reasonable comfort and durability and a warranty. That would actually be affordable to the median wage earner.
Calrson Fan I'll take a simple over cheap. Although that should equate to cheap or at least cheaper. I'm so over all the useless & intrusive tech. common in today's cars & trucks. Which is why I drive older stuff. We need more vehicles geared towards simplicity and longevity, like the Slate. if that ever makes it to market. As I once heard on American Hot Rod, less is more. Isn't that the truth!
28-Cars-Later Maybe it will eventually change but as of right now even if you spend the money to build these stations everywhere, if the electricity sold is 100%+ of what its sold for in residential rates it will never take off. To a degree a convenience charge amount (of not 100%) could fly but smart owners will understand the trade off and limit their use of it. Those without home charging capabilities simply won't continue to pay through the nose on electricity - a utility of which has skyrocketed even wholesale and I suspect will continue to do so.
KOKing Need and want are definitely different, especially today. Not only are relative expectations different from 40-50yrs ago, but used cars' value/features/quality probably make them more attractive options than a couple generations ago. I suspect for the same $21k as a Hyundai Venue, a lot of people would choose a ~5yr old Ford Explorer instead. Today's gas prices might make some think twice, but a lot of the same people probably won't think as far as repair costs.I think something interesting to look at in other global markets where historically cheap, small cars continue to be available, where cheap Chinese cars are becoming available, whether the latter end up quickly displacing the former in the low-cost segment long-term (I suspect yes).
Lorenzo What the American market needs is a 1997 Honda Civic EX in coupe or sedan form, fully loaded like in 1997 at 1997 prices ($19K) or a slightly bigger 1997 Nissan Altima GXE sedan with the larger 2.4L engine and reliable Jatco automatic for about the same price. I have owned both, and wish I had either one back so I could get rid of the keyless Cr**p, the drive-by-wire, and the touch screen, and operate the car myself with buttons and knobs..