DodgeJourney20093.5L V6/dodge/journey/2009/3-5l-v6/
JC platform

2009 Dodge Journey — 3.5L V6

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Journey 3.5L V6.

Body SUVEngine 3.5L V6Transmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2009 Dodge Journey 3.5L V6 is a JC-platform SUV powered by a 3.5L V6 with an automatic six-speed transmission, EPA-rated at 16 city/23 highway/18 combined mpg and requiring 5.5 quarts of 10W-30 API oil with each filter change. Those specs frame the vehicle mechanically, but the ownership record is more notable: 1,594 owner complaints place the Electrical System as the top concern, while the model carries 8 recalls. Across the 2007–2020 model run, 2009 registers the highest complaint volume—1,594 versus just 4 for the 2007 launch year—making it the defining reliability low point in the Journey's history.

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/23/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 86 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04892339BE. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 86 · 525 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-70R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04892339BE
Engine air filter04891916AA
Spark plugSZFR5LP13G
Battery04868999AC alt BB86F101AA
Front wiper blades68046382AA alt 68030273AA
Serpentine belt04891875AA alt 04891721AB
Thermostat68273161AA alt 55111016AC
Cabin air filter05058693AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length192.5 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height66.9 in
Wheelbase113.8 in
Curb weight4211 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 23 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent published road-test results.

8.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.30 sec — 2009 R/T V6
235 hpHorsepower (as tested)
232 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2009R/T V6 3.5L V68.30 sec16.50 sec235 hpAWD
2009R/T V6 3.5L V68.30 sec16.40 sec235 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.5 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 21.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · MS-6395
Engine Oil Capacity5.5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts70 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head StepsIf your bolt has the short head
Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 21 ft-lbs; Upper: 9 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts21 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug21.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugPTU: 26.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugPTU: 26.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub118 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub118 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.050 in
Spark Plug Torque20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number86
Standard BCI Cranking Performance525 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12+-0.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100
Engine Oil Pressure4 psi @ Idle, 25-80 psi @ 3000 rpm psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.097 in / 0.463 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.107 in / 0.482 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.04 in / 0.409 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Torque to Knuckle — tightening sequence 1 stages
140
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9020 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
1All to 61 N##m (45 ft. lbs.)45 ft. lbs
2All to 88 N##m (65 ft. lbs.)65 ft. lbs
3All (again) to 88 N##m (65 ft. lbs.)65 ft. lbs
4+ 90 degrees Turn Do not use a torque wrench for this step.90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs at 102,000 mi; coolant every 100,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 100,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 12,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 12,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 24,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 90,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
Every 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 102,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Timing Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 2009 the Dodge Journey recorded 1,594 complaints, 8 recalls, 4 investigations and 52 TSBs, a sharp increase from the preceding years. Prior to 2009, complaints were minimal (4 in 2007, 8 in 2008) and there were no recalls. After 2009, complaints fell to 1,084 in 2010 and then to lower double‑ or triple‑digit figures in subsequent years, but remained well above the 2007‑2008 baseline. Recall activity also peaked in 2009 and fluctuated between 1 and 7 per year thereafter, indicating ongoing safety‑related actions. The most frequently cited complaint areas for 2009 were Electrical System (418), Electrical System/Air Bags (174), Service Brakes/Hydraulic (172) and Air Bags (81). Given the unusually high complaint and recall counts for the 2009 model year, it is less advisable to purchase a used 2009 Dodge Journey compared with earlier or later years.

8
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
52
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,594
Owner complaints
42 involved a crash · 37 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,594 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System418
Electrical System,Air Bags174
Service Brakes, Hydraulic172
Air Bags81
Engine63
Unknown Or Other59
Power Train55
Service Brakes55

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 8 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V273000Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And ConnectionsReported 06/05/2016

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… 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…

16V047000Air Bags:FrontalReported 29/01/2016

FCA US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured December 31, 2007, to August 31, 2008, 2008-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 52 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1062412025-07-28Electrical SystemLAMP - DOME
1049742025-06-12Electrical SystemLAMP - DOME
1037742025-05-01Electrical SystemLAMP - DOME
1039542025-04-02Unknown Or OtherACTUATOR - A/C AND HEATER
1040872025-04-02Unknown Or OtherACTUATOR - A/C AND HEATER

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Journey. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 Journey 3.5L V6 take?

5.5 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 API MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-6395, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 Journey have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.5L V6 get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.