2010 dodge journey heat not working

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Dodge Journey heater not working – causes and diagnosis

The heater in Dodge Journey ensures comfortable temperature in the passenger compartment when the weather is chilly. There are many reasons for poor heating performance in Journey, which are explained in this article.

The heater may stop working in Dodge Journey due to low coolant level or air in the cooling system, clogged heater core, bad thermostat, faulty blend door actuator, bad water pump, dirty cabin air filter, bad blower motor, or HVAC control unit malfunction.

1. Low coolant or air in the cooling system

Low coolant level or air in the cooling system can cause the heater to stop working properly in Journey. If the cooling system is not full and bled properly, the water pump will not be able to push the coolant around the system efficiently.

The heating system in Journey uses hot coolant or antifreeze from the engine block to heat the interior of the vehicle. The hot coolant is pumped through the heater core located behind the dashboard. When you turn on the heating, air gets blown through the heater core, warming the air in the cabin. If there is air trapped inside the heater core, the coolant will not be able to flow through it properly. Since the heater core is usually slightly higher, the air will accumulate in there first. By filling and properly bleeding the system the heat should come back.

Sloshing water sound

Low coolant level or air in the heater core can sometimes cause sloshing sound from behind the dashboard when the engine is running. The sound is most prominent right after you start the vehicle.

Check coolant level

Checking coolant level in Journey is a fairly some job. You just have to locate the coolant overflow reservoir and inspect the level of coolant in it. If the coolant level is low, open the cap and pour some coolant into the tank until it is between minimum and maximum mark.

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2. Clogged heater core

Clogged heater core is one of the leading causes of heating not working in Dodge Journey. The design of the heater core is similar to the radiator, it has narrow internal channels through which hot coolant flows. Over time, the heater core can begin to rust or mineral deposits can form in these channels, blocking the flow of the coolant.

How to check if the heater core is clogged

You don’t have to remove the heater core in your Journey to check if it is clogged. Locate two rubber hoses that connect to the heater core through the firewall area. Feel both the rubber lines going in and out of the heater core after the engine has warmed up. Both should be hot. If one is hot and the other is cold, you have a plugged heater core.

Flush the heater core

Before you consider replacing the heater core in your Journey, it is recommended to flush the existing heater core. Flushing is done by pushing water through the outlet hose of the heater core and draining the gunk from the inlet hose. There are flush kits available in the market that can help you do the job yourself.

3. Bad thermostat

Thermostat is a part of the cooling system in Dodge Journey which ensures that the engine reaches its optimal operating temperature as quickly as possible and maintain it under all operating conditions.

Thermostat is stuck open

When you start your Journey when the engine is cold, the thermostat cuts off flow of coolant through the radiator in order to quickly reach the optimal engine operating temperature. But if the thermostat has developed a defect and is stuck to open position, the coolant will continuously flow through the radiator and the engine may take a long time to reach its optimal operating temperature.

Heater takes a long time to blow hot air

Since the heating system in Journey relies on the hot coolant from the engine to heat the interior, the heater will blow cold air until the engine reaches its normal operating temperature. But if the weather is too cold, the engine may never reach its optimal operating temperature with a stuck open thermostat. Your vehicle may also consume more fuel than normal.

5. Bad water pump

The water pump is the heart of the cooling system in Journey responsible for pumping coolant throughout the system and cooling the engine. If the water pump has worn out and the coolant is not being circulated as effectively as it used to, it can cause the heater to stop working properly because there’s less coolant available to transfer heat between the engine and the heater core.

Water pumps usually last for more than 100,000 miles, but they can fail at any time. A bad water pump will not only cause poor heating, but can also result in engine damage due to overheating. Therefore it is important to diagnose a failing water pump at early stages to avoid expensive repairs later on.

6. Faulty blend door actuator

Blend door actuator plays a role in controlling the temperature inside your Journey. If the blend door actuator fails to fully open the blend door towards the heater core, it will result in poor heating performance.

The most common symptom of a faulty blend door actuator in Dodge Journey is a slight clicking sound (or other unusual noise) repeatedly coming from under the dashboard. The sound will be most prominent for a few seconds when you turn on the air conditioning or adjust the temperature.

Symptom: knocking sound

A knocking noise from behind the dashboard could be an indicator of a bad blend door actuator in your Journey. The sound is something like a light tapping on the door and it typically happens when you turn on/off the air conditioning system or start the engine.

Symptom: creaking sound

One side hot, other side cold.

A common symptom of a faulty blend door actuator in vehicles with dual zone climate control system is one side blowing hot air while the other side is blowing cold air.

Replace the faulty part

A bad blend door actuator usually cannot be repaired and must be replaced with a new one. Due to the complexity of the replacement job, it is not recommended as a DIY project. The blend door actuator may require recalibration after replacement.

7. Dirty cabin air filter

Dirty cabin air filter is the leading cause of weak heater airflow in Dodge Journey. The pollen filter, also known as the cabin air filter or microfilter, is responsible for filtering the air that the passengers breathe in the cabin. A dirty filter causes the overall ventilation of the interior to deteriorate resulting in reduced heating and airflow.

There is no fixed time for replacing the cabin air filter, but most manufacturers recommend a change after 10,000-20,000 miles. If you drive your vehicle in dusty or polluted environment, the filter can get dirty much sooner than manufacturer’s recommendation. Additionally, if you drive your Journey with AC system set to fresh outside air most of the time, your cabin air filter will get dirty much sooner as compared to air recirculation mode.

Replace the filter at the start of every winter for optimal performance

It is generally recommended to replace the cabin air filter every year at the start of the winter season. Spring and summer seasons are hard on the cabin air filter because of pollen and bugs, and in the fall they can get clogged with leaf debris. This gives you a fresh start for the winter, improves defroster performance, and reduces chances of mold or mildew growth.

Can you clean a dirty cabin air filter?

Instead of changing the cabin air filter in Journey, it is often recommended to first clean the filter. This can be done, for example, with a vacuum cleaner or a compressed air system, removing at least a large part of the visible dirt particles. Unfortunately, this procedure does not allow you to get into the deeper layers of the filter. Therefore, the filter performance will not increase significantly even after cleaning. As a rule, there is no avoiding a change if the filter is dirty.

8. Sluggish blower motor

If the blower motor in your Journey is not spinning fast enough either due to an internal defect or due to a fault in the resistor/control module, the airflow from the AC vents will be weaker and the heating performance will be degraded.

When a blower motor goes bad, it usually makes unusual noises when in operation, and the passengers may feel reduced airflow from the air vents. Keep in mind that reduced airflow doesn’t always indicate a problem with the blower motor, as it can also happen due to a clogged cabin air filter, dirty evaporator, or a bad mode door actuator. So, all of them must be inspected when diagnosing poor airflow.

9. Dead blower motor (no airflow)

If there is no air flow from the air vents in the dashboard when you turn on the heater in your Dodge Journey, it means the problem is related to the fan or blower motor function.

The most common causes for blower motor not working in Dodge Journey are blown fuse, bad relay, resistor or control module malfunction, and faulty blower motor. However, a bad electrical connector or broken wire, or a defect in the climate control unit can also cause the blower motor to stop working.

10. Dirty evaporator

Dirty evaporator can cause weak airflow and reduce the heating performance in Journey. Although, the evaporator coil is a component of the cooling function of the air-conditioning system, but the air always first passes through the evaporator and then flows over the heater core.

The cabin air filter captures most of the dirt or other airborne particles, but some particles escape and can get lodged on to the evaporator. Over time, these particles build up on the fins and block the air flow through the evaporator, causing reduced air flow in the cabin and poor heating or cooling.

Function of the evaporator in heating mode

When the heater is turned on and the AC turned off, the compressor does not turn on and the evaporator is not cooled. When you press the AC button in heating mode, the compressor turns on and the evaporator cools and dries the air before it enters the heater core. This mode is useful for clearing fog from the windows.

11. Faulty HVAC module

Climate control module is the brain of the air-conditioning system in your Dodge Journey, responsible for controlling all the components in the system. In rare cases, a fault in the climate control unit can cause the heater to stop functioning. This would require a scan tool to confirm correct operation.

12. Blown head gasket

The head gasket is responsible for providing the seal between the engine block and cylinder heads. Its purpose is to seal the combustion gases within the cylinders and to avoid coolant or engine oil leaking into the cylinders. Leaks in the head gasket can cause all sorts of problems in your Journey including poor heater performance. This is mostly common in older vehicles.

Leaking exhaust gases

A blown head gasket can cause the exhaust gases from the engine to enter the cooling system and plug the heater core. Clearing the air from the heater core will not help until the head gasket has been replaced.

Leaking coolant

A blown head gasket can cause coolant to leak into the combustion chambers and burn off. If your Journey is losing coolant, that means there is a leak somewhere or it is getting burned up inside the engine.

How to check if head gasket is leaking in Journey?

You don’t have to go to a workshop to check for a leaking head gasket in your Journey. There are test kits available in the market in which you just have to insert a tube filled with colored liquid in the radiator (in place of the radiator cap), and then start the engine. If the liquid changes color, then there is a leak in head gasket.

Switch on air recirculation mode

When the outside temperature drops too low, the heating performance may be reduced in Journey if the air conditioning system is set to outside air. To improve heating efficiency, it is recommended to switch on air recirculation mode. Don’t worry, there is no risk of suffocation, as the air recirculation mode still allows up to approximately 10 percent of the air coming from the air vents to be fresh air from the outside.

There are many reasons why the heater in your Dodge Journey is not working properly. When looking for the reason, you should start with the most obvious causes: low coolant level or air in the cooling system, and clogged heater core.

In any case, it is advisable for laypersons to visit a workshop. A professional mechanic can swiftly diagnose the heating issue for you.

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Dodge Journey

The Dodge Journey is a mid-size crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by FCA's Dodge brand since model year 2009, with a mild facelift for 2011 model-year.

Kelly Nash @kellyzzz

Posted: Mar 5, 2019

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Not much heat coming out. Please help me

I need help please. Just purchased a 2010 Dodge Journey. Found out that cold air was coming out of the passenger side of car. We had it flushed out, new thermostat, and finally a new heater core. We still don’t have sufficient heat it is like semi warm both sides. What else can we check? Thanks for reading.

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mayer @mayer

Rep: 685.3k

MacHale Enterprises

The water pump system circulates coolant from the radiator, through the engine block, to a heater core, and then back to the radiator. ... A failing auxiliary water pump will not typically keep you from driving your vehicle, it can definitely affect your comfort in the winter and in severe cold conditions.

Try taking it to a major auto parts stores that does free computer read outs to help you diagnose it.

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Matt @kingspc

Kings PC Service

I’m not a mechanic so grain of salt this, but I have a 2013 Dodge Caravan that has climate control issues sometimes. Sometimes the vents will blow the opposite of what is selected on the climate control dial, i.e. hot air blowing out of the vents when its set to AC in the summer. Its some sort of an issue with the vacuum system and if you turn the blower off and back on a few times it usually clears itself up.

I don’t know if this will help you and its definitely not a permanent fix but its probably better than spending a bunch more money on a 10 year old car.

Tiffani Petty @tiffanipetty

Posted: Jun 10, 2019

There are two thermostats for this vehicle . Did you change both of them ? Also there is a sensor that sits right on top of the thermostat housing if you take that off you will see that it has a Copper leg that regulates the temp. Instead of buying a new one I just took a wire brushes to it and cleaned it up. I didn’t even know it was copper and until cleaned it. there is a small black O-ring that sits on the bottom of copper leg, i’d Replace that after cleaning it.

Drew Pinfold @drewpinfold

Posted: May 1, 2023

I had similar issue with my Heat/AC system.... No heat in cold days but cool air instead from front and rear vents. Turns out, i had a slow leak to my cooling system and was loosing coolant. Once topped up, all was fine and good strong heat was had. Check Coolant and make sure at a good level, as that has been the quickest resolve for my issues.

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Dodge Journey Heater Only Works While Driving: 5 Common Causes

If your Dodge Journey’s heat only works when driving, there are five leading causes you should check.  They are low coolant, air pockets, a bad heater core, an airlocked cooling system, and a malfunctioning thermostat.

We’ll start with the easy-to-check common problems and work our way to the harder-to-deal-with rarer issues that could be affecting your vehicle.

A bad thermostat is the most common cause of a heater only working when driving.

1. Low Coolant Level

It’s easy to verify your Journey’s coolant level by checking the overflow container.

Always start with the easiest thing to check. Low coolant can cause your Dodge Journey’s heater not to work .

To check the coolant level, locate the engine coolant overflow canister.  It should look something like this ⬇️.

Low coolant makes an engine run hotter, but if the coolant is dangerously low, there won’t be enough to cycle through the heater core.

Adding Coolant

If the overflow is empty, add coolant when your vehicle’s cooling system is completely cold.  On most modern vehicles, you can keep filling the overflow without opening the radiator cap.

If you add room temperature coolant to hot coolant, it can cause the engine temperature to decrease fast enough that it can cause damage . 

2. Bad Thermostat (Stuck Open)

The temperature gauge will likely read cooler than usual. You may also get the check engine light with P0128 (engine temp low) .

A bad thermostat will keep coolant constantly cycling through your Journey’s engine, which keeps the coolant too cold to heat the vehicle under certain conditions.

When the thermostat is stuck open, your vehicle’s heater only works at certain speeds.

• Idle – You’ll likely only get cold or slightly warm air if your Journey has been running for a while.  With the thermostat stuck open, the vehicle will take forever to warm up.
• Stop and go driving – This is when your cooling system is working the hardest, and with the thermostat open, you’ll likely get warm or hot air from the heating system.  It’s still not going to be as hot as when the thermostat keeps the engine temperature regulated.
• Highway Cruising – Your heater will likely produce some heat, maybe some warm air. The heat coming from the vents will be cooler than stop-and-go driving.

How to Tell if a Thermostat is Stuck Open

You can determine whether or not a thermostat is stuck open with an OBD II scanner.  Here’s how:

• Determine at what temperature your Dodge Journey’s thermostat is supposed to open.  You’ll need to look up your vehicle’s model year and engine type.  
• Hook up the OBD II scanner and drive around until the engine has had sufficient time to warm up.  The scanner will give you the exact temperature from the engine temperature sensor.
• If the observed temperature of the vehicle is below the thermostat’s temp rating, it is stuck open and needs to be replaced.

3. Airlocked Cooling System

You may hear the air bubbles when revving your Journey’s engine.

Airlocking occurs when air pockets block the coolant system and cannot circulate properly, causing the Dodge Journey’s engine to overheat. 

Air pockets usually occur after filling the vehicle with coolant or after a flush was done improperly.  A bad radiator cap can also cause air locking.

No matter the cause, air may have kept coolant from passing through your Journey’s heater core.

To diagnose this issue, use a pressure tester to check the cooling system. A decrease in pressure would indicate an air bubble present, which needs to be addressed.

4. Clogged Heater Core

A blocked heater core is RPM-dependent and not vehicle speed dependent.

A heater core is a small radiator-like device located in your Journey’s dashboard. They have looked the same for decades.

Its role is to heat the car’s interior through thermal convection, where heat is pulled from the coolant through its fins and used to warm up your Journey.

The coolant then goes back into the engine to be reheated, creating a continuous cycle of warm air being pushed into the passenger compartment.

How to Tell if a Heater Core is Clogged

A clogged heater core is not vehicle speed dependent, it’s RPM dependent.

With your Journey not moving and warmed up, rev the engine up a few thousand RPM and hold it there. If the cabin starts to warm up, you likely have a bad heater core.

You could also have a bad water pump, but the vehicle should be running hot sometimes if that’s the case.

5. Bad Blower Motor

A failed blower motor won’t change speed when you adjust it manually.

If the blower motor is not working, you may only feel heat when your Dodge Journey is moving.  When the system is not on recirculate, it lets outside air roll over the heater core, letting heat into the cabin.  The catch is the vehicle needs to be moving.

How to Tell if a Blower Motor is Bad

Try manually turning the blower motor on high.  If you don’t feel the fan speed increase, it’s likely the blower motor has failed.

• Crash Tests 2
• Journey Recalls 3
• Defect Invest. 2

2010 Dodge Journey

Heater not working properly, most common solutions:.

• not sure (4 reports)
• replace heater core/flush system (3 reports)
• replace heater hose with metallic connector unit (1 reports)

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Nov 20 2020

Journey SXT 3.5L

• Automatic transmission
• 125,000 miles

The heater hose on my 2010 Dodge Journey failed without warning and left me stranded on the side of the road. I had it towed to a Dodge dealership and they charged me $800 to put on a new heater hose. Do not buy this car.

- Scott J. , Lebanon, TN, US

Jan 01 2018

Journey SXT 3.5L V6

• 95,000 miles

As many others have reported issues with heat being on drivers side and cold on passenger side I would like to add that I had fixed my journey only to have the same problem a month later after changing heater core which I thought had the problem fixed but not. So after further research I attempted to flush out the old heater core only to find metal filings and other debris plugging it half way. My suggestion would be to disconnect heater core, connect the two hoses by the firewall and flush your entire coolant system entirely before reconnecting a new heater core, otherwise you will continuously have same problem with plugging heater core with metal filings and debris. I am furious that this problem exists and I found metal filings in the system which makes me wonder where they are coming from internally in the motor and what other problem is going to come up. Thanks Dodge another well made piece of junk.

- kgowin , Wyalusing, US

Feb 15 2016

Journey SXT 2.4L

• 105,000 miles

i bought my dodge journey 2010 used back in feb 2016. from day i purchased it the heat had problems. Passenger side was always ice cold. The dealer worked on it 3 times, heater core, flushed, radiator, thermostat. Still didn't work. So i didn't really worry about it because by time i got it back from garage it was summer. Well i just picked it back up from garage and another 650 bill still isn't working.

- Jessica P. , Bidwell, OH, US

Oct 15 2015

• 101,594 miles

The heater has white sludge in it 3 times. The 4th time you need to replace everything. First time cost $1,254, now the cost is $2,399 and 4 weeks to do. Chrysler said this would fix the problem (wrong). Now it has stopped working, no heat on passenger side again. Dealer tells me it maybe the engine and you will need a new one and this SHOULD fix your problem?????

- ahamm , Dartmouth, NS, Canada

Sep 27 2016

Journey 3.5L

• 60,000 miles

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I did replaced the heater core of the dodge journey 2010. The original problem was a lot of heat on driver side but less heat on passenger side. Everything else was working properly, blend heat door ok. Decided to take the dash apart to remove the heater core and cut the heater core to see the inside of it. Took pictures to show you where the problem was. I know its a big job but when you want to fix the problem you have to do it.

- jacqueslacombe , Ste-madeleine, QC, Canada

Jan 20 2016

• 138,000 miles

I have a 2010 Dodge Journey with multiple cabin heater problems. No heat on passenger side, and a smell of antifreeze. The mechanic found the heater core was bad and replaced it at a cost of $930.00. The dashboard had to be removed to access the heater core. Then two months later the same problem occurred, no heat on the passenger side. My mechanic did some research in which he called Dodge and found out that they have a problem with heater cores and radiators plugging on Dodge Journeys. So he flushed the entire cooling-heater system. He noted a bunch of stuff flushed out. It is working for now. If this doesn’t give me a permanent fix then the radiator will have to be replaced. You got love those Dodges.

- Bruce N. , Union Grove, WI, US

Dec 01 2015

I have had LOTS of PROBLEMS with this truck, but my recent problem is the heater on the passenger side and in the back of the truck is blowing out COLD AIR. But the driver side is blowing out hot air. I have PAID out so much MONEY on this truck, i could have bought me another car or truck. I'm taking it to the dealership in the morning and I hate to see how much it's gonna cost me to get it fixed.

- kimmdavia2 , Memphis, TN, US

Sep 19 2014

Journey SXT V6

• 75,000 miles

I have no heat in the passenger side of my car, or in the rear. I am saying there is nothing.... not on the feet, face, or even defrost.

- Jones L. , Bardstown, KY, US

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Heating Passenger Side not working

By Germax November 28, 2012 in Interior

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Well, in July 2011 i had two cans of coke in the storage bin. They both exploded during the summer heat, and during winter time i noticed that the heater on the passenger side was not working perfect. Was the coke evaporated and closed one valve?

Two weeks ago i decided to have it checked. With the Scan tool we found no issues with the valves, they all worked. Only option was to take out the heater unit...........this is not easy, some of the studs are in the engine bay, and the whole interior to be removed (dashboard, steering wheel, middle console, etc.).

After this was done the heater unit was inspected, everything mechanical and electrical worked properly, no signs of coke. They discovered that the heater element was clogged up.

The car, 2010 with 60.000 miles, was out of warranty. After consulting on a daily basis with the shop, one phone call to Dodge we agreed to split the costs, bottom line still $ 700.00 but much better then $ 1400.00, which i might had to pay if i took the car to a normal garage.

It took 14 days to get the car fixed, parts and the holidays in between. Yes, a long time, but also good to know that we as a family are able to do our duties with one car as well.

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Well, in July 2011 i had two cans of coke in the storage bin. They both exploded during the summer heat, and during winter time i noticed that the heater on the passenger side was not working perfect. Was the coke evaporated and closed one valve? Two weeks ago i decided to have it checked. With the Scan tool we found no issues with the valves, they all worked. Only option was to take out the heater unit...........this is not easy, some of the studs are in the engine bay, and the whole interior to be removed (dashboard, steering wheel, middle console, etc.). After this was done the heater unit was inspected, everything mechanical and electrical worked properly, no signs of coke. They discovered that the heater element was clogged up. The car, 2010 with 60.000 miles, was out of warranty. After consulting on a daily basis with the shop, one phone call to Dodge we agreed to split the costs, bottom line still $ 700.00 but much better then $ 1400.00, which i might had to pay if i took the car to a normal garage. It took 14 days to get the car fixed, parts and the holidays in between. Yes, a long time, but also good to know that we as a family are able to do our duties with one car as well.

Glad the issue has been resolved. I would suggest that people do contact Dodge if they have a vehicle just out of warranty that needs a repair to find out if any part or all of the repair can be picked up by the factory.

• 5 years later...

Let me tell you my experience.

I had a similar problem. My Dodge Journey would blow hot air on the driver side and lukewarm air on the passenger side. It then would have issues changing the air-flow from your feet, to your face, to the window, etc. After investigating the issue for about a month I have come to the realization that the computer in the Dodge Journey's is actually pretty clever if not SMART. You see, whenever there is a problem, anywhere in the vehicle with any component, the Dodge Journey will start giving you issues with things you will notice right away. When this happens, there is a fault/problem somewhere in your car. It doesn't mean that the problem your facing is the actual problem, it just means you have a problem and you need to look deeper as to the root cause. In my situation, it started to happen as the weather got cold. At first, I thought I had to replace the entire wiring harness as whenever I touched wires, the blending doors started to work. Which made no sense BTW. It drove me and the mechanic/repair shop crazy. We couldn't make any sense of it. A few weeks went by and we started to test the blending doors. We soon discovered that the blending acuator on the passenger side that regulates the heat/cold temperature was malfunctioning. Depending on how cold the weather got, the actuator would actually not turn. This would cause the computer to throw alerts and refuse to change the climate temperature on the passenger side. At the same time, it would not allow you to change the air flow from feet, face, to window and it would constantly default to the window air flow. The minute we replaced the blending door actuator, all the problems have gone away. I should also mention that when we hooked up a scanner to it, there were two faults that were totally unrelated to the blending door actuator which stated an open circuit. So, when your Dodge Journey is having problems and you can't explain them, look further. Take the time to investigate because the car is simply telling you that something is wrong. It is your job to diagnose the problem. 

A few years ago, I had a fuse blow on me on the air bag system. I would constantly get an air bag light turn on in the vehicle. Took me a while to figure it out. The way the car was telling me that there is a problem is whenever I tried to put fuel in it, the pump would cut out. Once the fuse was replaced, I was able to pump gas no problems.

• OhareFred and blondie42550

3 minutes ago, journey13 said: Let me tell you my experience.   I had a similar problem. My Dodge Journey would blow hot air on the driver side and lukewarm air on the passenger side. It then would have issues changing the air-flow from your feet, to your face, to the window, etc. After investigating the issue for about a month I have come to the realization that the computer in the Dodge Journey's is actually pretty clever if not SMART. You see, whenever there is a problem, anywhere in the vehicle with any component, the Dodge Journey will start giving you issues with things you will notice right away. When this happens, there is a fault/problem somewhere in your car. It doesn't mean that the problem your facing is the actual problem, it just means you have a problem and you need to look deeper as to the root cause. In my situation, it started to happen as the weather got cold. At first, I thought I had to replace the entire wiring harness as whenever I touched wires, the blending doors started to work. Which made no sense BTW. It drove me and the mechanic/repair shop crazy. We couldn't make any sense of it. A few weeks went by and we started to test the blending doors. We soon discovered that the blending acuator on the passenger side that regulates the heat/cold temperature was malfunctioning. Depending on how cold the weather got, the actuator would actually not turn. This would cause the computer to throw alerts and refuse to change the climate temperature on the passenger side. At the same time, it would not allow you to change the air flow from feet, face, to window and it would constantly default to the window air flow. The minute we replaced the blending door actuator , all the problems have gone away. I should also mention that when we hooked up a scanner to it, there were two faults that were totally unrelated to the blending door actuator which stated an open circuit. So, when your Dodge Journey is having problems and you can't explain them, look further. Take the time to investigate because the car is simply telling you that something is wrong. It is your job to diagnose the problem.    A few years ago, I had a fuse blow on me on the air bag system. I would constantly get an air bag light turn on in the vehicle. Took me a while to figure it out. The way the car was telling me that there is a problem is whenever I tried to put fuel in it, the pump would cut out. Once the fuse was replaced, I was able to pump gas no problems.

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Common Dodge Journey Problems: 1st Generation (2009 to 2020)

Common 1st gen Dodge Journey problems include no heat and issues with the throttle body. Learn the common problems on the 1st generation of the Dodge Journey, years 2009 to 2020, and their symptoms, causes, and fixes.

Top 5 Issues with the 1st Gen Dodge Journey (2009 to 2020)

1. heater core problems, symptoms of heater core problems.

• No heat when the heat is turned on
• Heat temperature is lower than normal

Causes of a Bad Heater Core

The heater core can clog on the 1st gen Journey from sediment in the coolant.

How to Fix a Bad Heater Core

As a temporary fix you can flush out the heater core by disconnecting the coolant hoses that lead into the firewall and connect to the heater core.

Replacing the heater core includes removing the dash, the steering wheel, and electronics like the radio. The A/C evaporative core is also part of the heater box, so the A/C system will need to be recovered and recharged.

2. Throttle Body Problems

Symptoms of throttle body problems on the 2009 to 2020 dodge journey.

• High RPMs at idle
• Rough running engine at idle
• Check engine light for code P2112 or P2110

How to Fix Throttle Body Problems

Cleaning the throttle body will not fix these problems on the 2009 to 2020 Dodge Journey. The problem is an issue with the internal sensors and motor, so the throttle body will need to be replaced.

3. Key Fob Failure

Symptoms of a bad key fob.

• Vehicle won’t start
• Door locks don’t work

How to Fix a Key Fob

If there is another remote, see if it works. If it doesn’t, replacing the key fob battery usually fixes this issue.

4. Thermostat Failure

Symptoms of a bad thermostat.

• Check engine light for code P0652

How to Fix a Bad Thermostat

To replace the thermostat, the thermostat needs to be replaced with the housing as one piece. Since a bad heater core can also cause the symptom of no heat, if the temperature gauge is not in its usual position, the thermostat likely has an issue.

5. Wiper Relay

Symptoms of wiper problems.

• Wiper speeds not working
• Windshield wipers not working

Causes of Windshield Wiper Problems

Windshield wiper problems on the 1st gen Dodge Journey tend to stem from issues with the wiper relay. If the wipers won’t turn on, it could be the motor relay, and if the wipers have issues with the settings, it could be the wiper speed relay.

How to Fix Wiper Problems

Remove the fuse box cover from the fuses in the engine bay.

Since the relays are the same part number, they could be swapped, so if the wipers are not turning on, try swapping them to see if it’s causing the issue.

If there is an issue with the wipers’ speed, the wiper speed relay will need to be swapped with a new relay to test it.

1st Generation Dodge Journey Model Years

• 2009 Dodge Journey
• 2010 Dodge Journey
• 2011 Dodge Journey
• 2012 Dodge Journey
• 2013 Dodge Journey
• 2014 Dodge Journey
• 2015 Dodge Journey
• 2016 Dodge Journey
• 2017 Dodge Journey
• 2018 Dodge Journey
• 2019 Dodge Journey
• 2020 Dodge Journey

Related Content

• Car Heater Not Working?
• Is Your Car Heater Not Blowing Air?
• How to Tell if a Relay is Bad in a Car, Truck, or SUV

Shop 1st Gen Dodge Journey Parts

• Engine & Engine Management
• Heating & Cooling

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AC / Heater Problems

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2010 Dodge Journey

• « 2010 Journey Overview
• Complaints 1K
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• Journey Recalls 3
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2010 Dodge Journey AC / Heater Problems

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• Heater Not Working Properly 8
• A/C Does Not Blow Cold Air 4
• A/C/Heater Not Working Properly 3
• A/C And Heat Don't Work In Back Of Vehicle 1
• Fan Speed Switch Damaged 1
• Hissing Noise From Vents 1
• Smell Hot Wires Burning & Makes Rough Sounding Noise 1
• Smoke From Air Vents 1

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Heated seat not working - Passenger side

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My passenger seat heater will not stay on. I push the button and the two lights come on. They DO NOT blink. They just turn on and then a second or so later they turn off and the seat does not get warm. Any suggestions on what the problem is and what it could cost to have a heated butt? Thanks.  

hogfish823, I'm sorry to hear about your heated seat concern. The heated seat system includes 3 major components for operation: a heated seat switch, heated seat elements and the heated seat control module. Pinpointing the root cause would require further investigation. Were there any fault codes set?  

First step: Did you check the fuse? I have had a seat warmer fuse go bad in a Volkswagen twice I think.  

I just had this happen on my Jeep. It needed a new element.  

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