Where Is the Dodge Journey Battery?

On the North American 2009–2020 Dodge Journey, the 12-volt battery is behind the left front fender, accessible through the left front wheel well. Left means the vehicle’s left as you sit inside facing forward—the driver’s side on a left-hand-drive Journey. The 2009 owner’s manual and 2020 owner’s manual describe this location.

More precisely, it sits between the left headlight assembly and the wheel-well splash shield—not in an exposed battery tray under the hood. If you only need to jump-start the vehicle, leave the wheel-well panel alone: Dodge provides remote positive and negative posts under the hood. See the 2018 manual, page 289.

How to find and access the battery

To reach the compartment:

1. Park on a firm, level surface. Turn the steering wheel fully to the right to create clearance at the left front wheel well.
2. Select Park, apply the parking brake, and switch the ignition off before working.
3. Look inside the left front wheel well for the battery access panel in the inner fender shield.
4. Remove that panel to reach the battery compartment.

Dodge specifically says the wheel and tire assembly do not need to be removed to access the compartment. The right-turn and panel-removal instructions appear in the Maintenance-Free Battery sections of both the 2009 manual, page 431 and 2018 manual, page 308, and are repeated in the 2020 manual.

Stop here if you were only locating the battery. Opening the compartment is not the complete replacement procedure. Avoid forcing the panel or pulling on battery cables to gain space.

Does replacement require removing the wheel?

Distinguish accessing the compartment from removing the battery. While Dodge describes access with the wheel installed, Haynes’ replacement overview for 2011–2020 Journeys describes wheel and panel removal for the job.

Allow for wheel removal when planning a replacement, and use the service procedure for your exact year. If lifting is necessary, use the specified lifting points and suitable support equipment. Do not use the vehicle’s emergency tire-changing jack for battery service: Dodge says it is for tire changes only, not service work, and warns against putting any part of your body beneath a vehicle supported by a jack. See the 2018 manual, page 278. If you cannot support the vehicle safely, arrange professional replacement.

Where are the jump-start terminals?

Open the hood and look on the left side of the engine compartment for the remote battery posts:

• Positive (+): beneath a protective cap.
• Negative (−): the designated remote negative/ground post shown in the manual’s jump-start diagram.

These are cable-connected access points, not a second battery. The 2018 owner’s manual, pages 289–291 identifies both and specifies that the final negative jumper connection goes to the Journey’s remote negative post, not directly to the hidden battery’s negative terminal or an arbitrary metal part.

Follow your model-year manual’s complete connection and disconnection sequence. Use a 12-volt booster source, never jump-start a frozen battery, and keep sparks and flames away. Dodge also recommends inspecting the battery and charging system if frequent jump-starts are needed.

Before arranging replacement

Tell the installer that the battery is behind the left front wheel-well access panel. Ask whether the quote includes access labor, terminal cleaning, hold-down and panel reassembly, replacement of damaged panel fasteners, and battery/charging-system testing.

Before buying a battery yourself, confirm fitment by year, engine and VIN—including case size, terminal orientation, required ratings and hold-down compatibility. Finding the compartment does not establish which replacement battery fits.