VehicleVerdict

2015 Dodge Journey problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2015 Dodge Journey carries two red flags at once: 864 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 2.1× the Journey norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Vehicle entrapment). It is one of the Journey years to avoid. Complainants reported 70 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (170), engine (138), and brakes (106), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

864

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

3

Investigations · 1 open

50

Crash-involved

15

Fires reported

70

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2015 compare to other Journey years?

Journey NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted2,091 complaints2007: 7 complaints2008: 12 complaints2009: 2,091 complaints2010: 1,480 complaints2011: 253 complaints2012: 621 complaints2013: 507 complaints2014: 643 complaints2015: 864 complaints2016: 609 complaints2017: 315 complaints2018: 333 complaints2019: 126 complaints2020: 86 complaints
Journey NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Journey years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Dodge Journey problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System17020%
Engine13816%
Brakes10612%
Seats8910%
Other789%
Transmission779%
Airbags688%
Steering395%
Speed Control324%
Fuel System192%
Body & Structure101%
Tires & Wheels91%
Visibility & Wipers61%
Driver Assistance61%
Seat Belts61%
Suspension61%
Lighting51%

Does the 2015 Dodge Journey have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V332000Electrical SystemMay 17, 2018 · 4,815,661 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Consequence

If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

17V432000AirbagsJuly 7, 2017 · 363,480 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may unexpectedly deploy if the air bag wiring harness gets chafed within the steering wheel and short circuits.

Consequence

Unexpected deployment of the driver's frontal air bag increases the risk of a crash or driver injury.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag wiring within the steering wheel, replacing it if necessary. A protective cover will also be installed. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T47.

16V273000SteeringMay 6, 2016 · 8,569 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

15V675000Electrical SystemOctober 19, 2015 · 275,187 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured April 21, 2012, to April 14, 2015. In the affected vehicles, water may enter the wiring harness for the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module and leak into the module, disabling the ABS and/or the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system.

Consequence

If the ABS or ESC is disabled, a loss of vehicle stability could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will seal the ABS wiring harness to prevent water from entering and will replace the ABS module and repair the headlamp and dash wiring harness, as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R61.

15V431000EngineJuly 7, 2015 · 145,379 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 19, 2010, to May 26, 2015 and equipped with 2.4L engines. In the affected vehicles, the engine cover may detach from the engine and contact the exhaust manifold.

Consequence

If the displaced engine cover contacts the exhaust manifold, there would be an increased risk of a vehicle fire.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install an improved mounting system for the engine cover, free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R32.

14V711000OtherNovember 7, 2014 · 667 units

Defect

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured October 25, 2013, to August 22, 2014. The affected vehicles may be equipped with tire placard labels which contain inaccurate seating capacity and occupant/cargo combined weight information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

Consequence

With inaccurate information on the tire placard, the operator may overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a correct tire placard label, free of charge. The recall began April 8, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P70.

Open NHTSA investigations

EA24003

Vehicle entrapment

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-008 on May 1, 2023 to investigate an incident involving a 2009 Dodge Journey alleging occupant entrapment during a vehicle fire that resulted in a fatality. During the investigation, ODI collected information from the manufacturer and involved parties to confirm or refute the defect allegation. ODI has determined that additional reports of vehicle entrapment exist for other model year Dodge Journey vehicles. ODI continues to explore the cause of the thermal event and its potential effect on the actuation of the door locks. ODI also continues to explore other potential causes for door lock malfunction. ODI has determined that an upgrade to an Engineering Analysis (EA) is necessary to continue the review of the investigative material and to assess the risk to motor vehicle safety . To review the ODI report cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT BY A DRUNK DRIVER WHO WAS GOING 30-40MPH AND MY CAR IS VERY DAMAGED. MY MAIN CONCERN WAS MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND SLAMMED INTO THE STEERWHEEL AND HIT THE TRUCK IN FROM OF ME AND STILL NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 29, 2018 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 28, 2015 · fire

3 SEPARATE INCIDENTS, ALL INVOLVING BRAKING WHILE IN MOTION, SPREAD OVER ABOUT 2 MONTHS. 1., TOOK TOO LONG TO COME TO A STOP WHILE BRAKING AT A RED LIGHT (6 CAR LENGTHS); 2., LIGHT TAP CAUSED CAR TO SCREECH TO A STOP; 3. COMPLETE FAILURE; NO RESPONSE TO REPEATED PUMPING; NO RESISTANCE FELT WHEN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 17, 2016 · crash

I WAS REAR-ENDED AFTER COMING TO A STOP ON A HIGHWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. UPON IMPACT, MY BODY LUNGED FORWARD AND THE BACKWARDS LANDING ON THE SEAT, CAUSING IT TO RECLINE ALMOST ONTO THE 2ND ROW SEAT. WHEN MY BODY WENT BACKWARD, IT CAUSED ME TO UNHAND THE STEERING WHEEL. IT IS UNKNOWN WHAT MAY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · February 20, 2017 · crash

I AM NOT SURE IF THIS WARRANTS A COMPLAINT BUT WHEN I WREAKED MY VEHICLE MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH ON A MAIN ROAD IT WAS NIGHT TIME AND HAD STARTED TO RAIN AND I HIT A COW THAT WAS STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THERE WAS ABOUT $8000 DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 10, 2017 · crash · fire

2015 Dodge Journey — common questions

Is the 2015 Dodge Journey reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 864 complaints put the 2015 model at #3 of 14 Journey years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Journey years to avoid.

What are the most common 2015 Journey problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (170 complaints), engine (138 complaints), brakes (106 complaints).

Does the 2015 Dodge Journey have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Dodge Journey. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2015 Dodge Journey under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Vehicle entrapment). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Dodge Journey years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Journey years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2016, 2013, 2018, 2017, 2011, 2019, 2020. The cleanest record among Journey years belongs to 2007.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.