What 548 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Dodge Journey

[XXX]: Driving down a city street, had not braked or slowed down when I heard a loud bang behind me and something hit me in the back of the head. My son was in the car with me and said the headrest had exploded. I had nausea and a headache for a couple of days, which indicates a slight concussion. Saw my doctor the next day and he said to let him know if it got worse, which it didn't. Took the car to my dealership where I purchased the car, Bill Luke Dodge, Phoenix, AZ and they said the headrests were added to my cars warranty, but since my warranty had expired a little over a year ago it wasn't able to be replaced free of charge. I also need to get the passenger headrest replaced before it injures a passenger. It's almost $800 to replace each headrest. I had multiple items fixed under my warranty just before it expired and feel the headrests should have been replaced also. I would have requested they be replaced if I had been notified there was a problem with them. I was driving down a mountain with sharp curves approximately 2 hours before this occurred. If I had still been in the mountains there's no doubt I would have had an accident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11744875

The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an abnormal whining sound was heard coming from under the vehicle, and the Tachometer would abnormally rise while depressing the accelerator pedal. An unknown warning light illuminated. In addition, a local independent tow mechanic arrived on scene, and while attempting to shift the vehicle in Reverse, the vehicle moved forward. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it remains, and was diagnosed as needing a transmission replacement. The vehicle was not repaired due to the costs. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 16V461000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

NHTSA ODI 11740860

CAN-BUS PCM system

NHTSA ODI 11740253

Im getting the same code (c2200) that has been recalled on other cars with my same year make and model of vehicle but yet my vehicle is not recalled and I have to pay out of pocket after spending thousands to keep this pos going already im done putting money into this peice of junk if this is how you treat your customers they should all be recalled because they all have the same issue not just the ones you pick and choose this is ridiculous if I didnt still owe so much on it I would have already traded it in for something not dodge related im done getting dodges after this they are all junk

NHTSA ODI 11723387

The contact owned a 2015 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the interior of the vehicle was filled with smoke. No warning lights were illuminated before the failure. The vehicle was driven to the rear of a local gas station. The contact noticed the fire coming from the rear passenger side area of the vehicle. The contact and staff at the station began to extinguish the fire with fire extinguishers. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. A Fire report was filed. In addition, the fire inspector informed the contact that the fire was an electrical fire. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ODI 11720452

My car is junk. I have actually put tens of thousands of dollars into this car to keep it on the road. I would get rid of it but I owe more than it’s worth. This is insane. I cannot believe that none of the recalls come up on my vin because I’ve had to pay for so many repairs that are on recall lists for this car. Help me

NHTSA ODI 11720303

Power steering return line ruptured in cold weather causing loss of steering.

NHTSA ODI 11711599

1.) Air bags failed to deploy going 35mph during a car accident. Yes, this is available for inspection. 2.) Given the lack of air bag deployment, all of the passengers are suffering from injuries that would have been less severe. 3.) The vehicle is in a safe location until I am able to find direction for assessment of the air bags. 4.) This vehicle has not been inspected yet except photos. This has been reported to the police. 5.) No warnings. The air bags did not deploy during a car accident.

NHTSA ODI 11710139

The airbag and seatbelt restraint systems are non-functional. The airbag warning light and seatbelt warning light are illuminated. The vehicle was sold to me by a licensed dealership, and after purchase I discovered evidence of prior crash damage that was not disclosed. Due to the disabled airbag and seatbelt systems, occupants would not be properly restrained or protected in the event of a collision, creating a serious risk of injury or death. The vehicle was purchased used, and I was not involved in the prior crash nor told about it. The exact details of the prior crash are unknown. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The issue has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives.

NHTSA ODI 11705291

My abs, traction control light, and brake light are on on the dash. When I tried to use cruise control the other day it wouldn't turn off. Now it's not working at all and the brakes locked up in the rain the other day and as soon as it dried up outside the issue went away. But now the brake module under the hood seems to be leaking and my oil cooler on top of the engine.

NHTSA ODI 11705059

I was driving down the freeway and my transmission started slipping and eventually lost power, had to pull over on a 80mph freeway with my 4 kids in the car after turning on my hazard lights and wait for my husband to come get us (1 hour, due to how remote We are) he was able to limp the car home, but we couldn't even get it off of the freeway because it did not have the power to get off on an off ramp... I can't even begin to explain how scary that was to have my kids in a car on the side of the freeway while semis shook the car passing us at 70+ mph.. this is a known issue but my car does not fall under the recall and it absolutely should! The transmission oil and filter has been flushed as well as tested to make sure the solenoids are in good working order.

NHTSA ODI 11699624

Driver side headrest deployment while parked without collision

NHTSA ODI 11688412

The contact's fiancée owns a 2015 Journey Dodge. The contact stated that while his fiancée was driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle was jerking. The driver pulled to the side of the road, called, and notified the contact of the failure. The contact advised the driver to continue driving slowly. The driver was able to slowly drive to the residence. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the transmission fluid was flushed and replaced, and a filter was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

NHTSA ODI 11688139

My daughter sat inside the passenger seat while the car was parked, and the passenger headrest deployed onto the back of her head.

NHTSA ODI 11687800

Valve rocker arms and lifters faulty due to inadequate manufacturing, and engine oil cooler/oil filter housing leaking engine oil due to poor quality materials used during manufacturing.

NHTSA ODI 11684349

P0868 low pressure. current Recall needs expanded years. 2014 manufactured date is effected as well. Many things already replaced leading back to faulty pump. Viscous coupler also malfunctions in these at low milage. Flex plate fractures.

NHTSA ODI 11680414

I was driving to work and after about 15 minutes of driving at around 45 miles an hour my car stopped accelerating when I pushed on the gas. Shortly after that my wheel locked and the power steering went out. Once I got myself on the side of the road the car would not turn off and I had trouble putting it in park. After a few minutes I was able to turn the car off and they called a tow truck to take me to a mechanic. The tow truck driver was able to restart the car and get the car in neutral to tow it to a mechanic.

NHTSA ODI 11679226

The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the passenger’s side headrest exploded without impact or warning. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the safety mechanism was erroneously tripped. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

NHTSA ODI 11670742

On Jun 26, 2025 I was driving down a residential street when I heard a loud bang - it sounded like something hit my car. I stopped, got out and looked all over the outside of my car but found nothing wrong. As I re-entered the drivers side of the car, I saw the passenger side headrest...it had exploded!!! I immediately called my brother who is an auto mechanic and he told me that the headrest is part of the airbag system. I did not know this. He said that some vehicles were recalled because of the headrests exploding for no reason. Although my car is a Dodge, it is not one currently under recall. I am afraid to drive the car for fear the drivers side headrest will also explode while I am driving, causing injury to me or my children in the backseat. The car is now parked until it can be repaired...and the cost is in excess of $1000 to replace both headrests!!!

NHTSA ODI 11670292

I was driving my [XXX] daughter was sitting in the passenger seat and out of the blue the head rest just popped and hit her in the back of the head The headrest cushion is dislodge from the plastic on the back part of the headrest INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11669996

My ABS, traction control and Emergency brake dash lights are on. When I researched the problem it did show a recall on the ABS control module and wiring harness from certain 2015 Dodge Journeys. I did take my car to a dodge dealership and they did confirm the ABS module needs to be replaced but they told me my particular VIN wasn't included in the current recall. If my car model from the same year has an active recall for the part included in the recall and it is being effective by the same problem listed in the recall how do I get my car included in that recall. I am currently still waiting for the new part to come in with the dealership to have it replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11669096

Since purchasing this vehicle we have had catalytic converter issues that have persisted even after having the dealer "fix" the issue.we have also had ABS/Traction control module issues.this is the 2nd identical vehicle owned with the exact same problems.

NHTSA ODI 11664915

Was driving down freeway when steering wheel got tight and all the lights on dash started to flash and then the car shut off and wouldn't start, had to have it towed to dealership.

NHTSA ODI 11664463

We were driving down the interstate and my vehicle caught fire, there were no warnings on the dash and the vehicle was driving fine. Luckily someone pulled us over to let us know that something was getting on their windshield... Some kind of fluid... Were not sure what. After pulling over we seen fire dropping out from under the vehicle and within 5 minutes the vehicle was completely engulfed

NHTSA ODI 11662274

The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate or shift into gear. During the failure, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic dealer, who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Previously, after starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was very difficult to turn, and fluid was present underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the local deale,r who diagnosed that the power steering fluid hose had failed, causing power steering fluid to leak from the vehicle. The power steering fluid hose was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 95,000.

NHTSA ODI 11658230