2014 Dodge Journey Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe ABS and traction-control warning lights, occasional limp mode and stalling, and premature deployment or breakage of the active front head restraints, many of them at moderate mileage. A second cluster of complaints covers sudden battery drain and electrical faults, and a third covers engine overheating, oil-pressure and stalling symptoms. Many reports tie some of these symptoms to existing recall campaigns, and owners frequently mention waiting for parts or repeat dealer visits without a lasting fix.

1. 1
   Electronic stability control

   ABS and traction-control lights, limp mode

   • 56 complaints (13%)
   • median 63,000 mi at 5.7 yrs old (39 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2026

   Owners describe the ABS, traction-control and sometimes AWD or brake warning lights coming on, often together, and the vehicle dropping into limp mode with little or no acceleration. Several say the lights appear during or shortly after rain or cold weather and clear once conditions dry out. According to the complaints, dealers have diagnosed faulty ABS modules, wheel-speed sensors, a corroded sensor or a failed ABS pump, and some owners report the work was done under the 15V675000 recall but the symptom returned. Reported from roughly 45,000 to 160,000 miles, with many between 60,000 and 130,000; several mention rain or cold as a trigger.

   Recall 15V675000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 15V675000 (ABS/ESC wiring and module) was completed and whether the ABS module or wheel-speed sensors have been replaced since. Scan for stored ABS codes during a test drive, and check whether the lights come on in wet weather.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The ABS light came on and the skidding light came on and it said to check the awd ivehicle was in motion on a city street and wouldn't go over 10 miles per hour.garage put testers on it said sensor was bad- we replaced it and then it happened again and the tester said it was the axle (left front). Replaced it- stopped again . Checked the wiring and the tester said it was okay but it is still stopping when I am driving it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11385947, filed 2020-12, 122,910 miles

   “Earlier this year, my ABS light came on in my car. I scanned it and pulled a code indicating that that right front wheel speed sensor had gone bad. I replaced the sensor, and cleared the code. A few months later, while driving during a thunderstorm, the light came back on. I scanned my car again, and the same code came up. The next day, after the weather was clear, the light had gone back off. Now, any time it rains or gets very cold, the light comes back on.”

   NHTSA complaint #11385173, filed 2020-12, 134,000 miles
2. 2
   Seats

   Front head restraint deploys or breaks on its own

   • 44 complaints (11%)
   • median 69,494 mi at 5.9 yrs old (28 state mileage)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners report the active head restraint in the driver or passenger front seat deploying unexpectedly while the vehicle is parked, idling at a light, or being driven, sometimes with a loud snap and enough force to push the head forward. In several cases the plastic brackets or clips inside the restraint are found cracked or broken, and the headrest cannot be repaired without replacement. Complaints describe dealers quoting several hundred dollars for a new headrest or declining to help. Mostly reported between about 20,000 and 160,000 miles, and in several cases with the vehicle stationary or unoccupied.

   What to check: Inspect both front head restraints for cracked or loose plastic trim and ask whether either has been replaced. Push gently against the restraint to feel for looseness, and confirm the parts are intact rather than repaired with clips.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was riding down the highway by myself and heard a loud snapping noise. I looked towards my passenger seat and noticed that the headrest had ejected from its casing. I have called the dealership and was told that I would have to $500+ to get a new headrest. This is highly unacceptable and dangerous. I can understand if I damaged it or got into an accident, but no one was sitting in the seat when this happened. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11328945, filed 2020-06, 106,820 miles

   “On 5/6/21, while the vehicle was running and stationary, waiting to turn left through an intersection on city streets, the ahr (active head restraint) randomly deployed in the driver headrest. My husband, who was driving at the time, thought we had been rear ended due to the loud noise it made and the force with which it hit the back of his head. The vehicle has never been in a collision and is up to date on maintenance. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11415572, filed 2021-05, 160,605 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Battery drain, no-start and electrical faults

   • 143 complaints (34%)
   • median 54,000 mi at 4.8 yrs old (91 state mileage)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $600 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Owners describe the battery draining overnight or within a few days of sitting, leaving the vehicle unable to start or needing a jump start, even after a new battery and alternator. Related reports mention warning lamps flashing before a no-start, gauges that stop working, power windows and door locks quitting, and a wiring harness in the rear lift gate where wires were found broken. Complaints describe dealers being unable to find the source of the drain or replacing the battery without resolving it. Reported from around 45,000 to over 150,000 miles, often after the vehicle sits for several days.

   Recall 18V3320002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the battery has been replaced repeatedly or the vehicle has needed jump starts, and have the charging system and parasitic drain tested. Check that power windows, locks and the rear hatch wiring work, and ask whether the battery sensor software bulletin was applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2014 Dodge Journey was parked in my garage, I tried to start up the car and it did not want to turn on. On the dash the following appeared and flashed several times before turning off: a red lightning bolt and airbag. The transmission light also flashed in yellow however it did stay on. I tried again several times. It kept giving me the message to service park assist. . …”

   NHTSA complaint #11302491, filed 2020-01, 46,000 miles

   “Power window control on driver side will stop working and not allow the windows to close back up. Power locks stopped working. I have noticed that the power cord going from the door to the body of the car keeps disconnecting from the body of the car. I have noticed that the power cord going from the door to the body of the car keeps disconnecting the box from the body of the car. This feature happens when the car is in park or going down the road and drive.”

   NHTSA complaint #11321928, filed 2020-04, 54,779 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine stalling, overheating and oil pressure

   • 166 complaints (40%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 4.8 yrs old (103 state mileage)
   • 12 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,025 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Owners report the engine stalling at speed or at idle, sometimes failing to restart, with the check engine light on and oil pressure fluctuating. Others describe overheating with the temperature gauge in the red, shaking at start-up, oil temperature climbing quickly, and in some cases a misfire traced to a cylinder. Complaints say dealers either could not determine the cause or replaced batteries and alternators without resolving the stall. Spread from very low mileage up to roughly 180,000 miles, with many reports between 90,000 and 150,000.

   Recall 15V4310002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether recall 15V431000 (engine cover) was completed and whether the oil filter adapter has been serviced. Check coolant level and look for overheating signs, and have the vehicle scanned for misfire and oil-pressure codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Drove to a restaurant, sitting there with car fully on and running and it began to idle down and shake before shutting off. Diagnosis code is saying 6th cylinder of the engine. I haven't had any problems before this happened.”

   NHTSA complaint #11324496, filed 2020-05, 92,414 miles

   “While driving a short distance, 36 miles, the Dodge starts to overheat. It has been in service three times for this issue and no diagnosis has been made. Upon starting the car, it shakes and after a minute it subsides within minutes of starting the oil temp jumps to 231 degrees or higher. I have had to drive with the heat on high in order to bring the temperature down and even with it on the lowest temp is still 226 after 10/15 minutes. This issue has been ongoing since july 2020.”

   NHTSA complaint #11372668, filed 2020-11, 36 miles
5. 5
   Air bags

   Air bag warning light and seat-side air bag faults

   • 44 complaints (11%)
   • median 60,408 mi at 4.0 yrs old (37 state mileage)
   • 18 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2025

   Owners report the air bag warning light coming on intermittently or staying on, with dealers diagnosing a failed seat-side air bag or wiring harness needing replacement, often quoted around a four-figure repair. Several mention the vehicle was not covered by the frontal air bag wiring recall even though the warning light was the presenting symptom. A few complaints describe air bags that did not deploy in a collision. Reported from about 58,000 to 147,000 miles, with many around 60,000 to 100,000.

   Recall 17V432000

   What to check: Check that the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and ask whether recall 17V432000 (driver's frontal air bag wiring) applies to the VIN and was completed. Have any stored air bag codes read before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We were hit on our entire passenger side by an out of control driver, the side or front airbag did not deploy, my wifes hand was broke and my sons head bounced off the back passenger window.”

   NHTSA complaint #11415466, filed 2021-05, 80,000 miles

   “Air bag light has been toggling on and off for last two months. Dealership hooked up to computer and the airbag/harness must be replaced. Car now out of 100,000 warranty. Cost estimated to replace is $1200.”

   NHTSA complaint #11413550, filed 2021-04, 102,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase scan for ABS, air bag and engine codes is worthwhile on this model year, along with confirming that the ABS/ESC, frontal air bag and engine cover recalls were completed for the specific VIN. Ask about repeat battery or no-start problems and inspect the front head restraints, since those are the areas owners describe most often.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.