2015 Dodge Journey Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe headrests in the front seats deploying or popping loose on their own, transmission trouble that includes harsh shifting and loss of power, and electrical faults such as no-starts, battery drain and stall events. Complaints arrive across a wide mileage range, from very low odometer readings to well over 100,000 miles, and many describe failures that appeared intermittently or while the vehicle was parked.

1. 1
   Seats

   Front headrests deploy or pop loose on their own

   • 106 complaints (19%)
   • median 68,000 mi at 5.7 yrs old (60 state mileage)
   • 14 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $575 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe the front seat headrest suddenly springing forward, sometimes with a loud crack or bang, while driving, at a stop, or with the vehicle parked overnight. In several accounts the plastic brackets that hold the headrest bars have cracked, so the headrest cannot be re-secured and pushes against the driver's head. Complaints say dealers described the safety mechanism as having tripped and quoted replacement costs, with owners noting the vehicle was out of warranty and no recall covered it. Reported from roughly 26,000 to 134,000 miles, in many cases with the vehicle stationary or recently parked.

   What to check: Push each front headrest gently and check whether the plastic brackets holding the posts are cracked or loose; ask whether either headrest has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Was driving down a new road at 35 MPH with no potholes and my driver side headrest exploded and struck me in the back of the head. Now there are broken pieces within the assembly and it will not close back! It now pushes my head forward while consumer stated he reached out to Dodge/chrysler dealership. Vehicle is not covered under warranty nor is there a recall for this issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #11375787, filed 2020-11, 56,715 miles

   “I was driving straight down the highway, approximately 40-45mph, when I heard a loud noise in my car (bang) then felt the front left (driver's) headrest hit the back of my head. Upon further observation, I realized that the headrest had deployed on me. I was not hit nor was anything touching the headrest. I called the dealership and was quoted over $400 to replace this safety feature in my car.”

   NHTSA complaint #11328563, filed 2020-06, 66,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh shifting, slipping and transmission failure

   • 140 complaints (25%)
   • median 57,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (101 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2026

   Complaints describe jerking or jolting during shifts, delayed engagement going from reverse into drive, slipping, and a whining or rising engine sound without acceleration. Some owners report the vehicle dropping to low speed or losing motive power and being told by a dealer or shop that the transmission needed replacement or an internal pump repair. A few note the transmission was rebuilt more than once without the problem going away. Mostly reported between about 50,000 and 110,000 miles, often appearing intermittently at first.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Road test from cold through several upshifts and a reverse-to-drive change, watching for jolts or delays, and check for transmission fluid leaks or recent fluid service.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicle began having issues shifting gears at 103,000 miles. The vehicle would jolt each time a shift occurred. It specifically had issues shifting out of reverse into drive. This occurred intermittently for a couple days. Then it began having issues shifting while accelerating. I mainly drive on the interstate to and from work, and the vehicle would not go over 45 miles per hour. We immediately parked the vehicle and noticed transmission fluid leaking underneath. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11407712, filed 2021-04, 103,164 miles

   “The car slips or jerks when it shifts into gear, usually when going from first to second. It is an automatic and this happens while it is in motion. There have been multiple mechanics look at and the transmission was rebuilt twice but the problem still persists.”

   NHTSA complaint #11415066, filed 2021-05, 54,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Stalling, no-start and battery/electrical faults

   • 118 complaints (21%)
   • median 52,000 mi at 4.2 yrs old (83 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $716 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2015–2026

   Owners report the engine cutting out at speed or failing to restart, sometimes with the check engine light on and sometimes with no warning at all. Others describe the vehicle going completely dead overnight, the key fob not being recognized, repeated blown fuses, or sensors such as the crankshaft position sensor being replaced more than once. Complaints say dealers sometimes could not duplicate the failure or found no fault after testing. Reported from about 29,000 to 150,000 miles, with several accounts at low mileage and after the vehicle sat unused.

   Recall 18V3320003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for any battery, sensor or module replacement records, have the battery and charging system tested, and check for stored diagnostic codes before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have been having electrical issues since I bought the car new. Car will not start at time, blown fuses, bad cooling fans, PCM issues, TCM issues, fuse junction box issues. Car is currently at the laredo Dodge dealer being fixed and they are having hard time fixing my car. 2015 Dodge Journey with only 55k miles on it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11326276, filed 2020-05, 55,000 miles

   “P0339 crank shaft position sensor intermitted my engine completely lost power. This is very dangerous. This is a recall on this crank shaft on 2012-2016 models for Dodge Journey. I was driving on a residential street going 35 MPH and my car stalled and the engine lost complete power.”

   NHTSA complaint #11339068, filed 2020-07, 72,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   ABS and stability-control warning lights with brake noise

   • 103 complaints (19%)
   • median 52,622 mi at 4.5 yrs old (68 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2015–2025

   Owners describe the ABS, traction-control and service AWD lights coming on and staying on, often with a grinding or growling noise while slowing to a stop, and sometimes a brake pedal that felt soft. Several complaints say a mechanic found the ABS connector or wiring harness corroded or holding water, and some owners had the related stability-control campaign done but report the lights returned. Mostly reported between about 45,000 and 110,000 miles, with some accounts after driving in wet conditions or over bumps.

   Recall 15V675000

   What to check: Confirm the ABS/ESC recall work was completed for the VIN, and have the ABS connector and wiring checked for corrosion or water intrusion.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Traction control warning light, ABS warning light, service awd message came on while driving 45mph. A grinding/growling noise was present when slowing and coming to a stop for a signal light. All three warning lights remainder on while driving, with grinding/growling noise continued upon breaking till I reached my destination. I drove 32 miles from home to work. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11343635, filed 2020-08, 32 miles

   “While driving my ABS/awd light continues to come on. I checked to see if there is a recall for the ABS and it shows but does not come up with my VIN. The light comes on and then there is a kick and dragging sound coming from the vehicle so I stop, put it in park and try to proceed again. I don't feel safe. I recently purchased the vehicle and nothing was mentioned about the ABS. This happens whether I am in my driveway or in the parking lot a work.”

   NHTSA complaint #11388984, filed 2021-01, 107,747 miles
5. 5
   Other or unknown

   Loss of power steering assist, sometimes with fluid leaks

   • 32 complaints (6%)
   • median 65,000 mi at 3.9 yrs old (22 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2026

   Complaints describe the steering becoming very stiff, especially at low speed or when turning right from a standstill, while feeling closer to normal at highway speed. Owners also mention whining or groaning from the steering system that worsens in cold weather and fluid found under the vehicle, with one account of a leaking power steering cooler. Some owners say a dealer told them the noise and effort were normal. Reported from about 20 to 93,000 miles, with several owners noting the symptom is worse in cold temperatures and at parking speeds.

   Recall 16V273000

   What to check: Check the power steering fluid level and look for leaks at the hoses and cooler, then turn the wheel lock to lock at idle to listen for noise or feel for binding.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Our car has a loss of power steering assist that requires extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds and when turning or parking. The steering wheel is almost completely stiff and cannot be turned without using excessive force to turn the wheel. Power steering work fairly well on freeways (probably due to higher speed). I cannot drive the car because the risk of crashing seems pretty high due to the inability to steer.”

   NHTSA complaint #11352756, filed 2020-09, 74,500 miles

   “Steering not working; very difficult to turn, especially to the right. Since 30k miles the power steering has increased in getting louder and louder. We complained to the dealership in 2016. They checked it and said every thing was fine, chrysler says it's just loud that's all. We've been living with this horrible noise for years. It's even louder when it gets colder outside. As it gets louder, the steering becomes more difficult to steer. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11316747, filed 2020-03, 93,300 miles

Buying note. Check the front seat headrests, transmission behavior on a cold test drive, and whether the ABS/ESC and power steering recalls were completed for the specific VIN. Service records for battery, sensor and transmission work are worth reviewing, since several reports involve repeat repairs.

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.