Dodge Journey Air Bags Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 13, 2026 · 638 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 638 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the Dodge Journey across 12 model years. The 2009 model year has the most (269). The words owners use most often: “air bags electrical” (30% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Air bags electrical: mentioned in 190 of 638 complaints (30%)
  • Medical attention: mentioned in 39 of 638 complaints (6%)

At what mileage do air bags problems happen?

Based on 298 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles24 · 8%
10k–25k miles20 · 7%
25k–50k miles36 · 12%
50k–75k miles56 · 19%
75k–100k miles55 · 18%
100k–150k miles81 · 27%
150k+ miles26 · 9%

How serious are the reports?

Of 638 complaints, 118 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 101 an injury.

Dodge Journey air bags complaints by model year

Peak: 2009, with 269 complaints
2009: 26920092692010: 892010892011: 142011142012: 292012292013: 442013442014: 462014462015: 682015682016: 262016262017: 302017302018: 122018122019: 9201992020: 220202

n = 638 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearAir Bags complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2020 Journey23%9,600
2019 Journey99%45,000
2018 Journey125%31,322
2017 Journey3015%38,500
2016 Journey267%69,500
2015 Journey6812%54,750
2014 Journey4611%65,000
2013 Journey4412%85,000
2012 Journey298%74,306
2011 Journey148%98,246
2010 Journey899%92,000
2009 Journey26919%101,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2015, with 178 complaints
2009: 2200922010: 222011: 3201132012: 112013: 6201362014: 23232015: 17820151782016: 1001002017: 462017462018: 48482019: 622019622020: 53532021: 332021332022: 14142023: 222023222024: 18182025: 152025152026: 1212

n = 638 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (4)

Air bags:frontalJul 7, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V432000 · 363,480 vehicles

Model years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Air bags:frontalJan 29, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V047000 · 110,482 vehicles

Model years: 2009

Problem: FCA US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured December 31, 2007, to August 31, 2008, 2008-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured June 18, 2007, to August 31, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.

Risk: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. Additionally, the air bags may inadvertently deploy, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S07.

Air bags; electrical system:ignition:switchJun 26, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V373000 · 722,705 vehicles

Model years: 2009, 2010

Problem: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured June 29, 2007, to June 17, 2010, and 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured January 26, 2007, to June 17, 2010. Road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Risk: If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R03. Note: This is an expansion of recall 11V-139.

Air bags:frontal; electrical system:wiringApr 9, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V118000 · 4,314 vehicles

Model years: 2009

Problem: Chrysler is recalling 4,314 my 2009 dodge journey, jeep grand cherokee, commander and wrangler vehicles. Wiring may be reversed on the steering column control module driver airbag squib connector. The driver's airbag may not deploy as intended.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the driver's airbag may not properly inflate and may not be able to properly protect an occupant, increasing the risk of injuries.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the driver's airbag squib wires and replace the steering column control module free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2009. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

The airbag in the passenger headrest has deployed

Received Oct 6, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11769222

The vehicle was involved in a collision. The airbags didn’t not deploy. The front of the vehicle is very smashed.

Received Oct 2, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11768526

Air Bag in the steering wheel. we took it back to the dealership for them to fix or do something about it and they refused to. No warning at all.

Received Sep 16, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11764844

First Complain is that I was driving my 2018 Dodge Journey SE 2.4L across the interstate in [XXX]. My friend was sitting in the Passenger's seat when all of a sudden a loud popping noise happened and the airbag in the headrest popped out and almost hit my friend in the head. The second issue is…

Received Aug 25, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11759321

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the air bag and ABS warning lights illuminated, and the cruise control feature became inoperable. The contact received notifications for Manufacturer Recalls: R61 and T47; and the…

Received Aug 12, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11756515
Dodge Journey
Second generation Dodge Journey based on the second generation GAC GS5 (GAC GS4 Plus) in Playa del Carmen. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Cannonball walk, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all Dodge Journeys have air bags problems?

No. NHTSA has 638 owner complaints about air bags for the Dodge Journey. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the Dodge Journey air bags?

Yes: 4 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

What do owners say about air bags problems on the Dodge Journey?

The most frequent phrase is “air bags electrical”, in 190 of 638 complaints, followed by “medical attention” (39).

Other Dodge Journey problems

See all Dodge Journey problems.