Dodge Journey Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 2,088 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the Dodge Journey across 14 model years. The 2009 model year has the most (767). The words owners use most often: “air bags electrical” (14% of reports).
- 2,088electrical system complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 32mention a crash
- 22mention an injury
- 7related recalls
- $980typical repair cost reported by owners
- 33%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Air bags electrical: mentioned in 287 of 2,088 complaints (14%)
- Failed start: mentioned in 136 of 2,088 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical electrical system repair on the Dodge Journey at $980, and half of them between $680 and $1,300.
Based on 23 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2012–2025), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 1,317 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 2,088 complaints, 32 mention a crash, 49 a fire, 22 an injury.
Dodge Journey electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Journey | 19 | 29% | — |
| 2019 Journey | 23 | 23% | 15,375 |
| 2018 Journey | 72 | 31% | 22,000 |
| 2017 Journey | 59 | 30% | 35,750 |
| 2016 Journey | 85 | 22% | 61,000 |
| 2015 Journey | 118 | 21% | 47,500 |
| 2014 Journey | 106 | 25% | 47,000 |
| 2013 Journey | 73 | 21% | 57,000 |
| 2012 Journey | 116 | 31% | 85,000 |
| 2011 Journey | 43 | 25% | 80,000 |
| 2010 Journey | 600 | 61% | 79,000 |
| 2009 Journey | 767 | 54% | 80,000 |
| 2008 Journey | 6 | 75% | 91,000 |
| 2007 Journey | 1 | 25% | 57,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (7)
Electrical system:wiring:front underhood
Model years: 2018
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
Electrical system:software; vehicle speed control:cruise control; electrical system:wiring
Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Air bags; electrical system:ignition:switch
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.
Electrical system:wiring
Model years: 2009
Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009 dodge journey vehicles manufacturer from november 1, 2007, through november 7, 2008. The wires within the front door wire harnesses may fatigue and break, which can interrupt the circuits for the side impact sensor(s), resulting in an airbag warning lamp illumination and loss of side crash sensing capability.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the side airbag may not deploy, reducing the protection intended for the occupant and increasing the risk of injuries.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and replace the left and right door wiring harnesses free of charge. The safety recall began on february 18, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Air bags:frontal; electrical system:wiring
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.
Electrical system
Model years: 2009
Problem: Chrysler is recalling 16,852 my 2009 dodge journey vehicles equipped without optional 115 volt auxiliary power outlet. An unused electrical connector for the optional 115 volt auxiliary power outlet option may become corroded and could short circuit.
Risk: If the fuse for this circuit does not blow, the connector could overheat and potentially catch fire.
Fix: Dealers will re-route and stow the 115 volt auxiliary power outlet connector and pull the 25 amp fuse to remove power from this unused circuit free of charge. The recall began on march 30, 2009. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Electrical system:wiring
Model years: 2009
Problem: Chrysler is recalling 6,692 my 2009 dodge journey vehicles equipped with a 3.5l engine. The engine wiring harness may contact the left transaxle mount.
Risk: Damage to the wiring harness could result in an engine compartment fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine wiring harness for damage. If the harness is damaged, the wiring will be repaired and a tie wrap installed to secure the harness away from the left transaxle mount. If no damage is found, a tie wrap will be installed to secure the harness away from the left transaxle mount. The recall began on july 7, 2008. 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 contact owns a 2014 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while pulling into the workplace at 3 MPH, smoke was coming from the middle of the hood. The vehicle was parked and the smoke intensified until the front of the vehicle was completely consumed by fire. The fire was extinguished by the…
The ABS light came on and the Brake light came on plus the traction light is on. The car will not activate cruise control or the traction control either. We have no idea when it will completely stop working and causing an accident as a result. The problem has been identified as the ABS Brake Module…
Won't start sometimes. This is because the BRAND NEW battery is slowly draining. Yet nothing has been left on, no lights, doors all securely shut. Nothing is left on that's visible anyway. Left me stranded and had to get towed or jumped. The battery is brand new as I mentioned. Afraid it's going to…
Sitting at red light and with out warning car turns off I place it in park and try to start car again as soon as I push the ignition to crank the car a huge explosion from under the hood blew the hood backwards striking the a-piler to the driver's door trapping me inside the car as flames were…
When starting my car and turning on my air or heat component the front will turn on but the components in the middle wonât! You have to hit the panel to make it turn on and when your driving the middle component shuts off losing power and dims the lights and dash lights with radio screen! Iâve…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge Journeys have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 2,088 owner complaints about electrical system 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 electrical system?
Yes: 7 safety recalls list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix electrical system problems on the Dodge Journey?
Owners report a typical cost of $980 (half paid between $680 and $1,300), from 23 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the Dodge Journey?
The most frequent phrase is “air bags electrical”, in 287 of 2,088 complaints, followed by “failed start” (136).
Other Dodge Journey problems
- Engine problems (949)
- Service Brakes problems (677)
- Air Bags problems (638)
- Power Train problems (497)
- Steering problems (339)
- Seats problems (307)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (282)
- Electronic Stability Control (esc) problems (275)
See all Dodge Journey problems.