Dodge Journey Service Brakes Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 13, 2026 · 677 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 677 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes problems on the Dodge Journey across 14 model years. The 2009 model year has the most (106). The words owners use most often: “electronic stability” (14% of reports).

What owners describe

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

  • Electronic stability: mentioned in 94 of 677 complaints (14%)
  • Control service brakes: mentioned in 84 of 677 complaints (12%)
  • Brake pads: mentioned in 47 of 677 complaints (7%)
  • ABS module: mentioned in 44 of 677 complaints (6%)

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical service brakes repair on the Dodge Journey at $540, and half of them between $420 and $660.

Based on 16 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2012–2022), 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 service brakes problems happen?

Based on 449 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles55 · 12%
10k–25k miles77 · 17%
25k–50k miles117 · 26%
50k–75k miles87 · 19%
75k–100k miles48 · 11%
100k–150k miles53 · 12%
150k+ miles12 · 3%

How serious are the reports?

Of 677 complaints, 50 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 25 an injury.

Dodge Journey service brakes complaints by model year

Peak: 2009, with 106 complaints
2007: 1200712008: 1200812009: 10620091062010: 10020101002011: 472011472012: 952012952013: 612013612014: 802014802015: 942015942016: 502016502017: 142017142018: 202018202019: 5201952020: 320203

n = 677 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearService Brakes complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2020 Journey35%9,600
2019 Journey55%16,500
2018 Journey208%15,695
2017 Journey147%29,830
2016 Journey5013%34,250
2015 Journey9417%42,000
2014 Journey8019%40,693
2013 Journey6117%60,000
2012 Journey9525%63,000
2011 Journey4728%26,500
2010 Journey10010%37,727
2009 Journey1067%50,736
2008 Journey113%—
2007 Journey125%—

When owners reported it

Peak: 2016, with 102 complaints
2012: 552012552013: 47472014: 482014482015: 77772016: 10220161022017: 50502018: 692018692019: 77772020: 432020432021: 30302022: 142022142023: 16162024: 202024202025: 16162026: 13202613

n = 677 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (3)

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliperAug 9, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V523000 · 154,335 vehicles

Model years: 2018

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan and Jeep Compass, 2018 Dodge Journey, and 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U86.

Electronic stability control (esc); service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipOct 19, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V675000 · 275,187 vehicles

Model years: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured April 21, 2012, to April 14, 2015. In the affected vehicles, water may enter the wiring harness for the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module and leak into the module, disabling the ABS and/or the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system.

Risk: If the ABS or ESC is disabled, a loss of vehicle stability could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will seal the ABS wiring harness to prevent water from entering and will replace the ABS module and repair the headlamp and dash wiring harness, as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R61.

Service brakes, hydraulic:fluidNov 10, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V550000 · 340 vehicles

Model years: 2012

Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 dodge journey and fiat 500 vehicles manufactured from october 24, 2011, through october 26, 2011. Some vehicles were assembled with contaminated brake fluid and may experience a degradation of the sealing components within the brake system.

Risk: This could lead to loss of braking ability increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and replace all brake components that come in contact with hydraulic brake fluid. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on march 1, 2012. 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 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…

Received Sep 25, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11767034

The brake calipers and brake rotators in the front are a safety concern. In other recalls the rear calipers and rotors have been flagged for recall. The front also has the same issue. Unrelated the visibility of the front windshield is extremely obstructed by the plastic body that surrounds the…

Received Aug 12, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11756534

ABS module was recalled and replaced. The replaced piece is now not working and needs replaced. Every place says part is on backorder. Its a safety issue to continue driving my car

Received Aug 7, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11755419

ABS Module failure. Replaced ABS module with brand new Mopar replacement. ABS module still will not communicate with system. No traction control, cruise control, multiple lights in dash.

Received Jun 26, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11746595

The Electronic Brake Control Module: Anti-Lock Brakes. This has caused the cruise control to stop working, the wheel sensors on the front to stop working. The speedometer (digital and gauge) to stop working and the Engine light to stay on. This has been witness by an Independent service center. The…

Received Jun 12, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11743828
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 service brakes problems?

No. NHTSA has 677 owner complaints about service brakes 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 service brakes?

Yes: 3 safety recalls list service brakes. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

How much does it cost to fix service brakes problems on the Dodge Journey?

Owners report a typical cost of $540 (half paid between $420 and $660), from 16 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

What do owners say about service brakes problems on the Dodge Journey?

The most frequent phrase is “electronic stability”, in 94 of 677 complaints, followed by “control service brakes” (84).

Other Dodge Journey problems

See all Dodge Journey problems.