YearToAvoid

2015 Dodge Journey Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2015 Dodge Journey ranks 3rd worst out of 14 model years, with a complaint index of 85, 553 complaints, and 6 recalls. Engine (30%), brakes (22%), and electrical system (22%) issues dominate the complaints, earning it an Avoid verdict relative to other Journey years.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
85/100
#3 of 14 Journey years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
553
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
6
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
30
reported in complaints
Fires
9
Injuries
47
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2019
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20
18 city / 25 hwy
Injuries / deaths
47 / 0

Top 2015 Dodge Journey problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine166 (30%)
  2. Brakes123 (22%)
  3. Electrical System119 (22%)
  4. Structure & Body99 (18%)
  5. Other80 (14%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain77 (14%)
  7. Airbags68 (12%)
  8. Steering39 (7%)
  9. Fuel System19 (3%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires15 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy during moderate-to-high-speed crashes, including collisions with animals and rear-end impacts, leaving occupants without protection.
  • Brake pedals reportedly traveled to the floor or failed to stop the vehicle, in some cases tied to a recall for water intrusion into the ABS wiring harness.
  • Owners noticed a burning odor from the engine while driving, linked to an engine cover mounting recall with parts sometimes unavailable for repair.
  • Electrical system failures included a window switch smoking and producing visible flame while driving.
  • One vehicle reportedly rolled and crashed into a garage while shifting on its own, though the dealer could not diagnose a cause.
2015 Dodge Journey complaints: complaints filed per quarter342014 Q42016 Q32018 Q12019 Q32021 Q12022 Q32024 Q12025 Q3
553 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2014 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2015 Q4 (34).

2015 Dodge Journey recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V332000May 17, 2018Electrical System4,815,661 vehicles

    Electrical system:wiring

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

  2. NHTSA 17V432000Jul 7, 2017Airbags363,480 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

  3. NHTSA 16V273000May 6, 2016Steering8,569 vehicles

    Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 31, 2007, to November 12, 2016. After exposure to cold temperatures, the power steering return hose may rupture at engine start-up causing a loss of power steering assist.

    Risk: A loss of power steering assist may require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return hoses, steel tubes, and power steering oil cooler, free of charge. The recall began on May 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S08.

See all 6 recalls for the 2015 Dodge Journey →

2015 Dodge Journey fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18 MPG
Highway
25 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,250
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2015 compared with other Journey years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2013Caution54353420.5
2014Avoid77415720
2015Avoid85553620
2016Caution62386420
2017Good46197220

All Dodge Journey years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 Dodge Journey reliable?
NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 85 for the 2015 Journey, the 3rd worst among 14 model years tracked, driven mainly by engine, brake, and electrical complaints.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Dodge Journey?
Engine issues make up 30% of complaints, followed by brakes at 22% and electrical system problems also at 22%, based on 553 total complaints filed with NHTSA.
Does the 2015 Dodge Journey have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2015 Journey covering the engine cover mounting, ABS wiring harness, power steering return hose, airbag wiring, software, and tire placard labels.
How does the 2015 Journey compare to other model years?
The 2015 Journey has a complaint index of 85, worse than most other years except 2009 (100) and 2010 (92), which are also rated Avoid.
What is the median mileage for engine complaints on the 2015 Journey?
NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 56,797.5 miles at the time engine problems were reported.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.