2013 Dodge Journey electrical problems

Battery drains while vehicle is parked and not running, causing no-start conditions. Owners report replacing batteries multiple times (some yearly) with problem recurring. Often occurs within 12–48 hours of sitting.

When: While parked, typically overnight or during extended storage; owners cite 2013–2016 timeframe in narratives

Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start after sitting 12–48 hours; Battery completely dead with no electrical activity; Battery saver mode warning light appears while driving; Dashboard lights flicker; headlights dim; Radio loses power; interior lights stay on

Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement (multiple times, some owners report 3–5 replacements); alternator replacement attempted; one owner mentions complete charging system rewire due to burnt wires; Sears and dealer battery replacements under warranty in some cases

Key fob fails to unlock doors, requiring multiple presses; push-button start system fails to recognize key or reports false 'not in park' or 'key not detected' messages despite key being present.

When: Random intervals; one owner states spring timeframe recurring weekly then monthly; one incident occurred while vehicle sat in driveway with slight incline

Symptoms owners cite: Door unlock requires 5+ button presses to work; Key fob becomes non-responsive; battery replacement in fob does not fix; Push-button start displays 'key not detected' despite key in hand; Display reports 'vehicle not in park' when it actually is in park; Random honking when locking car; Cannot unlock doors; owner trapped inside or unable to exit

Repairs/costs cited: Key fob battery replacement; no permanent fix reported in narratives

Engine shuts off without warning while vehicle is in motion at various speeds. Dashboard lights extinguish completely; vehicle does not restart without jump start or lengthy delay. Poses serious highway safety risk.

When: While driving at highway and city street speeds; one owner at 85 mph; recurred for multiple owners on separate occasions

Symptoms owners cite: Engine dies suddenly with no warning lights beforehand; All dashboard lights go out; Vehicle cannot be restarted or requires jump start; Hazard lights non-functional when stalled; Dashboard lights flash on/off as engine dies; Speedometer fluctuates erratically before stall

Codes mentioned: P061C (PCM update applied per narrative #10)

Repairs/costs cited: PCM software update performed (narrative #10); one shop unable to diagnose; another owner states alternator was faulty but vehicle not repaired; no clear fix identified in most cases

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaign campaign numbers mentioned in some narratives (15V675000, 14V154000, 14V391000, 15V115000) but parts unavailable for some owners; one owner recalls receiving notice of potential stalling issue

Rear windshield wiper fails intermittently or completely due to exposed, frayed, or cut wires in the liftgate harness. Front wiper also reports issues. Exposed wiring creates fire hazard.

When: Over time with door opening/closing cycles; one owner reports issue over 2+ years; another over 1+ year

Symptoms owners cite: Rear wiper stops working entirely; Rear wiper works intermittently; some days on, some days off; Rear wiper gets stuck mid-wipe; Rear wiper activates randomly when hitting bumps; Exposed/frayed wires visible when harness removed; Some wires appear cut; Sparks from damaged wiring; Brake lights and hatch lock also fail (same harness)

Repairs/costs cited: Rear wiper motor replacement (did not fix; actual issue was wiring); one owner self-repaired using electrical connectors and tape after YouTube research; new wiring harness needed but not cited as performed by dealer

Interior lights illuminate without user interaction and remain on for hours while vehicle is parked. Glove box light stays on constantly due to switch not being fully depressed when latch engaged; creates fire hazard if paper products stored inside.

When: Randomly; one in every four entries (narrative #1); glove box light continuously since unknown date (narrative #15)

Symptoms owners cite: Dome light (second-row area) illuminates spontaneously; Dome light stays on for hours despite no interaction; Glove box light remains on; switch not fully disengaged; Incandescent glove box light becomes very hot; Light visible through passenger-side vent when glove box closed

Repairs/costs cited: Glove box light issue temporary workaround: closing glove box with object between switch and box to depress switch; no permanent fix reported

Clock gains or loses time randomly without owner interaction; instrument cluster lights flicker on/off; speedometer fluctuates; battery saver mode and ABS lights illuminate during electrical disturbances; multiple warning lights flash simultaneously like 'pinball game.'

When: While driving and stationary; clock issue noted over weeks without touching it

Symptoms owners cite: Clock gains or loses time over course of weeks; Dashboard lights flicker or flash; Speedometer fluctuates from 0 to 20 mph unexpectedly; Battery saver mode light comes on while driving; ABS light, traction control light, cruise control light all illuminate simultaneously; Gauge needles move erratically; Multiple warning lights flash like pinball game

Repairs/costs cited: One owner mentions battery disconnect/reconnect temporarily fixes climate control display but not lasting; no repairs resolve cluster issues

Air conditioning turns on by itself after being shut off; heating/defog controls stop responding entirely; Bluetooth becomes non-responsive; Uconnect screen keeps trying to load and freezes; voice control systems fail; modules appear to have shorts or failures.

When: While driving and at startup; one owner notes A/C issue began after recall work

Symptoms owners cite: A/C turns on at full blast with inability to turn it off; A/C turns on by itself after being shut off; Heat/air/defog controls will not respond; Bluetooth not working; Uconnect screen freezes or keeps trying to load; Voice control/Uconnect non-responsive; Ambient lighting flickers on/off

Repairs/costs cited: Modules require replacement; one dealer quoted $227 for speed control sensor, additional module pricing unknown; one owner mentioned over $200 to replace Uconnect module

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall work performed but issues continued (narrative #4); dealership attributed some failures to modules not covered by recalls

Alternator fails prematurely (some under 50,000 miles); multiple owners replace alternators twice within warranty and extended periods. Charging system shows burnt wires and complete system failure. Battery saver mode light appears without alternator warning.

When: Under 50,000 miles in some cases; one owner at 89,730 miles; issues spanning 2014–2021 replacements

Symptoms owners cite: Battery saver mode warning light appears; Battery drains despite running engine; Dashboard lights flash and flicker; Downshifting and power loss while driving; Burnt wires in charging system; Complete charging system failure

Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replacement; some replacements under warranty, others out of pocket ($200 deductible cited); battery also ruined by faulty alternator; one owner's mechanic indicated complete charging system burnt up requiring complete rewire and 3 burnt wires

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: First alternator replacement covered under warranty; extended service contract covered second in one case; no recalls mentioned for alternator issues

Exposed wiring in liftgate harness shows fire hazard; door panel wiring smokes and catches fire while driving or parked; jumper cables catch fire when attempting to jump-start dead battery; sparks at battery when touched.

When: While driving (narrative #29); at home in driveway; while attempting jump start; early in vehicle life (7,000 miles for battery spark incident)

Symptoms owners cite: Brown/black smoke from driver-side door (window/lock control area); Burning smell while driving; Smoke from air vents; Fire emerges from engine compartment while driving on highway; Jumper cables catch fire at battery terminals; Sparks come from battery when touched with dipstick; End of dipstick turns red from electrical arc; Door continues to smoke when car turned back on

Repairs/costs cited: Door wiring appears to have failed; one owner advised not to drive due to fire risk; one incident resulted in fire department call; vehicle not repaired in some cases

ABS light and traction control light illuminate; traction control disables unexpectedly; ABS module damaged by moisture; vehicle stranded with loss of critical safety systems. Some issues resolved by recalls, others persist.

When: October 2013 (one owner); after heavy rain (narrative #46); various dates throughout ownership

Symptoms owners cite: ABS light comes on and stays on; Traction control disabled or light illuminated; Cruise control function quits; Vehicle swerves out of control due to disabled traction control; Vehicle nearly rolls over when traction disabled; ABS module damaged from moisture

Repairs/costs cited: Dealership quoted $227 for speed control sensor for ABS/traction issues; ABS module replacement due to moisture damage (narrative #13); recalls addressed some issues (NHTSA 15V675000 mentioned) but not all

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recalls 15V675000, 14V154000, 14V391000, 15V115000 issued; some owners report recalls addressed but issues persist; one dealership refused to repair ABS module stating it was not included in recall

Vehicle fails to start intermittently, particularly after sitting. When starting is attempted, lights flicker or flash in random patterns; false fault codes appear ('no key detected' despite key being present). Battery, alternator, and starter test good but vehicle still won't start.

When: Random intervals; some owners report weekly occurrences cycling to monthly; one owner states issue began in spring; morning starts often affected

Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start; just clicks; Lights flicker or flash on and off erratically; No key detected message despite key present; Vehicle not in park message despite park engaged; Requires jump start to begin; Jump start sometimes doesn't work; Occurs regardless of vehicle incline or flat surface; Problem cycles: several times per week then stops for month

Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement (multiple); starter and alternator tested good; key fob battery replaced; no permanent fix identified