Antilock Brake System Control Module Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) control module on about 275,600 of the above vehicles may have a ground wire eyelet on the right front shock tower that allows water to wick through the ground wire case and into the ABS module. Moisture in the ABS module could disable the ABS and/or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system(s). The lack of a functioning ABS and/or ESC system(s) could change the braking and/or handling characteristics of the vehicle and cause a crash without warning.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Dodge Journey brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2015 Dodge Journey have filed 38 NHTSA complaints about the brakes, typically surfacing around 63,000 miles at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
38
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Journey | 37 |
| 2012 Journey | 53 |
| 2013 Journey | 29 |
| 2014 Journey | 36 |
| 2015 Journey (this page) | 38 |
| 2016 Journey | 15 |
| 2017 Journey | 4 |
| 2018 Journey | 17 |
4crashes
1injury
What stands out
Owners have filed 38 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The core problem centers on the ABS control module, which fails across hundreds of 2015 Dodge Journeys, triggering ABS and traction control warning lights and sometimes rendering the brake pedal unresponsive. Owners describe the brake pedal traveling to the floorboard without stopping the vehicle at speeds ranging from 5 mph in parking lots to 75 mph on highways. Water intrusion and corrosion at the ABS connector are documented failure mechanisms.
Dodge issued NHTSA Campaign 15V675000 (Electronic Stability Control, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) in December 2015, but a major problem emerged: parts were backordered for months—sometimes 4+ months—and Chrysler narrowed the VIN scope so tightly that many 2015 models with identical symptoms fell outside the recall. Owners discovered their VIN "not covered" despite matching the exact failure profile. Those forced to repair independently paid over $3,900 for ABS module and wiring harness work.
Some owners also report grinding noises during braking, and one documented the parking brake cable disconnecting from the pedal. Dealers either refused service on out-of-scope VINs, failed to return calls, or cleared warning codes without diagnosing the root cause. The consensus across narratives: a widespread safety defect compounded by inadequate parts supply and overly restrictive recall boundaries.
Same Dodge Journey brakes reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
ABS control module failure with warning lights and loss of braking response
ABS module malfunctions causing illumination of ABS and traction control warning lights. In severe cases, the brake pedal goes unresponsive or travels to the floor without stopping the vehicle. Water intrusion and corrosion of the ABS connector are documented as causes.
When: Typically 15,000–150,000 miles; failures reported as early as 3 months old (new vehicle) and up to 150,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminated (permanently or intermittently); Traction control warning light illuminated; Brake pedal unresponsive or travels to floorboard; Vehicle fails to stop or slow when brake pedal is depressed; Corroded ABS connector with water intrusion; Loss of speedometer function alongside ABS failure
Codes mentioned: C2200, C2200-48
Repairs/costs cited: ABS module replacement required; part number 68164594AA cited as back-ordered for months. Wiring harness replacement also performed in some cases. Owners report costs of $3,982.69 in out-of-pocket repairs when not covered by recall. Dealer service under warranty cleared codes without specifying root cause repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 15V675000 (Electronic Stability Control, Service Brakes, Hydraulic); parts were on backorder for months (April or longer delays mentioned). Many owners report VINs not covered under the official recall despite displaying identical symptoms. No further assistance offered to out-of-recall vehicles. One owner noted the recall scope was too narrow (vehicle manufactured 5 days outside the recall window).
Brake pedal failure or unresponsiveness during operation
Brake pedal becomes unresponsive or sinks to the floor when depressed, preventing the vehicle from stopping. Incidents involve collisions and near-collisions. Some reports correlate with ABS module failure; others remain undiagnosed.
When: 21,000–130,000 miles; one incident at 5–7 mph in parking lot, others at highway speeds (55–75 mph).
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal depressed but no braking response; Brake pedal travels to floorboard without stopping vehicle; Vehicle fails to stop or slow at various speeds; Collision or near-collision due to brake failure
Repairs/costs cited: One incident resulted in front-end damage (bumper, hood, radiator damage) and an insurance claim. Dealer refused to perform repair unless owner accepted responsibility for accident. No specific brake system component repairs documented in most narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 15V675000 cited by some owners. Manufacturer notified in some cases but offered no specific remedy. One owner received Campaign 16V168000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) notification after failure.
Grinding or growling noise during braking
Abnormal audible grinding, growling, or loud noise occurs when applying or releasing the brake pedal, or when the vehicle is slowing to a stop. Noise described as persistent and loud.
When: Mileage not consistently specified; one report at 84,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding or growling noise when applying brake pedal; Grinding or growling noise when releasing brake pedal; Grinding or growling noise when vehicle slows to a stop; Noise present with ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic found no brake failure on initial inspection. Failure recurred after steering wheel alignment. No parts or costs specified.
Emergency/parking brake cable disconnection
Parking brake cable disconnects from the pedal, causing the pedal to fall toward the firewall with an audible pop. Pedal no longer retracts without manual assistance and triggers brake sensor alarm.
When: Not specified; owner was parking on an incline at time of failure.
Symptoms owners cite: Parking brake cable disconnects from pedal; Audible pop sound during disconnection; Brake pedal falls toward firewall; Pedal does not retract without manual assistance; Brake sensor alarm triggered when pedal weight causes sensor trip
ABS recall part availability delays and out-of-scope VINs
Owners with 2015 Dodge Journey models received ABS recall notices (Campaign 15V675000) but faced extended delays waiting for replacement parts or discovered their VIN was not included in the recall scope despite experiencing identical ABS failures. Multiple dealers reported parts on backorder for months.
When: Delays spanning December 2015 through 2020; owners waiting 3–4 months for parts.
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notification received; Parts unavailable or on backorder; VIN not covered under recall despite matching symptoms; Lengthy wait times for dealer scheduling (4 months mentioned); Vehicle driven with faulty ABS system for months while awaiting parts
Codes mentioned: 15V675000
Repairs/costs cited: One owner paid $3,982.69 out-of-pocket for ABS module and wiring harness repair when VIN was not in recall scope. Another waited from December 2015 to April 2016 for parts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 15V675000 issued; Chrysler stated in one case that parts were backordered with no confirmed availability date. Dealers did not proactively contact owners; some owners had to call multiple times or discover parts had arrived only when calling to check status. FCA directed one owner to NHTSA for assistance.
Synthesized from 38 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The ABS light and Check engine light came on and dash began flickering. Vehicle also experienced sputtering issues and hesitation on acceleration. Vehicle was inspected by an independent technician who recommended taking it to a dealership for an ABS Module. The Vehicle was taken to the dealership and dealership determined that an ABS control and ABS module were needed. Parts were ordered,…
Dealer r61 (Dodge tempe) has not contacted me nor returned my calls. So I have not been able to fix the problem.
Had brakes trouble with your 2015 Dodge Journey?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2015 Dodge Journey?
It's a meaningful issue. 38 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 24 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 40,000 and 84,000 miles, with the median around 63,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 84,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Dodge/Journey.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.