2015 Dodge Journey electrical problems

Vehicle loses all electrical power and will not start. Key fob not detected, no power to door locks, interior lights, or ignition systems. Some owners report a loud clicking from engine area before all power cuts. Vehicle enters a locked-down mode that requires battery disconnect and computer reboot to restore function. Affects multiple systems simultaneously.

When: Under 100,000 miles; typically 3-5 years of ownership; may occur after vehicle sits unused for 1+ week

Symptoms owners cite: No power to vehicle despite good battery; Key fob not detected; Loud clicking sound from engine area; All screens and instrument cluster black; Door locks inoperative; Vehicle must sit until clicking stops or battery disconnected; Recurring within days to weeks after jump-start

Repairs/costs cited: Owners report battery testing good; alternator tested good; issue resolves temporarily with jump-start or battery disconnect/reboot. Dealerships unable to diagnose; owners report online forum discussions of override of safety feature that works for some

Engine cuts out completely while driving at 25–70 mph without warning. Vehicle loses all power, steering becomes locked, brakes fail or become hard to press, and accelerator becomes unresponsive. Multiple warning lights illuminate intermittently (airbag, throttle control, tire pressure). Takes multiple restart attempts with violent jerking and coughing sounds; vehicle may run only 5–10 minutes before stalling again. Happens multiple times in a 3-week period.

When: Varies: 39,000–78,000 miles reported; as early as 3 days after purchase; can occur after brief stops at traffic lights or randomly while cruising

Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning at 25–70 mph; Loss of steering control (wheel may seize); Brake pedal unresponsive or goes to floor; Throttle unresponsive despite pedal depression; Multiple warning lights flashing (airbag, throttle, tire pressure, check engine, traction control, service AWD); Takes 30+ minutes to restart or multiple restart attempts with violent jerking; Cranking noise for 30–45 seconds during restart attempts; Vehicle may stall again within 5–10 minutes of restart

Codes mentioned: P0101, P0171, P0174

Repairs/costs cited: Some owners cite camshaft position sensor replacement; crankshaft position sensor replaced 3 times within 1 year in one case; electronic control module (ECM) failure diagnosed in at least one case but not repaired due to cost; independent mechanics unable to determine cause in some cases

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships unable to duplicate failures or retrieve diagnostic codes; no recalls found by dealers for this failure mode

Water leaks into engine wiring harness through a manufacturer-made hole with a loose screw, corroding wires that control ABS system. Results in internal short in ABS module, brake control malfunction, and illumination of ABS, traction control, and service AWD warning lights. ABS and electronic stability control (ESC) systems disabled, compromising safety-critical braking. In severe cases, brake pedal loses pressure and goes to floor. Related to NHTSA recall R61 but many affected vehicles not covered by VIN.

When: Reported across wide mileage range (39,000–150,000 miles); recurring within 3,000 miles after previous ABS module replacement

Symptoms owners cite: ABS, traction control, and service AWD warning lights illuminated; Cruise control inoperable when lights are on; Brake pedal loses pressure and sinks to floor; Brakes chatter with sensation of bumps on disc; Pulling to one side; Internal corrosion visible on wiring harness; Water found inside ABS module; Recurring after repair within weeks

Codes mentioned: ABS module internal short

Repairs/costs cited: ABS module replacement $1,000–$1,218+ (parts and labor); corrosion found on wiring harness; 3-month wait for replacement parts reported in 2018; full electrical system failure and complete vehicle shutdown reported in one case; one owner paid $577.50 for ABS HYA unit and module replacement plus $640+ in additional labor

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall R61 (water intrusion into ABS/ESC wiring); however, many vehicles with identical symptoms not included in recall by VIN; dealerships cite recall coverage gaps; owners report Chrysler delayed responses or refusal to cover out-of-warranty repairs

Battery light illuminates while driving; vehicle enters battery saver mode, disabling remote start, radio, and other functions. Vehicle then shuts off completely or loses power shortly after. Testing shows battery and alternator are good, yet problem recurs within hours to days after jump-start or battery replacement. Dealerships report loose wire and corrosion on battery terminal, but repair does not resolve issue. Vehicle becomes undrivable as battery drains repeatedly.

When: Within first year of ownership; as early as 3 days after purchase; recurring at 8-hour to 3-day intervals

Symptoms owners cite: Battery light illuminates while driving; Battery saver mode warning on instrument cluster; Remote start does not function; Radio and climate controls lose power; Engine shuts off while driving or parked; Vehicle will not restart despite good battery voltage; Battery tests good at shop; Alternator tests good; Problem recurs immediately after jump-start or battery replacement; Loose wire and corrosion found at battery terminal

Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement made; alternator checked and confirmed good; loose wires and corrosion at battery terminals identified and repaired, but failure persists; dealership claimed wire repair was completed but later confirmed vehicle never re-inspected

Unannounced electrical fire erupts in front driver-side door panel or rear passenger-side area of vehicle while driving or parked. No warning lights precede fire. Vehicle fills with smoke from burning wires, rubber, and plastic. Fire restarts after owner believes it extinguished. Fire department determines cause as electrical fire. Severe smoke and chemical odor persists inside vehicle long after fire suppression; smell does not dissipate with dealer detailing. Vehicle condemned as total loss or remains undrivable due to persistent hazardous odor.

When: One vehicle 160,000 miles; one vehicle at unknown mileage reported parked overnight

Symptoms owners cite: Smoke filling interior of vehicle; Visible fire in door panel or rear wiring area; No prior warning lights; Burning smell from wires, rubber, and plastic; Fire restarts after initial suppression; Persistent severe smoke and chemical odor inside vehicle after fire suppression; Odor does not dissipate after dealer cleaning attempts

Repairs/costs cited: Fire suppressed by owner and/or fire department; vehicle towed; mechanical fire damage repaired by dealership; odor remediation attempted by dealership but unsuccessful; one vehicle condemned total loss by insurance

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reported 20–25 unanswered calls to Chrysler; no fire inspector report provided; one vehicle required Chrysler approval before dealership could proceed with repairs

Driver's-side headrest deploys without warning while vehicle is parked at standstill, with foot on brake and pushing start button. Headrest strikes driver in back of head and forces head into steering wheel. No prior collision or rear-end impact. Vehicle has no accident history per CarFax. Headrest cannot be reset and remains deployed. Passenger-side headrest malfunction feared but not deployed.

When: 39,000 miles; approximately 3 years after purchase in December 2016; still under or near factory warranty expiration at 36,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Headrest deploys spontaneously while parked; Driver struck in back of head; Driver's head forced into steering wheel; Headache and bruise on forehead sustained; Headrest will not retract; No prior collision or damage to vehicle

Repairs/costs cited: Headrest currently held together with leather belt as temporary fix; headrest malfunction unrepaired

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership claimed not a factory defect; insurance claimed not covered damage; no warranty coverage beyond 36,000 miles

Wires inside rubber boot of rear hatchback door frame break or chafe to bare metal from repeated opening and closing of hatch. Loss of brake lights, tail lights, and right rear turn signals creates serious safety hazard for following vehicles, as they cannot see brake activation or turns. Six broken wires and five chaffed to bare metal reported. Condition discovered by owner during routine inspection, preventing potential rear-end collision.

When: Not specified; condition discovered proactively by owner

Symptoms owners cite: Loss of brake lights; Loss of tail lights; Loss of right rear turn signals; Broken wires inside rear hatchback door rubber boot (6 wires reported); Wires chaffed to bare metal (5 wires reported)

Repairs/costs cited: Owner discovered condition; owner is law enforcement and recognized serious safety risk; no repair cost cited

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner reports condition common on Dodge Journey forums

Interior lighting, 4.3-inch touchscreen display, and Uconnect system experience intermittent failures. Touchscreen fails to illuminate for up to 1 full minute; interior lights dim unprompted with no external cause; Bluetooth connectivity fails. Issues occur randomly after start-up or while driving. Brake pedal becomes difficult to press when attempting to start engine. Dealership unable to replicate failures and did not offer software updates despite customer research showing known software issue.

When: Timing not specified; dealership inspection performed but no code retrieved

Symptoms owners cite: Touchscreen display does not illuminate for up to 1 minute; Interior lighting dims without external cause; Uconnect Bluetooth fails to connect to phone; Brake pedal stiff/difficult to press during engine start attempts (remote or traditional start); Issues occur after vehicle start or while driving; No pattern or triggering condition identified

Repairs/costs cited: Dealership inspected vehicle but found no issues; no software updates offered despite customer knowledge of available firmware updates

Navigation system displays persistent error messages preventing route planning: 'Can't unlock maps' and 'Detailed maps are required for routing. No detailed maps found on this unit.' Software upgrade performed by dealership temporarily resolves issue, but error messages return immediately after leaving dealership. Dealership identifies common problem requiring new radio replacement. Additionally, vehicle displays false 'Key has left vehicle' message despite key fob in driver's possession and engine running. Fuel cap error message and persistent low fuel icon occur despite recent fill-up.

When: One week after purchase; still under factory warranty

Symptoms owners cite: Navigation error: 'Can't unlock maps'; Navigation error: 'Detailed maps are required for routing. No detailed maps found'; Errors persist after software upgrade and immediately return; False 'Key has left vehicle' message with key in possession and engine running; Erroneous fuel cap warning message; Low fuel icon remains on for 2 days after fuel fill; Icons eventually disappear on their own

Repairs/costs cited: Software upgrade performed; dealership identified common problem requiring radio/Uconnect unit replacement; parts on order at time of complaint

Engine fails to start or crank on first or multiple attempts. When attempting to start, engine makes repeated coughing or cranking noise for 30–45 seconds and then stalls. Vehicle requires 2–3 restart attempts, with violent jerking. Check engine light illuminates. Vehicle may start on third attempt but runs erratically. Hood may pop open unexpectedly during operation or parking.

When: Various mileages; within 3–5 years of ownership

Symptoms owners cite: Engine will not start on first attempt; Repeated coughing or cranking sound during start attempts (30–45 seconds); Violent jerking during restart attempts; Requires 2–3 attempts to start; Check engine light illuminates; Engine stalls after brief startup; Hood pops open unexpectedly

Codes mentioned: Check engine light

Repairs/costs cited: Engine icon lights up on instrument cluster and remains on; dealership unable to diagnose in some cases despite check engine light

Steering wheel-mounted horn stops working. Steering wheel control buttons (for radio, cruise control, phone) become unresponsive. Airbag warning light illuminates on instrument cluster intermittently or continuously. Owner suspects faulty clock spring mechanism in steering column has caused wiring to wear from poor manufacturing quality. Related to recalls 18V332000 and 17V432000 but affected vehicle not included in recall coverage by VIN.

When: Vehicle under 5 years old at time of complaint; various mileages reported (31,000–143,000 miles)

Symptoms owners cite: Horn does not work; Steering wheel control buttons unresponsive; Airbag warning light on or blinking; Clock spring mechanism suspected faulty; Worn wiring suspected in steering column

Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted by owners; suspected clock spring replacement needed but not confirmed

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls 18V332000 and 17V432000 apply to similar issues on other 2015 Journeys; affected vehicle not covered by VIN despite identical symptoms

Body Control Module (BCM) or Powertrain Control Module (PCM) fails internally, causing multiple cascading electrical system failures. Symptoms include erroneous warning lights, display screen turning off and on, false seat belt alarm, false park indicator illumination while driving, gauges failing to operate, and check engine light. PCM replacement followed by software flashing does not resolve recurring failures. Issues persist even after multiple dealership visits.

When: As early as 1,400–4,024 miles; also reported at 40 mph during operation

Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates; Gauges fail to operate; Vehicle shuts off while driving; Display screen turns off and on intermittently; Erroneous seat belt warning chime; False park indicator illuminates while driving; Multiple warning lights flashing; Engine stalls without warning

Codes mentioned: Check engine

Repairs/costs cited: BCM replacement or PCM replacement performed; PCM software flashing performed multiple times; failures persist after repairs

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in at least one case; repair unsuccessful despite multiple attempts

Climate control system automatically overrides manual inputs. When owner attempts to sync passenger climate control and turn off rear controls, system reverses settings within seconds. Rear controls turn back on despite being switched off. Temperature adjustments reverse automatically. Issue persists whether vehicle is idle or driving and affects both front and rear HVAC units. Rear unit blows excessive hot air without synchronization with front.

When: Not specified; multiple occurrences reported

Symptoms owners cite: Manual climate control inputs automatically reversed; Rear climate control turns on when switched off; Passenger sync mode toggles off by itself; Temperature adjustments reverse automatically; Rear HVAC blows excessive hot air; Front and rear units unsynchronized

Repairs/costs cited: No repair noted

Power window motor fails, producing loud clicking sound when attempting to lower window. Windows roll down intermittently or not at all. Clicking persists for weeks before vehicle experiences electrical shutdown. Alternator diagnosed as failing, causing battery drain and repeated stalling. Both issues appear related to broader electrical system problems affecting multiple components.

When: Issue progresses over weeks before culminating in stalling; vehicle towed after final stall

Symptoms owners cite: Loud clicking sound from power window motor; Windows roll down intermittently or fail to roll down; Clicking persists for weeks; Vehicle stalls after mechanical work; Battery drain confirmed; Alternator failure diagnosed

Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replacement diagnosed as necessary; vehicle towed before repair

Door lock system fails intermittently or completely. Rear door does not lock at all; front door locks work sporadically. Locks appear controlled by faulty body electronics. Additional electrical failures cascade, including rear windshield wiper running with switch off, reverse lights failing, and electronic stability control warning light illuminated with brake chatter. Brakes pull to right. Issues begin at 120,000 miles and continue to 150,000 miles.

When: Starting at 120,000 miles; continuing at 150,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Rear door does not lock; Front door locks work intermittently; Rear windshield wiper runs with switch off; Reverse lights fail; Electronic stability control light illuminated; Brake chatter with bumpy sensation; Vehicle pulls to right; Multiple electronic component failures

Repairs/costs cited: No successful repair noted; owner reports trying everything without resolution

Vehicle's electronic key system fails to recognize key fob despite fob being in vehicle and driver in driver's seat. System displays 'Key has left vehicle' or 'FOB not detected' message on dashboard. Engine will not start via push-button start. Vehicle may attempt to start but fails. System treats fob as missing despite physical presence. Affects vehicles with keyless entry and push-button start systems. Cannot start with traditional key as Journey has no key slot other than for emergency extraction of fob.

When: Various mileages and timeframes; one case after 1-week idle period

Symptoms owners cite: 'Key has left vehicle' message on dash despite fob in possession; 'FOB not detected' message on dash; Push-button start will not work; Engine will not turn over; Vehicle enters battery save mode; All screens may show error messages or go black; Door locks may not work (depends on overall electrical system state)

Repairs/costs cited: In one case, disconnecting and reconnecting battery reboots computer and restores function temporarily; Dodge customer service walk-through steps ineffective; one owner purchased new key fob and had it reprogrammed without success

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge customer service (800-423-6343) instructed owner to use emergency key slot with fob on opposite side of start button; instructions ineffective

Check engine light illuminates, then extinguishes, followed by fuel cap warning light illuminating. Pattern repeats multiple times in 3-month period. Dealership diagnoses vapor leak issues: first diagnosed as minor vapor leak with bad sensor (sensor replaced), second as major vapor leak requiring gas cap replacement (cap replaced), third occurrence awaiting diagnosis. Air bag light also illuminates independently; air conditioning fan stops blowing. Dealership unable to recreate conditions for air bag/AC issues.

When: Three occurrences within 3-month period; fourth generation 4-cylinder model

Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light on and off cycle; Fuel cap warning light illuminates; Vapor leak detected (minor first, then major); Airbag light comes on; Air conditioning fan stops blowing; Airbag/AC issues resolve themselves without repair

Codes mentioned: Vapor leak

Repairs/costs cited: Fuel door sensor replaced; gas cap replaced; pattern repeats; dealership unable to recreate airbag/AC failure

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Known issue with 4-cylinder Dodge Journeys: A/C blows warm air when accelerating in hot climates over 115°F (acknowledged as known issue by service department)

Vehicle requires NHTSA recall repair (e.g., 18V332000 for electrical system, vehicle speed control), but manufacturer cannot provide parts for recall remedy. Dealership confirms parts unavailable and unable to provide estimated availability date. Manufacturer exceeds reasonable timeframe for providing recall parts, leaving vehicle unsafe or undrivable for extended periods. Owner unable to remedy safety defect due to manufacturer supply chain failure.

When: Recall notification sent; parts unavailable at time of complaint and subsequent contact

Symptoms owners cite: Recall parts unavailable; Recall remedy cannot be completed; Vehicle unable to be safely driven or repaired; No estimated repair date provided

Repairs/costs cited: Dealership and manufacturer unable to provide estimated delivery date for recall parts

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 18V332000 (Electrical System, Vehicle Speed Control); parts unavailable; no estimated availability provided by Chrysler

Vehicle exhibits transmission problems requiring shop visit before 1 year of age and under 15,000 miles. Dealership discovers missing bolt in tie rod, which service manager states has no reasonable explanation for its absence—indicating manufacturing defect. Vehicle then develops heavy shaking. Combined with electrical issues, pattern suggests systemic manufacturing quality control failure.

When: Before vehicle reaches 1 year old; before 15,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Transmission problems reported; Missing bolt in tie rod; Heavy shaking while driving

Repairs/costs cited: Dealership escalated to high-level repair technician; service manager noted no reasonable explanation for missing bolt

Camshaft position sensor and crankshaft position sensor fail repeatedly, with replacement required 3 times within 1 year. Each failure results in engine stall at highway speeds (60+ mph), complete electrical system failure, and total vehicle shutdown. Vehicle forced to coast to stop. Sensor replacements do not prevent recurrence of failures.

When: Starting July 2017; failures in July, September 2017, and July 2018; vehicle out of service 55 days in 1 calendar year

Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls at highway speeds (60+ mph); Full electrical system failure; Total vehicle shutdown; Check engine light illuminates; Unresponsive transmission with delayed or no gear changes; Elevated RPM readings with no acceleration; Extremely decreased fuel economy (19.9 MPG down to 13.2 MPG); Vehicle shakes and makes audible cranking noise during restart

Codes mentioned: Camshaft Position Sensor Failure, Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure

Repairs/costs cited: Camshaft position sensor replaced 3 times; crankshaft position sensor replaced 3 times; failures persist; vehicle unrepaired after July 2018; ignition failure with total component replacement in June 2017