Had about 20,000 mi on the odometer and brakes start to pulsate very bad, causing lots of vibration in the steering wheel. Had dealer check brakes and showed little signs of wear on the pads. This continued till I finally had the brakes and rotors replaced with aftermarket ventilated rotors and new brake pads. After only 200 miles, vehicle is again vibrating very bad on hard braking and steep…
2016 Dodge Journey brakes problems
severe 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 14 brakes complaints filed for the 2016 Dodge Journey, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2016 Journey brake system shows a pattern of failures spanning multiple distinct issues. Owners report complete brake failure at low mileage (around 20,000 miles), with at least two crashes resulting from unresponsive brake pedals—one at 19,960 miles where the vehicle rear-ended another after the dealer cleared an ABS fault, and another in a parking lot that hit a post. The dealer reportedly told the first owner the vehicle was safe to drive while awaiting parts.
Intermittent ABS and traction control light issues plague owners, often appearing together with grinding noises and brake pedal vibration. Replacing the wheel speed sensor doesn't solve the problem; the same symptoms return within two weeks. One owner notes this mirrors an unresolved recall pattern from 2012–2015 models.
Brake pulsation and steering wheel vibration at highway speeds occur around 20,000 miles and persist even after full brake and rotor replacement. Some owners suspect a sticking caliper. Separately, one owner found brakes and rotors so heavily rusted and deformed at 19,500 miles that they bordered on safety issues—far earlier than normal wear.
An ABS module failure at higher mileage (121,150 miles) required replacement but was on back order. Owners express frustration that dealers apply "bandaid" fixes without addressing root causes, and one notes the need to press and release the brake pedal multiple times to stop adequately.
Same Dodge Journey brakes reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
ABS Warning Light with Brake Failure
ABS warning light illuminates, often accompanied by brake pedal becoming unresponsive or spongy, resulting in loss of stopping power. Owners report inability to stop the vehicle at low speeds and complete brake failure incidents.
When: 19,960 miles and under 1 year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminated; Brakes fail to stop vehicle; Brake pedal unresponsive; Vehicle continues moving when brake pedal pressed
Codes mentioned: ABS module fault, Wheel speed sensor code
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers replaced front sensor, hub bearing, and ABS module; parts frequently on back order
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge concluded bearings were the cause; no malfunction found after repairs were completed
ABS and Traction Control Light Cycling with Grinding Noise
ABS and traction control lights illuminate together intermittently, accompanied by grinding noises and brake pedal vibration. Symptoms persist or recur shortly after diagnostic attempts or part replacement.
When: Various mileages from early ownership; recurring within 2 weeks of repair
Symptoms owners cite: ABS light and traction control light on simultaneously; Grinding noise during braking; Brake pedal vibration and shaking; Ticking noise from brake area; Lights cycle on and off after 1-2 minutes
Codes mentioned: Wheel speed sensor code
Repairs/costs cited: Wheel speed sensor replacement does not resolve issue; full brake system checks performed without lasting correction
Brake Pulsation and Vibration
Brake pedal pulsates excessively, causing steering wheel vibration during normal and hard braking, especially on inclines. Issue recurs quickly after brake and rotor replacement with new components.
When: Around 20,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pulsation with heavy vibration; Steering wheel vibration during braking; Vibration on front right side; Wobbling at highway speeds during braking; Vibration occurs on wet wheels
Repairs/costs cited: Brakes and rotors replaced with aftermarket ventilated rotors and new pads; vibration returned after 200 miles; caliper sticking suspected
Premature Brake and Rotor Rust and Deformation
Brake pads, drums, and rotors show heavy rust and deformation requiring replacement far earlier than typical. Parts were described as bordering on safety issues.
When: 19,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Heavy rust on brake components; Rotor and drum deformation; Premature wear compared to other vehicles
Repairs/costs cited: Brakes, pads, drums replaced both front and rear at 19,500 miles; removed parts were rusted and deformed
ABS Module Failure
ABS module requires replacement; dealers report parts on back order. Vehicle fails state inspection due to module malfunction.
When: 121,150 miles
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminated; Traction control warning light illuminated; Vehicle fails state inspection
Repairs/costs cited: ABS module replacement needed; part on back order at dealer
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2016 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 2016 Dodge Journey?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 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 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 24,000 and 49,000 miles, with the median around 31,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 24,000; a quarter make it past 49,000. 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/2016/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.