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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Dodge Journey electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Dodge Journey have filed 47 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 50,000 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
47
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Journey | 64 |
| 2014 Journey | 90 |
| 2015 Journey | 88 |
| 2016 Journey | 65 |
| 2017 Journey (this page) | 47 |
| 2018 Journey | 61 |
| 2019 Journey | 20 |
| 2020 Journey | 16 |
2crashes
3fires
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 47 electrical complaints filed for the 2017 Dodge Journey, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 47 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Electrical accounts for 24% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 11 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
LAMP - DOME
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗LAMP - DOME
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning Lamp On
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2017 Dodge Journeys report widespread electrical system failures that dealerships struggle to diagnose or permanently fix. The most severe complaints involve engine stalling at highway speeds—multiple owners describe complete power loss while driving 35–70 mph, resulting in loss of brakes and power steering. In one case, a vehicle fire started while driving after ABS and wiper warnings appeared; in another, flames erupted from the wheel wells and the car became a total loss. A third owner's engine lost power after instrument panel erratic behavior, leading to a crash.
Rear electrical failures appear frequently: brittle, burning wiring at the rear hatch causes reverse light and rear wiper malfunctions. Charging system failures plague multiple owners—battery drain, alternator replacement three times without resolution, and vehicles that won't start without a jumper. Climate control and door locks activate unpredictably. Headlights and tail lights go out while driving. Several owners report airbag warning lights that won't turn off despite disconnected wires being found under seats.
Dealerships examine the same vehicle repeatedly, collect diagnostic fees, and tell owners they cannot duplicate problems or find anything wrong—then the same failures recur. One owner's vehicle started and ran repeatedly without a key fob present. Another's backup camera goes black in reverse, a feature that is recalled on 2018+ models but not covered for the 2017. The complaints span low and high mileage, multiple years of ownership, and consistent patterns suggesting systemic electrical design or manufacturing issues rather than isolated failures.
Same Dodge Journey electrical reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Rear wiper and rear lighting circuit failure
Rear wiper blade fails to respond to switch; reverse lights and other rear lights fail intermittently. Root cause traced to brittle, damaged, and burning wiring at rear hatch. Wires show signs of degradation and melting, creating fire risk.
When: Variable; wiper failures and light failures documented across multiple model years
Symptoms owners cite: Rear wiper does not respond to switch control, but moves when door/hatch opens or closes; Reverse lights fail; Other rear lights fail intermittently; Wiring at rear hatch brittle, breaking, and melting
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports partner repaired damaged wiring at rear hatch; wiring described as compromised throughout rear section
Charging system electrical failure
Battery warning light displays on instrument cluster; headlights flicker; radio loses power; engine loses power briefly. Dealership unable to diagnose root cause. Vehicle stalls with no power steering or brakes.
When: During highway driving; symptoms recur after initial diagnosis claims everything is fine
Symptoms owners cite: Red battery warning light on display screen while driving; Headlights flicker; Radio loses power (display and sound); Engine power loss and bog-down; Complete loss of power while driving at highway speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Shop unable to provide accurate diagnosis after two days; threw multiple parts at problem with no resolution
Rear tail light circuit malfunction
Left tail light fails repeatedly; owner has replaced bulbs approximately 12 times over two years with no permanent fix. Lights eventually stop working entirely. Symptom consistent across multiple 2017 Journey owners.
When: Recurring over two-year ownership period
Symptoms owners cite: Left tail light does not work; Repeated bulb failures requiring replacement; All tail light bulbs eventually fail and do not work
Repairs/costs cited: Owner replaced bulbs approximately 12 times; underlying electrical fault not repaired
Rear wiper automatic engagement in reverse
Rear wiper motor activates automatically when vehicle is placed in reverse without operator input. Wiper stays on unpredictably and will not turn off until it decides to stop.
When: Occurs when vehicle is shifted to reverse
Symptoms owners cite: Rear wiper turns on automatically in reverse; Wiper remains on until it decides to disengage; No operator control over wiper function
Airbag warning light malfunction
Airbag warning light illuminates on dash without occupant in passenger seat; light triggers during turns. Intermittent illumination with audible warning chime. Wiring issues documented under driver seat.
When: Intermittent; occurs during turns and randomly during operation
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates; Warning light chimes intermittently; Light illuminates when no passenger present; Light triggers during vehicle turns; Disconnected wire under driver seat identified as cause
Codes mentioned: B1C29 (Left side seat thorax squib 1 circuit open)
Repairs/costs cited: Disconnected wire under driver seat; Chrysler refused to repair as safety issue under warranty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler refused warranty coverage stating it is not a safety defect
Climate control automatic engagement
Air conditioning and heating system activates on its own regardless of operator settings. System turns on after being turned off; owner loses control of climate function. Occurs front and rear independently.
When: Recurring throughout operation; persists after dealership service in May
Symptoms owners cite: A/C turns on when switched off; Heat turns on when switched off; A/C activates automatically after manual shutdown up to 18 times per day; No operator control over front or rear climate units
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership claimed to fix issue in May 2020; problem continued to recur
Headlight and tail light outage while driving
Headlights and tail lights extinguish without warning while vehicle is in operation. Owner pulled over by police for driving without lights. No warning indicator displayed before failure.
When: During highway driving at 60-62 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights and tail lights go out together; No warning indicator before lights fail; Officer noted lights too dim for safe night driving; Complete light outage leaves driver unaware
Vehicle power loss and stalling while driving
Complete loss of engine power while driving at highway speeds (35-70 mph). Vehicle loses power steering and brakes, creating emergency driving hazard. Occurs multiple times over one-year period; cause not identified by multiple repair facilities.
When: Six occurrences over one year; five above 35 mph, one above 50 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Total loss of motive power while driving; Loss of power steering; Loss of brake function; Vehicle stalls without warning; Recurs after repair attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Christian Brothers Automotive replaced camshaft sensors on fourth visit; failure recurred within week at 40 mph; multiple inspection fees charged with no resolution
Vehicle starts without key fob present
Vehicle starts, runs, and restarts multiple times without key fob in cabin or within range. No warning or indicator notifies driver of missing key fob. Major security and safety concern.
When: Vehicle purchased used one month prior; issue manifested during routine operation
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle starts without key fob in car; Vehicle restarts multiple times without fob; Door locks do not engage; No warning or alert to operator
Instrument panel erratic behavior with power loss
Instrument panel begins behaving erratically; vehicle loses motive power while driving at highway speed. All warning lights illuminate simultaneously. Owner sideswiped by another vehicle; airbags do not deploy.
When: At 173,000 miles; incident occurred at 70 mph on highway
Symptoms owners cite: Instrument panel erratic behavior; Loss of motive power at highway speed; All warning lights illuminate; Airbag failure to deploy
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle deemed total loss by insurance; crash occurred as result of electrical failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Related to NHTSA Campaign 18V332000 (Electrical System, Vehicle Speed Control); manufacturer did not notify owner
Electrical system fire while driving
Vehicle catches fire while driving after ABS and wiper warning lights appeared. Flames erupt from both front wheel wells; car becomes fully engulfed before driver can safely exit. Vehicle is total loss.
When: August 14, 2025; after sporadic wiper and ABS light issues in April and June 2025
Symptoms owners cite: ABS light illuminates; Windshield wipers operate sporadically; Vehicle stutters while driving; Smoke visible during driving; Flames erupt from front wheel wells; Complete vehicle fire; total loss
Repairs/costs cited: Fire department extinguished fire; front of vehicle already engulfed when firefighters arrived; door would not open during emergency
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership examined vehicle in June 2025 for one week, stated no problem found and car was safe to drive
Bluetooth failure and battery depletion
Bluetooth ceases to function correctly while driving. Vehicle fails to start several hours after parking; requires jumper cables to restart. Failure recurred three weeks later. Dealership aware of defective battery supplier.
When: At 4,000 miles; failure recurred three weeks after first incident
Symptoms owners cite: Bluetooth failure during operation; Vehicle fails to start after parking; Battery completely depleted; Requires jumper cables to start
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership stated manufacturer received defective batteries from China; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated unable to assist because dealer could not duplicate failure
Dashboard warning lights remaining on and USB/charging port failures
All dashboard lights remain illuminated continuously. USB and charging ports lose function intermittently. Digital speedometer displays incorrect speeds. Dealership replaced a part but issue recurs periodically.
When: Early in ownership; recurring after dealer repair
Symptoms owners cite: All dashboard lights stay on continuously; USB ports go out intermittently; Charging ports malfunction; Digital speedometer doubles speed reading randomly
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced unspecified part; temporarily resolved issue; speedometer malfunction recurs
Speedometer malfunction and engine hesitation
Digital speedometer acts up intermittently, sometimes doubling speed display. When speedometer malfunctions, engine feels like it resists acceleration, creating a sensation that engine is working against driver input.
When: Intermittent; more frequent over time
Symptoms owners cite: Digital speedometer randomly doubles speed display; Engine hesitation during acceleration; Sensation that engine resists gas pedal input; Frequent occurrence and worsening pattern
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced part; issue partially resolved but recurs periodically
Vehicle losing power while cruise control engaged
Vehicle slows from 70-75 mph down to 35 mph while cruise control is active. No warning lights displayed. Vehicle resumes normal operation after restart.
When: At 3,600 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle slows to 35 mph from 70-75 mph with cruise active; No warning lights illuminated; Issue resolves after restart
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner noted failure similar to NHTSA Campaign 18V332000 (Electrical System, Vehicle Speed Control)
Fuel gauge malfunction
Fuel level display reads zero then spikes erratically while driving. Display does not reflect actual fuel level. Occurs repeatedly despite multiple dealership visits.
When: Recurring throughout operation
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel gauge reading drops to zero; Fuel gauge spikes erratically; Gauge does not match actual fuel level
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to duplicate issue
Headlight condensation and fogging
Condensation accumulates inside headlight lens. Units were replaced under warranty in December 2019; same issue reappeared two and a half years later.
When: First at warranty period; recurred at 2.5 years post-replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Condensation inside headlight lens; Fogging reduces light output
Repairs/costs cited: Units replaced under warranty December 2019; same issue recurred
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge Corporate refused coverage citing expired warranty; characterized as warranty issue not safety defect
Electrical system warning and loss of vehicle control
Electrical system warning message displays on dash; vehicle begins to decelerate without operator input. Failure nearly causes collision. Issue recurs after attempted reset.
When: At approximately 82,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Electrical system warning message displayed; Vehicle decelerates unexpectedly; Near-collision situation
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic performed oil change but could not duplicate failure
Push-to-start delay and brake/cruise control failure
Delay occurs when using push-to-start ignition button. Brake pedal does not respond properly when depressed. Cruise control function fails. Related to electrical system recall campaign.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Delay when pressing push-to-start button; Brake pedal does not respond to depression; Cruise control does not function
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 18V332000 (Electrical System, Vehicle Speed Control) recall notification received; dealer scheduled repair appointment for June 27, 2018
Multiple electrical system failures with no diagnosis
Vehicle experiences simultaneous failures in multiple systems including transmission, fuel gauge, climate control, and general electrical function. Dealership unable to diagnose or duplicate problems despite multiple visits and software updates.
When: Ongoing; persists after dealership software update
Symptoms owners cite: A/C not cooling while sitting or driving; Fuel gauge drops to zero then spikes; Transmission shifting hard with grinding noises; Multiple electrical system malfunctions
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership performed software update; issues persist
Electronic throttle and traction control failure
Electronic throttle control and electronic traction control warning lights illuminate; vehicle stalls completely on freeway with loss of all power. Vehicle can only operate at 25 mph. Vehicle accelerates repeatedly during braking attempts.
When: While driving on freeway
Symptoms owners cite: Electronic throttle control light illuminates; Electronic traction control light illuminates; Complete vehicle stall on freeway; Loss of all power; Vehicle limited to 25 mph; Repeated unintended acceleration during braking
Battery and alternator charging failure
Alternator fails to charge battery despite replacement. Alternator replaced three times; battery continues to drain. Vehicle shuts off at highway speed (65 mph) with loss of power steering and brakes. Vehicle accelerates unintentionally. Problem recurs after each repair.
When: Recurring across multiple repair attempts
Symptoms owners cite: Alternator not charging battery; Battery light illuminates while driving; Vehicle shuts off at highway speed; Loss of power steering and brakes; Unintended acceleration; Vehicle leaves owner stranded
Codes mentioned: Voltage lightning bolt warning
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replaced three times; issue recurs after each replacement; check engine light comes on randomly
Starting system failure and security lockout
Vehicle will not start, clicking sound heard but no cranking. Described as security system locking vehicle. Owner attempted to override by disconnecting positive battery cable without success. Common problem reported on Dodge forums.
When: Occurs intermittently
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start; Clicking sound heard; Brakes will not press down; Security system appears to lock vehicle
Vehicle will not start; electrical shutdown
Vehicle fails to start with completely dead electrical system. Owner cleaned battery terminals and vehicle started. Issue recurs randomly where vehicle will not start; owner uses neutral shifting and slight movement as workaround.
When: Recurring intermittently
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start; Lights will not come on; Complete electrical shutdown; Intermittent starting failure after restart; Requires manual shifting procedure to start
Repairs/costs cited: Cleaning battery terminals resolved initial failure; underlying issue not repaired
Electrical fire in center console
Fire ignites in center console area while vehicle is being driven. Owner smells smoke; back of center console becomes engulfed in flames during operation.
When: During operation
Symptoms owners cite: Smell of smoke while driving; Smoke visible from center console; Fire ignites in center console
Cabin air filter actuator short causing fire risk
Cabin air filter actuator engages when vehicle is completely powered off. Root cause is electrical short in system. Actuator energizes from direct power application, creating fire hazard from electrical system overheat.
When: When vehicle is off
Symptoms owners cite: Cabin air actuator engages when power is off; Electrical short in system provides direct power to actuator; Potential for electrical system overheat
Power window switch failure with broken wires
Power windows will not operate up or down. New window switch installed without resolving issue. Owner identified broken wires in driver side wire harness as root cause.
When: Began two months after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Power windows will not operate up or down; Broken wires in driver side wire harness
Repairs/costs cited: New window switch installed; did not resolve underlying electrical issue
Horn inoperability
Horn does not sound when pressing center of steering wheel. Complete loss of horn function.
When: At 3,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Horn does not sound when activated
Shift lever malfunction causing unintended vehicle motion
Vehicle in reverse suddenly shifts to forward and strikes concrete pillar in parking garage. Shift lever did not respond to reverse input properly.
When: During parking maneuver
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle in reverse suddenly moves forward; Shift lever malfunction
Door lock failure
Driver side door will not open with external door handle. Door lock cannot be engaged. Vehicle can only be accessed with key.
When: Random occurrence
Symptoms owners cite: Door will not open from outside; Door locks will not engage
Backup camera failure
Backup camera display goes black when vehicle is placed in reverse. Creates visibility hazard. 2017 model not recalled; 2018 and up models have recalls for this issue.
When: When vehicle in reverse
Symptoms owners cite: Backup camera display goes black in reverse; No camera feed during reverse operation
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall for 2017 model; recalls exist for 2018 and later models
ABS and cruise control light illumination with system failure
ABS light and cruise control warning light remain illuminated. Both systems fail to function. 2014 and 2018 models have recalls; 2017 model was not recalled despite same issue.
When: Ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: ABS light illuminated; Cruise control light illuminated; Cruise control does not function; ABS system inoperative
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall campaigns 18V332000 exist for adjacent model years but not for 2017
Interior light automatic activation
Interior lights activate on their own without operator input. Owner believes problem originates in rear wire harnesses. Occurs at low mileage.
When: At 31,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Interior lights turn on by themselves; Lights activate without user input
Repairs/costs cited: Owner suspects rear wire harness short circuit
Battery drain and repeated battery replacement
Vehicle goes through batteries prematurely. First battery failed April 2018; second battery failed January 2020. Dealership replaces batteries without diagnosing root cause of drain.
When: April 2018 (first battery); January 2020 (second battery)
Symptoms owners cite: Rapid battery drain; Battery failure requiring replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaces batteries; root electrical drain not diagnosed or repaired
Multiple electrical glitches affecting multiple systems
Front windows, radio, A/C, power locks, and doors glitch on and off continuously throughout the day. Causes repeated system dropouts and forced restarts.
When: Daily occurrence throughout operation
Symptoms owners cite: Front windows malfunction on and off; Radio cuts in and out; A/C cycles on and off; Power locks and doors glitch; Radio and A/C will not stay on for more than 30 seconds
Red electrical lightning bolt warning with throttle control failure
Red electrical lightning bolt warning illuminates during driving. Vehicle traction control light comes on. Vehicle shakes and rattles. Gas pedal becomes hard to press. Vehicle loses speed in middle of street forcing driver to shift to park.
When: During highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Red electrical lightning bolt warning displayed; Traction control light illuminates; Vehicle shaking and rattling; Gas pedal becomes hard to press; Vehicle loses speed suddenly; Loss of power to maintain speed
Codes mentioned: Electronic throttle control warning
Battery/alternator charging issue post-replacement
After battery and alternator replacement, multiple electrical issues persist. Check engine light comes on randomly. Voltage lightning bolt warning appears; vehicle will not start. Battery light illuminates while driving. Vehicle loses all electrical power randomly.
When: After replacement of battery and alternator
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light comes on randomly; Voltage lightning bolt warning appears; Vehicle will not turn over; Battery light illuminates during operation; Complete electrical power loss; Vehicle becomes stranded at store with no power
Codes mentioned: Check engine code (unspecified), Voltage lightning bolt warning
Repairs/costs cited: Battery and alternator replaced; electrical issues persist and recur
Synthesized from 47 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
After 65,500 miles, my two year old Dodge journey has a catastrophic failure. The hydraulic pump blew and caused complete damage to the transmission costing me $3500 to get the complete transmission rebuilt. It's ridiculous this is happening to a 2 year old car with only 65k miles on it
There have been several occasions where my headlights and tail lights have went out while I was driving and I got pulled over the other night for no headlights or tail lights for it being a hazard. I work night shifts and I need my headlights and tail lights unless I am in a dimly light area and I dont know of they are on or not and I dont get no warning of when they are off. That is why im…
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Dodge journey. When attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not crank; however, the electrical components were operable. The contact mentioned that the vehicle would not start unless it was jumpstarted. The vehicle was taken to atlanta west Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (1251 thornton rd, lithia springs, ga 30122, (770) 942-1102), but the cause of the failure…
Had electrical trouble with your 2017 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 electrical problem on the 2017 Dodge Journey?
It's a meaningful issue. 47 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 21,000 and 63,000 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 21,000; a quarter make it past 63,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2017/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.