CEL (Check Engine Lamp) Illuminated, P057B Brake Pedal Position Sensor Performance
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Dodge Journey cruise control problems
severe 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
2crashes
What stands out
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control 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
Ten owners of 2018 Dodge Journeys report recurring cruise control failures. The most dangerous issue: cruise control that won't shut off when brakes are applied. Two owners had to shift to neutral and turn off the engine mid-freeway drive to stop their vehicles—one right after a dealership repair attempt. One owner crashed into a garage door when cruise control failed.
Other owners describe cruise control that accelerates erratically and won't respond to braking, requiring the system to be shut down manually. One owner's RPMs spiked 103 mph on the speedometer without explanation.
A third pattern: cruise control won't engage unless the car is already doing roughly 70 mph with extra throttle, or it quits entirely. One owner had complete failure at 26,000 miles paired with rapid tire wear.
Several complaints link cruise control problems to wheel speed sensor and ABS failures. One owner's rear wheel bearing failed at 35,000 miles, triggering the speed sensor and cascade failures. A dealership performed a power control module software update and wheel speed sensor replacement on a new vehicle, but the ABS and cruise control issues returned immediately.
Camera and mirror failures appear in one complaint alongside cruise control failure, suggesting broader electrical or module issues.
Same Dodge Journey cruise control reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Cruise control fails to disengage when brake applied
Cruise control remains active despite brake pedal depression, forcing owners to shift to neutral and kill the engine to stop the vehicle. Occurs after brake application during highway driving.
When: Early use, low mileage (brand new vehicles, one at 190,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control does not deactivate when brake pedal pressed; Vehicle maintains speed or continues accelerating despite braking; Brake pedal feels unresponsive or stuck; Had to shift to neutral and turn off engine to stop vehicle
Cruise control erratic speed control and acceleration
Once engaged, cruise control causes vehicle to accelerate unexpectedly, oscillate between speeds, or fail to respond to braking. RPMs fluctuate at same time. Occurs intermittently, sometimes related to elevation changes.
When: Long-distance highway driving (San Diego to Dallas route)
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control suddenly accelerates vehicle; Speed oscillates up and down erratically; Engine RPM fluctuates; Braking does not fully disengage cruise control; Transmission will not shift when brakes applied; Requires turning system off to stop acceleration
Cruise control fails to activate or function
Cruise control will not engage or operate unless specific conditions are met (high speed ~70 mph with additional throttle). One owner reports complete failure; another reports it stopped working at 26k miles with concurrent tire wear.
When: 26,000 miles and beyond
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control will not work below approximately 70 mph; Requires stepping on gas to engage; Complete cruise control failure; Concurrent rapid tire wear (bare tires at 26k miles)
Repairs/costs cited: Tire wear investigation; rear wheel bearing failure mentioned in complaint #6 as linked to speed sensor and cruise control failure
Cruise control system linked to wheel speed sensor and ABS failures
Bad rear wheel bearing at 35,000 miles causes speed sensor failure, which cascades to cruise control failure. ABS and traction control lights illuminate; extreme tire wear occurs. Dealership performed power control module update and wheel speed sensor repair in complaint #1, but issues recurred.
When: 35,000 miles (wheel bearing); early service attempts on new vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: ABS and traction control warning lights on; Loss of power and high RPMs; Cruise control failure follows sensor/bearing issues; Extreme tire wear; Traction control and ABS not functioning
Repairs/costs cited: Rear wheel bearing replacement; wheel speed sensor replacement; power control module software update performed at dealership
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership performed power control module update and wheel speed sensor replacement; issue recurred after repair
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
While driving on the highway in my brand new Dodge journey that was purchased less than 2 weeks ago, all the vehicles came to a stop and were stationary. My car included was stationary or stopped. While waiting for traffic to go, my foot was on the brake when my car suddenly accelerated (was in motion) and started to move forward. My foot was still on the brake when this occurred. I continued to…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2018 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 cruise control problem on the 2018 Dodge Journey?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 66,591 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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/2018/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.