Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Dodge Journey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
A safety recall was made back on 9/7/2017 to Jack Wolf in Belvidere, Illinois in reference to the safety recall steering wheel wiring- The inspection stated they installed a wheel wiring and protection sleeve. The light has started to come back on and sound off and stays on. This should have been taken care of properly back on September 7, 2017 - I should not be having this problem again
Hi, my dodge Journey 2014 has been experiencing steering issues(stiff and hard to turn) when driving at lower speeds. I know that same Dodge Journey model and year has had a lot of recalls for that. Please verify and let me know what's the process to get this steering issue fixed under recall as this is increased risk of a crash.
We purchased a 2014 Dodge Journey on 8/04/2016 under the assumption that the vehicle was certified. We eventually got the dealer to agree for us to bring the vehicle back to be certified and address all the other concerns. We picked the vehicle up in ny, heading home to pa and the car caught on fire while driving on the highway with my wife, our only daughter, two youngest sons, and myself. We were stranded, the dealer and manufacture did nothing including the warranty company. Although, the vehicle had factory, we just purchase the vehicle including "required warranty" for $2000, we were denied any assistance from Dodge and the dealership. We have been in constant contact with the dealer via different mediation and to this day, we are still on our own with out a vehicle that is safe to drive.
Tl* the contact owned a 2014 Dodge Journey. While driving approximately 85 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the contact lost control of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle rolled over four times and crashed into a pole. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver and front seat passenger sustained injuries that required medical attention. The rear passengers were ejected from the rear window and required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000....updated 12/30/15 updated 12/31/15.
While driving in normal conditions on the highway, the vehicle brakes were applied and I began to loss control of the vehicle. The vehicle then flipped over on its side and airbags eventually deployed. I was taken to the hospital for potential injuries from the incident. No citations were given for the loss to indicate negligence on my end. I believe this May have been resulted from the current recall on the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owned a 2014 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that the dealer repaired the vehicle per NHTSA campaign number: 15V675000 (electronic stability control and service brakes, hydraulic). After the repair, there was a loss of vehicle stability and no traction while driving on the highway during inclement weather. The contact felt as if the recall remedy failed to provide a solution, which resulted in a crash. While driving approximately 65 MPH on the highway, there was a sudden loss of power and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle crashed into a wall and flipped upside down. The driver sustained head, neck, and lower back pains. The front passenger was suspended upside down, restrained in the seat belt, and had to be cut out of the vehicle by a responder. The rear passengers sustained bruising and whiplash from the impact. …
There are more problems with the car. There have been nothing but problems with this car since I bought it when it was brand new. It's only 4 years old. It leaks oil now too! I feel very unsafe driving this car with my children in it. There have been 9 recalls and now I see there are 2 that I haven't had done. This should be a lemon. This car is unsafe and I am still paying on this car. A car that has nothing but steering, electrical, air bag, engine and other numerous problems. I should be able to give this car back and walk away from it. This car is not safe! No one should be driving it! I had my oil changed and the next day it said I needed my oil changed. The driver window screeches, the steering wheel locks up, the car lags when I go to break. When I try to accelerate the car stalls and revs super high. The engine smells as if it were on fire. It's not safe. I'm very upset. …
On approximately 6-8 different occasions in the last 3 years, my 2014 Dodge Journey has shut itself off while I've been driving it. The first 3 times I was driving straight & after the 3rd time, the dealer replaced the crank shaft sensor but it continued to happen. There seemed to be nothing to note when it would happen, until recently, it shut off on 2 occasions when I went over a bump & going in a forward motion in both cases. The first time I was going 55mph, the 2nd 25mph so not sure the speed had anything to do with it. Brought it back to dealer & they did an engine control module update. This was one week ago and it happened again today. I was again in a forward motion, actually just started accelerating from a red light, so was probably not going more than 35-40mph when it happened. …
Journey will drive and turn just fine, then without warning it becomes extremely hard to turn or will not turn at all, especially on a right turn. It happens most often when going 20mph or less (even more often when backing up). I almost hit someone Saturday because it locked up in the middle of my turn. It has been happening several times a day. I took it to dealer before and they couldn't find anything they said. I dropped it off again today and told them to try driving it on parking lot slow and to back up and drive forward a few times because that is when it does it most, but they just pulled it in shop, so doubt they will do anything today either. It is dangerous. I have about 30,000 miles on it now and they say if they don't find it before it hits 36,000 then it won't be covered. It has a serious issue that needs resolving. …
Complaints involving idler pulley and brake system. On June 4, 2017, while driving on the interstate, my steering wheel locked up. I was able to pull to the side of the road and then the car started malfunctioning. It completely died and would not start. I found out from the dealership on June 5, 2017 that the issue was related to the idler pulley crumbling which in-turn caused the serpentine belt to break. On July 9, 2017, I was at a stop light on the I-10 frontage road. When the light turned green, I could not go because the brakes locked up. I had to put the car in park, turn it off and then turn it back on in order for the brakes to loosen up. To say I'm frustrated with Dodge is an understatement. During both instances, my 8-yr old daughter was in the car with me. …
Related recalls
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 31, 2007, to November 12, 2016. After exposure to cold temperatures, the power steering return hose may rupture at engine start-up causing a loss of power steering assist.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return hoses, steel tubes, and power steering oil cooler, free of charge. The recall began on May 24, 2016.
Steering complaints in other Journey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2014 Dodge Journey?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the steering of the 2014 Dodge Journey, 7% of the model year's 416 complaints. The component named most often is steering wheel/handle bar (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Dodge Journey steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-273 (hose, piping, and connections, May 6, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2014 Dodge Journey steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 9 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.