Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Dodge Journey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2015 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle wheels inadvertently locked. The contact daughter depressed the brake and the vehicle slid in the neighbor's yard and crashed into a tree. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact's daughter sustained whiplash, upper chest pain, upper back pain and neck pain. The contact transported her daughter to the hospital, where it was diagnosed that she had sustained soft tissue injuries and muscle strain. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. The contact did not have the VIN.
1.) Air bags failed to deploy going 35mph during a car accident. Yes, this is available for inspection. 2.) Given the lack of air bag deployment, all of the passengers are suffering from injuries that would have been less severe. 3.) The vehicle is in a safe location until I am able to find direction for assessment of the air bags. 4.) This vehicle has not been inspected yet except photos. This has been reported to the police. 5.) No warnings. The air bags did not deploy during a car accident.
The contact's wife owns a 2015 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V432000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
On Jun 26, 2025 I was driving down a residential street when I heard a loud bang - it sounded like something hit my car. I stopped, got out and looked all over the outside of my car but found nothing wrong. As I re-entered the drivers side of the car, I saw the passenger side headrest...it had exploded!!! I immediately called my brother who is an auto mechanic and he told me that the headrest is part of the airbag system. I did not know this. He said that some vehicles were recalled because of the headrests exploding for no reason. Although my car is a Dodge, it is not one currently under recall. I am afraid to drive the car for fear the drivers side headrest will also explode while I am driving, causing injury to me or my children in the backseat. The car is now parked until it can be repaired...and the cost is in excess of $1000 to replace both headrests!!!
The airbag and seatbelt restraint systems are non-functional. The airbag warning light and seatbelt warning light are illuminated. The vehicle was sold to me by a licensed dealership, and after purchase I discovered evidence of prior crash damage that was not disclosed. Due to the disabled airbag and seatbelt systems, occupants would not be properly restrained or protected in the event of a collision, creating a serious risk of injury or death. The vehicle was purchased used, and I was not involved in the prior crash nor told about it. The exact details of the prior crash are unknown. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The issue has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives.
I am driving a 2015 Dodge Journey. Randomly, the airbag light came on, followed by loss of all electronics on the steering wheel. The horn will not work, nor any of the switches on the steering wheel. I did find that this is a common issue with Dodge Vehicles under recall 18V332000 AND 17V432000. I was told at the dealership that my specific dodge journey did not group into that recall however is experiencing those same issues. I am unsure if the airbag will even deploy in this state, coupled with the failure of the horn, this vehicle is not safe to drive.
Airbag warning light goes on and off at times, sometime remains on for a minute or two and other times goes off immediately. This happens when the turn signal is turned on or when I run over a bump in the road. I had the codes run on it and it shows up as the steering wheel clockspring. This started doing this during summer of 2022 and stopped until recently.
Driver side headrest has deployed, and there was no warning or notification prior to this happening. I should not have to pay hundreds of dollars on a replacement if clips or what may it be to hold device together are faulty. 1st vehicle with this problem, and now my 2nd Jeep Compass has this issue as well. No accidents, just deployed.
I came out to my car and the drivers seat head rest had deployed. I have not been in an accident of any kind. It is now unable to go back in. I no longer feel safe driving my car. Seems there was a recall investigation into this issue for years that I am now learning about.
Hi I owned JOURNEY 2015 since 2 years all of sudden I noticed some fluids red colour under the HOOD leaking drastically so I parked the vehicle at my Driveway I came to know from my neighbours that they have a recall on there JOURNEY 2014 v4
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may unexpectedly deploy if the air bag wiring harness gets chafed within the steering wheel and short circuits.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag wiring within the steering wheel, replacing it if necessary. A protective cover will also be installed. These repairs will be made free of charge.
Airbag complaints in other Journey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2015 Dodge Journey?
NHTSA has 69 complaints about the air bags of the 2015 Dodge Journey, 12% of the model year's 554 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2015 Dodge Journey airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-432 (frontal, Jul 7, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2015 Dodge Journey airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 18 crashes, 1 fire and 29 injuries to air bags 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.