Dodge Journey Airbag Problems

Owners have filed 662 complaints about air bags problems with the Dodge Journey — 12% of all Journey complaints. The worst model years are 2009 (286), 2010 (95) and 2015 (69). Problems typically start around 80,000 miles. 3 related recalls have been issued.

662complaints
2009worst year
80ktypical miles
3related recalls
119crashes
5fires

Airbag complaints by model year

200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202028695142944466926301292
Airbag complaints per model year, Dodge Journey.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
202023%10,000 miles
201999%80,000 miles
2018125%60,000 miles
20173015%40,000 miles
2016267%72,000 miles
20156912%55,000 miles
20144611%65,000 miles
20134412%85,000 miles
2012298%78,000 miles
2011148%98,000 miles
2010959%91,000 miles
200928618%101,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Side/window
    3
  • Frontal › Driver clockspring/spiral cassette
    3
  • Frontal
    2
  • SRS malfunction warning lamp/light
    1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    4414%
  • 25k–50k
    3913%
  • 50k–75k
    5618%
  • 75k–100k
    5719%
  • 100k–150k
    8227%
  • 150k+
    279%

What owners report

The contact owned a 2019 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while the vehicle was completely stopped, another vehicle driving at 55 MPH rear-ended his vehicle. There were no air bags deployed upon impact. The contact mentioned that the owner's manual had verbiage that contradicted that air bags do not deploy when involved in rear-end collisions. The contact stated that the trailer hitch absorbed the majority of the impact from the crash. The contact suffered whiplash, but medical attention was not received. The fire department and police arrived on the scene. Police and fire department reports were filed. The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site. The contact stated that the following week, while driving, all of the air bags deployed without any impact. …

2019 Journey · 80,000 miles · Jul 2023 · crash · 1 injury

On 7/17/2-23 I was rear ended at 55mph And my Airbags didn't deploy. On 7/18/2023 I reported it to Dodge I was given a case # told someone would call me in 48 hrs and they told me it was fine to drive, no one ever called. 7/24/2023 My 14th Wedding anniversary got ruined because my Airbags deployed while driving. on 7/25/2023 I reported it to Dodge was told someone would call me in 48 hrs no one did and still hasn't. i have call a numerous times each time nothing, not once have they even asked if I was all right in both incidences.

2019 Journey · Jul 2023 · crash · 1 injury

Reflectors are critical for visibility especially when it is foggy outside. My reflectors made my vehicle less visible to other driver because he backed his trailer into my car not seeing my lights or me and directly caused or perhaps contributed to the accident. I seek compensation due to the Product liability. Manufactures must be held responsible for defective vehicles parts, which caused it a prone to failure, Manufacturing Defects and Failure to warn in a timely matter which could have prevented my accident. I would like to file a claim with Dodge Stellantis for compensation and for my personal injuries. I would like the repairs costs for the front driver side because my deductible is 1,000.

2018 Journey · Dec 2024 · crash

Rear back up camera in the rear view mirror is not functioning correctly. It will go black but illuminate a camera with a line through it. Makes in impossible to use to back up because the light on the mirror makes it extremely difficult to see in the mirror and the camera isn't working to help either. One day it worked and the following day it didn't. Also, the passenger airbag light will go in and off even with someone occupying the seat which leads me to believe the airbag will not deploy if if in an accident. the computer has been run and it showed no issues. I know there was a recall to the back up cameras but it says my vehicle wasn't affected. How do I get this fixed. Both are major safety concerns. This car has 60k miles on it and has been through 3 sets of tires. The tires wear extremely fast on this vehicle and they are 50-60k tires.

2018 Journey · Sep 2022

The contact owned a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving 20 mph, when she rear-ended another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated she hit the steering wheel due to the impact and had chest pains later that night and the following day sought medical attention at an emergency room. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was towed to towing lot. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

2017 Journey · 78,000 miles · Jul 2021 · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while the seat belt was in use, the seat belt and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the seat belt sensors needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle could only be serviced by the dealer. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

2017 Journey · SRS malfunction warning lamp/light · 135,000 miles · Jul 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that at start-up and and while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated followed by a warning chime. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for assistance, but the contact was referred to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 122,128.

2016 Journey · 122,000 miles · Mar 2024

The other day I noticed my air bag warning light was on on my dashboard. I had my car hooked up to run the codes for the dash lights. It came back as the airbags in the drivers and passenger headrests had popped or started to pop. I had the headrests looked at and the black plastic cover on the back of it is partially coming off. There is a gap between the front of the headrest and the back of the headrest, big enough my finger can fit through. I was not in a car accident or anything like that, my car was parked for a few days and when I went to drive it, this is how I found it.

2016 Journey · Aug 2023

Related recalls (3)

Air bags › Frontal

NHTSA recall 17V-432 · Jul 7, 2017 · 363,480 vehicles

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.

Air bags › Frontal

NHTSA recall 16V-047 · Jan 29, 2016 · 110,482 vehicles

FCA US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured December 31, 2007, to August 31, 2008, 2008-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured June 18, 2007, to August 31, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Air bags

NHTSA recall 14V-373 · Jun 26, 2014 · 722,705 vehicles

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

NHTSA investigations

Air Bag Non-Deployment/Engine Stall

NHTSA investigation RQ14002 · opened Jun 16, 2014 · closed Mar 2, 2015 · led to recall 14V-373

In March 2011 Chrysler submitted a defect information report for NHTSA Recall No. 11V139 declaring a defect condition that could cause the ignition key to inadvertently move from the RUN to the ACC position on model year (MY) 2010 Dodge Journey, Grand Caravan, and Chrysler Town and Country.The report identified engine stalling as the defect consequence and cited customer complaints and warranty claims, as well as…

Frequently asked questions

Which Dodge Journey years have airbag problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2009 (286), 2010 (95), 2015 (69), 2014 (46) and 2013 (44) model years. Airbag complaints make up 18% of all complaints for the 2009.

Is there a recall for Dodge Journey airbag problems?

Yes — 3 recalls, including 17V-432 (frontal, Jul 7, 2017); 16V-047 (frontal, Jan 29, 2016); 14V-373 (air bags, Jun 26, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Dodge Journey airbag problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles; 27% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the side/window (3 mentions), followed by the frontal › driver clockspring/spiral cassette (3).

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.