Traction Control complaints by model year
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
On 6/4/2018 I picked up my vehicle from the service department at my local dealership after taking it in for the ABS and traction control lights being on and loss of power. The dealership advised they did an update on the power control model and fixed a wheel speed sensor. While on the freeway about 9 miles away from the dealership the lights (ABS and traction control) came back on and the rpms went up. The vehicle was in cruise control and the vehicle had a 5mph loss in speed but went back up to 65mph with the raise in rpms. While going to exit the freeway and applying the brakes the cruise control would not disengage. I immediately placed the vehicle in neutral and turned the engine off and pulled to the right hand shoulde allowing the vehicle to coast to a stop.. After pulled over I applied the brake and placed the vehicle in park and turned the vehicle back on. …
My car started off with the engine light coming on and then soon after, as I slowed down and turned, my engine shut off, I lost all power steering, and the battery remained on. This has happened since many times and is completely random. (doesn't matter if I just started the car, I've been driving for 20 minutes, warm weather / cold weather, it just happens when it happens.) more recently, the TCS (traction control system) will turn on randomly. (I have footage of the road being 100% clear while this is on in my car.) it will not shut off once it turns on. It makes it so I can't speed up hardly at all which of course hasn't had the best outcomes on the highway. And along with that, if I'm driving and take my foot off the gas, the sputters quickly for a moment and jerks the car down as if the brakes lock for a moment. …
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60-70 MPH, the traction control warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was released, the vehicle was shaking erratically. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway, and the vehicle was turned off. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started. The contact stated that the traction control switch was inoperable. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken back to CarMax, where the vehicle was purchased. The contact was informed that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to operate. …
While I was driving on a highway, the check engine light and traction control/stability light came on. You could feel the car loosen up, and the engine sound like it was misfiring or skipping. The car did not lose power, and ran fine the next time I drove it. However, it has happened a few more times. I have an appointment with the dealership, so we will see what they say. I did see that the 2012-2015 models underwent a recall for something similar. Maybe it is that same issue on this model. Also, a few months back I was driving when the bolts holding the serpentine belt (don't know the exact name of the system) broke off. The car overheated and completely shut down. They used short 8mm bolts to hold up the system and they failed. Dealership or Chrysler would not cover costs of around $175 to fix, with no assurance that a longer 8mm bolt would hold up long term. …
When driving, at any speed or upon acceleration, the engine suddenly loses power and goes to 1500rpm(approx.) with a traction control light and battery charging light ( car swerving light and red lightning bolt light) illuminated. At highway speeds this is very hazardous, on the street its very frustrating. When vehicle is brought to a stop and completely shutdown, thereby resetting the ECM, the vehicle starts normally and drives normally( sometimes!) on other occasions after being put into gear and proceeding the same thing occurs and engine will not rev over 1500-1800 rpms and so long as you are not going up a hill will shift normally to get to about 40 MPH tops, on a hill however speed will drop to about 15-20 depending on the hill I guess. …
Takata recall for a 2016 Dodge Journey. My Dodge Journey is experiencing multiply issues that May be deemed as electrical issues. The first issue is the cruise control is still malfunctioning from a previous recall under recall number 18u49182. Whether cruise control is off or on the vehicle still maintains it's same speed. The second issue with my vehicle is also the vehicle constantly veers off the road. I almost crashed on the expressway because of this issue. This issue pose a safety issue because it can cause an accident. The third issue with this 2016 Dodge is the tire pressure systems seems to be faulty. I have been experiencing a issue with this for a month now. When I put air into the tires all of the tires pressure psi are the same then within five minutes all the tire psi are different by substantial digits. …
The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH on wet roads, the vehicle pulled to the right while depressing the brake pedal. The ABS, brake, and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS had failed. The dealer informed the contact that the parts were on backorder until April or longer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, opened a case, and stated that the parts were on backorder. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V675000 (Electronic Stability Control, Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the abs warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the driver's side seat would independently raise up, lower down, or move backward while driving. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact replaced the brakes, the tires, and the throttle body, however, the failure recurred. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 15V675000 (Electronic Stability Control, Service brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
Related recalls (1)
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured April 21, 2012, to April 14, 2015. In the affected vehicles, water may enter the wiring harness for the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module and leak into the module, disabling the ABS and/or the Electronic Stability Control (ESC)…
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will seal the ABS wiring harness to prevent water from entering and will replace the ABS module and repair the headlamp and dash wiring harness, as necessary.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Journey years have traction control problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2015 (54), 2010 (50), 2012 (48), 2013 (45) and 2014 (41) model years. Traction Control complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 2015.
Is there a recall for Dodge Journey traction control problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 15V-675 (electronic stability control (esc), Oct 19, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Journey traction control problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles; 35% happened before 50,000 miles.
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.