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2015 Dodge Journey problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

HIGH COMPLAINT SIGNAL
42%
201 of 479 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

42% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2015 Dodge Journey are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.

Worse than 50% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).

Excludes 74 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 36%).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026

The VIN is on the listing, the driver’s door jamb, and the bottom of the windshield on the driver’s side.

Does the 2015 Dodge Journey have engine problems?

Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 201 of 479 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2015 Dodge Journey concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (42%), and the largest group is filed under engine (135). For comparison, the 2014 scores 38% and the 2016 scores 57%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.

Drivetrain complaints
201
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
553
this model year
Fires reported
9
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
6
30 crashes · 47 injuries

Complaints by component

ENGINE135 · 24%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM118 · 21%
SERVICE BRAKES106 · 19%
SEATS89 · 16%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER80 · 14%
POWER TRAIN77 · 14%

The years either side

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

How the 2015 compares with other Dodge Journey years

Of the 11 Dodge Journey years with enough complaints to score, the 2015 is the 3rd-worst on engine and transmission share (42%). The worst is the 2016 (57%), the best the 2020 (18%). By volume, the 2015 drew 553 complaints (201 drivetrain), against 416 for the 2014 and 388 for the 2016.

Dodge Journey years to avoid and best years →

In the full report

The rest of the picture on the 2015 Dodge Journey

  • The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2015 Dodge Journey said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
  • What the repair costs. Typical engine repair ranges, to price into your offer.
  • Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
  • Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
  • What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
  • Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.

What one owner reported

POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE,ENGINE11/10/2020CRASH1 INJURED
HEAD ON COLLISION AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN IT WAS RAINING AND THE OTHER CAR WAS GOING STRAIGHT . HE TOOK THE LIGHT ON RED AND WE BOTH HIT HEAD ON . I HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND SIDE WINDOW . AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY HIT MY HEAD PRETTY BAD AND MY BACK AND NECK WERE IN PAIN HAD TO TAKE OFF…

One of 201 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

2015 Dodge Journey engine recalls

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign on the 2015 Dodge Journey involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 6 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.

engine and engine cooling: engine15V431000 · Jul 2015

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 19, 2010, to May 26, 2015 and equipped with 2.4L engines. In the affected vehicles, the engine cover may detach from the engine and contact the exhaust manifold.

Risk: If the displaced engine cover contacts the exhaust manifold, there would be an increased risk of a vehicle fire.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install an improved mounting system for the engine cover, free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at…

5 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
electrical system: wiring18V332000 · May 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee…
air bags: frontal17V432000 · Jul 2017
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…
steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections16V273000 · May 2016
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…
electronic stability control (esc)15V675000 · Oct 2015
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…
equipment: other: labels14V711000 · Nov 2014
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured October 25, 2013, to August 22, 2014. The affected vehicles may be equipped with tire…

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model. Checked October 3, 2026.

Checking one particular 2015 Dodge Journey? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.

Get a history report from EpicVIN Before you pay: EpicVIN’s $1 offer is a 3-day trial (up to 5 reports) that renews at $49.99 a month unless you cancel. Other plans are listed under “View all our packages” at checkout. We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. It does not change what this page reports.

Questions people ask about the 2015 Dodge Journey

Does the 2015 Dodge Journey have engine problems?

Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 201 of 479 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2015 Dodge Journey concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (42%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.

What is the most common problem with the 2015 Dodge Journey?

Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2015 Dodge Journey is engine: 135 of 553 complaints (24%) name it, followed by electrical system (118) and service brakes (106). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap.

Is the 2015 Dodge Journey reliable?

On the engine and transmission, owner complaints point to a weak spot: 42% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain (high signal). That is worse than 50% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 11 Dodge Journey years we score, it ranks 3rd-worst. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2015 Dodge Journey?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign on the 2015 Dodge Journey involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 6 in total: 15V431000 (engine and engine cooling: engine). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Which Dodge Journey years are better?

Among the Dodge Journey years we track, the 2020 (18%), the 2019 (19%) and the 2010 (26%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2015 (42%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/dodge-journey

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.