2015 Dodge Journey: Problems & Reliability
AVOID2015 Dodge Journey: AVOID — 554 owner complaints, 1.9× the Journey median year by raw count; top issue: engine (135 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2015 is 2.14, where 1.00 is a typical Journey year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; the avoid line is 1.60, so this year clears it by 0.54. Severity drives it: 63% of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury or involve a safety-critical system (engine, powertrain, steering, brakes or fuel).
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2011–2022 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
554
NHTSA complaints
1.9×
vs. median Journey year
222
Service bulletins
6
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2015 Dodge Journey problems
Engine leads a spread-out record, named in 24% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2015 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 135 | 24% |
| Electrical system | 118 | 21% |
| Service brakes | 106 | 19% |
| Seats | 90 | 16% |
| Unknown or other | 80 | 14% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2015 Dodge Journey recalls
6 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2015, reported between Nov 7, 2014 and May 17, 2018.
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 18V332000 | May 17, 2018 | Electrical system › Wiring |
| 17V432000 | Jul 7, 2017 | Air bags › Frontal |
| 16V273000 | May 6, 2016 | Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections |
| 15V675000 | Oct 19, 2015 | Electronic stability control |
| 15V431000 | Jul 7, 2015 | Engine & cooling › Engine |
| 14V711000 | Nov 7, 2014 | Equipment › Other › Labels |
2015 Dodge Journey service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 222 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2015 — more than the 159 of the median Journey year from 2011 to 2022. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (65), powertrain / transmission (46), engine & cooling (37). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2015 vs. the year before and after
From the 2014 to the 2015, owner complaints rose 33% (416 → 554) — a step backward. The 2016 that followed fell 30% (554 → 389), so the 2016 has the lighter record so far.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Journey | AVOID | 416 | 213 | 7 | — |
| 2015 (this page) | AVOID | 554 | 222 | 6 | — |
| 2016 Journey | AVOID | 389 | 179 | 4 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Dodge Journey years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2015 Dodge Journey
Engine (135 complaints on the 2015): cold-start it yourself and listen for ticking or knocking; check for oil leaks, low coolant and a lit check-engine light, and ask for oil-change records.
Electrical system (118 complaints on the 2015): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Service brakes (106 complaints on the 2015): check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, look at rotor and pad wear, and ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
Seats (90 complaints on the 2015): try every power and manual seat adjustment and the seat heaters if fitted.
Powertrain / transmission (77 complaints on the 2015): test-drive from cold through every gear and feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder; ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced.
Recalls: confirm all 6 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Know what to pay for the right 2015 Dodge Journey — then negotiate it
Years-to-avoid tells you which year. Search live listings to see the target price and what verified buyers actually paid for it.
- Verified buyer-paid target price for your exact make, model & trim
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FAQ
Is the 2015 Dodge Journey reliable?
2015 Dodge Journey: AVOID — 554 owner complaints, 1.9× the Journey median year by raw count; top issue: engine (135 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2015 is 2.14, where 1.00 is a typical Journey year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; the avoid line is 1.60, so this year clears it by 0.54.
What are the most common 2015 Dodge Journey problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2015 Dodge Journey are engine (135, 24%), electrical system (118, 21%), service brakes (106, 19%). The manufacturer has 222 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2015 Dodge Journey have?
6 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2015 Dodge Journey, most recently 18V332000 (May 17, 2018, electrical system); 17V432000 (Jul 7, 2017, air bags); 16V273000 (May 6, 2016, steering). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2015 Dodge Journey before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2015 Dodge Journey come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the verdict is CarWhere’s severity-weighted, time-on-road-adjusted score compared with the model’s own median year. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.