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2013 Dodge Journey

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Dodge Journey do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 293.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

236 reports with mileage · 117 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports9 fire reports27 injury reports

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

44 reports
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99,398 miles · Feb 7, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTING WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STARTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ARRIGO DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM SAWGRASS (5901 MADISON AVE, TAMARAC, FL 33321) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTING WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STARTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ARRIGO DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM SAWGRASS (5901 MADISON AVE, TAMARAC, FL 33321) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE MODULE WAS DAMAGED FROM MOISTURE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V675000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) LAST YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOEY ACCARDI CHRYSLER, DODGE, JEEP, RAM (909 S FEDERAL HWY, POMPANO BEACH, FL 33062) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PART WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,398.

NHTSA ODI #11175050

36,000 miles · Jan 27, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

"ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS LIGHT RECALL". THE LIGHTS OF THE "ABS AND ESC" ARE LIGHTED WHEN WE START THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11172420

49,000 miles · Jan 18, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

TAKARA RECALL THE CAR IS RANDOMLY DRAINING THE BATTERY. THERE IS NOTHING PLUGGED IN NOR LIGHTS LEFT ON. MY CLOCK SEEMS TO GAIN TIME RANDOMLY AS WELL AS MY BLUETOOTH FUNCTION NOT RESPONDING. I CAN DRIVE THE CAR AND THEN PARK IT IN MY HEATED GARAGE GO OUT 30 MINS LATER AND THE BATTERY IS DRAINED. I ALSO REPLACED THE BATTERY WHILE …

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TAKARA RECALL THE CAR IS RANDOMLY DRAINING THE BATTERY. THERE IS NOTHING PLUGGED IN NOR LIGHTS LEFT ON. MY CLOCK SEEMS TO GAIN TIME RANDOMLY AS WELL AS MY BLUETOOTH FUNCTION NOT RESPONDING. I CAN DRIVE THE CAR AND THEN PARK IT IN MY HEATED GARAGE GO OUT 30 MINS LATER AND THE BATTERY IS DRAINED. I ALSO REPLACED THE BATTERY WHILE HAVING THE OLD BATTERY TESTED. SAME OCCURANCE. AND OLD BATTERY TESTED FINE AT AUTO ZONE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE LAST THREE DAYS. THE CAR WILL START ONCE JUMPED.

NHTSA ODI #11170854

16,390 miles · Oct 21, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

BRAKES AREN'T CATCHING AT TIMES ALMOST HAVE SEVERAL ACCIDENTS ON THE HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS WHEN I STEP ON BRAKES I HAVE TO KEEP PUMPING THEM TO STOP .. THEN WHEN I TRY START CAR IT SAYS KEY AREN'T LOCATED EVEN WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ODI #11141659

30,666 miles · Aug 10, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V675000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AT AUTONATION CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM PEMBROKE PINES (13601 PINES BLVD., PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33027, (95…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V675000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AT AUTONATION CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM PEMBROKE PINES (13601 PINES BLVD., PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33027, (954) 446-8775), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,666.

NHTSA ODI #11118918

48,500 miles · Jul 23, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

TAKATA RECALL SOMETIMES MY VEHICLE WILL NOT STAR,T BASICALLY EVERY WEEK. I CANNOT PUSH THE PEDAL DOWN NOTHING LIGHTS UP THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT STOP GOING OFF AIRBAG LIGHT, ENGINE, AND TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR ALL COME ON. IF CAR DOES START THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL CONTINUE AS WELL AS LIGHTS THEN GAS GUNGE WILL GO TO ZERO,…

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TAKATA RECALL SOMETIMES MY VEHICLE WILL NOT STAR,T BASICALLY EVERY WEEK. I CANNOT PUSH THE PEDAL DOWN NOTHING LIGHTS UP THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT STOP GOING OFF AIRBAG LIGHT, ENGINE, AND TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR ALL COME ON. IF CAR DOES START THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL CONTINUE AS WELL AS LIGHTS THEN GAS GUNGE WILL GO TO ZERO, CRUISE CONTROL SHUTS OFF AND BLINKERS WILL NOT WORK, ALL HAPPENS SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE FOUND MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE YET NO CLEAR FIX. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND OUT RIGHT RIDICULOUS THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THESE ISSUES HAPPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVEWAY AND HAS HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE HAVING MY CHILDREN IN THIS CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11112996

51,400 miles · Feb 23, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

MY BATTERY DIED AT YEAR AND A HALF, OF 3 YEAR WARRANTY. AFTER GOING SEVERAL ROUNDS AND UP TO MANAGER, THEY REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE BATTERY. I HAD RCVD INFO ON RECALL T47, W/AIRBAGS AND STEERING WIRING ISSUE, SO HAD THAT TAKEN CARE OF ALSO. I P/U JOURNEY, ON MY WAY HM THE ESC LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP, CAR WOUL…

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MY BATTERY DIED AT YEAR AND A HALF, OF 3 YEAR WARRANTY. AFTER GOING SEVERAL ROUNDS AND UP TO MANAGER, THEY REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE BATTERY. I HAD RCVD INFO ON RECALL T47, W/AIRBAGS AND STEERING WIRING ISSUE, SO HAD THAT TAKEN CARE OF ALSO. I P/U JOURNEY, ON MY WAY HM THE ESC LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP, CAR WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT AND ALOT OF RATTLING UNDER THE FRONT END, PULLING ME INTO OTHER LANE. IT WAS DRY, NO RAIN ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. CALLED HAD TO WAIT 4 DAYS TO TAKE BACK IN, TOLD THEY FORGOT TO RE-INITIALIZE ABS SYSTEM AND THAT THE BATTERY BEING DISCONNECTED CAUSED ISSUE, I ASKED WHY IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AFTER 1ST BATTERY WAS REPLACED, THEY DIDN'T KNOW. ON MY WAY HOME, THE ISSUE WAS BACK, TOOK IT BACK TO LHMILLER DODGE, WAS THEN TOLD THAT THEY NEED TO DIAGNOSE, SAYING IT COULD BE CLOCK SPRING/AXLE/DRIVESHAFT/DIFFERENTIAL AND IT WILL COST SEVERAL HUNDREDS JUST TO DIAGNOSE. I ASKED IF THEY COULD REPLACE THE INITIAL RECALLED R16 ESC PART AND WAS TOLD THAT WOULD BE AT MY EXPENSE. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT OPEN THE STEERING WHEEL/SHAFT TO HAVE CAUSED THE ISSUE W/CLOCK SPRING DURING T47 REPAIR. THE INSTRUCTIONS ON REPLACEMENT SHOW THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO OPEN IT AND BE IN DIRECT CONTACT W/CLOCK SPRING. THEY ARE WANTING TO PAY FOR WHAT WAS NOT REPLACED AND WHAT THEY DAMAGED. MY CAR IS STILL HAVING THE ISSUE AND I THINK THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE ESC PART AND CLOCK SPRING AT NO CHARGE. I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO GET A DIAGNOSIS AND THEN HAVE TO PAY ADDITIONAL FOR REPAIR. THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON WHILE I AM IN PARK AND WHILE DRIVING ON STRAIGHT CITY ROADS, IT ENGAGES AND THE VEHICLE STARTS TO SLOW DOWN LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL AND YOU CANNOT APPLY GAS OR IT PULLS MORE. BEFORE I TOOK IT IN FOR THE WARRANTIED BATTERY AND RECALL, I HAD NO ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11074538

65,000 miles · Jun 20, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ESC (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY BRAKE WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COLONIAL DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP AT 24 COOLIDGE ST, HUDSON, MA 01749, PHONE NUMBER: (978) 568-80…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ESC (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY BRAKE WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COLONIAL DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP AT 24 COOLIDGE ST, HUDSON, MA 01749, PHONE NUMBER: (978) 568-8000, TO BE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V675000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,HYDRAULIC) BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACT AGAIN BUT DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #11000238

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V675000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MAN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V675000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #10943810

50,000 miles · Oct 19, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

I OWN A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY. ON OCTOBER 5TH MANY ELECTRICAL ISSUES BEGAN AND CONTINUE EVEN AFTER THE RECALLS HERE ADDRESSED. ABS LIGHT CAME ON, TRACTION CONTROL DISABLED, CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION QUIT WORKING DASH DISPLAYS/TOUCHSCREEN BEGAN TO FLICKER, BLUETOOTH/UCONNECT/VOICE SYSTEMS BECAME NON-RESPONSIVE, AMBIENT LIGHTING ON THE…

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I OWN A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY. ON OCTOBER 5TH MANY ELECTRICAL ISSUES BEGAN AND CONTINUE EVEN AFTER THE RECALLS HERE ADDRESSED. ABS LIGHT CAME ON, TRACTION CONTROL DISABLED, CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION QUIT WORKING DASH DISPLAYS/TOUCHSCREEN BEGAN TO FLICKER, BLUETOOTH/UCONNECT/VOICE SYSTEMS BECAME NON-RESPONSIVE, AMBIENT LIGHTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLICKERS ON AND OFF, AND THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM TURNED ON AFTER BEING SET TO THE OFF POSITION. THE VEHICLE CABIN IS BEING CONTAMINATED BY FUMES AND BY THE FIBERGLASS SOUNDPROOFING THAT IS SOMEHOW ENTERING THE CABIN. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THE RECALLS WERE ADDRESSED ABUT THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL ISSUES ARE DUE TO A SPEED CONTROL SENSOR, WANTS TO CHARGE ME THE $227 FOR THIS SENSOR, THE VOICE SYSTEM IS DUE TO ANOTHER MODULE (STILL AWAITING PRICING), CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY THE VARIOUS OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES ARE OCCURRING, NOR HOW THE FIBERGLASS AND FUMES ARE GETTING IN AND THAT NONE OF THIS IS COVERED BY THE RECALLS NOR BY MY MANUFACTURER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY, AND HE KNOWS MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVEN'T WRECKED DRIVING WITHOUT THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS SYSTEMS SO WE CAN PICK IT UP AND DRIVE IT UNTIL WE ARE READY TO ORDER THE PARTS AND PAY FOR THE REPAIR. FIBERGLASS CONTAMINATION IS A PRETTY SERIOUS ISSUE THAT CAUSES CANCER AND VARIOUS OTHER HEALTH ISSUES, THE TRACTION CONTROL, DASHBOARD DISPLAY, AND ANTILOCK BREAKING SYSTEMS ARE A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND THE RECALL STATED LOSS OF CONTROL COULD RESULT IN A CRASH AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY

NHTSA ODI #10917456

Official recalls

4

17V432000 · Air Bags:frontal

Jul 7, 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 within the steering wheel and short circuits.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Unexpected deployment of the driver's frontal air bag increases the risk of a crash or driver injury.

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. The recall began August 28, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T47.

16V273000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

May 6, 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 return hose may rupture at engine start-up causing a loss of power steering assist.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loss of power steering assist may require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return hoses, steel tubes, and power steering oil cooler, free of charge. The recall began on May 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S08.

15V675000 · Electronic Stability Control (esc); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

Oct 19, 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 for the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module and leak into the module, disabling the ABS and/or the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the ABS or ESC is disabled, a loss of vehicle stability could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R61.

Additional source detail variants (2)

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) system.

Consequence: If the ABS or ESC is disabled, a loss of vehicle stability could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R61.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

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) system.

Consequence: If the ABS or ESC is disabled, a loss of vehicle stability could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R61.

15V431000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Jul 7, 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.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: 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 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R32.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA24003 · Vehicle Entrapment

Opened Aug 1, 2024 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-008 on May 1, 2023 to investigate an incident involving a 2009 Dodge Journey alleging occupant entrapment during a vehicle fire that resulted in a fatality. During the investigation, ODI collected information from the manufacturer and involved parties to confirm or refute the defect allegation. ODI has determined that additional reports of vehicle entrapment exist for other model year Dodge Journey vehicles. ODI continues to explore the cause of the thermal event and its potential effect on the actuation of the door locks. ODI also continues to explore other potential causes for door lock malfunction. ODI has determined that an upgrade to an Engineering Analysis (EA) is necessary to continue the review of the investigative material and to assess the risk to motor vehicle safety . To review the ODI report cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

PE19014 · Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment

Opened Sep 9, 2019 · Closed Feb 25, 2026

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats; Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of vehicle control as a result of being surprised and distracted by being struck in the head by the inadvertent AHR deployment. On September 24, 2019, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).ODI requested certain detailed information from FCA related to the following subject vehicles: MY 2010-2014 Dodge Avenger 200, MY 2010-2014 Dodge Calber, MY 2010-2014 Chrysler Sebring, MY 2013-2015 Ram Tradesman, MY 2012 Ram Van, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, MY 2010-2016 Chrysler Town and Country, MY 2010-2017 Jeep Compass, MY 2011-2020 Dodge Durango, MY 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Journey, MY 2010-2012 Jeep Liberty, MY 2010-2011 Jeep Nitro, and MY 2010-2011 Jeep Patriot vehicles.On December 2, 2019, ODI received a response from FCA that included vehicle production data, consumer complaints, field reports, warranty claims, manufacturer actions, production changes, and other data related to the alleged defect from the start of production (2010) through September 24, 2019.On January 27, 2020, ODI received an update to the December 2, 2019, IR response from FCA.On September 22, 2020, ODI requested additional subject vehicle AHR information from FCA.ODI received FCA's response on October 21, 2020.ODI subsequently received an update to FCA's October 21, 2020, response on February 16, 2021.During the investigation, ODI requested updates to certain IR questions on two occasions.FCA provided updates to question #2 on March 5, 2021, and questions #2 and #5 on May 26, 2023. FCA’s IR response data identified approximately 7.5 million subject vehicles (with approximately 15 million AHR assemblies).Due to the large number of vehicles and failure reports, ODI focused its analysis on the FCA vehicle model with the highest failure rate to represent the worst-case scenario.For this purpose, ODI focused on MY 2012-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles for its analysis.This population includes 710,890 vehicles that FCA manufactured between August 19, 2011, and August 8, 2015.ODI identified 2,839 alleged AHR failures within this limited population.ODI identified 263 alleged injuries that were caused by AHR failures in MY 2012-2015 Grand Cherokees vehicles.Of these alleged injuries, ODI categorized them as eighty-two (82) soft tissue (neck/whiplash, bruise) injuries, four (4) concussions, fifty-nine (59) headaches, and one hundred eighteen (118) without a specific injury description.Although complainants have alleged injuries, ODI has been unable to obtain evidence to substantiate or validate any injuries where medical treatment was required.Consumer outreach was conducted by ODI, where sixty-three (63) FCA complainants with alleged injuries were contacted.Twelve of the sixty-three FCA consumers responded and were interviewed by ODI.ODI requested medical records, however, only one response was provided. Attorneys representing the responding complainant provided a synopsis that indicated they had experienced prior neck-related injuries dating to the mid-1990s.ODI also contacted one hundred (100) consumers who submitted Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) in an attempt to validate alleged injuries. Despite the efforts of ODI, the office has been unsuccessful at obtaining substantive documentation/evidence supporting complaints that allege serious injuries (where pre-existing medical conditions did not already exist). In addition to the low severity of alleged injuries caused by AHR deployments, there have been eleven alleged crashes and two alleged lane departures within the entire subject vehicle population that has been in the field up to sixteen years (with over 8,500 AHR inadvertent deployments).ODI was not able to validate that the alleged crashes were the result of inadvertent head rest deployments, and the crashes were minor in nature. ODI has conducted a thorough investigation of the alleged safety defect and with up to sixteen years of exposure for some vehicles and over 8,500 inadvertent AHR deployments, no serious crashes or injuries could be validated in the sub-population of focus.The lack of serious injuries validated by ODI with such large period of field exposure is consistent with thework done by NHTSA’s Human Injury Research Division and the Biodynamic Research Corporation, which support that an inadvertent AHR deployment is not likely to cause serious injury.In addition to the low risk of injury, FCA released an extended warranty program that covers inadvertent AHR deployment for ten years / unlimited mileage from the vehicle's in-service date. PE19014 is closed with the FCA extended warranty program.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. To review a complete closing summary, please the attached closing report. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of vehicle control as a result of being surprised and distracted by being struck in the head by the inadvertent AHR deployment. On September 24, 2019, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).ODI requested certain detailed information from FCA related to the following subject vehicles: MY 2010-2014 Dodge Avenger 200, MY 2010-2014 Dodge Calber, MY 2010-2014 Chrysler Sebring, MY 2013-2015 Ram Tradesman, MY 2012 Ram Van, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, MY 2010-2016 Chrysler Town and Country, MY 2010-2017 Jeep Compass, MY 2011-2020 Dodge Durango, MY 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Journey, MY 2010-2012 Jeep Liberty, MY 2010-2011 Jeep Nitro, and MY 2010-2011 Jeep Patriot vehicles.On December 2, 2019, ODI received a response from FCA that included vehicle production data, consumer complaints, field reports, warranty claims, manufacturer actions, production changes, and other data related to the alleged defect from the start of production (2010) through September 24, 2019.On January 27, 2020, ODI received an update to the December 2, 2019, IR response from FCA.On September 22, 2020, ODI requested additional subject vehicle AHR information from FCA.ODI received FCA's response on October 21, 2020.ODI subsequently received an update to FCA's October 21, 2020, response on February 16, 2021.During the investigation, ODI requested updates to certain IR questions on two occasions.FCA provided updates to question #2 on March 5, 2021, and questions #2 and #5 on May 26, 2023. FCA’s IR response data identified approximately 7.5 million subject vehicles (with approximately 15 million AHR assemblies).Due to the large number of vehicles and failure reports, ODI focused its analysis on the FCA vehicle model with the highest failure rate to represent the worst-case scenario.For this purpose, ODI focused on MY 2012-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles for its analysis.This population includes 710,890 vehicles that FCA manufactured between August 19, 2011, and August 8, 2015.ODI identified 2,839 alleged AHR failures within this limited population.ODI identified 263 alleged injuries that were caused by AHR failures in MY 2012-2015 Grand Cherokees vehicles.Of these alleged injuries, ODI categorized them as eighty-two (82) soft tissue (neck/whiplash, bruise) injuries, four (4) concussions, fifty-nine (59) headaches, and one hundred eighteen (118) without a specific injury description.Although complainants have alleged injuries, ODI has been unable to obtain evidence to substantiate or validate any injuries where medical treatment was required.Consumer outreach was conducted by ODI, where sixty-three (63) FCA complainants with alleged injuries were contacted.Twelve of the sixty-three FCA consumers responded and were interviewed by ODI.ODI requested medical records, however, only one response was provided. Attorneys representing the responding complainant provided a synopsis that indicated they had experienced prior neck-related injuries dating to the mid-1990s.ODI also contacted one hundred (100) consumers who submitted Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) in an attempt to validate alleged injuries. Despite the efforts of ODI, the office has been unsuccessful at obtaining substantive documentation/evidence supporting complaints that allege serious injuries (where pre-existing medical conditions did not already exist). In addition to the low severity of alleged injuries caused by AHR deployments, there have been eleven alleged crashes and two alleged lane departures within the entire subject vehicle population that has been in the field up to sixteen years (with over 8,500 AHR inadvertent deployments).ODI was not able to validate that the alleged crashes were the result of inadvertent head rest deployments, and the crashes were minor in nature. ODI has conducted a thorough investigation of the alleged safety defect and with up to sixteen years of exposure for some vehicles and over 8,500 inadvertent AHR deployments, no serious crashes or injuries could be validated in the sub-population of focus.The lack of serious injuries validated by ODI with such large period of field exposure is consistent with thework done by NHTSA’s Human Injury Research Division and the Biodynamic Research Corporation, which support that an inadvertent AHR deployment is not likely to cause serious injury.In addition to the low risk of injury, FCA released an extended warranty program that covers inadvertent AHR deployment for ten years / unlimited mileage from the vehicle's in-service date. PE19014 is closed with the FCA extended warranty program.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. To review a complete closing summary, please the attached closing report. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of vehicle control as a result of being surprised and distracted by being struck in the head by the inadvertent AHR deployment. On September 24, 2019, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).ODI requested certain detailed information from FCA related to the following subject vehicles: MY 2010-2014 Dodge Avenger 200, MY 2010-2014 Dodge Calber, MY 2010-2014 Chrysler Sebring, MY 2013-2015 Ram Tradesman, MY 2012 Ram Van, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, MY 2010-2016 Chrysler Town and Country, MY 2010-2017 Jeep Compass, MY 2011-2020 Dodge Durango, MY 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Journey, MY 2010-2012 Jeep Liberty, MY 2010-2011 Jeep Nitro, and MY 2010-2011 Jeep Patriot vehicles.On December 2, 2019, ODI received a response from FCA that included vehicle production data, consumer complaints, field reports, warranty claims, manufacturer actions, production changes, and other data related to the alleged defect from the start of production (2010) through September 24, 2019.On January 27, 2020, ODI received an update to the December 2, 2019, IR response from FCA.On September 22, 2020, ODI requested additional subject vehicle AHR information from FCA.ODI received FCA's response on October 21, 2020.ODI subsequently received an update to FCA's October 21, 2020, response on February 16, 2021.During the investigation, ODI requested updates to certain IR questions on two occasions.FCA provided updates to question #2 on March 5, 2021, and questions #2 and #5 on May 26, 2023. FCA’s IR response data identified approximately 7.5 million subject vehicles (with approximately 15 million AHR assemblies).Due to the large number of vehicles and failure reports, ODI focused its analysis on the FCA vehicle model with the highest failure rate to represent the worst-case scenario.For this purpose, ODI focused on MY 2012-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles for its analysis.This population includes 710,890 vehicles that FCA manufactured between August 19, 2011, and August 8, 2015.ODI identified 2,839 alleged AHR failures within this limited population.ODI identified 263 alleged injuries that were caused by AHR failures in MY 2012-2015 Grand Cherokees vehicles.Of these alleged injuries, ODI categorized them as eighty-two (82) soft tissue (neck/whiplash, bruise) injuries, four (4) concussions, fifty-nine (59) headaches, and one hundred eighteen (118) without a specific injury description.Although complainants have alleged injuries, ODI has been unable to obtain evidence to substantiate or validate any injuries where medical treatment was required.Consumer outreach was conducted by ODI, where sixty-three (63) FCA complainants with alleged injuries were contacted.Twelve of the sixty-three FCA consumers responded and were interviewed by ODI.ODI requested medical records, however, only one response was provided. Attorneys representing the responding complainant provided a synopsis that indicated they had experienced prior neck-related injuries dating to the mid-1990s.ODI also contacted one hundred (100) consumers who submitted Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) in an attempt to validate alleged injuries. Despite the efforts of ODI, the office has been unsuccessful at obtaining substantive documentation/evidence supporting complaints that allege serious injuries (where pre-existing medical conditions did not already exist). In addition to the low severity of alleged injuries caused by AHR deployments, there have been eleven alleged crashes and two alleged lane departures within the entire subject vehicle population that has been in the field up to sixteen years (with over 8,500 AHR inadvertent deployments).ODI was not able to validate that the alleged crashes were the result of inadvertent head rest deployments, and the crashes were minor in nature. ODI has conducted a thorough investigation of the alleged safety defect and with up to sixteen years of exposure for some vehicles and over 8,500 inadvertent AHR deployments, no serious crashes or injuries could be validated in the sub-population of focus.The lack of serious injuries validated by ODI with such large period of field exposure is consistent with thework done by NHTSA’s Human Injury Research Division and the Biodynamic Research Corporation, which support that an inadvertent AHR deployment is not likely to cause serious injury.In addition to the low risk of injury, FCA released an extended warranty program that covers inadvertent AHR deployment for ten years / unlimited mileage from the vehicle's in-service date. PE19014 is closed with the FCA extended warranty program.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. To review a complete closing summary, please the attached closing report. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.