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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

Power Train complaints

29 reports
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76,000 miles · Nov 21, 2017
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed ControlFire

DODGE JOURNEY BURST INTO FLAMES AFTER BEING REPAIRED AFTER A FACTORY RECALL, DRIVER HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY STOP AND EXIT THE VEHICLE UNTIL SMOKE SUBSIDED AND FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED.

NHTSA ODI #11047778

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2017
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

I HAVE A 5YR. 100,00 ML WARRANTY ON THIS CAR BUMBER TO BUMBER . MONTHS OF PROBLEMS TO FIND OUT IT HAS INTERNAL FAILURE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE.. MONTHS OF CAR JUMPING, TOWING, DOORS LOCKING CANT GET OUT, LIGHTS FLASHING,2 RECALLS, BROUGHT A CAR BATTERY NOW ITS SITTING ON DODGE LOT SINCE 10/17/17.AN WILL NOT RUN. AS A CO…

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I HAVE A 5YR. 100,00 ML WARRANTY ON THIS CAR BUMBER TO BUMBER . MONTHS OF PROBLEMS TO FIND OUT IT HAS INTERNAL FAILURE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE.. MONTHS OF CAR JUMPING, TOWING, DOORS LOCKING CANT GET OUT, LIGHTS FLASHING,2 RECALLS, BROUGHT A CAR BATTERY NOW ITS SITTING ON DODGE LOT SINCE 10/17/17.AN WILL NOT RUN. AS A CONSUMER WHO BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE BELIEVING DODGE WOULD HOLD TO THIS ACCOUNTABILITY TOTAL FAILURE AND WANTS ME TO PAY FOR IT THIS SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED. MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY.

NHTSA ODI #11041929

110,000 miles · Mar 20, 2017
Power Train

AT 110,000 MILES VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, NO NOISE WHEN COLD BUT GETS LOUDER AS THE VEHICLE WARMS UP. GETS LOUDER WHEN THE AC IS ON OR STEERING IS TURNED AT LOW SPEEDS. BUT GOES AWAY WITH INCREASED ENGINE SPEED. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BROKEN FLEX PLA…

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AT 110,000 MILES VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, NO NOISE WHEN COLD BUT GETS LOUDER AS THE VEHICLE WARMS UP. GETS LOUDER WHEN THE AC IS ON OR STEERING IS TURNED AT LOW SPEEDS. BUT GOES AWAY WITH INCREASED ENGINE SPEED. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BROKEN FLEX PLATE. SHOP SAID THEY WERE ABLE TO FIND 10 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND DODGE SELLS A REVISED PART DESIGN.

NHTSA ODI #10967383

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

BOUGHT THE 2013 DODGE JOURNEY BRAND NEW ON MARCH 2013. MY JOURNEY ONLY HAS LESS THAN 21,000 MILES ON IT AND YET THE V6 MISFIRES CAUSING THE GAS TO FILL THE (ALL THE WAY TO THE MUFFLER) BACK AND FRONT (ENGINE) OF THE VEHICLE, I FOUND THIS OUT WHEN I TURN ON MY CAR SATURDAY MORNING, THE CAR STARTED SHAKING AND I COULD SMELL THE GA…

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BOUGHT THE 2013 DODGE JOURNEY BRAND NEW ON MARCH 2013. MY JOURNEY ONLY HAS LESS THAN 21,000 MILES ON IT AND YET THE V6 MISFIRES CAUSING THE GAS TO FILL THE (ALL THE WAY TO THE MUFFLER) BACK AND FRONT (ENGINE) OF THE VEHICLE, I FOUND THIS OUT WHEN I TURN ON MY CAR SATURDAY MORNING, THE CAR STARTED SHAKING AND I COULD SMELL THE GAS FUMES FILLING UP THE INSIDE IF THE CAR. I DROP IT OFF TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND I WAS TOLD, I WAS LUCKY THAT IT DIDN'T CAUGHT ON FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #10929837

50,000 miles · Jun 7, 2016
Electrical SystemPower TrainTiresCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 10/18/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED SHE EXPERIENCED A TIRE BLOW OUT, AND THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 10/25/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10873104

30,000 miles · Dec 11, 2015
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE RPMS INCREASED, AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND LESS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE RPMS INCREASED, AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND LESS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10809721

34,263 miles · Sep 29, 2015
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

MY VEHICLE HAS UNDERGONE REPEATED REPAIR ATTEMPTS, FOR A DEFECT AND NONCONFORMITY WITH DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION, TRANSMISSION CLUNK, DEFECTIVE A/C, DEFECTIVE DOOR LOCKS, DEFECTIVE WINDOW REGULATOR, AND RADIO FAILURE. THESE NONCONFORMITIES SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIR THE USE, VALUE AND SAFETY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION H…

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MY VEHICLE HAS UNDERGONE REPEATED REPAIR ATTEMPTS, FOR A DEFECT AND NONCONFORMITY WITH DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION, TRANSMISSION CLUNK, DEFECTIVE A/C, DEFECTIVE DOOR LOCKS, DEFECTIVE WINDOW REGULATOR, AND RADIO FAILURE. THESE NONCONFORMITIES SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIR THE USE, VALUE AND SAFETY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION HAS SHIFTING ISSUES TO THE POINT OF HAVING TO FORCE IT INTO REVERSE, ESPECIALLY IF PARKED ON AN INCLINE. THE DEFECTIVE A/C AND RADIO SEEM TO BE CONTAINED IN THE ALL-IN-ONE UNIT IN WHICH THE RADIO GOES OUT AND A/C WILL TURN ON AT RANDOM AND NOT TURN OFF. THE UNIT HAS BEEN COMPLETELY REPLACED ONCE, ONLY FOR THE PROBLEM TO CONTINUE. THE DEFECTIVE DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOW REGULATOR WAS A RESULT OF WIRING ISSUE BCM AND DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY. I HAVE FILED A LEMON LAW SUIT AGAINST CHRYSLER AND BILL LUKE, ONLY TO BE DECLINED AS THEY STATE IT WAS ALL WITHIN WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE IS NOT WORTH NEARLY WHAT I OWE ON IT AND HAS A HUGE LIST OF REPAIRS THAT WOULD REFLECT NEGATIVELY ON CARFAX IN THE EVENT OF TRADE OR RESALE. I HAVE ATTACHED A SUMMARY OF REPAIRS, BUT HAVE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, IF NEEDED.

NHTSA ODI #10778440

75 miles · Apr 8, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING NOISE AND WOULD SHIFT HARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WERE SOFTWARE FAILURES. THE DEALER MADE UNKNOWN REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED ABO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING NOISE AND WOULD SHIFT HARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WERE SOFTWARE FAILURES. THE DEALER MADE UNKNOWN REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,500.

NHTSA ODI #10578312

1,500 miles · Feb 17, 2014
Power Train

THE CAR STALL AT SLOW SPEED AND SOMETIME IT WILL JERK FORWARD..TRANSMISSION MAKING NOISES...WHEN U STOP U CAN HEAR IT..THIS IS BRAND NEW CAR. I MIGHT HAVE IT MAYBE 5 MONTHS NOW..CALL THE CHRYSLER ALL THEY IS TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER LET THEM TAKE A LOOK AT IT... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564671

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.