2015 Dodge Journey: jerking or lurching

Filed Sep 18, 2025 · Transmission · 54,000 miles · VT

The contact's fiancée owns a 2015 Journey Dodge. The contact stated that while his fiancée was driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle was jerking. The driver pulled to the side of the road, called, and notified the contact of the failure. The contact advised the driver to continue driving slowly. The driver was able to slowly drive to the residence. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the transmission fluid was flushed and replaced, and a filter was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

Filed Oct 26, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · 84,000 miles · OR

The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while depressing the brake pedal, the brakes made an abnormal grinding sound. The contact also stated that the steering wheel was misaligned and would not return to center. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where no brake failure was found, and the steering wheel was aligned; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated while driving at various speeds the vehicle lurched and jumped. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure recurred while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that she depressed the accelerator pedal continuously until the vehicle responded. The contact stated that the traction control and the ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to start when the weather was cold. The contact stated that the failure persisted upon attempting to jumpstart the vehicle and replacing the battery. The contact stated that she was able to restart the vehicle when the weather was warm. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failures to the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 15V675000 (Electronic Stability Control, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and 16V273000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Oct 26, 2023 · Seats · FL · 1 injury

Drivers seat head rest deployed at a stop light which caused my head to jerk forward.

Filed Sep 20, 2023 · Electrical, Transmission · 92,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking and failed to properly accelerate before the vehicle stalled. While operating the vehicle the traction control, ABS, and several unknown warning lights became illuminated. Additionally, the "Service Park Assist" message was displayed. In addition, the battery was often drained and needed to be recharged. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the power train was faulty and advised that the vehicle needed to be taken to the local dealer. No service was performed. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic who replaced the alternator, serpentine belt, brake sensor, and several unknown parts but the failure persisted. The contact stated that the battery was replaced several times, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.

Filed Oct 4, 2022 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle was jerking. The contact stated that the RPM’s increased; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure persisted and while coming to a stop at a red light, the vehicle was stalling. The contact pulled over and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed there was no recall associated with the VIN. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Sep 19, 2022 · Engine · GA

The engine started racing, but did not show on the Tachometer. No dashboard lights. This problem started this morning (9-19-22). When I put it in gear, it jerks. I have to be extra cautious not to hit anyone or anything. I have had this car almost 2 years. It has been doing fine. I don't understand what could be causing this problem.

Filed Dec 9, 2021 · Transmission · MI

Driving back home on Dec-08-2021; about 2 miles from home I started hearing gear whine noise, only got louder. Pulled over about half mile from home, walked around the car to see if something was stuck underbody. After that, the vehicle would not engage gear when I put it in D or R. I had to press gas hard for the gear to engage, but the car unpredictably engage and would lurch forward and lose gear again. Kept doing that for until I got home. Checked underneath, oil was leaking from the trans pan. The gear would only engage when the gas is pressed hard, but the car would jump as soon as the gear engages.

Filed Jun 28, 2021 · Seats · MD

I was sitting in passenger seat talk to my family. Vehicle was in parking and the head rest popped open. Causing my head to jerk forward. No one touched head rest it just popped open.

Filed May 3, 2021 · Electrical, Transmission · 54,000 miles · CA

The car slips or jerks when it shifts into gear, usually when going from first to second. It is an automatic and this happens while it is in motion. There have been multiple mechanics look at and the transmission was rebuilt twice but the problem still persists.

Filed Sep 11, 2020 · Body, Electrical · 74,795 miles · TX · crash

While driving on the express way I changed lanes and suddenly the car jerked and started going faster, the check engine light started beeping , I put my foot on the brake but the car did'nt slow down fast enough, soon as I looked up I crashed on my driver side, no air bags came out...I drove the car hm, the sensor started beeping low key battery..I changed out the key battery and two days later the car start saying no key detected, I then called a locksmith, they had me buy a new key fob to reprogram..it didn't work, there is something very much electrical going on with this vehicle.

Filed Sep 2, 2020 · Engine · 64,200 miles · NC

I own a 2015 dodge journey 63000 miles. When the vehicle was in motion on a major street traveling 49mph the car jerked, deaccelerated abruptly and the steering wheel became tight. It did not slow down it deaccelerated. There was no warning or code on prior to this happening. I was lucky there was not anyone behind me nor on a highway. Took it to the dealer and they said it was "failed crank position sensor." it had a code of p0339. We paid dealer to fix it - obviously. I noticed there is a recall for crankshaft position sensor on 2016 dodge journey - I beg that you recall cankshaft position sensor for dodge journey 2015.

Filed Oct 3, 2019 · 100,000 miles · TN

I put the category as "unknown" because I dont know what exactly it falls under besides stupidity. My car began over heating last week. That was frustrating on top of all of the other problems including the constant jerking from the crap ABS system. I put radiator fluid in and 2 days later, it began smoking like crazy. At least, what I thought was smoke. Apparently what it actually was, was the t shaped house that leads to the radiator and is run right along side the heating coil is made of plastic. The heating coil had melted a hole in it, causing the radiator fluid to spray on everything under the hood. We go and fix that, by the way, $80 for a 5 inch piece of hose is insane, and come back, car works for 2 days and dies. Battery is dead. Take the battery off and go replace it, get it on the car, start it, boom, starter goes out. One thing after another. I'm taking it to trade in and will never buy another dodge. There was no risk in that anyway after the dealership never wanting to honor a single warranty detail even though it was supposedly "ground up".