2017 Dodge Journey Seat belts Problems

While driving on a smooth paved road at normal speed, the active head restraint on the passenger seat suddenly deployed without any impact or collision. The headrest struck the passenger in the back of the head, causing pain and a potential injury. The vehicle did not experience a crash, bump, or sudden stop. After deployment, the headrest could not be reset or latched back into place. This appears to be a mechanical failure of the active head restraint system. This defect poses a serious safety risk because it could injure the driver causing an accident and may deploy again unexpectedly.

NHTSA ID

11748798

Incident

Jul 5, 2026

Purchased vehicle from Wildcat Used Cars in Somerset, KY on [XXX]. Took home and notified dealership of not having seatbelts in middle row. After having an inspection completed, found the SRS system was disabled, airbags removed, knee airbag just stuffed back in. All cables and components unplugged, fuses missing to cause the system to not load up and show the defect. had resistance from dealership in undoing the sale, until i made note of their mechanics checking off and noting in the carfax that it was "all good" and had be completely inspected. Dealership admitted that they don't check fuse boxes and cables if the lights on the dash aren't illuminated. This is a huge failure of safety. All is on a recorded line from their phonelines from the date range of 4/27/26-5/2/26. All is notated in documentation and photographic evidence. Finally settled and they bought the vehicle back on [XXX] and assured me it would be sent back with the correct salvage title, and it is currently out for resale on their lot as of today 5/24/26. They are fully aware of all the issues. The SRS,ABS, HVAC 40 Relays, and the Traction control system have all been disengaged/compromised to bypass the system of any issues ongoing. The middle row seat isn't secured down, and the airbags have been entirely removed. [XXX] Above is the website listing for this vehicle. The carfax is not updated to the correct report. This vehicle was involved in an accident where the SRS system has been compromised & I was driving this with my [XXX] in this vehicle for approximately 2 months like this. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11739789

Incident

Apr 28, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact discovered that the driver’s side second-row and the passenger’s side second-row seat belts intermittently failed to release when the release button was depressed. The contact stated that for the vehicle to return to normal operation, the contact had to avoid sitting in the seats for several hours or a day, and eventually, the vehicle would return to normal operation. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the dealer stated that the cause of the failure was unknown. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

NHTSA ID

11710350

Incident

Jan 12, 2022

Mileage

25,000 mi

The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH with her son seated in the front passenger’s seat, there was a loud popping sound coming from the passenger’s side seat before the front passenger’s seat headrest exploded. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be inspected; however, the vehicle was not repaired due to a fractured clip. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11676587

Incident

Jul 28, 2025

Mileage

150,000 mi

The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle, she observed that the driver's side seat headrest had detached from the seat, potentially compromising safety in the event of a collision. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,000.

NHTSA ID

11544168

Incident

Sep 12, 2023

Mileage

74,000 mi

The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while the seat belt was in use, the seat belt and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the seat belt sensors needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle could only be serviced by the dealer. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

NHTSA ID

11542907

Incident

Jul 1, 2023

Mileage

135,000 mi

Drivers side seatbelt unbuckles while driving without being touched, I’ve had my car for 5 years, and have been having this issue for a year now

NHTSA ID

11540429

Incident

Aug 1, 2022

UNKNOWN

NHTSA ID

11526210

Incident

May 2, 2023

The middle row bench seat, middle seat seatbelt doesn’t function the way it should. It doesn’t lock when you fully extend it or be able to hold a person during an accident. This seat has hooks for a child restraint but can’t see how it will hold a child seat if the seat belt won’t lock in place during an accident. Took my vehicle to a dodge dealer in Michigan City, IN who informed me this is not a defect, it’s the way the vehicle was designed. I have serious concerns about this because that is the seat someone can go through the windshield.

NHTSA ID

11513023

Incident

Mar 21, 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the oil warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to her residence the next day. The vehicle was then towed to a collision shop where the mechanic retrieved several fault codes. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed back to her residence. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that the front passenger’s side headrest had deployed independently. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

NHTSA ID

11489275

Incident

Sep 26, 2022

Mileage

122,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE FAILED TO SECURELY LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER NAPLETON'S RIVER OAKS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (17225 TORRENCE AVE, LANSING, IL 60438, (708) 782-4768) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 17,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID

11390678

Incident

Jan 17, 2021

Mileage

17,000 mi

IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE SINCE I GOT THE CAR THAT I WAS UNABLE TO BUCKLE UP. THE SEAT BELT WAS LOCKED AND I COULD NOT PULL IT SO THAT I COULD BUCKLE MYSELF ... KIND OF SCARY WHEN YOUR DRIVING WITHOUT A SEAT BELT. I TRIED OPENING THE DOOR CLOSING IT TURNING ON AND OFF THE CAR PUTTING IT IN PARK ETC IN DIFFERENT PATTERNS NOTHING WORKED ... I HAD NO CHOICE I HAD TO DRIVE TO PICK UP MY KIDS AFTER LEAVING WORK

NHTSA ID

11110988

Incident

Jul 7, 2018

Mileage

21,000 mi