2016 Dodge Journey · symptom sheet

Seat belt or seat problems

43owner reports
60,000median miles
1involved a crash

Newest report Sep 1, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

43 of the 386 complaints on this car describe seat belt.

Tick what matches of 43 reports

the belt will not latch or release

the belt locks or will not extend

a seat moves or rocks

a seat heater or motor failed

there is a recall

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the buckle (4 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the seats covers the 2016 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the seats on the Journey

PE19-014opened Sep 9, 2019

Seats · model years 2010 to 2019

Active head rest inadvertent deployment. Closed feb 25, 2026.

NHTSA summary

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 in

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 46,271 and 78,000 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.

418

319

1020

421

522

823

224

525

226

What owners wrote

“Passenger headrest activated without warning striking passenger in the head while driving. x84 recall in effect. Dealerships wont return phone calls for the repair. no trouble indicator lamps”
Filed Dec 19, 2023

“My driver seat headrest had deployed somehow without getting into an thankfully I wasn't driving but I noticed it when I got into my car. The headrest also doesn't go back into place it seemed to have broke the clamps that hold the silver pole and the clamps that hold the silver pole is also locked.”
Filed Oct 5, 2023

“The driver's headrest in my 2016 Dodge Journey has deployed and will not reset. The plastic pieces that hold the metal bar have broken. I have read about many other owners of Journeys, that are experiencing the same issue, yet there is no official recall. I have not taken it to be inspected.”
Filed Sep 28, 2023

“The passenger side active head restraint (AHR) burst open injuring the owner who was sitting in the passenger seat while the vehicle was moving. There was no rear end impact and there was no reason for the AHR to malfunction.”
Filed Sep 7, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 43 reports involved a crash and 4 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.