Tell me this recurring dream is not literal.
I do often have premonitions, but they usually do not come as dreams and I am usually certain that they are premonitions. This recurring dream, however, is so frightening and confusing.
My whole life I’ve had various versions of the same nightmare, going off a bridge in a car into a river or large, deep, cold body of water. It’s completely horrifying. I am the passenger. The driver loses control of the car. I can see what’s happening. Then suddenly we are in the air and there’s nowhere to go but into the water.
In recent years my son is occasionally, but not always, in his car seat in the back. As we’re headed for the water, I try to figure out what I can do to save myself (and my son if he is present.) Sometimes I wake up before we hit the water. Sometimes I jump out of the car before it hits the water and I swim to safety. Sometimes we hit the water, but for some reason we are able to drive the car to safety. Sometimes we sink and I wake up while I’m figuring out how to get out of the car.
I always wake up thinking I need to have a plan for getting out of a submerged car. But then I shake it off.
I am afraid of bridges and I am afraid of cars. I always have been.
I had another one of these dreams right before I woke up this morning.
They really bother me.
= new reply since forum marked as read
"I always wake up thinking I need to have a plan for getting out of a submerged car"
Seems to me your brain is trying to teach you that this is an irrational fear. You've dreamed every possible scenario and you survive even without a premeditated plan of escape. 
Could be.
and in my personal experience, they have a very different feel to them than regular dreams. "Outside of time," rather than emotional.
It is more likely a metaphor that your mind is using to send you a message.
...so that may explain why it's recurring.
...a higher position at much better pay. I've been struggling with leadership issues at my current job, and struggling with my income (and my health.)
There's no shortage of stress. I've been working on taking better care of myself (and my chakras!) but I know I have a long way to go.
From you're dream imagery I'm getting That you don't feel in control of your life Or destiny or where you are headed and The feelings, emotions you are experienceing or burying feel over whelming and scary to you.You are afraid to fully engage them and let them fully wash over and through you. Mentally analizying and trying to rationanlyze you situation in life isn't enough to come fully into balance you have to let youre emotions go and experience them too. They also have wisdom and answers,insight for you. They are a "Bridge" To better funtioning and healing.
I was thinking, after reading the replies here, what if next time I have this dream, I don't resist and just go with it as the car plunges into the water.
I do feel that I don't control my destiny. So much depends upon other people, especially employers and prospective employers. And the things that are in my control, I struggle to change - like self-care.
Better functioning and healing are exactly what I need.
I am taking steps...
Thanks so much.
Water traditionally represents the sub-conscious, emotions, creativity, spirituality. Your dreams are finding all kinds of different ways for you to jump into the flow of your psyche, creative nature. You're coming up with ways to escape! 
Do you remember what the water looks/feels like?
...but I don't remember ever actually feeling it.
It's usually dark grey. Often, when the car hits it, it turns out to be much more shallow than I anticipated and we end up just driving through it looking for a way to get back on the road.
I am planting a little bug in my head to just dive in next time I have this dream.
Thanks.
Maybe you're reliving a traumatic ending to a previous existence? 
...to get in control, to accept that you are not in control, or a little bit of both?