Diagsheet

First generation (JC/JS)

2018 Dodge Journey

  • 232owner complaints
  • 6recalls
  • 7involved a crash
  • 30,470median miles at failure

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

miles

2018 Dodge Journey
Photo: Mr.choppers, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

When each problem shows up

Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: infotainment, screen or backup camera fails, 72 complaints.

0k25k50k75k100k125k150kyou
Engine stalls or loses power while driving17 reports
Headlights too dim or fail17 reports
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails72 reports
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early25 reports

middle half of reports, median tick. Darker bars have 75 or more reports.

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        How this compares

        2018 Dodge Journey232
        Median 2018 model here (85 vehicles)281
        Median 2018 SUV here (43)330

        232 complaints is 1.2 times fewer than the median 2018 model on this site and 1.4 times fewer than the median 2018 SUV. Among the 6 Journey model years here it ranks 4th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.

        Complaints filed by year

        1218
        3719
        2520
        1521
        1122
        3423
        3024
        4225
        2626

        42 complaints came in 2025. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.

        NHTSA investigations

        EA24-003opened Aug 1, 2024
        Latches/Locks/Linkages · model years 2009 to 2020

        Vehicle entrapment. Open.

        NHTSA summary
        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.
        PE24-006opened Feb 27, 2024
        Backup camera · model years 2017 to 2020

        Back up camera failure. Closed sep 26, 2025, led to recall 25E-052.

        NHTSA summary
        On February 27, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to investigate complaints alleging a loss of back up camera function in Model Year (MY) 2018 through 2020 Dodge Journey vehicles. Complainants reported experiencing black screens, upside down images, flashing images, or blurred images. A back up camera that does not display correctly increases the likelihood of a crash or injury. Analysis of warranty data provided in response to ODI’s information request letter demonstrated a pattern of elevated warranty claims in subject vehicles built in calendar years (CY) 2019 and 2020. The rate of camera related warranty repairs for models built in CY 2019-2020 was nearly double that of vehicles built in CY 2017-2018. This increase in warranty claims occurred after the introduction of a new camera part number. ODI presented this analysis to FCA in February 2025. In response, FCA started a review of component change history in February 2025 and opened an internal investigation into MY 2019-2020 Dodge Journey and 2019-2021 Ram Promaster vehicles in May of 2025. On August 26, 2025, FCA submitted a Part 573 Safety Recall Report to the agency. In the report, FCA notes that a damaged microprocessor may cause the camera to not function properly. FCA will replace defective cameras in the recalled vehicles with an updated part that mitigates the issue. See NHTSA recalls 25V552 and 25E052 for further details. Based on available
        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

        Recalls that include the 2018 Dodge Journey

        Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

        22V-723Sep 29, 2022
        Exterior Lighting

        Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Dodge Journey vehicles. The amber side reflex reflector assembled into the headlamp may not reflect brightly enough. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: A dim reflector may reduce the visibility of the vehicle to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
        Remedy: Dealers will replace the headlamp assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 16, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z99.
        18V-523Aug 9, 2018
        Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper

        Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan and Jeep Compass, 2018 Dodge Journey, and 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
        Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U86.
        18V-524Aug 9, 2018
        Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood

        Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
        Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
        18V-396Jun 14, 2018
        Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices

        Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Journey vehicles. When reverse gear has been selected, the rear camera view may not be fully visible within two seconds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: If the full camera view is delayed and the driver does not check their surroundings before backing up, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
        Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview mirror, free of charge. The recall began August 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U58.
        18V-398Jun 14, 2018
        Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

        Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Journey and RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The backup camera may experience a loss of image display while backing up. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: A loss of image in the rearview camera while backing up can increase the risk of a crash.
        Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview mirror, free of charge. The recall began August 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U56.
        18V-332May 17, 2018
        Electrical System:Wiring

        Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
        Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

        Other model years

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