First generation (JC/JS)
2018 Dodge Journey
The most reported problem on the 2018 Dodge Journey is infotainment, with 72 complaints, usually around 61,000 miles.
- 234owner complaints
- 6recalls
- 7involved a crash
- 30,470median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 18, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Journey doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2018 model year.
Is the 2018 Dodge Journey reliable?
The 2018 Dodge Journey has 234 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, below the median of 331 for 2018 SUVs on this site. Of the 7 Journey model years since 2014, it has the 4th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017 and 2019
- At 26 complaints for each year on the road, the 2018 runs above the 2017 (20) and 2.1 times the 2019 (12).
- Top problem
- Infotainment leads with 72 of the 234 complaints (31%), ahead of brake wear at 25. A quarter of the 26 owners who gave a mileage for infotainment saw it by about 45,000 miles, and half by about 61,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 12 of the 234 complaints (5%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, about the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 7 reports mention a crash, 2 mention a fire and 7 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 4 of 7, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Each of infotainment and brake wear has a recall on the same system: infotainment, 18V-332 and 18V-524; brake wear, 18V-523. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Complaints are still climbing. 2025 brought 42, the most of any year so far. So far in 2026, 28 more have come in.
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.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
234 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.
Service bulletins for the 2018 Dodge Journey
Dodge filed 139 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2018 Dodge Journey. 18 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 3 bulletins · 72 complaints
USB PORT Media Hub For Android Auto and Apple Carplay issues, do not replace this part. Android Auto and Apple Carplay applications may not operate with the vehicle if an aftermarket cable is being used.
Apple Carplay Inoperative Or Not Working, Phone Not Pairing, Carplay Lockup, Freeze or Audio Concerns
1 more on this problem
RADIO [RES] New and/or Service Exchange For RES radio concerns. Use the wiTECH 2.0 and inspect the radio part number and serial number under the Radio/ECU Details tab. Please verify that the radio part number and/or serial number is not "FFFF".
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 2 bulletins · 25 complaints
CEL (Check Engine Lamp) Illuminates, Recent PCM Replace or Flash Update Performed, Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P057B Brake Pedal Position Sensor Circuit Performance, P1572 Brake Pedal Stuck, C0042-54 Brake Pedal Missing Calibration
A/C Pressure Transducer A/C inoperative and diagnosis leads to pressure transducer. Call Steve Rice at cell (248) 867-0061 before replacing the pressure transducer. If no response in 15 minutes, please proceed with repair.
Seat belt or seat problems 1 bulletin · 21 complaints
Active Head Restraint (AHR) Inadvertent Deployment - X84 Warranty Extension This bulletin involves inspecting the sled bracket striker pin and possibly replacing a front seat AHR that has inadvertently deployed.
Check engine light or misfire 3 bulletins · 15 complaints
wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
No Start, After Flash And Or PCM Replace, DTC P0513 Invalid Skim Key Setting
1 more on this problem
CEL (Check Engine Lamp) Illuminates, Recent PCM Replace Or Flash Update Performed, DTC P057B Brake Pedal Position Sensor Circuit Performance
Battery dies or the car will not start 6 bulletins · 12 complaints
Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning Lamp On
No Start, After Flash And Or PCM Replace, DTC P0513 Invalid Skim Key Setting
4 more on this problem
Battery Drain Concern, Dual USB Port Normal Operational Draw, Extended Illumination Or Extended Operation After Key Off
No Start, Cannot Complete Module Replace, Proxi Or Module Proxi Configuration
No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle, Intermittent Key Not Detected Message
No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle
Airbag warning light or recall 1 bulletin · 12 complaints
SHIELD, Seat For concern of driver side seat shield is broken/cracked. Before replacing this part send an email to FCA Redacted Content; With the dealer address and a picture of the part. If no response in 15 minutes, proceed with repair.
Suspension noise, struts or alignment 1 bulletin · 8 complaints
Air Suspension Components Star Parts Catalog has been updated to show individual service parts for the compressor assembly. This will allow service technicians to repair the root cause without over repairing the system.
A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 1 bulletin · 5 complaints
A/C Pressure Transducer A/C inoperative and diagnosis leads to pressure transducer. Call Steve Rice at cell (248) 867-0061 before replacing the pressure transducer. If no response in 15 minutes, please proceed with repair.
Complaints filed by year
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
Vehicle entrapment. Open.
NHTSA summary
Back up camera failure. Closed sep 26, 2025, led to recall 25E-052.
NHTSA summary
Active head rest inadvertent deployment. Closed feb 25, 2026.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2018 Dodge Journey
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
All 6 recalls on the 2018 Dodge Journey, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide NHTSA has an open investigation on this car. What the investigation stages mean
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2018 Dodge Journey?
Infotainment, with 72 of the 234 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 61,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2018 Dodge Journey problems start?
Of the 93 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 13,000 miles and half by about 30,000.
Is the 2018 Dodge Journey better or worse than the 2017 and 2019?
Counted per year on the road, the 2018 has more complaints than both the 2017 and the 2019: 26 a year against 20 and 12.
How many 2018 Dodge Journey complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
12 of them (5%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for infotainment on the 2018 Dodge Journey?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls on the same system: 18V-332 and 18V-524. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.