AI DamageDodge Journey: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Dodge Journey across 7 model years: 996 owner complaints and 209 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 26% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 21% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 15% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 11% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 8% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 8% of all complaints
- 7 Seats 8% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 7% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 259 complaints (26% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 167.
- Engine: 206 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 37.
- Powertrain: 147 complaints (15% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 100.
- Service brakes: 106 complaints (11% of all), 12 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Air bags: 79 complaints (8% of all), 23 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2009–2020named in 5 complaints
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2009–2010
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2011–2019named in 4 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed 2009–2020
- automatic, 6-speed 2009–2019
Drive: FWD, AWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 996 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 259 | 3 | 167 |
| Engine | 206 | 0 | 37 |
| Powertrain | 147 | 4 | 100 |
| Service brakes | 106 | 12 | 3 |
| Air bags | 79 | 23 | 6 |
| Vehicle speed control | 76 | 6 | 6 |
| Seats | 75 | 1 | 42 |
| Steering | 65 | 4 | 7 |
| Backover prevention | 64 | 2 | 9 |
| Exterior lighting | 54 | 1 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 39 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 29 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 26 | 0 | 23 |
| Electronic stability control | 24 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The rear view camera has become unreliable. It sometimes flickers. It sometimes is upside down. It is sometimes gray. It works properly about 10% of the time. I believe it was a significant contributor to my backing into and damaging another vehicle in a parking lot.
The fire department and police arrived on the scene. Police and fire department reports were filed. The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site. The contact stated that the following week, while driving, all of the air bags deployed without any impact.
was involved in a major accident and the air bags did not deploy. Was hit on head on and right side.
The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the instrument panel began to behave erratically, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power, prompting her to attempt to quickly veer to the shoulder of the roadway. As a result, the contact was sideswiped by another vehicle on the driver's side.
On 7/17/2-23 I was rear ended at 55mph And my Airbags didn't deploy. On 7/18/2023 I reported it to Dodge I was given a case # told someone would call me in 48 hrs and they told me it was fine to drive, no one ever called. 7/24/2023 My 14th Wedding anniversary got ruined because my Airbags deployed while driving.
Was hit by another vehicle in front driver wheel which knocked me off the roadway. During the collision I kept hitting the brakes and the car wouldn't stop. I had no control over the steering as well. My car then hit a fence. My airbags never deployed with extensive damage to the front end of my car.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- About 68,312 of the above vehicles may exceed emission standards for Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) because of a…
- Flash
- Emissions Recall U67 - Catalytic Converter Efficiency - Dealer Notification (Revision 11)
- CAMERA – REAR VIEW
- Engine Oil Leak
- Verify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders
- LAMP - DOME
- LAMP - DOME
- "Washer Light On And Will Not Turn Off After Adding Washer Solvent."
- LAMP - DOME
- ACTUATOR - A/C AND HEATER
- ACTUATOR - A/C AND HEATER
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- 2016 Dodge journey R/T Gubio, drive shaft coupler replacement and AWD fluid change for the day!
- 2017 Dodge Journey GT wreck rebuild part 1
- 2009–2020 Dodge Journey: Reliability Deep Dive
- Dodge Journey 2009-2020 (all wheel drive) this NEEDS to be a RECALL
- 2020 Dodge journey transmission neutral manual override
- How to Replace Front Strut and Spring Assembly 2009-2020 Dodge Journey
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.