2018 Dodge Journey Problems, Recalls & Reliability
346 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2018 Dodge Journey, alongside 6 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 14/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 28,700 miles.
One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 2018 Dodge Journey has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.
Better year
Where 2018 sits among all Journey years
What owners report
“Back up camera stopped working just after manufacturer warranty expired. When car is in reverse the screen in the rear view indicates the camera isn't working”— owner report to NHTSA, 2018 Journey
“My back up camera goes black or it has lines all over it, sometimes it works out times i can't see nothing, have to stick my head out to back up.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2018 Journey
“While driving on the freeway some of the lights on my dash kit up and all the sudden my car would not go over 15 mph. I tried to turn it off and turn it back on and it continued to do the same thing. I did have my grandkids in the car.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2018 Journey
“The backup camera randomly works. When it does work, within minutes it slowly fades from a picture to a black screen.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2018 Journey
“The brakes sometimes feel that they won't stop. The rotors are getting some deep lines on it.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2018 Journey
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 132 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 30,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 11,005 and 61,200 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (6)
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…
Fix: 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,…
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,…
Fix: 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 (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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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 (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…
Fix: 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 (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,…
Fix: 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…
Federal defect investigations
Still open as of the last data refresh. An investigation is not a recall; it may close with no action. All open investigations →
Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
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…
Model years named: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Technical service bulletins
139 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2018 Dodge Journey. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2018 Journey TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2018 Dodge Journey reliable?
The 2018 Dodge Journey drew 346 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 14/100, scored against the model's worst year (2009).
What are the most common 2018 Dodge Journey problems?
The top reported problems for the 2018 Dodge Journey are electrical (96 complaints), other (48), and engine (32).
At what mileage do 2018 Dodge Journey problems show up?
Owners most often report 2018 Dodge Journey problems around 30,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 11,005 and 61,200 miles.
Does the 2018 Dodge Journey have recalls?
6 recall campaigns apply to the 2018 Dodge Journey. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.