VehicleVerdict

2017 Dodge Journey problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2017 Dodge Journey carries two red flags at once: 315 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Vehicle entrapment). It is one of the Journey years to avoid. Complainants reported 16 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (64), engine (45), and transmission (31), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

315

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

3

Investigations · 1 open

16

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

16

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other Journey years?

Journey NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted2,091 complaints2007: 7 complaints2008: 12 complaints2009: 2,091 complaints2010: 1,480 complaints2011: 253 complaints2012: 621 complaints2013: 507 complaints2014: 643 complaints2015: 864 complaints2016: 609 complaints2017: 315 complaints2018: 333 complaints2019: 126 complaints2020: 86 complaints
Journey NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Journey years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Dodge Journey problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System6420%
Engine4514%
Transmission3110%
Airbags299%
Other289%
Speed Control196%
Seats186%
Brakes165%
Steering155%
Fuel System155%
Seat Belts83%
Visibility & Wipers52%
Lighting52%
Tires & Wheels52%
Driver Assistance41%
Body & Structure41%
Suspension31%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2017 Dodge Journey have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V723000LightingSeptember 29, 2022 · 83,453 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

18V332000Electrical SystemMay 17, 2018 · 4,815,661 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

EA24003

Vehicle entrapment

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“AS MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING FOR WORK FOR THE CENSUS, THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE MESSAGE NOTIFICATION ENVELOPE BOTH APPEARED ON THE DASH SCREEN THEY FLASHED ON ONCE FLASHED OFF AND FLAMES BLEW OUT FROM BOTH FRONT WHEELS WELLS. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY WENT UP IN FLAMES AND MY HUSBAND WAS LUCKY TO GET OUT OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 27, 2020 · fire

“I WAS DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND THE VEHICLE KEPT TRYING TO SPEED ITSELF BACK UP AND THE CAR KEPT SLOWING DOWN I NOTICED THE CAR WAS ON FIRE IN THE BACK OF THE CAR SO I PULLED OVER TURNED THE CAR OFF JUMPED OUT WALKED TO A SAFE DISTANCE CALLED THE POLICE WHILE ON THE PHONE WITH THEM THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 20, 2017 · fire

“The contact owned a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving, the gear shifter moved without warning. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no additional assistance was provided. The…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 1, 2017

“HEAD ON COLLISION. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. OWNER'S SPOUSE OF THE DODGE JOURNEY 2017 WAS DIAGNOSED WITH MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION, INITIAL ENCOUNTER CONTUSION OF CHEST WALL, UNSPECIFIED LATERALITY, INITIAL ENCOUNTER. OWNER'S SPOUSE OF THE DODGE JOURNEY 2017 WAS TURNING LEFT INTO THEIR HOME DRIVEWAY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 10, 2018 · crash

“I WAS DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND THE VEHICLE KEPT TRYING TO SPEED ITSELF BACK UP AND THE CAR KEPT SLOWING DOWN I NOTICED THE CAR WAS ON FIRE IN THE BACK OF THE CAR SO I PULLED OVER TURNED THE CAR OFF JUMPED OUT WALKED TO A SAFE DISTANCE CALLED THE POLICE WHILE ON THE PHONE WITH THEM THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 20, 2017 · fire

2017 Dodge Journey — common questions

Is the 2017 Dodge Journey reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 315 complaints put the 2017 model at #9 of 14 Journey years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Journey years to avoid.

What are the most common 2017 Journey problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (64 complaints), engine (45 complaints), transmission (31 complaints).

Does the 2017 Dodge Journey have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Dodge Journey. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2017 Dodge Journey under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Vehicle entrapment). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Dodge Journey years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Journey years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2016, 2013, 2018, 2017, 2011, 2019, 2020. The cleanest record among Journey years belongs to 2007.

How safe is the 2017 Dodge Journey?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 Dodge Journey earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.