VehicleVerdict

2018 Dodge Journey problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2018 Dodge Journey carries two red flags at once: 333 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Vehicle entrapment). It is one of the Journey years to avoid.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (74), other (42), and engine (32), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

333

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

3

Investigations · 1 open

11

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Journey years?

Journey NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 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, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Journey years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Dodge Journey problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System7422%
Other4213%
Engine3210%
Lighting258%
Brakes237%
Driver Assistance227%
Speed Control216%
Transmission185%
Seats144%
Steering113%
Airbags103%
Fuel System82%
Suspension82%
Visibility & Wipers72%
Seat Belts72%
Tires & Wheels62%
Body & Structure52%

Does the 2018 Dodge Journey have recalls?

6 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.

18V523000BrakesAugust 9, 2018 · 154,335 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

18V524000Electrical SystemAugust 9, 2018 · 12,779 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

18V398000Driver AssistanceJune 14, 2018 · 1,837 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

18V396000Visibility & WipersJune 14, 2018 · 1,741 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

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.

“I HAD PULLED UP TO A STOP LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT FULLY COME TO A STOP SO I DEPRESSED THE BREAK HARDER AND AS I RELEASE THE BRAKE THE CAR TOOK OFF AND WAS STEADILY ACCELERATING I TURN THE CAR OFF AND GOT TO A PARKING LOT THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER HAD THE SAME RESULT WHEN HE TRIED TO BACK THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 30, 2020

“ON JUNE 3, 2019, I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE ROAD AND MY VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING FROM THE AC VENT NEAR THE GLOVE BOX. I GOT ME AND MY SON AND FOUR YEAR OLD PASSENGER OUT OF THE VEHICLE. AIR BAGS STARTED BLOWING OUT AND VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE AND BURNED COMPLETELY. NO ONE WILL TELL ME WHY IT BURNED.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 3, 2019 · fire

“The vehicles warning lights have all lit up and the engine has stalled. We have taken it to multiple mechanics and they believe it to be the voltage regulator chip that is faulty which is accusing the engine to stall. It has also lost the back up camera capabilities which is also another recall of…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 31, 2023

“Reflectors are critical for visibility especially when it is foggy outside. My reflectors made my vehicle less visible to other driver because he backed his trailer into my car not seeing my lights or me and directly caused or perhaps contributed to the accident. I seek compensation due to the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · December 20, 2024 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN MY BRAND NEW DODGE JOURNEY THAT WAS PURCHASED LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AGO, ALL THE VEHICLES CAME TO A STOP AND WERE STATIONARY. MY CAR INCLUDED WAS STATIONARY OR STOPPED. WHILE WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO GO, MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED (WAS IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 10, 2018 · crash

2018 Dodge Journey — common questions

Is the 2018 Dodge Journey reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 333 complaints put the 2018 model at #8 of 14 Journey years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Journey years to avoid.

What are the most common 2018 Journey problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (74 complaints), other (42 complaints), engine (32 complaints).

Does the 2018 Dodge Journey have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Dodge Journey. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2018 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 2018 Dodge Journey?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 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.