2018 Dodge Journey
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 72 of 232 complaints (31%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (6) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 197 in 2017 to 232 in 2018.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950–3,300 | 2,950–3,300 | 2,950–3,300 | 2,950–3,300 | 2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–21 | 19–21 | 19–21 | 19–21 | 21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–19 / 24–25 | 16–19 / 24–25 | 16–19 / 24–25 | 16–19 / 24–25 | 19 / 25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 420–470 | 420–470 | 420–470 | 420–470 | 420 | |
| Complaints filed | 386 | 197 | 232 | 100 | 64 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 19 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 4 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 16 | 13 | 7 | 3 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Dodge Journey have?
6 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Dodge Journey?
Electrical: 72 of 232 NHTSA complaints (31%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Dodge Journey get?
EPA rates it 19–21 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Dodge Journey?
EPA estimates $2,950–$3,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 19 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 420 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 17 mpg | 25 mpg (high) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 456 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 16 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 470 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 32 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 72 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 28 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 18 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 47 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 19 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 34 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 45 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (6)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 22V723000 · Sep 29, 2022
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD · Campaign 18V524000 · Aug 14, 2018
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER · Campaign 18V523000 · Aug 13, 2018
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.
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES · Campaign 18V396000 · Jun 18, 2018
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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · Campaign 18V398000 · Jun 18, 2018
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · Campaign 18V332000 · May 22, 2018
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.