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2018 Dodge Journey

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
3 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
52 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns6
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA232
Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA21 mpg
20202019201820172016

The 2018 Dodge Journey is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Journey, is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 232 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
JourneyGasFWD2.4L 4-cyl192521$2,950
JourneyGasFWD3.6L 6-cyl172519$3,300
Journey AWDGasAWD3.6L 6-cyl162419$3,300

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39363, 39364, 39367.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 Dodge Journey is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (6)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Exterior Lighting

Z99
83,453 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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."RiskA dim reflector may reduce the visibility of the vehicle to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 22V723000reported Sep 29, 2022Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

U86
154,335 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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.RiskA reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.FixChrysler 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V523000reported Aug 9, 2018Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
▲high

Electrical System

U87
12,779 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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.RiskA vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.FixChrysler 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V524000reported Aug 9, 2018Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
▲high

Back Over Prevention

U56
1,837 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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."RiskA loss of image in the rearview camera while backing up can increase the risk of a crash.FixChrysler 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V398000reported Jun 14, 2018Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
▲high

Visibility

U58
1,741 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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."RiskIf 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.FixChrysler 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V396000reported Jun 14, 2018Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
▲high

Electrical System

U49,U59-U65,U68,U73
4,815,661 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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 depressRiskIf the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.FixChrysler 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 transmissi
NHTSA campaign 18V332000reported May 17, 2018Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

NHTSA defect investigations

Latches/Locks/Linkages — Vehicle entrapment open

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

Opened Aug 1, 2024 · action EA24003

Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera — Back up camera failure closed

On February 27, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to investigate complaints alleging a loss of back up camera function in Model Year (MY) 2018 through 2020 Dodge Journey vehicles.  Complainants reported experiencing black screens, upside down images, flashing images, or blurred images.  A back up camera that does not display correctly increases the likelihood of a crash or injury. Analysis of warranty data provided in response to ODI’s information request letter demonstrated a pattern of elevated warranty claims in subject vehicles built in calendar years (CY) 2019 and 2020.  The rate of camera related warranty repairs for models bui

Opened Feb 27, 2024 · closed Sep 26, 2025 · action PE24006

Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint — Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment closed

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of

Opened Sep 9, 2019 · closed Feb 25, 2026 · action PE19014

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
232complaints filed

7 involved a crash · 2 a fire · 7 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2018: 12 · 2019: 37 · 2020: 25 · 2021: 15 · 2022: 11 · 2023: 34 · 2024: 30 · 2025: 42 · 2026: 26

Most-cited components

Electrical System72
Unspecified45
Engine30
Exterior Lighting26
Back Over Prevention23
Vehicle Speed Control21

What owners describe

“Passenger side front seat headrest airbag deployed while driving. The airbag feature deployed while my 13 year old daughter was sitting in the seat. When the safety feature deployed, it hit my child in the back of her head causing pain and injury. This safety feature deployed without warning or cause. The headrest brok…”Mar 5, 2023 · Air Bags · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Journey. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V723000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealers: East Carolina Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat (3401 S Memorial Dr, Greenville, NC 27834: (888)848-5262), Outer…”Feb 28, 2023 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Journey. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V723000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer …”Feb 3, 2023 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆18%
SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆18%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Journey model years

A

2020 Dodge Journey

1 recalls · 64 complaints

A

2019 Dodge Journey

1 recalls · 100 complaints

B

2017 Dodge Journey

2 recalls · 197 complaints

D

2016 Dodge Journey

4 recalls · 386 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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