Dodge Journey electrical problems, 2016–2020
258 of the 985 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Dodge Journey 2016–2020 name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). The loudest years: 2016 (85), 2018 (72), 2017 (59). Filed under the same heading across these years: 5 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Dodge Journey electrical problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the electrical system | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 19 | 29% | — | 32 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 23 | 23% | — | 34 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 in depth | 72 | 31% | 27k | 32 TSBs · 2 recalls | the record → |
| 2017 in depth | 59 | 30% | 36k | 36 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 85 | 22% | 62k | 45 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the electrical system. Nothing here is a rate.
When the electrical complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2017: 5 · 2018: 16 · 2019: 46 · 2020: 28 · 2021: 22 · 2022: 22 · 2023: 20 · 2024: 32 · 2025: 39 · 2026: 28
Across the model years, half of the 97 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 23,000 and 66,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The door locks continue to lock even if the key fob is in the vehicle. This happens especially in the mornings when it is cold
Vehicle not used 4 days, tried to start, the battery totally discharged, zero volts measured with a voltmeter. No apparent reason, nothing was left connected or powered on (i.e computer, phone, etc.) started with the help of another vehicle, the battery charged and works ok, the symptom did not recurred. I read several comments online.
Door locks will not stay lock doors will unlock when wet when you wash car you get water on doors car lock and unlock uncontrollably and in car wash and when it rains doors unlock them self's , dealer can not fix problem went there 6 times
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that the electrical system failed to operate or would operate on its own. The contact stated that the headlights and tail lights would sometimes illuminate on their own.
My wife went to start the Journey, car won't start brakes won't press down all I hear is clicking sound like the car wants to start but won't, look for help online what I get is that it's a security issue that has the car locked tried to over ride by disconnecting the positive cable to reset but nothing, I understand that this is a…
What is on file about the electrical system, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 18V524000 HighAug 9, 2018 · 12,779 vehicles
- 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.
- 18V332000 CriticalMay 17, 2018 · 4,815,661 vehicles
- 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.
5 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Dec 3, 2025
- CAMERA – REAR VIEW
- Jul 28, 2025
- LAMP - DOME
- Jun 12, 2025
- LAMP - DOME
- May 16, 2025
- "Washer Light On And Will Not Turn Off After Adding Washer Solvent."
- May 1, 2025
- LAMP - DOME
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Dodge Journey
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Dodge Journey problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Dodge Journey years have the most electrical complaints?
2016, 85; 2018, 72; 2017, 59. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2018 (31%).
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the Dodge Journey?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 18V524000 (2018), 18V332000 (2018). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do electrical problems show up on the Dodge Journey?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 50,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 23,000 and 66,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?
Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.