The Lemon Index

All cars · Dodge Journey · 2018

2018 Dodge Journey. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index93100 = average car
Complaints89NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold94,096U.S. model year
Per 100K sold95complaints
Year rank#4 of 12#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 3

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.4L 4-cylAuto 4-spdFWD19 / 25 / 21Regular$2,950
3.6L 6-cylAuto 6-spdFWD17 / 25 / 19Regular$3,300
3.6L 6-cylAuto 6-spdAWD16 / 24 / 19Regular$3,300

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 6,800 and 61,200 miles. Median 25,500, from 94 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Electrical22,0007,500–47,60025
Engine15,0002,000–22,00011
Lights35,8006,500–59,0009
Backup camera68,00057,100–85,00017
Speed control26,0001,300–40,30013

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Electrical34%
Engine15%
Brakes15%
Speed control13%
Transmission & drivetrain13%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
236727010

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 6

  • 22V723000 Sep 2022 Exterior Lighting

    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."

    Risk. 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.

  • 18V523000 Aug 2018 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components / Disc / Caliper

    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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 18V524000 Aug 2018 Electrical System / Wiring / Front Underhood

    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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 18V396000 Jun 2018 Visibility / Rearview Mirrors/Devices

    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."

    Risk. 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.

  • 18V398000 Jun 2018 Back Over Prevention / Sensing System / Camera

    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."

    Risk. 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.

  • 18V332000 May 2018 Electrical System / Wiring

    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 with

    Risk. 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 d

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenVehicle entrapment2024–
ClosedBack up camera failure20242025
ClosedActive head rest inadvertent deployment20192026

Manufacturer communications 139

Dodge filed 139 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • CEL (Check Engine Lamp) Illuminates, Recent PCM Replace Or Flash Update Performed, DTC P057B…
  • Remanufactured Transmission Assembly 1
  • Customer complaint may include engine oil leak/consumption

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Dodge Journey SUV AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Dodge Journey SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2015193203108,085Engine
2016153163106,759Engine
2017969689,470Electrical
2018938994,096Electrical
2019231974,687Electrical
2020221154,375Steering

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data