2018 Dodge Journey
Common Problems
Ranked from 88 federal NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
14 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Backup Camera Malfunction
29complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe backup camera does not display an image properly, showing a black screen or flickering.
$250–$800est. backup camera replacement · 1–3 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V332000, 18V524000
- 2
Electrical System Glitches
21complaintsMedium severityElectricalElectrical system glitches cause issues such as rear camera malfunction, radio freezing, and Bluetooth pairing difficulties.
Related recalls: 18V332000, 18V524000
- 3
Engine Performance Issues
12complaintsHigh severityEngineReports of engine misfires, rough idling, and difficulty starting the vehicle, often accompanied by warning lights.
- 4
Headlight Issues
12complaintsMedium severityOtherHeadlights frequently fail to illuminate properly, leading to poor visibility at night.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 5
Intermittent Braking Issues
9complaintsMedium severityBrakesThe brakes feel inconsistent, sometimes firm and stopping quickly, other times soft or spongy, increasing braking distance.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V523000
- 6
Passenger Side Headrest Deployment
7complaintsSafety riskOtherThe passenger side headrest unexpectedly deploys without warning, potentially causing injury to occupants.
- 7
Faulty Cruise Control System
5complaintsHigh severityOtherThe cruise control system malfunctions, causing the vehicle to accelerate uncontrollably or fail to decelerate properly.
- 8
Engine Misfire
4complaintsMedium severityEngineMultiple cylinders misfire, causing the engine to shut off unexpectedly during driving.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 9
Steering Issues Leading to Accidents
4complaintsSafety riskSteeringSteering issues, including steering wheel lock-up and loss of power, lead to accidents and potential injury.
- 10
Visibility Issues
4complaintsLow severityOtherProblems with exterior lighting such as third brake light out, tail wipers intermittently working, and headlights being dim or out.
- 11
Brake Pedal Abnormalities
3complaintsMedium severityBrakesThe brake pedal shakes or causes abnormal sounds, potentially leading to reduced braking performance.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V523000
- 12
Airbag Deployment Failure
2complaintsSafety riskElectricalAirbags fail to deploy during collisions, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Related recalls: 18V332000, 18V524000
- 13
Power Steering Fluid Leak
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringPower steering fluid leaks from the bottom of the power steering pump, causing steering to become difficult.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 14
Transmission Fluid Leaks
2complaintsMedium severityTransmissionTransmission fluid leaks occur, leading to transmission failure and requiring multiple repairs.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.