2018 Dodge Journey: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 223 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, brakes, and exterior lights. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2018- Owner complaints
- 223
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes reported
- 7
- 7 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2018 Dodge Journey: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Journey is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2018 Dodge Journey. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cylGas | FWD | 21 mpg |
| 3.6L 6-cylGas | AWD | 19 mpg |
| 3.6L 6-cylFlex fuel | FWD | 19 mpg |
- The 2018 Dodge Journey was sold in three versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Journey that averages well under the EPA 19 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Brake shudder, warped rotors
9,000–40,000 miles
Brake grinding and ABS faults
70,000–75,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Dodge Journey, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Electrical61No crashes
Sudden stalling while driving is the most serious pattern. Engines shut off at speed, power steering drops out, and some cars die soon after battery or alternator warning lights flash. Others lose power and will not go faster than 15 mph, or get stuck with traction control on. Smaller faults keep coming back: door locks that ignore both the key fob and the door switches, backup cameras that go black or show an upside-down image, wrong speedometer and miles-to-empty readings, and a touch screen that freezes. A few reports describe new faults after a dealer computer repair.
Brakes17No crashes
Vibration and shudder when braking can start as early as 9,000 miles and get worse going downhill and at highway speed. Dealers replace front and rear rotors, often more than once, and the problem stays. Later reports, at roughly 70,000 to 75,000 miles, describe grinding brakes, failed rear caliper pistons, ABS warning lights, and a car that does not stop in time. Some drivers describe a spongy pedal that sinks toward the floor, even after the brake booster was replaced. One owner reports that ABS repair parts were unavailable.
Exterior lights161 crash
Headlight housings fill with water and condensation. That dims the beams at night and burns out bulbs early. The fogging comes back even after dealers replace both headlights, and some owners still see it after a headlight recall repair. Many filings come from owners who were notified of a headlight recall and then told the repair parts were not yet available. Moisture is reported anywhere from a nearly new car to about 80,000 miles. One crash report blames poor reflector visibility in fog.
Transmission16No crashes
Most of these reports are about the transmission. Owners describe it dropping out of gear and slamming back in, hard jerks, shifts at high rpm, a transmission warning light with overheating, fluid leaks, and metal shavings in the pan followed by advice to replace it. Several cars hesitate or stall on acceleration, often with the traction control light on. On AWD models, the rear axle can stop getting power. The front wheels then spin on wet or loose surfaces and an AWD service light comes on. Dealers often cannot find or fix the cause.
Seats12No crashes
Front headrests burst open without a crash, often with a loud pop. It happens at highway speed, at low speed, and in parked, empty cars, mostly on the passenger side. People sitting in the seat report being struck in the back of the head, followed by dizziness and neck pain. Broken plastic tabs inside the headrest keep it from being reset. One dealer quoted about $1000 per headrest, and owners say dealers would not cover the repair. Separately, second-row seats may not lock after being slid forward.
Steering11No crashes
Power steering lines and hoses leak, often once cold weather arrives. Drivers hear whining while turning, and steering becomes hard. Several leaks appear around 30,000 miles, and one owner had a hose burst twice in less than a year. Other reports describe the engine cutting out, sometimes mid-turn or on the highway, leaving the steering wheel and brakes very hard to use until a restart. In one report, a failed AC compressor broke the serpentine belt and stopped the car in traffic.
Acceleration and cruise control102 crashes
Cruise control does not always switch off when the brake is pressed, and it can speed up and slow down on its own while engine rpm swings. Two reports involve crashes. In one, the car moved forward while the driver held the brake. Other filings blame failed cruise control on a bad rear wheel bearing and speed sensor near 35,000 miles, with ABS and traction lights on. The speedometer can show wildly wrong speeds. One owner reports bumping the console shifter into neutral or reverse while driving.
Engine10No crashes
Stalling and misfires lead the engine reports. Engines shut off without warning at speed or on hills, and drivers cannot steer properly until they restart. Cylinder misfires return even after new spark plugs and coils. Check engine lights come back after repeated dealer visits that find no cause. Single reports cite a burst fuel injector spraying raw gas and a transmission replacement after the torque converter shredded and stalled the car in an intersection. Some owners say the car slips into reverse while driving.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Journey owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
My wiring harness needs replaced. 3 of my 4 windows would only work sometimes. I was told there was a loose connection but when those wires were held together it got extremely hot very fast, and not to even attempt to use the windows because it could cause a fire. So I took my car to the dealership and they confirmed it is the wiring harness that needs replaced. So a new part has been ordered and I'm scheduled to have that done as soon as it comes in.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2022
Lighting bolt with parentheses came on along with off road sign. I was unable to accelerate past 20 mph and then I just rolled to a stop in morning traffic with my flashers on. I took it to dealership and they replaced my key battery since I told them i was also having problems lock and unlocking my car. I was told this should solve the problem. It did for about 3 weeks now lights back on car won’t accelerate only till and it’s shaking bad.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2024
My headlights become unseeable at times, its difficult to see the road. My cruise control has got stuck and at one point accelerated on its own, and my 3rd row seats have no seat belt buckles. No one has confirmed my vehicle. There has been some recalls.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2024
Headlight assembly both full of moisture. I bought the vehicle on this day an noticed them then and there are both full of moisture all over lenses.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2023
How the 2018 compares with other Journey years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2018 has the most owner complaints of the 3 Journey years we cover, about 2.9 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Electrical6118
- Brakes171
- Exterior lights164
- Transmission165
- Seats122
- Steering113
Where the 2018 fits in the Journey's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2018 is the tenth model year of the Journey's first generation (2009–2020).
It includes the 2011 update.
What changed for 2011
- Front grille redesign
- New lower front fascia
- Redesigned interior
- Suspension adjustments
- Steering improvements
- Powertrain updates
Recalls to confirm (6)
Recall repairs are free at any Dodge dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
22V723000Exterior lightsSep 2022
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.
Fix: 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.
18V524000ElectricalAug 2018
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.
Fix: 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.
18V523000BrakesAug 2018
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.
Fix: 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.
18V396000Wipers and visibilityJun 2018
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.
Fix: 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.
18V398000Backup cameraJun 2018
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.
Fix: 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.
18V332000ElectricalMay 2018
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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Also looking at these instead of a Journey?
Cars shoppers compare with the Dodge Journey, with their own 2018 checklists.
2018 owner complaints, side by side
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- Mazda CX-9125
- 2018 Dodge Journey223
