2020 Dodge Journey: What to check before buying

The rearview camera image flips upside down, turns black, goes fuzzy or static, and often stays that way. Dealers tell some owners the camera has to be replaced, not repaired, and replacements sometimes fail again within a month. Other reports describe radio volume changing on its own, Bluetooth and hands-free calling dropping out, climate controls switching back on, screens dimming when the wipers run, and door locks that stop responding. In one report, a noise and an Electronic Throttle Control warning at low speed came before a fire under the front of the car that totaled it.

Camera images that flip upside down, roll, distort, or go blank, with no warning light, are behind these reports. Most are about waiting for a recall repair. Owners received the notice, but dealers and the manufacturer say parts are unavailable or backordered, so cars stay unrepaired. Reported mileages cluster between about 36,000 and 43,000, with one at 110,000. Some owners bought their own replacement cameras instead of waiting.

Overheating and sudden power loss lead these reports. The thermostat and housing fail with no warning and cause severe overheating, and in one case the replacement thermostat failed again. In another report, the engine overheated with no antifreeze and the dealer said it needed replacing at about 57,800 miles. Thermostat failure also shows up at 57,000. In a separate pattern, the car loses power on the highway around 33,000 miles, shows an electronic throttle warning, struggles to restart, and revs high afterward. Each of these can leave a car stalled in traffic.

Moisture builds up inside the headlights and dims night visibility, and it shows up in the other headlight after the first one is fixed. One report puts onset at 23,000 miles. In a separate pattern, a passenger-side headlight keeps failing despite new bulbs. Mechanics traced it to the socket or wiring harness, and it caused failed vehicle inspections. No warning light flags either problem. Owners pay for the repairs themselves, and one moisture fix cost $189.

Power steering assist cuts out without warning, which makes turning suddenly hard and staying in the lane difficult. One failure came at 35k miles on a car bought new. Dealers recommend replacing the rack and pinion, but owners say parts are under engineering review or on backorder, and one car sat unrepaired for 3 months. A separate report describes the front end bouncing and shaking, with loud squealing from the steering rack when turning, at only 100 miles.

The engine stalls suddenly at speed, sometimes with steam and fluid everywhere, leaving drivers stranded in traffic. These reports link the stalls to overheating, including a heater hose that leaks antifreeze and then bursts. No low-coolant warning appears before the engine is damaged. In another failure at 40k miles, the engine revs but the car will not move in drive or reverse. The dealer blamed a malfunctioning ABS module it said was discontinued. Stalls and overheating on busy roads are the main safety risk here.

A lower airbag in front of the pedals deploys during hard braking toward stopped traffic. It pushes the driver's foot off the brake, cuts the ankle, and causes a rear-end crash with one injury. The driver also noticed more brake pedal travel than usual just before it happened. The only other report describes the passenger seat belt popping out from the wall of the car. Both involve occupant protection parts failing in ways that can directly injure someone.

ABS faults leave cars undrivable and unrepairable. Reports describe ABS, traction control, check engine, park assist, and tire pressure lights coming on together and cruise control quitting. In one case, the brake pedal locks and the car will not restart. Dealers find a bad ABS module and HCU, then say the module is no longer made and cannot be found aftermarket. Parts listed as under engineering review mean months of waiting with no fix.