What year Dodge Journey should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2010, 2014, and 2015 Dodge Journey have the highest complaint index scores (100, 80, and 90) and are the years to avoid relative to other Journey model years.

What is the best year for the Dodge Journey?

The 2011, 2019, and 2020 Dodge Journey score lowest on the complaint index (20, 10, and 0), making them the best years based on NHTSA owner complaint data.

What are the most common problems with the Dodge Journey?

Across all years, Electrical System issues account for 36% of the 3,836 total complaints, followed by Engine problems at 26% and Brakes at 21%.

Does the 2010 Dodge Journey have recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2010 Dodge Journey, including a power steering pressure hose recall and a power steering return hose recall tied to cold-weather rupture risk.

Is the 2014 Dodge Journey reliable?

The 2014 Journey has a complaint index of 80, one of the highest among Journey model years, with Engine, Electrical System, and Brakes as the top reported problem areas.

Dodge Journey Best and Worst Years (2010–2020)

Avoid the 2010, 2014, and 2015 Dodge Journey, which have the highest complaint index scores (100, 80, and 90) and the most electrical and engine problems. The 2011, 2019, and 2020 model years score lowest on complaints (20, 10, and 0) and are the best choices.

Avoid 2010 Avoid 2014 Avoid 2015 Best 2011 Best 2019 Best 2020

Model years: 11; 2010–2020
NHTSA complaints: 3,836
Recall campaigns: 20
Crashes reported: 166
Fires reported: 73
Top problem area: Electrical System

Journey Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Dodge Journey problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2010	Avoid	100	988	18	16	3	Electrical System	20	—
2011	Best	20	169	7	4	4	Brakes	21	—
2012	Caution	70	376	21	13	6	Brakes	21	4★
2013	Caution	60	353	19	9	4	Engine	20.5	4★
2014	Avoid	80	415	26	8	7	Engine	20	4★
2015	Avoid	90	553	30	9	6	Engine	20	—
2016	Caution	50	386	19	4	4	Engine	20	4★
2017	Good	30	197	12	7	2	Engine	20	4★
2018	Good	40	234	7	2	6	Electrical System	20	4★
2019	Best	10	100	6	0	1	Electrical System	20	4★
2020	Best	0	65	1	1	1	Electrical System	21	4★

Journey years to avoid: what went wrong

2010 Dodge Journey Index 100 · 988 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2010 Journey has the highest complaint index (100) of any year, with 988 total complaints. Electrical System issues dominate, making up 62% of complaints for this year, with a median failure mileage of 79,000. Owners describe stalling with underhood smoke, door locks that failed to release, and airbags that did not deploy in crashes. Engine problems account for 21% of complaints, with failures around 74,000 miles. Brake complaints, including reports of pedals sinking to the floor, sit at 18% share. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this year, including steering hose ruptures in cold weather.

2010 electrical system problems →2010 engine problems →2010 brakes problems →

2015 Dodge Journey Index 90 · 553 complaints · 6 recalls

The 2015 Journey has a complaint index of 90, with Engine issues leading at 30% share and a median failure mileage of 56,797.5. Owners report unexplained reversing and crashing into stationary objects, and airbags that failed to deploy in collisions. Brakes account for 22% of complaints (median mileage 43,000) and Electrical System problems another 22%, including window switches that smoked and caught fire. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for this year, including an airbag wiring issue and a steering hose recall.

2015 engine problems →2015 brakes problems →2015 electrical system problems →

2014 Dodge Journey Index 80 · 415 complaints · 7 recalls

The 2014 Journey carries a complaint index of 80, driven mainly by Engine complaints (29% share, median failure mileage 52,500). Electrical System problems follow at 26% with a median mileage of 46,500, including reports of fires linked to backup camera and radio shorts. Brakes make up 25% of complaints, with owners describing brake pedals sticking and failing to release. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for 2014, including an airbag wiring chafe issue and a powertrain software flash recall.

2014 engine problems →2014 electrical system problems →2014 brakes problems →

Most common Dodge Journey problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Electrical System1,366 (36%)
Engine1,012 (26%)
Brakes793 (21%)
Other546 (14%)
Transmission & Powertrain391 (10%)
Airbags367 (10%)
Structure & Body365 (10%)
Steering267 (7%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires148 (4%)
Fuel System106 (3%)

Frequently asked questions

What year Dodge Journey should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2010, 2014, and 2015 Dodge Journey have the highest complaint index scores (100, 80, and 90) and are the years to avoid relative to other Journey model years.
What is the best year for the Dodge Journey?: The 2011, 2019, and 2020 Dodge Journey score lowest on the complaint index (20, 10, and 0), making them the best years based on NHTSA owner complaint data.
What are the most common problems with the Dodge Journey?: Across all years, Electrical System issues account for 36% of the 3,836 total complaints, followed by Engine problems at 26% and Brakes at 21%.
Does the 2010 Dodge Journey have recalls?: NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2010 Dodge Journey, including a power steering pressure hose recall and a power steering return hose recall tied to cold-weather rupture risk.
Is the 2014 Dodge Journey reliable?: The 2014 Journey has a complaint index of 80, one of the highest among Journey model years, with Engine, Electrical System, and Brakes as the top reported problem areas.