Dodge Journey Best and Worst Years (2007–2020)
Dodge Journey years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2014, and 2015, with 2009 topping the list at a complaint index of 100 and 8 recalls. The 2019 and 2020 model years score best, with complaint indexes of 23 and 15. Electrical System problems (41% of all complaints) drive most of the risk.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 14
- 2007–2020
- NHTSA complaints
- 5,281
- Recall campaigns
- 26
- Crashes reported
- 207
- Fires reported
- 103
- 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.
Dodge Journey problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | No verdict | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engine | — | — |
| 2008 | Good | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2009 | Avoid | 100 | 1,433 | 41 | 30 | 8 | Electrical System | 18 | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 92 | 988 | 18 | 16 | 3 | Electrical System | 20 | — |
| 2011 | Good | 31 | 169 | 7 | 4 | 4 | Brakes | 21 | — |
| 2012 | Caution | 69 | 376 | 21 | 13 | 6 | Brakes | 21 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Caution | 54 | 353 | 19 | 9 | 4 | Engine | 20.5 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 77 | 415 | 26 | 8 | 7 | Engine | 20 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 85 | 553 | 30 | 9 | 6 | Engine | 20 | — |
| 2016 | Caution | 62 | 386 | 19 | 4 | 4 | Engine | 20 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Good | 46 | 197 | 12 | 7 | 2 | Engine | 20 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Good | 38 | 234 | 7 | 2 | 6 | Electrical System | 20 | 4★ |
| 2019 | Best | 23 | 100 | 6 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 20 | 4★ |
| 2020 | Best | 15 | 65 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Electrical System | 21 | 4★ |
Journey years to avoid: what went wrong
2009 Dodge Journey Index 100 · 1,433 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2009 Journey has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, with 1,433 complaints, 8 recalls, 41 crashes, 30 fires, and 1 death. Electrical System issues make up 54% of complaints for this year, with a median failure mileage of 80,000. Brakes account for 23% of complaints at a median 24,000 miles, and airbags for 19% at 101,000 miles. Owners describe brake pads and rotors wearing out early, airbags failing to deploy in crashes, and one recall covers a power steering return hose that can rupture in cold weather. Another recall addresses a faulty airbag control unit.
2009 electrical system problems →2009 brakes problems →2009 airbags problems →
2010 Dodge Journey Index 92 · 988 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2010 Journey carries a complaint index of 92, with 988 complaints, 3 recalls, 18 crashes, and 16 fires. Electrical System complaints dominate at 62% of the year's total, with a median failure mileage of 79,000. Engine complaints follow at 21% (74,000 miles) and brakes at 18% (36,315 miles). Owners describe stalling while driving, smoke from under the hood, and electronic door locks failing to open. Recalls cover power steering pressure hoses and the return hose rupture issue also seen in 2009.
2010 electrical system problems →2010 engine problems →2010 brakes problems →
2015 Dodge Journey Index 85 · 553 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2015 Journey has a complaint index of 85, with 553 complaints, 6 recalls, 30 crashes, and 47 injuries. Engine complaints lead at 30% (56,797.5 miles median), followed by brakes at 22% (43,000 miles) and Electrical System at 22% (47,500 miles). Owners describe the vehicle unexpectedly reversing into obstacles, airbags not deploying in rear-end and low-speed crashes, and a window switch smoking and catching fire. Recalls cover the same airbag wiring harness and power steering hose issues found in earlier years.
2015 engine problems →2015 brakes problems →2015 electrical system problems →
2014 Dodge Journey Index 77 · 415 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2014 Journey has a complaint index of 77, with 415 complaints, 7 recalls, 26 crashes, and 38 injuries. Engine problems lead at 29% of complaints (52,500 miles median), followed by Electrical System at 26% (46,500 miles) and brakes at 25% (48,000 miles). Owners describe airbags failing to deploy in frontal and side impacts, a vehicle catching fire after repeated backup-camera electrical shorts, and brake pedals sticking. Recalls include a software flash for engine/powertrain control and an airbag wiring harness that can chafe inside the steering wheel.
2014 engine problems →2014 electrical system problems →2014 brakes problems →
Most common Dodge Journey problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System2,140 (41%)
- Engine1,214 (23%)
- Brakes1,130 (21%)
- Other644 (12%)
- Airbags636 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain495 (9%)
- Structure & Body398 (8%)
- Steering339 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires235 (4%)
- Fuel System117 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Dodge Journey should I avoid?
- Avoid 2009, 2010, 2014, and 2015. The 2009 model has the worst complaint index at 100, followed by 2015 at 85, 2014 at 77, and 2010 at 92.
- What is the best year for the Dodge Journey?
- The 2019 and 2020 model years are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 23 and 15, the lowest of all 14 model years covered.
- What is the most common problem with the Dodge Journey?
- Electrical System issues are the top problem area across all years, accounting for 2,140 complaints, or 41% of the 5,281 total complaints.
- Does the Dodge Journey have recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 26 recall campaigns across the 2007-2020 Journey, including repeated airbag wiring and power steering return hose recalls affecting multiple model years.
- Is the 2009 Dodge Journey reliable?
- The 2009 Journey ranks worst of all Journey years based on NHTSA data, with a complaint index of 100, 1,433 complaints, 8 recalls, 41 crashes, and 1 death.