2013 Dodge Journey Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2013 Dodge Journey has 353 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 54, earning a Caution verdict — better than the 2009, 2010, 2014, and 2015 Avoid years but worse than the Good/Best years. Engine problems lead at 24% of complaints, with 4 recalls covering airbags, steering, brakes, and engine mounting.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 54/100
- #7 of 14 Journey years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 353
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 19
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 9
- Injuries
- 32
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20.5
- 18 city / 25.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 32 / 0
Top 2013 Dodge Journey problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine84 (24%)
- Brakes81 (23%)
- Electrical System76 (22%)
- Structure & Body66 (19%)
- Airbags44 (12%)
- Other31 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain29 (8%)
- Steering20 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires12 (3%)
- Fuel System10 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy during moderate-speed frontal or rear-end collisions, sometimes leaving the vehicle totaled.
- Electrical system failures cause sudden smoke or fire near the driver's door controls or dashboard vents.
- Some vehicles reportedly shut down unexpectedly while driving, including one report of a rollover after loss of control.
- Brakes and stability control reportedly fail together, preventing the vehicle from stopping and leading to crashes at highway speed.
- Engine compartments have caught fire without warning while driving, in at least one case with the vehicle fully engulfed.
- Steering wheel jerks violently at low speed, causing loss of control and collisions with barriers.
2013 Dodge Journey recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 17V432000Jul 7, 2017Airbags363,480 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may unexpectedly deploy if the air bag wiring harness gets chafed within the steering wheel and short circuits.
Risk: Unexpected deployment of the driver's frontal air bag increases the risk of a crash or driver injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag wiring within the steering wheel, replacing it if necessary. A protective cover will also be installed. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T47.
- NHTSA 16V273000May 6, 2016Steering8,569 vehicles
Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 31, 2007, to November 12, 2016. After exposure to cold temperatures, the power steering return hose may rupture at engine start-up causing a loss of power steering assist.
Risk: A loss of power steering assist may require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return hoses, steel tubes, and power steering oil cooler, free of charge. The recall began on May 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S08.
- NHTSA 15V675000Oct 19, 2015Brakes275,187 vehicles
Electronic stability control (esc)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured April 21, 2012, to April 14, 2015. In the affected vehicles, water may enter the wiring harness for the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module and leak into the module, disabling the ABS and/or the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system.
Risk: If the ABS or ESC is disabled, a loss of vehicle stability could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will seal the ABS wiring harness to prevent water from entering and will replace the ABS module and repair the headlamp and dash wiring harness, as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R61.
2013 Dodge Journey fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 25.5 MPG
- Combined
- 20.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,175
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other Journey years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Dodge Journey reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 353 complaints for the 2013 Journey and a complaint index of 54, which earns a Caution verdict relative to other Journey model years. It ranks 7th worst out of 14 model years with data.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Dodge Journey?
- Engine issues make up 24% of complaints, followed by brakes at 23% and electrical system problems at 22%. Median mileage at engine failure was 77,000 miles.
- Does the 2013 Dodge Journey have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2013 Journey covering airbag wiring, power steering return hoses, ABS wiring harness, and engine cover mounting. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- Should I avoid the 2013 Dodge Journey?
- The 2013 Journey is not the worst year for this model — 2009, 2010, 2014, and 2015 carry Avoid verdicts with higher complaint indexes. 2013 is rated Caution rather than Avoid or Good.
- What year Dodge Journey should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2009, 2010, 2014, and 2015 Journeys are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 100, 92, 77, and 85 respectively, all higher than the 2013's index of 54.