2018 Dodge Journey Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 93 Electrical System complaints for the 2018 Dodge Journey, 40% of all 234 complaints filed for the year. Median mileage at failure was 26,158. Three related recalls cover headlamp reflectors, powertrain control module, and engine/powertrain software.
- Electrical System complaints
- 93
- 40% of 234
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 26,159 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Instrument panel and dashboard lighting malfunction while driving at night, sometimes with headlights and tail lights turning on by themselves.
- Touch screen radio and infotainment freeze, display a loud noise mid-playback, then shut off before restarting on their own.
- Check engine light and other warning indicators illuminate randomly, sometimes tied to a failed ambient air sensor, then turn off without explanation.
- Digital and analog speedometer readings fall out of sync with each other, occurring even at very low mileage.
- After PCM/ECM recall repairs, owners report new faults including Bluetooth failing to connect, incorrect fuel-range readouts, and a malfunctioning touch screen.
- One owner described the engine shutting off at a red light followed by an under-hood explosion and fire that trapped them inside the vehicle.
When 2018 Dodge Journey electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Jun 25, 2018, latest Sep 18, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2018 Dodge Journey
- NHTSA 22V723000Sep 29, 2022Electrical System83,453 vehicles
Exterior lighting
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 18V524000Aug 9, 2018Electrical System12,779 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring:front underhood
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 18V332000May 17, 2018Electrical System4,815,661 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
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.
Remedy: 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.
Electrical System complaints by Journey model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are electrical problems on the 2018 Dodge Journey?
- NHTSA records 93 Electrical System complaints for the 2018 Journey, which is 40% of all 234 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2018 Dodge Journey electrical system?
- Yes. Three recalls list the Electrical System as the component: campaign 22V723000 for headlamp reflectors, 18V524000 for the powertrain control module, and 18V332000 for an engine/powertrain software flash.
- At what mileage do electrical failures typically occur?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 26,158 miles for Electrical System complaints on the 2018 Journey.
- Have electrical issues on the 2018 Journey caused crashes or fires?
- Among the complaints in this area, NHTSA logs 1 crash and 1 fire, with 0 reported injuries.
- Is the 2018 Journey worse than other Journey model years for electrical complaints?
- Its 40% share of complaints tied to the Electrical System is higher than most other years listed, including 2017 at 30%, 2019 at 28%, and 2016 at 23%, though 2010 is higher at 62%.