Last updated: 2026-10-10
Dodge Journey Reliability by Year
The Dodge Journey rates good for reliability, with the 2019 the safest used pick and the 2018 hurt by stalling and electrical faults.
Dodge Journey Reliability Overview
Used Journeys hold up well, and yearly repair costs of $562 run a little under the midsize SUV average. The 2019 is the year to favor and the 2018 is the one to skip. Two problems matter most: engines that shut off while driving, and a rearview camera that goes blank or shows an upside-down image.
Current generation: 1st gen (2009–2020), facelifted 2011.
Best & Worst Dodge Journey Years
Best Dodge Journey Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2019 has well under half the owner complaints of the 2018 and one recall instead of six. Its complaint rate per vehicle sold is also much lower. It is not trouble free, since owners report backup camera faults and some engine shutdowns, but the stalling pattern is far heavier in 2018.
Dodge Journey Years to Avoid
Electrical trouble defines this year, with 61 of its owner complaints. The worst reports describe engines shutting off at speed, power steering dropping out, and cars that lose power and crawl. Brakes shudder early, headlight housings fill with water, and federal records list six recalls.
Dodge Journey Reliability Score Trend
Dodge Journey reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 78/100 compared to 68/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 68/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 77/100 | Good |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2020 Dodge Journey
1 recalls · 61 complaints
Final year of the first generation, with good reliability and rearview camera failures that left some owners waiting on backordered recall parts.
2019 Dodge Journey
1 recalls · 92 complaints
Best of the three scored Journey years, with far fewer complaints and recalls than 2018, though backup camera faults still stand out.
2018 Dodge Journey
6 recalls · 223 complaints
Weakest of the three scored Journey years, with 223 owner complaints and six recalls, and a better-rated 2019 right behind it.
Found Your Dodge Journey? Check Its History
Electrical system (16) problems come up most in Dodge Journey owner complaints, and 8 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Dodge Journey Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
4/5
Annual Repair Cost
$562
Repair Frequency
0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk
12%
$11 below the midsize SUVs average of $573/yr.
Ranked #6 of 26 among midsize SUVs.
Dodge Journey Resale Value
The Dodge Journey is estimated to retain about 53.8% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
- Value Retained
- 53.8%
- Depreciation
- 46.2%
- Listings Analyzed
- 246
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.
Explore Dodge Journey depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comDodge Journey Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Dodge Models
Compare all Dodge models by reliability
Compare Dodge Journey With Similar SUVs
The Dodge Journey competes with other midsize suvs such as Mazda CX-9, Mitsubishi Outlander, and Buick Envision.
Journey vs Mazda CX-9
6 years tracked · 252 complaints
Journey vs Mitsubishi Outlander
8 years tracked · 398 complaints
Journey vs Buick Envision
9 years tracked · 131 complaints
Journey vs Lincoln Nautilus
8 years tracked · 206 complaints
Journey vs Subaru Solterra
3 years tracked · 43 complaints
More Dodge Journey comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best year for the Dodge Journey?
- The 2019 is the best pick. It has far fewer owner complaints than the 2018 and only one recall in federal records. The 2020 has few complaints too, but it has had less time on the road to collect them, so it is harder to judge.
- Is the Dodge Journey reliable?
- Yes. Its reliability standing is good and above average among SUVs on the site. The weak spots are electrical faults, including sudden stalling in some cars, and rearview camera failures. Camera failures in owner complaints mostly appear between 100,000 and 137,000 miles.
- What are the most common Dodge Journey problems?
- The electrical system leads, with engines shutting off while driving, door locks that stop responding, and backup cameras that go black or flip upside down. Next come transmission trouble such as hard jerks and fluid leaks, camera recall waits, and headlight housings that fill with water.
- How much does a Dodge Journey cost to maintain?
- Independent repair-cost data puts the Journey at about $562 a year. That is slightly below the $573 average for midsize SUVs. Individual years differ in how often they break, so the 2018 is likely to cost more than the 2019 in practice.
- Does the Dodge Journey have headlight problems?
- Yes. Owners report headlight housings filling with water and condensation, which dims the beams at night and burns out bulbs early. The fogging often returns after both headlights are replaced. Reports range from a nearly new car to about 80,000 miles.
How we score the Dodge Journey
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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