Last updated: 2026-10-10

2019 Dodge Journey
RELIABILITY SCORE: 78/100 (GOOD)

2019 Dodge Journey Reliability Report

The 2019 Dodge Journey rates good and well above other 2019 SUVs, but backup camera faults are its main weak spot.

Recalls

1

Complaints

92

Complaint Rate

12.3per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$562

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,850–$3,150

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity67/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs80/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact88/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity87/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Best of the three scored Journey years, with far fewer complaints and recalls than 2018, though backup camera faults still stand out.

Top Issues to Watch

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (20)
  • BACK OVER PREVENTION (18)
  • AIR BAGS (7)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Refresh

2019 is 8 years after the 2011 facelift refresh.

  • Year 11 in the First generation (JC49) (2009–2020).
  • Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
  • 1st generation Journey (US).

What this means for buyers

Post-refresh years tend to be among the most refined — updates have been applied and early kinks worked out.

2009: First generation (JC49) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2011: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2019: This Model Year

2019 is 8 years after the 2011 facelift refresh.

Should You Buy the 2019 Dodge Journey?

Reliability is good for this model year. It sits well above average among 2019 SUVs and is the best of the three scored Journey years. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs at $562 for the model, against $573 for its class. The 2018 rates worse and has far more complaints and six recalls. The 2020 rates about the same as 2019 and also has one recall.

The backup camera is the most common trouble. Owners describe an image that flickers, flips upside down, shows lines, or goes blank or blue. One crash happened when the camera did not show a car behind. Federal recall records list one recall, in back over prevention. Air bag complaints are the most serious. In rear-end impacts, owners say the bags stayed folded, and the crash-related reports include three injuries. Transmission reports describe clunking, slipping, and one failure at 43,226 miles.

Ask the seller for proof that the recall work is done. Test the camera and the shift from reverse to drive. The 2020 is a close alternative.

Compared to the 2020 Dodge Journey, which scored 1 points lower. See also the 2018 Dodge Journey for an earlier comparison.

Pros

  • +Acceptable reliability score
  • +$11 cheaper to maintain than avg midsize SUVs
  • +Infrequent unscheduled repairs
  • +Low major repair risk (12%)

Cons

  • −UNKNOWN OR OTHER: Backup camera fails in most of these reports (21 complaints)
  • −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Backup camera faults dominate this category (20 complaints)

Compare 2019 Dodge Journey With

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK
  • 1 manufacturer recall issued

Other

HIGH RISK
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER (21)
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (20)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

1

recall on record

The 2019 Dodge Journey carries 1 recall — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

12.3

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 21.2

LowAvgHigh
Moderate

Safety Incidents

6

Crashes

0

Fires

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 4/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2019 Dodge Journey Recall Details

1 recall has been issued for the 2019 Dodge Journey. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

25V5520002025-08-26

BACK OVER PREVENTION

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Ram ProMaster and 2019-2020 Dodge Journey vehicles. Cracks in the microprocessor may cause the vehicle's rearview camera image not to display properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility.

Consequence

A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed beginning September 30, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated July 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 59C.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2019 Dodge Journey? Check its history first

Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2019 Dodge Journey, and 1 recall was issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

2019 Dodge Journey NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 17.9%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Restraint (Not Available)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat, 3rd row)Torso/Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Not Available)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Not Available)
View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Dodge JourneyRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

4Maintenance rating: 4 out of 5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$562

vs $573 avg for midsize SUVs

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.3

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

12%

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Journey
$562
Category Avg
$573
All Vehicles
$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

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.

This benchmark covers the Dodge Journey model overall and is not specific to the 2019 model year.

Value Retained
53.8%

after 5 years

Depreciation
46.2%

over the same period

Listings Analyzed
246

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.com

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

19–21 MPG

Running cost: $3,400–$3,700/yr

Fuel + repair

16–19 city / 24–25 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2019 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims
TrimDriveTrans.CityHwyCombFuel Cost
Journey 2.4L 4-cylFront-Wheel DriveAutomatic 4-spd192521$2,850
Journey 3.6L 6-cylFront-Wheel DriveAutomatic 6-spd172519$3,150
Journey AWD 3.6L 6-cylAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic 6-spd162419$3,150

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2019 Dodge Journey.

  • Shift into reverse several times and confirm the camera image is clear, steady, and right side up.

  • Run the VIN for open recalls and ask for proof that any backup camera recall work is done.

  • Look into both headlight lenses for fogging, water droplets, or a burned-out bulb.

  • At a full stop, shift between reverse and drive several times and listen for a clunk or bang.

  • After startup, confirm the ABS, air bag, brake, and check engine lights all go out.

  • Test the rear wiper, reverse lights, horn, and steering wheel buttons one by one.

  • Check that the front passenger seat cover is attached and the seat belt reminder works for that seat.

  • Press on the carpets and sniff the cabin for dampness or mold from water leaks.

2019 Dodge Journey Common Problems by Component

92 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

21
20
18
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (21)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (20)BACK OVER PREVENTION (18)AIR BAGS (7)POWER TRAIN (6)EXTERIOR LIGHTING (5)SEATS (3)ENGINE (3)Other (9)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

21 complaints

The backup camera fails in most of these reports. The image flips upside down, blurs, turns black or blue, or disappears. It usually starts out intermittent and gets worse until it stops working. One failure came at under 29,000 miles, and a dealer software update did not fix another. A smaller group describes the engine shutting off in drive, once while the car rolled backward on a hill and once in traffic. Other reports cover wipers scoring the windshield coating, a rear window shattering while parked, and moisture inside the headlights.

21 complaints total

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

20 complaintsSafety-related

Backup camera faults dominate this category. The image flickers, flips, goes black, or shows a line through it, and one report is tied to a crash. Liftgate wiring trouble makes the rear wiper run on its own and knocks out the reverse lights. Some owners also lose the horn and steering wheel controls. Bluetooth fails to connect about half the time for one owner. Several reports describe the engine shutting down while driving, including on the highway. A P0335 repair did not stop the engine cutting off, and repeated coil pack and spark plug work never fixed another engine.

20 complaints total1 crash

BACK OVER PREVENTION

18 complaintsSafety-related

Most of these reports describe an open recall notice for the rearview camera that dealers cannot complete because the part is not yet available. Owners say the wait has gone on too long. Others say their camera fails the same way but their VIN is not on the list. Symptoms include a blank or blue screen, an upside-down image, lines across the picture, or a crossed-out camera icon. Reported failure mileages mostly fall between 100,000 and 137,000. One crash happened at about 4,000 miles when the camera did not show a car behind.

18 complaints total1 crash
AIR BAGS (7 complaints)

AIR BAGS

7 complaintsSafety-related

In rear-end impacts, including hits at 55 mph, the bags stay folded. There are three crash-related reports with three injuries, and one owner says the seat belt did not tighten either. Another owner reports the bags going off while driving, days after a crash in which they did not deploy. The warning light also cycles on and off. Several reports describe the front passenger seat belt and occupant sensor quitting and the seat cover coming loose from the frame. Owners say warranty did not cover this repair.

7 complaints total3 crashes3 injuries
POWER TRAIN (6 complaints)

POWER TRAIN

6 complaints

The transmission clunks when shifting from reverse to drive, slips, or bangs when pulling away from a stop. Replacing the motor mounts at the dealer did not stop the clunk. One transmission failed outright at 43,226 miles and needed a replacement costing $7,471.96. At 25,739 miles, another owner reports high revs, a jumping tachometer, unstable speed, and vibration on the expressway. A separate report describes a cylinder misfire that the owner calls an expensive repair.

6 complaints total
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (5 complaints)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

5 complaints

Headlight seals fail, letting condensation build up inside the lens. That dims the light and can burn out the bulb. Dealers say the fix is a whole new headlight assembly, charged once the warranty runs out. One report describes the rear brake lights coming on by themselves along with the brake warning light at about 53,047 miles. The brake module needed for that repair has been discontinued. Another complaint filed here describes pulsing, noisy braking at highway speed at 43,000 miles.

5 complaints total
SEATS (3 complaints)

SEATS

3 complaints

Plastic seat hardware breaks with no clear cause. The second-row seat stops latching, and the plastic holders around the front and second-row seat controls snap on all four seats. One owner reports the front passenger headrest springing open with enough force to nearly hit them while getting in. That owner worries the driver's headrest could do the same while driving.

3 complaints total
ENGINE (3 complaints)

ENGINE

3 complaints

Warning lights stay on and the car loses power. One owner's ABS and check engine lights stay lit at 47,000 miles, and the dealer finds a faulty ABS module that the manufacturer no longer supplies, so the car goes unrepaired. Another sees brake and check engine lights, a dead speedometer, and power loss that the dealer cannot reproduce, even after replacing a brake sensor. A third report, filed here, describes a transmission that will not move in reverse at about 73,000 miles and needs a rebuild or replacement.

3 complaints total
STRUCTURE (3 complaints)

STRUCTURE

3 complaintsSafety-related

The brake pedal sinks to the floor with no braking, and the car rolls down a sloped driveway into bushes. That is the one crash-related report here. A door check spring snaps loose when wind catches the open door, and its welds break and throw the spring into the cabin. Rain also gets in through a gap the dealer found, leaving the cabin moldy. That leak was not repaired.

3 complaints total1 crash
STEERING (2 complaints)

STEERING

2 complaints

Power steering assist cuts out. One owner finds rubber particles in the fluid, as if a hose had ruptured. Another sees power steering fluid leaking from the car at startup in cold weather. Both owners say the problem matches what earlier model years experienced.

2 complaints total

When Do 2019 Dodge Journey Problems Start?

Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.

25,739–73,000 milesTransmission slipping or failure

Best & Worst Dodge Journey Years

Best Dodge Journey Years to Buy

Top Pick
78
Good

2019

(Current Model)

1Recalls
92Complaints
77
Good

2020

1Recalls
61Complaints
68
Good

2018

6Recalls
223Complaints

Dodge Journey Years to Avoid

Dodge Journey Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Dodge Journey reliability scores by year
YearScoreRating
201868/100Good
201978/100Good
202077/100Good

Dodge Journey Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
YearScorevs Prior YearRatingRecallsComplaints
202077/100-1Good161
2019(selected)78/100+10Good192
201868/100—Good6223

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2019 Dodge Journey reliable?
Yes, by the data. Its reliability standing is good, well above average for 2019 SUVs, and the best of the three scored Journey years. Federal crash tests gave it 4 of 5 stars. Owner complaints still point to backup camera faults, air bag concerns, and some transmission trouble worth checking.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Dodge Journey?
Electrical faults lead, mostly backup camera trouble such as flickering, flipped, black, or lined images. Next come back over prevention complaints, also about the camera. Smaller groups cover air bags that stayed folded in rear-end crashes, and power train issues like clunking or slipping shifts.
Does the 2019 Dodge Journey have backup camera problems?
Yes. Owners report a blank or blue screen, an upside-down image, lines across the picture, or a crossed-out camera icon. Failures mostly show up between 100,000 and 137,000 miles. One owner reported a crash at about 4,000 miles when the camera did not show a car behind.
Does the 2019 Dodge Journey have transmission problems?
Some owners do report them, though the group is small at six power train complaints. Symptoms include a clunk from reverse to drive, slipping, and banging when pulling away. Problems started between 25,739 and 73,000 miles. One transmission failed at 43,226 miles and cost $7,471.96 to replace.
Is the 2019 Dodge Journey better than the 2018?
Yes, on the data. The 2018 rates worse, with 223 complaints and six recalls. The 2019 has 92 complaints and one recall. Older years have had longer to collect complaints, so the gap may be partly explained by time on the road.

Don’t buy a 2019 Dodge Journey without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2019 Dodge Journey

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2019 Dodge Journey does best on recall impact (88/100) and worst on complaint severity (67/100). 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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