Since Dodge Journey was discontinued in 2020, many folks wonder if it’s a wise move to get a used one. Here’s the catch: A used SUV can last for over a decade if you choose the right model. Keep reading to explore Dodge Journey’s reliability and the years to avoid to ensure a long-term investment.
In This Article:
What Year Dodge Journey To Avoid
The 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2015 Dodge Journey are the worst years in terms of reliability. Avoid the 2009 Journey at all costs since it’s the most problematic. These models exhibit tons of problems, mostly related to the electrical system, engine, transmission, airbags, and braking system.
2009 Dodge Journey
The title “The worst Dodge Journey year” definitely goes to the 2009 model, which is evident in a whopping 1,587 complaints and 8 recalls on NHTSA as of 2025. At the heart of the concern lies the electrical issues, contributing to over 800 owner’s complaints.
The electrical system exhibits a variety of problems, from minor issues like faulty radios, doors not locking, stuck ignition keys, slow windshield wipers, horns not working, and malfunctioning signal lights to severe cases like all warning lights flashing, prematurely dead batteries, and the car catching fire.
We’ve been there. It all started with a dead battery that spawned a plethora of trouble, such as malfunctioning power windows, internal and external lights flashing unintentionally, faulty door locks, and out-of-control dashboard gauges. Believe it or not, we had to replace the battery 6 times in a year. And the Journey engine still shut down out of nowhere, causing us to jump-start it. The worst part was the SUV failed to start after jumping.
The electrical problem was so widespread that it prompted Dodge to recall over 800,000 vehicles. The root causes vary, including defective TIPM, failed ignition switches, broken front door wiring, corroded electrical connectors, and damaged engine wiring harness.
Additionally, the worst model also faced other airbag, braking, and transmission issues. Many drivers have noticed that airbags deploy on their own, even without any crash, which poses a danger to occupants.
2010 Dodge Journey
The electrical problem continues plaguing the 2010 Dodge Journey, with various symptoms in different electrical components. Unintended airbag deployment is also a recurring theme, compromising both safety and comfort. Beyond these two major issues, the 1,073 complaints and 4 recalls recorded by NHTSA to date also highlight other sources of concern.
Engine failure is a primary problem. Our 2015 Dodge Journey boasts a 3.5L 6-cyl engine. Sounds quite robust, but its size doesn’t translate to power. After reaching the 100,000-mile mark, the engine kept shutting down, leaving us stranded midway. At first, the car could restart after cooling down. Over time, we couldn’t crank up the engine, and the failure even popped up after just around 20 minutes of driving.
Additionally, trouble also stems from service brakes. Numerous owners shared that the brake pedal got stuck in the depressed position or completely failed, along with intermittent brake warning lights. In some cases, the traction control warning light flashed after replacing the brakes.
Complaints about steering also account for a great number. In particular, drivers experienced a complete loss of power steering, which was due to broken lines. However, the problem soon recurred after the power steering lines were replaced. The automaker conducted 2 recalls related to this problem. One recall involved fractured power steering return hoses that led to a loss of power steering. Meanwhile, the other targeted vehicles had improper power steering pressure hose assemblies. The crimped end might be separated from the hose, causing fluid leaks and potentially bursting into flames.
2012 Dodge Journey
Although the 2012 Dodge Journey is a step up from previous models, it still displays various reliability problems. Up to now, the car has accumulated 365 complaints and 6 recalls on NHTSA. Malfunctioning electrical systems and engine issues, though not as severe, remain the primary headaches, followed by the faulty braking system.
Besides, we spot a problem with the electronic stability control (ESC) in this model. According to the owner’s complaints, the issue started as defective ABS and quickly impaired other parts, like ESC and brakes, causing some warning lights to illuminate (ABS, ETC, and so on).
When our 2012 Journey clocked in around 66,000 miles, we noticed the car’s speed drop to zero unexpectedly, especially when it rained. Then, the ABS warning light flashed, followed by the illuminated ETC light. We had no choice but to have the vehicle towed to the nearest dealer.
As Dodge claimed in its ESC-related recall, water might seep into the ABS module, taking a toll on this part and other components like the ESC or ETC. When these parts malfunction, the midsize crossover will experience a loss of stability control, increasing the risk of accidents. Note that this ESC problem can happen at any time; some owners encounter this after 100,000 miles, while others spot the issue as early as 10,000 miles.
2014 Dodge Journey
7 recalls and 396 complaints on NHTSA as of 2025 have taken away from the 2014 Dodge Journey’s reliability score. Like earlier models, this mid-size crossover has its fair share of electrical problems, engine failure, poor stability control, and brake issues.
In addition, airbags once again steal the spotlight. Many owners reported that the headrest airbags were fully extended even without any impact, which might have injured the occupants. In the worst case, they could explode or fall apart. We had experienced this, but fortunately, the headrest popped when the car was parked, and no one was inside. Also, the airbag warning light keeps flashing, originating from a faulty airbag wiring harness. We had to replace it for nearly $1,200, which was a really costly repair.
Hard steering is another notable pet peeve, which sometimes evolves into a complete steering wheel lock-up. Some drivers also faced transmission problems, such as hard shifting, fluctuating oil pressure gauges, and illuminated Check Engine lights. A thorough check-up reveals that the transmission pump or the entire transmission system must be replaced to fix it.
2015 Dodge Journey
With 6 recalls and 524 complaints on NHTSA as of this writing, the 2015 Dodge Journey is not the worst, but it’s not a reliable model, either. Engine failure continues to sow seeds of concern among numerous owners; many were left stranded with a shut-down engine.
The issue first manifested itself in an illuminated Check Engine Light or a sudden speed drop and then ended up with a dead engine. During our test drive with the 2015 Journey, the car suddenly slowed down from 35 MPH and then stalled. There was no warning light in our case. We tried to crank up the vehicle, and it did start normally, but we soon experienced the same problem.
Owners also complain about frequent transmission replacements, with early symptoms like grinding or whining sounds, jerking, hard shifting, and transmission slipping.
Besides, problems stem from the braking system, airbags, and electrical system. The braking issue is characterized by illuminated ABS light, affecting other parts like ESC. Meanwhile, the airbag problem involves the deployment of headrests without incidents.
7 Common Dodge Journey Issues
Here are the common problems with the Dodge Journey across its model years:
- Electrical system failures: Electrical issues are the most prevalent problem, particularly in the 2009–2010 models, with symptoms ranging from dead batteries, malfunctioning power accessories, and flashing lights to vehicles catching fire. Defective TIPMs, broken wiring, and corroded connectors are often the root causes.
- Engine issues: Multiple model years suffer from engines that stall unexpectedly or fail to restart, especially after reaching higher mileage. The issue often starts with warning lights or speed drops and can leave drivers stranded.
- Airbag malfunctions: Both unintended airbag deployment and failure of the headrest airbags are common issues, posing serious safety hazards. Airbag lights frequently flash due to faulty wiring or sensor issues.
- Braking system defects: Owners report ABS lights illuminating, brake pedal sticking, and complete brake failure. Some potential issues stem from interconnected systems like ESC and are especially dangerous in wet conditions.
- Transmission issues: Transmission slipping, hard shifting, and complete failure have been observed, particularly in 2014–2015 models. These often require costly transmission replacements.
- Steering problems: Loss of power steering or even locked steering wheels are documented, often caused by fractured or improperly assembled power steering hoses. These problems tend to recur despite repairs.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) failures: ESC-related malfunctions, often triggered by water-damaged ABS modules, cause erratic behavior and warning lights. This significantly compromises driving stability and safety.
