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Free public service · Official NHTSA & EPA data

2018 Dodge Journey

Verified August 31, 2026Sources: NHTSA · EPA · vPIC

Compare
Safety
4
of 5 stars
Recalls
6
on record
MPG
21
combined

Open recalls on record

6 safety recalls. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer — check the VIN before you buy.

Vehicle Summary

2018 Dodge Journey

6 recalls
223 complaints
21 MPG combined
4/5 safety rating

Before You Buy

Confirm all 6 recalls were repaired — a dealer checks by VIN, free
Read the 7 complaints reporting a crash
Review the 223 owner complaints on record
Get a pre-purchase inspection
Check vehicle history report
Verify title is clean

Safety record at a glance

Recall campaigns
6
Owner complaints
223
Complaints citing a crash
7

These are raw counts from NHTSA records. They are not normalized by how many of these vehicles are on the road, so a model that sold in large numbers will tend to show more of everything. We do not publish a composite safety or reliability score.

6 Recalls on Record

These recalls have been issued by the manufacturer. Contact any authorized dealer to verify they have been completed — repairs are free.

Enter your VIN to check if specific recalls apply to your vehicle.

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns affecting this model year.

  • 18V396000high

    Visibility issue

    VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Journey vehicles. When reverse gear has been selected, the rear camera view may not be fully visible within two seconds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

    Consequence

    If the full camera view is delayed and the driver does not check their surroundings before backing up, there may be an increased risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview mirror, free of charge. The recall began August 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U58.

    Full campaign record
  • 18V398000high

    Rear-visibility system issue

    BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Journey and RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The backup camera may experience a loss of image display while backing up. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

    Consequence

    A loss of image in the rearview camera while backing up can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview mirror, free of charge. The recall began August 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U56.

    Full campaign record
  • 18V332000high

    Wiring harness issue

    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.

    Consequence

    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.

    Full campaign record
  • 18V523000high

    Brake system issue

    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan and Jeep Compass, 2018 Dodge Journey, and 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

    Consequence

    A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U86.

    Full campaign record
  • 18V524000high

    Electrical issue

    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.

    Consequence

    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.

    Full campaign record
  • 22V723000high

    Lighting issue

    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."

    Consequence

    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.

    Full campaign record

NHTSA crash-test ratings

NCAP star ratings and the underlying test breakdown for the 2018 Dodge Journey.

  • Frontal crash

    Driver
    5 / 5
    Passenger
    4 / 5
  • Side crash

    Driver
    5 / 5
    Passenger
    5 / 5
    Side pole
    5 / 5
  • Rollover

    Rollover risk
    17.9%
    Dynamic tip
    No Tip

Driver-assistance technologies

Electronic stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
No
Lane departure warning
No

What the ratings mean

NHTSA gives the 2018 Dodge Journey 4 out of 5 stars overall, below the 5-star median for the 8 comparable 2018 vehicles NHTSA rated in this class.

NHTSA published results for every NCAP test in this program, so the overall star rating rests on a complete set of crash and rollover results.

NHTSA's dynamic test put this vehicle's rollover probability at 17.9% in a single-vehicle crash — the figure behind the rollover star rating, published here because the star alone hides how wide each band is.

NHTSA crash tests

2018 Dodge Journey Frontal crash crash test
Frontal crash Video
2018 Dodge Journey Side crash crash test
Side crash Video
2018 Dodge Journey Side pole crash test
Side pole Video

Fuel economy & emissions

EPA figures for the 2018 Dodge Journey, with tailpipe CO₂ and class context.

19

City

25

Hwy

21

Comb

Annual fuel cost
$2,950
Tailpipe CO₂
420 g/mi

How this compares

At 21 MPG combined, the 2018 Dodge Journey ranks 7th of 8 small SUVs (2WD) EPA rated for 2018 — 2 MPG short of the 23 MPG median for that group.

That places it in the lower third of its class. If annual mileage is high, the running-cost gap against a class-average rival compounds quickly.

EPA puts annual fuel spend at about $2,950, $275 more than the $2,675 typical for the class. Over five years at 15,000 miles a year that is roughly $14,750, a $1,375 difference against a class-median vehicle.

Tailpipe CO₂ is 420 grams per mile — about 6.3 metric tons over 15,000 miles of driving.

Consumer complaints

223 owner reports filed with NHTSA.

223
Total
7
Crashes
1
Fires
7
Injuries

Most reported components

  • ELECTRICAL48
  • ENGINE41
  • OTHER37
  • BRAKES24
  • SEAT BELTS17

Notable Issues

223 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA. 7 reports involve injuries. 7 reports involve a crash.

Most reported problems

electrical issues (battery, wiring, infotainment)48
engine problems (stalling, power loss, warning lights)41
miscellaneous issues37

Safety timeline

Every dated recall and NHTSA investigation for the 2018 Dodge Journey, newest first.

  1. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation PE19014

    Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment

  2. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation PE24006

    Back up camera failure

  3. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation EA24003

    Vehicle entrapment

  4. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation PE24006

    Back up camera failure

  5. Recall

    Recall 22V723000

    A dim reflector may reduce the visibility of the vehicle to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

  6. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation PE19014

    Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment

  7. Recall

    Recall 18V523000

    A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

  8. Recall

    Recall 18V524000

    A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.

  9. Recall

    Recall 18V396000

    If the full camera view is delayed and the driver does not check their surroundings before backing up, there may be an increased risk of a crash.

  10. Recall

    Recall 18V398000

    A loss of image in the rearview camera while backing up can increase the risk of a crash.

  11. Recall

    Recall 18V332000

    If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Dates are the NHTSA report-received date for recalls and the ODI open/close date for investigations. Crash-test ratings are not shown here because the source does not provide a reliable publication date for them.

Specifications & ratings

Specifications

Body class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Drive type
Front-Wheel Drive
Engine
2.4L 4-cyl
Fuel type
Unknown
Transmission
Automatic 4-spd
Seats
0

Fuel economy

19

City

25

Hwy

21

Comb

Annual cost
$2,950
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

NHTSA crash ratings

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Explore related

Safety timeline

Full timeline
  1. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation PE19014

    Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment

  2. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation PE24006

    Back up camera failure

  3. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation EA24003

    Vehicle entrapment

  4. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation PE24006

    Back up camera failure

  5. Recall

    Recall 22V723000

    A dim reflector may reduce the visibility of the vehicle to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.