The Dodge Journey has been a face that has been well-too familiar now. Dodge’s best-seller after the Grand Caravan, is not the most interesting or updated SUVs out there but finds a convincing number of takers for its decent reliability and easy-to-run nature. Well, that doesn’t make it immune to issues as owners do complain about problems that could come up occasionally, as disclosed from reports by the NHTSA. Although the official complaint figures in recent years have seen a drop by almost 4 times to just 93 this year, the recall numbers have actually expanded to 5. So would you consider the 2018 Dodge Journey over competitors like the Volkswagen Tiguan, the Kia Sorento, and the Mitsubishi Outlander? Does the low starting price of $22,995 mean a drop in build quality? Let’s find out.
2018 Dodge Journey User Complaints and Problems
Mechanical Complaints
- Engine- Loss of power and unexpected stalls are common complaints lodged against the 2018 Dodge Journey as per NHTSA reports. The engine malfunction lights illuminate and the vehicle fails to restart in most cases once this happens. Though the issue was left ‘undiagnosed’ initially, the problem was later found to be with a faulty voltage regulator chip, in the powertrain control module, which was replaced under a recall (ID-18V524000), later this year.
- Transmission- Not as common as the engine problems mentioned, but the transmission on the 2018 Dodge Journey is subject to a handful of complaints. Drivers notice occasional slip which sends the engine RPMs shooting, jerks at low speed, and when shifting between gears, oil leaks, and premature transmission mount wear which affects the drive shaft’s life. The average mileage when these issues arise is around 40,000-miles.
- Service brakes- Brakes cause the most problem for the 2018 Dodge Journey owners. The issue varies from spongy brakes and pedal vibration to delay in response to pedal input. Owners also complain about the need for disc and pad replacement in under 10,000-miles. Dodge also had a recall (ID-18V523000) to resolve issues with the rear brake calipers.
Electric System complaints
- Infotainment- The radio/infotainment unit on the 2018 Dodge Journey is subject to constant freezes, glitches and restarts as stated by owners. The navigation screen on trim equipped with that feature is also pretty laggy in usage. Although the dealers have provided software updates and reflash, some issues persist for owners.
- Back up camera- Faulty backup camera is a known fault on the 2018 Dodge Journey, with issues on both the software and hardware side of things. Dodge did initiate two separate recalls (IDs-18V523000, 18V396000) to resolve these issues later that year.
Structural Complaints
- Steering- Premature power steering failure is a common issue on the 2018 Dodge Journey. The average mileage when the owners have noticed this failure is around 25,000-miles. Loos of assistance, whining noise, vibrations when turning or visible power steering fluid leaks are some indicators of a failed steering gearbox.
Safety Complaints
- Seatbelt- Some batches of the2018 Dodge Journey have faulty front row seatbelt buckles. The unit is said to detach with minor force and while on emergency braking events. NHTSA has one injury reported against this issue.
2018 Dodge Journey Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
9th August 2018 |
18V524000 |
Voltage regulator may fail and cause a stall. |
The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, which can cause the engine to stall and increase the risk of a crash. |
The dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began on October 2, 2018. |
|
2 |
9th August 2018 |
18V523000 |
Insufficient coating on rear brake caliper pistons. |
The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance and increasing the risk of a crash. |
The dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began on September 29, 2018. |
|
3 |
14th June 2018 |
18V396000 |
Obstruction of view when put in reverse. |
When reverse gear has been selected, the rear camera view may not be fully visible within two seconds, which can increase the risk of a crash. |
The dealers will replace the rearview mirror, free of charge. The recall began on August 2, 2018. |
|
4 |
14th June 2018 |
18V398000 |
Loss of visibility in backup camera. |
The backup camera may experience a loss of image display while backing up, increasing the risk of a crash. |
The dealers will replace the rearview mirror, free of charge. The recall began on August 2, 2018. |
|
5 |
17th May 2018 |
18V332000 |
Cruise control cannot be canceled. |
A short circuit in wiring could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging, increasing the risk of a crash. |
The dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began on June 4, 2018. |
Should you buy a used 2018 Dodge Journey?
Albeit a bit dated, the Journey has been racking up decent sales for Dodge in recent years. Even though it does not come out as the most refreshing or feature-packed midsize SUVs in this segment, the low starting price, excellent practicality, and easy-to-maintain characteristics have helped it maintain its customer base. Having been in a similar outlook and specifications probably for a decade now, there is pretty much nothing that’s glaring wrong or unfixable on this SUV. Even though the recall numbers have seen a jump, the overall customer satisfaction levels have actually improved. So, should you get one? If you are looking for a cheap yet practical and decently reliable 3-row SUV, then yes.
