Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2018 Dodge Journey
NHTSA data on file today
The 2018 Dodge Journey has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 237 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #22V723000 Dim Amber Side Reflector/FMVSS 108 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V523000 Insufficient Coating on Rear Brake Caliper Pistons NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V524000 Voltage Regulator may Fail and Cause Stall NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V396000 Obstruction of View When put in Reverse/FMVSS 111 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V398000 Loss of Visibility in Backup Camera/FMVSS 111 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V332000 Cruise Control cannot be Cancelled NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 72 complaints
- Unknown or Other 45 complaints
- Engine 31 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 27 complaints
- Back Over Prevention 25 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 21 complaints
Of the 237 complaints on file, 7 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 237 complaints, owners report 7 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,000–$13,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2018 Dodge Journey has notable issues with brakes, electrical systems, and visibility requiring consideration. Recalls affect safety features like brake calipers and backup cameras, both critical to vehicle operation. High complaint rates for electrical systems add to potential reliability issues.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| electrical system | 40,000–70,000 miles | $200–$700 | very common |
| brake calipers | 30,000–60,000 miles | $300–$800 | common |
| backup camera | 20,000–50,000 miles | $150–$400 | occasional |
| engine | 60,000–90,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change every 6,000 miles
- Brake fluid change every 2 years
- Tire rotation every 6,000 miles
- Coolant flush every 100,000 miles
- Transmission service at 60,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Flickering dashboard lights
- Unusual brake noises
- Delayed camera activation
- Engine misfires or stalls
- Weak or unresponsive brakes
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2018 Dodge Journey at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.