2013 Dodge Journey problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 126 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Dodge Journey, most often about seats & seat belts. There are 4 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
126
Recalls
4
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Injuries
7
Median mileage
100,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Seats & Seat Belts is the most-reported problem area, named in 41 of 126 complaints (33%).
  • Engine (28) and electrical system (20) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 100,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 1 crash, 3 fires and 7 injuries.
  • The 2013 Dodge Journey has 4 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 7th of 13 Dodge Journey model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 40% more complaints than the 2012 model year (90).

2013 Dodge Journey problems by category

  • 41 complaints
  • 28 complaints
  • 20 complaints
  • Brakes · 1 crash
    19 complaints
  • Airbags
    19 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    15 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    11 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    8 complaints
  • Steering
    4 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    3 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control · 1 crash
    3 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    2 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    2 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Seats38
Engine25
Electrical system20
Air bags19
Unknown or other15
Power train11
Service brakes11
Electronic stability control (esc)5

When problems happen (mileage)

2Under 10k10k–30k930k–60k2160k–100k23100k–150k11150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2013 Dodge Journey complaints that list mileage.

2013 Dodge Journey recalls (4)

  • Recall 17V432000Jul 7, 2017363,480 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may unexpectedly deploy if the air bag wiring harness gets chafed within the steering wheel and short circuits.

    Risk: Unexpected deployment of the driver's frontal air bag increases the risk of a crash or driver injury.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag wiring within the steering wheel, replacing it if necessary. A protective cover will also be installed. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T47.

  • Recall 16V273000May 6, 20168,569 vehicles
    STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 31, 2007, to November 12, 2016. After exposure to cold temperatures, the power steering return hose may rupture at engine start-up causing a loss of power steering assist.

    Risk: A loss of power steering assist may require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return hoses, steel tubes, and power steering oil cooler, free of charge. The recall began on May 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S08.

  • Recall 15V675000Oct 19, 2015275,187 vehicles
    ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured April 21, 2012, to April 14, 2015. In the affected vehicles, water may enter the wiring harness for the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module and leak into the module, disabling the ABS and/or the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system.

    Risk: If the ABS or ESC is disabled, a loss of vehicle stability could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will seal the ABS wiring harness to prevent water from entering and will replace the ABS module and repair the headlamp and dash wiring harness, as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R61.

  • Recall 15V431000Jul 7, 2015145,379 vehicles
    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 19, 2010, to May 26, 2015 and equipped with 2.4L engines. In the affected vehicles, the engine cover may detach from the engine and contact the exhaust manifold.

    Risk: If the displaced engine cover contacts the exhaust manifold, there would be an increased risk of a vehicle fire.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install an improved mounting system for the engine cover, free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R32.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • EA24003Opened Aug 1, 2024Open

    Vehicle entrapment

    The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-008 on May 1, 2023 to investigate an incident involving a 2009 Dodge Journey alleging occupant entrapment during a vehicle fire that resulted in a fatality. During the investigation, ODI collected information from the manufacturer and involved parties to confirm or refute the defect allegation. ODI has determined that additional reports of vehicle entrapment exist for other model year Dodge Journey vehicles. ODI continues to explore the cause of the thermal event and its potential effect on the actuation of the door locks. ODI also continue…

  • PE19014Opened Sep 9, 2019Closed Feb 25, 2026

    Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment

    The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments in…

Recent 2013 Dodge Journey complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Aug 27, 2026153,000 miMDBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving, the ABS, brake, and traction control warning lights remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the ABS module had failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed by the mechanic that the replacement ABS module was no longer available from the manufacturer. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA…
    NHTSA complaint #11759940 · source
  2. Filed Aug 12, 2026TNAirbagsBrakes
    The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the air bag and ABS warning lights illuminated, and the cruise control feature became inoperable. The contact received notifications for Manufacturer Recalls: R61 and T47; and the vehicle was taken to a dealer where the air bag wiring harness and the ABS module water ingress were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred approximately five years later. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11756515 · source
  3. Filed Jun 29, 2026CA1 injuredElectrical System
    Incident occurred onJune 29, 2026 approximately around 6 pm. The system in question is the electrical. I was pulling out of the parking space at the Safeway parking lot, my arm was rested on the driver side door, window was down, and I heard the automatic door locks engaged. At that exact moment I felt a heavy shock go through my arm. I screamed, and at first I did not know what happened. As I was driving home, I knew the shock had come from my arm resting on the door lock.…
    NHTSA complaint #11747308 · source
  4. Filed Jun 26, 2026FLBrakesElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control
    ABS Module failure. Replaced ABS module with brand new Mopar replacement. ABS module still will not communicate with system. No traction control, cruise control, multiple lights in dash.
    NHTSA complaint #11746595 · source
  5. Filed Mar 2, 2026267,000 miNCFire1 injuredTowedAirbagsEngine
    The contact owned a 2013 Dodge Journey. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V432000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that previously, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle would hesitate to accelerate as intended while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The check engine oil pressure warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact managed to pull over at a local gas station and noticed black smoke leaking from under the hood. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11721423 · source
  6. Filed Feb 5, 2026FLBody & StructureBrakes
    I received TWO safety recalls that my dealer has never fixed. One for the ABS System R61/NHTSA 15V-675 and one for the beauty cover R32/NHTSA 15V-431. I was supposed to be contacted when the parts were available and never was. My beauty cover has come off and my ABS system randomly turns off. I am not sure who reported that these repairs for the recalls were completed but they were not. I would like them to be completed before my car either catches fire OR my ABS gives out…
    NHTSA complaint #11715809 · source
  7. Filed Jan 30, 2026NYOther / Unknown
    We were driving our vehicle and suddenly the car shut down. It basically stopped running. Dash lights on, heater blower going etc but speed was dropping to 0 quickly. We were in a small town so we could pull over but had it been a highway it could have caused major issue pending what lane you were in. There was no warning, no sign like a check engine light nothing. I got out and checked the engine area everything looked fine, continued moving and tapping things and finally…
    NHTSA complaint #11714378 · source
  8. Filed Nov 20, 2025GAAirbagsBrakesElectrical System
    Cusumer choice automotive 1706 lower Roswell rd. Sold me a vehicle with a branded title with /knowledge it was a total loss vehicle now the ABS and traction lights or on the seatbelt deployed light is on air sensor light on and brakes or grinding I purchased on 10-4- 2025 this is November-20-2025 I asked for refund and to cancel they say as is not sure this is a wreck or flooded vehicle
    NHTSA complaint #11700612 · source

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Other 2013 Dodge models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology