2017 Dodge Journey problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 123 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Dodge Journey, most often about electrical system. There are 2 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
123
Recalls
2
Crashes
5
Fires
4
Injuries
8
Median mileage
70,500 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 42 of 123 complaints (34%).
  • Engine (28) and seats & seat belts (27) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 70,500 mi.
  • Owners reported 5 crashes, 4 fires and 8 injuries.
  • The 2017 Dodge Journey has 2 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 4th of 13 Dodge Journey model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 45% fewer complaints than the 2016 model year (225).

2017 Dodge Journey problems by category

  • Electrical System · 1 crash
    42 complaints
  • Engine
    28 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    27 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    21 complaints
  • Airbags · 4 crashes
    20 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    16 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control · 1 crash
    10 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    10 complaints
  • Steering
    6 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    5 complaints
  • Brakes
    5 complaints
  • Lighting
    4 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    3 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    1 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    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
Electrical system42
Engine26
Power train20
Air bags19
Unknown or other15
Seats15
Fuel/propulsion system9
Vehicle speed control9

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k410k–30k1030k–60k1760k–100k7100k–150k2150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2017 Dodge Journey complaints that list mileage.

2017 Dodge Journey recalls (2)

  • Recall 22V723000Sep 29, 202283,453 vehicles
    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."

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 18V332000May 17, 20184,815,661 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

    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.

    Risk: 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.

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…

  • PE24006Opened Feb 27, 2024Closed Sep 26, 2025led to recall 25E052

    Back up camera failure

    On February 27, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to investigate complaints alleging a loss of back up camera function in Model Year (MY) 2018 through 2020 Dodge Journey vehicles.  Complainants reported experiencing black screens, upside down images, flashing images, or blurred images.  A back up camera that does not display correctly increases the likelihood of a crash or injury. Analysis of warranty data provided in response to ODI’s information request letter demonstrated a pattern of elevated warranty claims in subject vehicles built in…

  • 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 2017 Dodge Journey complaints

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

  1. Filed Oct 4, 2026AZSeats & Seat Belts
    Headrest popped open on passenger side and car hasn't been in accident since I have had it. Also my backup camera isn't working, it started going blank, and upside down til it doesn't do anything anymore.
    NHTSA complaint #11768880 · source
  2. Filed Aug 27, 2026FLTransmission & Drivetrain
    On the morning of August 26, 2026, my 2017 Dodge Journey 2.4L was brought to DeLand Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram for federal safety Emissions Recall Z98, which required updating the software calibration on the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The vehicle was scanned by the dealer at check-in (116,561 miles) and had zero transmission faults. The technician updated the PCM, and the dealer put 2 miles on the vehicle during service. Within 4 minutes of leaving the property, while…
    NHTSA complaint #11759928 · source
  3. Filed Jul 7, 2026OKSeats & Seat Belts
    While driving on a smooth paved road at normal speed, the active head restraint on the passenger seat suddenly deployed without any impact or collision. The headrest struck the passenger in the back of the head, causing pain and a potential injury. The vehicle did not experience a crash, bump, or sudden stop. After deployment, the headrest could not be reset or latched back into place. This appears to be a mechanical failure of the active head restraint system. This defect…
    NHTSA complaint #11748798 · source
  4. Filed Jun 16, 202690,000 miCADriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control
    The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60–70 MPH, the traction control warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was released, the vehicle was shaking erratically. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway, and the vehicle was turned off. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started. The contact stated that the traction…
    NHTSA complaint #11744457 · source
  5. Filed Jun 7, 2026IDEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    Had over 1300 miles until next oil change. Car has no leaking issues. Car ran out of oil completely and seized engine during camping trip. I use synthetic and both mileage/time were both way under than what was on my next oil change sticker... warranty says they won't cover it. So now I just have a shell of a car I cannot drive nor afford a new engine for. It was not neglect.
    NHTSA complaint #11742564 · source
  6. Filed May 24, 2026KYAirbagsSeats & Seat BeltsTransmission & Drivetrain
    Purchased vehicle from Wildcat Used Cars in Somerset, KY on [XXX]. Took home and notified dealership of not having seatbelts in middle row. After having an inspection completed, found the SRS system was disabled, airbags removed, knee airbag just stuffed back in. All cables and components unplugged, fuses missing to cause the system to not load up and show the defect. had resistance from dealership in undoing the sale, until i made note of their mechanics checking off and…
    NHTSA complaint #11739789 · source
  7. Filed Jan 13, 2026ILTowedBrakesElectrical SystemSteering
    The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH on two occasions, the vehicle lost power, and the brake pedal and the steering wheel became stiff. There were no warning lights illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and turned off because the contact was nervous to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic however, the failure was not duplicated. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11710694 · source
  8. Filed Jan 12, 202625,000 miOHSeats & Seat Belts
    The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact discovered that the driver’s side second-row and the passenger’s side second-row seat belts intermittently failed to release when the release button was depressed. The contact stated that for the vehicle to return to normal operation, the contact had to avoid sitting in the seats for several hours or a day, and eventually, the vehicle would return to normal operation. No…
    NHTSA complaint #11710350 · source

Compare the 2017 Dodge Journey with another vehicle →

Other 2017 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