Home · 2017 · Dodge
2017 Dodge Journey
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
196 owner complaints · 2 recalls · data verified July 20, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Electrical system problems dominate (30% of complaints, typically reported near 36k miles).
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#205 of 473Among the 2017 models with a matured record, the 2017 Dodge Journey ranks #205, scoring higher than 56% of them. See the 2017 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
4/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2017 Dodge Journey SUV FWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 19%
3 open NHTSA defect investigations on file, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2017 Dodge Journey, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Airbags (29) · Seats (19) · Speed control (19)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Electrical system
30%59 complaints · typically near 36k mi · 9 in the last 2 years
“CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ON THESE MODELS ARE FAILING TOO. THERE ARE RECALLS ON THE OTHER 2017 DODGE JOURNEYS, PLEASE ADD THIS MODEL TOO THEM ASAP ITS DANGEROUS AND WE USE …”
Engine
22%43 complaints · typically near 20k mi · 7 in the last 2 years
“CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ON THESE MODELS ARE FAILING TOO. THERE ARE RECALLS ON THE OTHER 2017 DODGE JOURNEYS, PLEASE ADD THIS MODEL TOO THEM ASAP ITS DANGEROUS AND WE USE …”
Transmission & drivetrain
16%31 complaints · typically near 18k mi · 5 in the last 2 years
“Transmission is going out car has been taken care of it started over heating and you can feel it switching gears! Taken to shop was told Transmission needs to be replaced”
Airbags
15%29 complaints · 3 in the last 2 years
“The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light unexpectedly illuminated. The dealer wa…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
We can place 3 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 196 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 22 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (2)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Exterior Lighting · 22V723000
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.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System · 18V332000
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.
Fix: 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.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Dodge before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2017 Dodge Journey. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Owners of this model report electrical system problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 36k miles). Has this car shown any electrical system symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report engine problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 20k miles). Has this car shown any engine symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2017 Dodge JOURNEY beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2017? See how every Journey model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2017 Dodge Journey against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.