Home · 2017 Dodge Journey · Complaints

What 196 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Dodge Journey

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (196)Crash / fire / injury (22)Electrical system (59)Engine (43)Transmission & drivetrain (31)Airbags (29)Seats (19)Speed control (19)Brakes (15)Fuel system (15)Steering (15)Seat belts (8)

59 of 196 complaints match · Electrical system · clear filters · page 1 of 3

Jan 13, 2026SteeringBrakesElectrical system

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 manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11710694

Oct 14, 2025Electrical systemEngineFuel system

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 THIS TO TRANSPORT KIDS. THANK YOU PHOTOS OF FAILING CODES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

NHTSA ODI 11693349

Oct 12, 2025Electrical systemLightsVisibility & wipers

Initially, the component that was failing was the rear wiper blade. The wiper blade would not perform a proper rotation. It wouldn’t move at all when I would turn the switch, but anytime the car was unlocked or locked. The door was open or closed the blade would move. A few days later, one reverse light was out. The rear wiper doesn’t really pose any risks but with my reverse lights, failing and any other lights in the rear could be a safety issue. My partner being an elevator mechanic knows electrical like the back of his hand., so he did the process of elimination, realized that it was the wiring at the back hatch. The wiring is shot brittle breaking burning.. which could possibly start a car fire which would put me my child. My boyfriend in danger.. the problem has not been confirmed by a dealer have not taken it to an independent service center. My partner does all of the repair maintenance on my car. I did not get any warning, signs or messages prior to the failure. My partner has fixed the wiring issue at the back hatch, but if it still needs to be inspected, I’m sure if wiring is checked anywhere else in the car it’s gonna be the same issue. The wires are brittle and breaking melting,

NHTSA ODI 11692894

Aug 22, 2025Electrical system

The electrical system keeps failing. The front windows the radio ac and power lock and doors glitch on and off. This is daily to put where the radio and ac will not stay on for more than 30 seconds.

NHTSA ODI 11682525

Aug 19, 2025Electrical systemFire

In April 2025 I was driving and the abs light came on and windshield wipers went off sporadically. Dodge dealer found nothing wrong. It happened again in June 2025. Dodge dealer had car for 1 week and stated they could not find problem but car was safe to drive. They said to return when problems were more constant. On the morning of 8/14/2025, I dropped someone off at the dr and went to Starbucks. Went inside for order. While driving back to drs windshield wipers went crazy and car started to stutter. I pulled over .4 miles from Starbucks. When I stopped I saw smoke so got out of the car and could see flames. I went to open backdoor for my purse but door would not open. Drivers door was not fully closed so was able to retrieve to call 911. Fire department arrived quickly but front of car was already engulfed in flames. Fire department was able to get Fire out. Car was a total loss.

NHTSA ODI 11681675

Jan 18, 2025Electrical systemEngineFuel system

Didn’t get into accident but a couple months ago my car wouldn’t start , wouldn’t try to the lights wouldn’t come on nothing. Someone cleaned battery terminal it started . Now randomly sometimes it won’t start it will try but won’t so I put it neutral and barley push it toward put it back in park then it will start .

NHTSA ODI 11636735

Jan 13, 2025Electrical systemEngineFuel system

I am so not happy with Jacob Conlon who works at Mitsubishi in La porte. I realized that he was playing with me all the time and that he never repaired my suv until I found out from Danny who works at Dodge.  I dropped it off at service and picked it up more than 5 times  because Jacob never repair it 

NHTSA ODI 11635566

Oct 29, 2024SteeringTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

I’ve had to replace the thermostat 4 times in 6 months, PTO was just repaired and now it fails to accelerate past 2000 rpm, transmission is clunking when shifting. I just got my car back from the Chrysler dealership.

NHTSA ODI 11622418

Aug 4, 2024Electrical systemDriver assistance

I bought my 2017 dodge journey new in 2017 about 2mouths ago I start having problems with my windows now going up or down , I bought a new window switch and still didn’t work .i notice broken wires in the driver side wire harness,I believe this s a safety issue and needs to be addressed immediately thanks .

NHTSA ODI 11606359

Jul 2, 2024Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemSpeed control

So on 7/1/24 our vehicle started overheating some. And then we had the check engine light to come on along with another light that looks like a lightning bolt inside an inside out parenthesis. So I research the symbol and it came back as an issue with the Electric Throttle Control which is also means there is a problem with the electric parking brake. And then a mesage came on that said OIL TEMP HIGH SPEED MAY BE LIMITED. And then it started smoking really bad under the hood. So i researched some more and found out back in 2018 there was a recall on the same issue that was completed on September 23rd 2018.

NHTSA ODI 11598223

Jun 14, 2024Electrical system

Back up camera on the dash gose black when vehicle is in reverse which violation of motor vehicle standard for operation called dealer no recalls on my 17 but for 18 and up

NHTSA ODI 11594413

May 29, 2024Electrical systemLightsSpeed control

Pull over police officer stated said lights are to dim to be driving at night told me I need to have my lights checked out. While driving about 60- 62 mph the vehicle just shut down without warning trying push the accelerator it would not go no further stuck on interstate with emergency blinkers if could of cause bad accident or someone could of hit me without warning. Dodge journey I need some assistance with my vehicle Opposite site Interstate

NHTSA ODI 11591423

May 25, 2024Electrical system

The actuator for cabin air engages when vehicle is completely off. This is due to a short in the electrical system, causing the actuator to function when power is directly applied. This could cause the electrical system to overheat and cause a fire.

NHTSA ODI 11590724

May 9, 2024Electrical systemSpeed controlCrash1 injury

The contact owned a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the instrument panel began to behave erratically, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power, prompting her to attempt to quickly veer to the shoulder of the roadway. As a result, the contact was sideswiped by another vehicle on the driver's side. The air bags did not deploy. All warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact transported herself to an area hospital and was treated for a nondescript injury to her right shoulder. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V332000 (Electrical System, Vehicle Speed Control), and the VIN was included, and parts were available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,000.

NHTSA ODI 11587900

May 1, 2024Electrical systemFuel system

IN THE MIDST OF DRIVING THE RED ELECTRIC LIGHTNING BOLT SIGNAL STARTED FLASHING, SECONDS LATER THE NON-SLIPPERY SIGNAL CAME ON AND THEN THE CAR STARTED SHAKING/RATTLING. THE GAS PEDAL BECAME HARD TO PRESS AND MY CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET, FORCING ME TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WITH MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND TURNING THE CAR OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11586375

Feb 27, 2024Electrical systemEngineFuel system

The vehicle shuts off while driving. It has occurred 6 times over the course of a year. It results in a total loss of power, steering, brakes creating a very unsafe scenario. It has happened 5 times while doing above 35 mph and in one case above 50 mph and resulting in one missed stop sign. This creates a tremendous level of anxiety. I have taken it in on four occasions to reputable repair facilities Christian brothers automotive for repair three times soon to be four times and CarMax once. Three times I was turned away with no help only inspection fees. The fourth time Christian brothers replaced cam shaft sensors only to have another incident while driving 40mph down the road. Thankfully I was able to stop safely and now I have another appointment scheduled for service. I feel like there is a safety miss on this vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11574229

Feb 7, 2024Electrical systemAirbagsBrakes

The car lost power and wouldn't speed up. Could have been rear ended. We had the abs light come on,the traction control light on, the air bag light on and a few more I didn't recognize they came on and went out so fast. Had to pull over and restart the car.

NHTSA ODI 11570459

Nov 4, 2023Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemSpeed control

As I was driving in March 2023 every light on the dashboard came on in the car. The car started shaking, the engine was very loud, the car speed slowed down than stopped, as I pressed the gas the car would not accelerate. After the car was parked overnight it started than I drove it to a Dodge dealership for repair, after being at the dealership for 7 days nothing was found by the technician to be wrong, the problem never happened while it was at the dealership, so I took the car. While driving the car for 7 months after the issue when I would drive up hills, I would have to completely press down on the gas to make it up the smallest hills. I didn't have any other issues until November 3, 2023, I was driving down the street and the same thing happened again. All the dashboard lights came on the car started shaking and the car speed slowed down eventually stopping.

NHTSA ODI 11553605

Sep 7, 2023Electrical system

My ac or radio will turn on when ever it wants. I can turn my stuff off up to 18 times in a day. I have no control over my units front or back. I have spoken to neighbors co workers and strangers who have the same car. Every last person I have talked to is having the same issue with this car. I have taken my car while it was under warranty to have the issue taken care of. They will not do anything since they don't witnes it happening. This should definitely be a recal.

NHTSA ODI 11543101

Aug 29, 2023Electrical system

Alternator/Battery issue Alternator replaced 3 times Not charging causing battery today Electrical issue cannot be diagnosed Vehicle shut off while going 65 on highway. Loss of power steering/braking function. Car accelerated by itself. This has happened three times and been replaced three times.

NHTSA ODI 11541488

Jun 23, 2023Electrical systemLights

The lights on the interior are coming on by them self, I believe the problem lies in the rear wire harnesses. My car only has 31000 miles

NHTSA ODI 11528606

Jun 9, 2023Electrical systemSeat belts

UNKNOWN

NHTSA ODI 11526210

May 16, 2023Electrical systemEngineFuel system

The vehicle wouldn’t start, just kept idolizing. After trying for 10 minutes then getting a new key battery, the vehicle started then engine light was on. A code for crankshaft was on. But then check engine light went off by time I was home. Car broke down in middle of road. Wheel and breaks locked up which was very unsafe with my kids in car and I was unable to move it till tow truck came. Vehicle started working once it was at the auto repair shop. So we had him change the fuel pump because nothing else would show was wrong with the vehicle. Then 5 days later it broke down again. It is now back at the auto repair with no code showing.

NHTSA ODI 11522390

Mar 1, 2023Electrical systemFire

I was driving and I smelled smoke, saw smoke coming from my center console. I turned and looked the backside of my center console was on fire.

NHTSA ODI 11509777

Dec 7, 2022SteeringElectrical systemFuel system

The ETC warning light came on, then the car slowed down then stalled out and would not crank back up. Upon running a diagnostic, the following error codes displayed; P0420, P0340, P0197, P0117, P1D83, P2181(several codes showing up more than once showing permanent, pending). This also happened before but was taken to the dealership to be repaired but the problem is back again but worse. Me and my family were on the highway at the time of this happening and when this happened previously, I begged Carvana to take this car back as it not safe and it has happened again.

NHTSA ODI 11496504

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Working with the data? Download all 196 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 20, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2017 Dodge Journey verdict →