2020 Dodge JOURNEY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
64 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
40,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 64 complaints (29.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 7 | 10.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 9.4% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 6.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 19 |
| Unknown Or Other | 19 |
| Back Over Prevention | 8 |
| Engine | 8 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 |
| Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
Electrical System: 19; Unknown Or Other: 19; Back Over Prevention: 8; Engine: 8; Exterior Lighting: 5; Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking: 3; Power Train: 3; Service Brakes: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 51 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2026 | 19 |
2021: 4; 2022: 1; 2023: 6; 2024: 13; 2025: 21; 2026: 19
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11550185 · 2023-10-16 (October 16, 2023)
I have brought the car to the dealership three times. It stalls and hesitates when accelerating. The dealership cannot recreate the issue because it only happens after you've been driving all day running errands and they don't have anyone that can duplicate the problem. It has stalled on me several times in traffic are leaving fast food. Restaurants with my grandchildren installed across three lanes of traffic and when backing out of the driveway it stalled on the highway. The dealership explained to me that this particular motor consumes oil a…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11550185 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11628123 · 2024-12-01 (December 1, 2024)
Heater hose malfunction. No issues spotted but within 24 hours the car began to smoke and the hose obtained a leak and leak anti freeze while driving the entire hose blew up while car was in motion and came to a complete overheated stall in the middle of a busy intersection. I had to throw hazards on and could not exit the vehicle due to heavy traffic and unsafe conditions. No warning lights for a leak or empty reservoir where coolant goes. At blow up the antifreeze flushed to the engine and all oil flushed to the radiator cause an immediate e…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11628123 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11627980 · 2024-11-29 (November 29, 2024)
Since I have owned this vehicle, the wiring for the backup camera has been wrong since purchase. The image is fuzzy, sometimes non-existent, and if it is it is upside down. The radio works when it wants to. The headlights keep filling with moisture no matter how many times I get it fixed. The windshield wiper will no longer spray the fluid to clear the windshield (after about owning it for a year) and the speedometers have been off since purchase. I bought the car brand new and just found out you’re supposed to report this stuff here. Please lo…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11627980 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11670433 · 2025-07-01 (July 1, 2025)
My 2020 Dodge Journey has a persistent issue with the passenger-side headlight. Despite multiple bulb replacements, the problem continues, leading to failure of vehicle inspections. Three independent mechanics have examined the vehicle, consistently identifying the problem as originating within the headlight socket or wiring harness, yet no warning light indicates a malfunction. This recurring failure appears to be a known issue affecting other Dodge Journey models, specifically impacting the passenger-side headlight. While I have experienced n…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11670433 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11395877 · 2021-02-12 (February 12, 2021)
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD APPROACHING STANDSTILL TRAFFIC, I ATTEMPTED TO STEP ON THE BREAK TO SLOW DOWN TO COME TO A STOP. AS I PUSHED ON THE BRAKES I GOT ABOUT HALFWAY DOWN AND I NOTICED MORE PLAY IN THE BRAKES THAN USUAL, SO I ATTEMPTED TO PUSH THE BRAKES FURTHER DOWN TO COME TO A STOP AS I WAS GETTING CLOSER TO A STOPPED CAR. IN DOING SO AS I GOT THE BRAKE PEDAL ALMOST COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR THE AIRBAG JUST IN FRONT OF THE PEDALS DEPLOYED, PUSHING MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK, PUTTING A GASH IN MY ANKLE, AND CAUSED ME TO REAR END SOMEBODY.*DT…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11395877 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11634099 · 2025-01-04 (January 4, 2025)
In July of 2024 I had to brake to avoid striking a deer. My ABS and Traction Control light came on in the dash, and my cruise control stopped working. I took the vehicle to the dealership and they said the HCU and ABS Modules were bad, but the ABS Module was no longer made by Chrysler, and it wasn't available aftermarket. I contacted Stelantis and they said the ABS module was under "Engineering Review" and not available. I received an email in September indicating the part was now available and it was being shipped to my dealership. I ne…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11634099 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11396817 · 2021-02-18 (February 18, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BOUNCED, VIBRATED AND SHOOK UP AN DOWN. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, A LOUD SQUEALING SOUND WAS PRESENT COMING FROM STEERING RACK AND THE FRONT WHEELS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER KUNES CHRYSLER LOCATED AT 1615 N STATE ST, BELVIDERE, IL 61008 WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS …
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11396817 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11429471 · 2021-08-17 (August 17, 2021)
I was driving in morning traffic on one of the main streets in my area. My tire suddenly blew out, in the moment after it happened, it felt like my steering wheel locked up. After a few seconds the steering wheel was able to be steered again, and I was able to steer off to the side of the road to get out of traffic. My car is currently still at the dealership. Below I have uploaded some of the communication with dealership (a service advisor) via text. Tire information that I have: Nexen N Priz RH7 225/55R19
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11429471 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11678044 · 2025-08-03 (August 3, 2025)
The car has 40k miles on it with the extended power train warranty. On [XXX], I drove into Phoenix, AZ 35 minute drive from my home in Buckeye, AZ. As I turned down a road, I heard a "klink" and the engine only reved in both drive and reverse. I turned off the car and pushed it to a nearby parking lot. I was able to call my insurance company and have it towed to Larry H. Miller Avondale Dodge. I awaited for the service advisor to call me and when Mark did call, it was to inform me the computer could not read my car due to the ABS module possibl…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11678044 at NHTSA ↗