2013 Dodge JOURNEY: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
353 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
72,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 236 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 72 of 353 complaints (20.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 87 | 24.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 61 | 17.3% |
| Steering behavior | 26 | 7.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 20 | 5.7% |
| Engine operation | 17 | 4.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 72 |
| Electrical System | 71 |
| Service Brakes | 61 |
| Seats | 54 |
| Air Bags | 44 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 44 |
| Unknown Or Other | 31 |
| Power Train | 29 |
Engine: 72; Electrical System: 71; Service Brakes: 61; Seats: 54; Air Bags: 44; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 44; Unknown Or Other: 31; Power Train: 29
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 25 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 47 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 54 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 43 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 51 |
| 150,000 and above | 16 |
Under 25,000: 25; 25,000 to 49,999: 47; 50,000 to 74,999: 54; 75,000 to 99,999: 43; 100,000 to 149,999: 51; 150,000 and above: 16
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (54). 117 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 |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2015 | 47 |
| 2016 | 44 |
| 2017 | 25 |
| 2018 | 34 |
| 2019 | 57 |
| 2020 | 51 |
| 2021 | 21 |
| 2022 | 14 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 7 |
2013: 3; 2014: 17; 2015: 47; 2016: 44; 2017: 25; 2018: 34; 2019: 57; 2020: 51; 2021: 21; 2022: 14; 2023: 12; 2024: 12; 2025: 9; 2026: 7
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 87 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 61 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 26 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10512866 · 2013-05-20 (May 20, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND SHOULDER. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10512866 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10554426 · 2013-12-02 (December 2, 2013)
HAD A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY FROM AVIS CAR RENTAL WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. MY 3 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN THE FAR BACK SEAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. AFTER OUR TRIP HOME FROM THE HOLIDAYS, I SAW MY SON HAD A 2ND DEGREE BURN ON HIS RIGHT LEG. IT HAD BEEN NEXT TO THE HEATER VENT. MY HUSBAND WENT OUT AND IT WAS SUPER HOT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10554426 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10556104 · 2013-12-15 (December 15, 2013)
THIS CAR IS BRAND NEW AND HAS MAJOR FLAW LEAKS WATER THROUGH ROOF SOMEWHERE AND WHOLE HEADLINER IS FULL OF WATER IS COMING OUT OF HEATER VENTS IN CEILING AS WELL AS DVD ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM WHICH I BELIEVE IS A ELECTRICAL HAZARD .VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO DEALER ONCE AND WAITING FOR SECOND APPOINTMENT .WAS TOLD CLOGGED VENTS CAR WAS 2 MONTHS OLD AND NEVER HAD AN ISSUE I DON'T BELIEVE CLOGGED VENTS SERIOUS ISSUE .CAN CAUSE SEVERAL MECHANICAL AND SAFETY ISSUES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10556104 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10559277 · 2014-01-09 (January 9, 2014)
ROOF IN BACK END IS LEAKING INTO CEILING THEN DRIPPING DOWN INTO THE FLOOR BOARD. COMPLETELY SOAKED. HAVE NOT EVEN HAD MY DODGE JOURNEY 2013 FOR A YR YET. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10559277 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10564357 · 2014-02-14 (February 14, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED BUT THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,125. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 7,125 miles reported. Look up ODI 10564357 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10564671 · 2014-02-17 (February 17, 2014)
THE CAR STALL AT SLOW SPEED AND SOMETIME IT WILL JERK FORWARD..TRANSMISSION MAKING NOISES...WHEN U STOP U CAN HEAR IT..THIS IS BRAND NEW CAR. I MIGHT HAVE IT MAYBE 5 MONTHS NOW..CALL THE CHRYSLER ALL THEY IS TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER LET THEM TAKE A LOOK AT IT... *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10564671 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10573821 · 2014-03-20 (March 20, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED INCORRECT SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10573821 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10576247 · 2014-04-01 (April 1, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SUBFRAME, THE DRIVE AXLE, THE REAR SUSPENSION AND THE TIRES WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,265.
Owner-reported narrative. 174 miles reported. Look up ODI 10576247 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
15V431000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 2015-07-07 (July 7, 2015)
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.
Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗15V675000 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Reported: 2015-10-19 (October 19, 2015)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V273000 · Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections
Reported: 2016-05-06 (May 6, 2016)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V432000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2017-07-07 (July 7, 2017)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗