2017 Dodge Journey: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 196 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (19% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Sep 2022
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 196 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 poses a serious safety risk because it could injure the driver causing an accident and may deploy again unexpectedly.”Owner report · Seats · Jul 2026
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2025
“Rear backup camera recently went black while still displaying check your surroundings message, and immediately returned to normal after a few seconds. Approximately one week later the image flipped 180 degrees to a upside down position in which I lost perception of where I was while backing up. Thankfully the warning beeper was working and I stopped before backing into a car in a busy street. Have not seen a dealership yet. I have looked up my vin and found no recall for this specific issue, but I did discover that newer models 2018 to 2020 did have a recall for the exact issue that I am having.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2025
“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 was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,718.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2025
“Drivers side head rest popped open after getting out of vehicle at a store I stopped at after a hike. No warning lights no accident prior to this happening. It literally just popped open passenger in vehicle thought it was a cool feature until we researched this was a potential safety flaw that some how this vehicle is not showing eligible for.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2025
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2025
“The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH with her son seated in the front passenger's seat, there was a loud popping sound coming from the passenger's side seat before the front passenger's seat headrest exploded. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be inspected; however, the vehicle was not repaired due to a fractured clip. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.”Owner report · Seats · Jul 2025
“The active headrest deployed in the driver's seat while the vehicle was in use. The vehicle was not involved in any accident at the time of the deployment, and it was unprovoked.”Owner report · Seats · Jul 2025
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2025
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 13 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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."
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.
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2017 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Journey by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2017 Dodge Journey reliable?
NHTSA has 196 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2017 Dodge Journey. The most complained-about area is electrical system (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2017 Dodge Journey problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 35,799 miles or less.
Does the 2017 Dodge Journey have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.