Dodge Journey Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Dodge Journey model year (2009–2019) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Dodge Journey Years to Avoid
4 recalls · 1042 complaints
29 reported injuries
3 reported deaths
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 1127
2 recalls · 714 complaints
11 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 742
2 recalls · 414 complaints
42 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 504
Best Dodge Journey Years to Buy
1 recall · 53 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 64
0 recalls · 126 complaints
Main area: SERVICE BRAKES
Problem score: 144
1 recall · 178 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 181
Found the right year? Verify that specific Journey with a free VIN report.
Dodge Journey — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 53 | 4 | — | 64 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 1 | 178 | — | — | 181 | Good |
| 2017 | 1 | 178 | 10 | — | 201 | Good |
| 2016 | 1 | 318 | 19 | — | 359 | Good |
| 2015 | 2 | 414 | 42 | — | 504 | Caution |
| 2014 | 2 | 288 | 56 | — | 406 | Caution |
| 2013 | 1 | 255 | 22 | — | 302 | Good |
| 2012 | 3 | 290 | 34 | — | 367 | Good |
| 2011 | 0 | 126 | 9 | — | 144 | Good |
| 2010 | 2 | 714 | 11 | — | 742 | Avoid |
| 2009 | 4 | 1042 | 29 | 3 | 1127 | Avoid |
All 11 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Dodge Journey Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2019Recent Journey models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2019 stands out with just 64 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2017Mid-decade Journey units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2017 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Journey models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Journey should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2009 Dodge Journey if possible. It has 4 recalls, 1042 owner complaints, and 3 reported deaths. The overall problem score is 1127 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Journey to buy?+
The 2019 Dodge Journey is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 64. It has only 1 recall and 53 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Journey has the fewest problems?+
The 2019, 2011, 2018 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Dodge Journey Research
Check a Specific Dodge Journey VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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