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2018 Dodge Journey Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2018 Dodge Journey carries 6 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering rearview mirrors/devices and camera. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Rearview camera blank or inverted image in reverse.” Dodge uses Stellantis' Oil Change Indicator — it watches engine load and duty cycle and messages when to change oil, capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months. Know your engine: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 goes 100,000 miles on plugs, while HEMI V8s carry sixteen plugs (two per cylinder) on a roughly 30,000-mile interval — that's a real cost difference at the service counter. HEMI models with MDS cylinder deactivation are especially sensitive to overdue oil.

6 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES

Campaign #18V396000 · Jun 14, 2018

Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Journey vehicles. When reverse gear has been selected, the rear camera view may not be fully visible within two seconds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Risk: If the full camera view is delayed and the driver does not check their surroundings before backing up, there may be an increased risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview mirror, free of charge. The recall began August 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U58.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Campaign #18V398000 · Jun 14, 2018

Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Journey and RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The backup camera may experience a loss of image display while backing up. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Risk: A loss of image in the rearview camera while backing up can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview mirror, free of charge. The recall began August 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U56.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Campaign #18V332000 · May 17, 2018

Issue: 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.

Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

Campaign #18V523000 · Sep 8, 2018

Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan and Jeep Compass, 2018 Dodge Journey, and 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U86.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

Campaign #18V524000 · Sep 8, 2018

Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.

Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Campaign #22V723000 · Sep 29, 2022

Issue: 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."

Risk: A dim reflector may reduce the visibility of the vehicle to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2018 Dodge Journey.

1 active NHTSA investigation

Source: NHTSA

  • Vehicle entrapment

    Action #EA24003 · opened Aug 1, 2024

    The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-008 on May 1, 2023 to investigate an incident involving a 2009 Dodge Journey alleging occupant entrapment during a vehicle fire that resulted in a fatality. During the investigation, ODI collected information from the manufact…

    View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

Rearview camera blank or inverted image in reverse

BACK OVER PREVENTION

50 NHTSA complaints · 2020-01 → 2026-07

“The rearview backup camera intermittently fails to display an image when the vehicle is shifted into reverse. The camera occasionally works, but most of the time the screen is blank or the image does not appear”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11750685
“The back up camera intermittently comes on when vehicle in reverse. Sometimes it shows a camera with a line, sometimes an image then it disappears and sometimes the image is hazy or distorted”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11698012
“The contact stated that after shifting into reverse(R), the camera image was upside down or the screen only showed static. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11532129

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake vibration and grinding when braking

SERVICE BRAKES

16 NHTSA complaints · 2020-04 → 2026-07

“The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle shook abnormally. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11645181
“The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed, and the contact heard an abnormal grinding sound. No warning lights were illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11545998
“SINCE AROUND 9,000 MILES I HAVE HAD A VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS STILL DOING IT I HAVE TOOK IT BACK 7 TIMES THEY CLAIM NOTHING WRONG”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11338822

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering fluid leak

STEERING

7 NHTSA complaints · 2020-10 → 2025-07

“Power steering leak, started in cold weather. Found other 2018 models have had a recall for the same issue - but my vin is not listed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11674717
“The power steering system keeps leaking for multiple different locations and is intermittent. The leak is never in the same spot. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11609861
“POWER STEERING RUPTURED AND LEAKING, HAPPENS WHEN WEATHER BECAME COLDER. ALREADY A KNOWN ISSUE WITH OTHER MODELS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11373054

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Cruise control failing to disengage

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

11 NHTSA complaints · 2019-05 → 2025-05

“The contact stated that while operating the vehicle with the cruise control activated, the cruise control failed to immediately deactivate, and the vehicle failed to decelerate while depressing the brake pedal”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11660707
“WHILE DRIVING FROM SAN DIEGO TO DALLAS WITH CRUISE ENGAGED IT SUDDENLY STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND BECAME ERATIC SPEEDING UP AND SLOWING DOWN. ENGINE RPM FLUCTUATED AT SAME TIME. BRAKING DID NOT FULLY DISENGAGE THE SYSTEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11308859
“The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the adaptive cruise control (ACC) mode failed to disengage as intended and several unknown warning lights were illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11541125

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Active headrest deployment without impact

SEATS

17 NHTSA complaints · 2020-05 → 2026-01

“The passengers side head rest came apart. It came apart so fast it was like it exploded. It was almost like it had an air bag on the inside of it. I just started the unit in our drive way, went to back out, and it came apart”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11675486
“The contact stated while driving at approximately 5 MPH, the passenger’s side headrest detached. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger’s side headrest needed to be replaced”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11618573
“Randomly and suddenly the head rest safety mechanism deployed. No one was seriously injured but it did leave a mark on my daughter's arm”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11621693

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Moisture inside headlight housings

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

15 NHTSA complaints · 2021-03 → 2025-05

“Headlight housings leak on both sides of car causing extreme condensation buildup causing poor visibility and causing headlight bulbs to burn out at unpredictable times. Loss of a headlight causing serious vision problems at night”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11526975
“The contact stated that while entering the vehicle, the contact observed water filling the driver's and passenger's side headlights, potentially reducing nighttime visibility. No warning lights were illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11533261
“Both headlights on the vehicle have a major amount of moisture in them. Also, when using the headlights the lights surge. They will get really bright and then dim down the whole time they are being used”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11512172

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall and loss of motive power while driving

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

20 NHTSA complaints · 2019-08 → 2026-06

“A stall/no start condition situation occurred while driving, and has occurred a few times over the last couple of weeks. I have had the issue checked by a trusted mechanic, and it was suggested that the power control module(pcm) would likely need to be replaced”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11553760
“Engine shuts off without warning. Driving and all of sudden, engine stops, drop vehicle in neutral and push start and it starts right back”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11443835
“The contact stated while driving various speeds, the vehicle inadvertently shut-off with the check engine and traction control warning lights illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11595103

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Door lock and power window electrical failure

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

10 NHTSA complaints · 2019-09 → 2026-05

“2 years ago, it started with the driver side window not opening intermittently. Then the door locks would not operate from the driver side controls. Now every window will not open and the driver door is not recognized by the car”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11704511
“My wiring harness needs replaced. 3 of my 4 windows would only work sometimes. I was told there was a loose connection but when those wires were held together it got extremely hot very fast, and not to even attempt to use the windows because it could cause a fire”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11474164
“Door locks Doors remain locked or unlocked. Key fob will not unlock or lock doors. Panel will not unlock or locked doors”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11606405

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 2 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the indicator says so — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L: 0W-20. HEMI 5.7L: 5W-20 (0W-40 for 6.4L SRT). MDS-equipped HEMIs punish stretched oil intervals with lifter and cam wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles. Charger/Challenger R/T and Scat Pack: staggered-width setups can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads and rotors at every oil change. Heavy Durangos used for towing and hard-driven Chargers both run through rear pads faster than the front-pad-first rule of thumb suggests.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

HEMI 5.7L: sixteen plugs roughly every 30,000 miles — check your year's manual. Pentastar 3.6L (Charger/Challenger V6, Durango V6, Journey, Grand Caravan): 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Grand Caravan/Journey (62TE): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles in family duty. Charger/Challenger/Durango with the TorqueFlite 8-speed: no published normal interval, but specialists recommend service around 60,000-100,000 miles — sooner with towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

RWD Charger/Challenger and AWD Durango: replace rear diff fluid around 60,000 miles, sooner with towing or drag-strip duty. Limited-slip units need the friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. HEMIs pull serious airflow — a clogged filter costs measurable power before it throws a code.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles, replace on cracking or glazing. On the HEMI, a shredded belt can take the cooling drive with it mid-drive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped (behind the glovebox on most models). Some earlier Journeys and Avengers shipped without one — check before buying a filter.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant is scheduled for 10 years / 150,000 miles; shops commonly refresh by 100,000. OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing chemistries gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Big-audio Chargers and tow-package Durangos lean on the battery hard; weak batteries surface as gremlins in the electronics before they fail to crank.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

64 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

7

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2018 Dodge Journey reflects Dodge's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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