The 2019 Dodge Journey carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering camera. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Seat frame and headrest release failure.” 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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Campaign #25V552000 · Aug 26, 2025
Issue: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Ram ProMaster and 2019-2020 Dodge Journey vehicles. Cracks in the microprocessor may cause the vehicle's rearview camera image not to display properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility.
Risk: A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed beginning September 30, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated July 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 59C.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2019 Dodge Journey.
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…
SEATS
4 NHTSA complaints · 2022-02 → 2024-07
“Passenger head rest popped open with great force barely missing my head as I was getting into my seat. Now i fear it is a matter of time till the driver head rest pops open”
“All seat have side power move for open and close in second row and front row press down n up area plastic area holder it broke all of 4 of them seat broken for no reason”
“My driver side head rest deployed without an accident”
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
3 NHTSA complaints · 2024-04 → 2025-09
“Bought this 2019 dodge journey in Aug 2020. Immediately noticed the headlight condensation. Brought it to the dealership to investigate and they told me it would require a whole new headlight part that would be chargeable and not covered under any warranty”
“Headlight condensation because of improper seal causing damage and blown headlamp”
“Left headlamp seal is bad. Condensation on inside has diminished brightness. The right lamp also leaked but was replaced under warranty”
BACK OVER PREVENTION
46 NHTSA complaints · 2019-12 → 2026-08
“The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a black screen. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failure of the rear-view camera”
“My rear view camera shows a black screen when the vehicle is put in reverse. It is not a fuse problem. That has been checked. I have resorted to “the old fashioned way” of looking behind either side when backing up”
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 DODGE JOURNEY. WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, THE VEHICLE'S BACK UP CAMERA FAILED TO ALERT THE CONTACT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT STRUCK THE PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED”
POWER TRAIN
7 NHTSA complaints · 2020-10 → 2026-07
“Transmission failure at 43,226 miles, costing me $7,471.96. Replacement required. These are known to be a faulty transmission having recalls at this time up through 2016. Mine is not yet included but should be as they are the same unit”
“CAR "CLUNKS" WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, SPORADICALLY. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION "SLIPS" OCCASIONALLY. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, CHANGED ALL ENGINE MOUNTS, NOVEMBER 2020”
“THE TRANSMISSION IS STALLING AT 25739 MILES. I BOUGHT IT IN APRIL OF 2020, 6 MONTHS AGO. WHEN ACCELERATED THE ENGINE STRUGGLES TO GET OVER 65 MILES AND REVS INCREDIBLY. THEN THE TACHOMETER SHOOTS UP AND DOWN GIVING ME UNSTABLE SPEEDS”
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
6 NHTSA complaints · 2019-08 → 2025-07
“I will be driving the vehicle and it will go completely dark, no electrical function, shuts right off in the middle of traffic. After a period of time, everything will power back up. This happens randomly and is very dangerous”
“While driving I came to a stop sign on a hill and the vehicle shut off on its own and started rolling backwards down the hill. I tried to brake but it wouldn't let me so I was forced to throw it into park so it would stop”
“THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE, THE ESC, AND THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT, WOULD ALL COME ON AND THE VEHICLE WOULD BOG DOWN AND NOT BE ABLE TO GO ABOVE 40 MPH. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES NOW, IT IS BACK AT DEMPSEY DODGE DEALERSHIP FOR THE 4TH TIME”
AIR BAGS
4 NHTSA complaints · 2020-12 → 2024-11
“The contact owned a 2019 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while the vehicle was completely stopped, another vehicle driving at 55 MPH rear-ended his vehicle. There were no air bags deployed upon impact”
“On 7/17/2-23 I was rear ended at 55mph And my Airbags didn't deploy. On 7/18/2023 I reported it to Dodge I was given a case # told someone would call me in 48 hrs and they told me it was fine to drive, no one ever called”
“I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES BUT DIDN'T EVEN SLOW DOWN. I REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID MY SEAT BELT EVEN TIGHTEN. MY ENTIRE BODY ESPECIALLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE SLAMMED THE STEERING WHEEL”
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
4 NHTSA complaints · 2024-10 → 2026-05
“Passenger seatbelt sensor stopped working then while later the cover broke off of the frame with no cause. Not allowing the seatbelt or airbags to work properly”
“The cover for the seat belt and airbag on the front passenger seat have become disconnected without any incident causing such. Possibly not allowing the seat belt or airbag to function properly”
“A few years ago the passenger seatbelt beeper stopped working. Unsure if air bags will deploy in a crash or not since the seat isn't detecting a person”
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.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
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.
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.
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.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
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.
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.
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.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
25 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.
6
complaints mentioning a crash
0
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 2019 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.