Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Dodge Journey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact's wife owns a 2013 Dodge Journey. The stated while driving 65 MPH, the power steering assist failed without warning. The contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle off to the side of the roadway. The contact got a ride home and trailered the vehicle back to his residence. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V273000 (Steering). The dealer was notified of the issue and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Journey. The contact stated initially noticed that power steering fluid was leaking onto his driveway. The contact also stated that while driving at slower speeds, extra effort was needed to steer the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V273000 (Steering) however, the Vin was not included. Additionally, he also stated that while his wife was at stop light, the vehicle shut-off while accelerating. The contact stated that his wife was unaware if any warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. She was able to immediately restart the vehicle and resume normal driving. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that the ABS and stabilitrak warning indicators illuminated. While driving various speeds, both warning indicators turned off and the brake pedal and steering wheel stiffened. The brake pedal and steering wheel remained stiff until the warning indicators illuminated again. The contact took the vehicle to brown Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (170 I-35, devine, tx 78016, [phone]) and was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V675000 (electronic stability control, service brakes, hydraulic). The dealer stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 140,000.
I was driving my car through town(35mph) when it just shut off. I didn't have power steering or brakes. No alert lights come on. I managed to pull into a gas station, put it in park then it restarted after I pushed the button. I did chat with Chrysler and they said no recalls or issues showed up for my car. After googling my experience, I found numerous other complaints from people having the same problem. If I had been going faster on the highway or even on our curvy backroads I could have been seriously injured or even killed! I drive my children in this car and I'm scared to death to get back in it. I'm still paying on nb this car and it's a deathtrap!
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge Journey. While making a turn, the power steering malfunctioned. The contact felt that the power steering was seizing and there were no signs of any leaks. In addition, the fluid level was full. Daytona Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram & Fiat (1450 n tomoka farms rd, suite a, daytona beach, fl 32124, [phone]) informed the contact that they never heard of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and provided a case number. The manufacturer also stated that there were no recalls and advised the contact to call NHTSA to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 93,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that the return hose on the power steering unit failed without warning. The contact took the vehicle to r. M. Stoudt, inc. (800 23rd st sw, jamestown, nd 58401, [phone]) to have three other recalls serviced; however, the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V273000(steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge Journey. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the power steering return hose was damaged and caused the power steering fluid to leak from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 99,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge Journey. While driving low or high speeds, the steering became difficult to maneuver. On several occasions, the clock set itself at different times and the tire pressure fluctuated up and down without warning. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 16V273000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,695.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge Journey. While driving 40 MPH, the power steering seized without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power steering return hose needed to be replaced and the rack and pinion fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at a low speed, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V273000 (steering). The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Related recalls
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
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.
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.
Steering complaints in other Journey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2013 Dodge Journey?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the steering of the 2013 Dodge Journey, 6% of the model year's 353 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Dodge Journey steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-273 (hose, piping, and connections, May 6, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Dodge Journey steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.