Most common 2017 Dodge Journey problems
Share of the 201 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Journey complaints by model year
Best Journey years: 2008, 2020, 2019. Years to avoid: 2009, 2010, 2015. Compare all years →
2017 Dodge Journey recalls (2)
Exterior lighting
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…
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.
Electrical system › Software
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…
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2017 Dodge Journey:
Back up camera failure
On February 27, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to investigate complaints alleging a loss of back up camera function in Model Year (MY) 2018 through 2020 Dodge Journey vehicles. Complainants reported experiencing black screens, upside down images, flashing images, or blurred images.
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early…
Vehicle entrapment
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 manufacturer and involved parties to confirm or refute the defect allegation.
What 2017 Dodge Journey owners say
Electrical system all 59 →
The contact owned a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the instrument panel began to behave erratically, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power, prompting her to attempt to quickly veer to the shoulder of the roadway. As a result, the contact was sideswiped by another vehicle on the driver's side. The air bags did not deploy. All warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact transported herself to an area hospital and was treated for a nondescript injury to her right shoulder. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V332000 (Electrical System, Vehicle Speed Control), and the VIN was included, and parts were available. …
In April 2025 I was driving and the abs light came on and windshield wipers went off sporadically. Dodge dealer found nothing wrong. It happened again in June 2025. Dodge dealer had car for 1 week and stated they could not find problem but car was safe to drive. They said to return when problems were more constant. On the morning of 8/14/2025, I dropped someone off at the dr and went to Starbucks. Went inside for order. While driving back to drs windshield wipers went crazy and car started to stutter. I pulled over .4 miles from Starbucks. When I stopped I saw smoke so got out of the car and could see flames. I went to open backdoor for my purse but door would not open. Drivers door was not fully closed so was able to retrieve to call 911. Fire department arrived quickly but front of car was already engulfed in flames. Fire department was able to get Fire out. Car was a total loss.
Engine & cooling all 45 →
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the instrument cluster was flickering, and the vehicle stopped. The contact pulled over and noticed smoke. The contact opened the hood and detected a fire. The contact extinguished the fire with some water he had. There were two unknown warning lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries, a police report, or an air bag deployment. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the oil warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to her residence the next day. The vehicle was then towed to a collision shop where the mechanic retrieved several fault codes. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed back to her residence. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that the front passenger's side headrest had deployed independently. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
Transmission & drivetrain all 32 →
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving at approximately 5 MPH, the service AWD, ABS, and cruise control warning lights remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the same independent mechanic for the failure; however, the cause of the failure was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired because a permanent remedy had not been determined, and several unknown parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owned a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving, the gear shifter moved without warning. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000. The VIN was not available.
2017 Dodge Journey engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 25 / 21 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 25 / 19 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 16 / 24 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2017 Dodge Journey a good car?
Based on 201 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Journey rates better than average: 45% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Journey at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Dodge Journey?
The electrical system — 59 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year, most often about horn. Next are the engine & cooling (45) and transmission & drivetrain (32).
How many recalls does the 2017 Dodge Journey have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2017 Dodge Journey, the most recent from September 29, 2022 (exterior lighting). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Journey?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2008, 2020 and 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2009, 2010 and 2015. See the full Dodge Journey years comparison.
At what mileage do 2017 Dodge Journey problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 35,000 miles; 62% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.