Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Dodge Journey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driveshaft detached from the rear axle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
On the morning of August 26, 2026, my 2017 Dodge Journey 2.4L was brought to DeLand Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram for federal safety Emissions Recall Z98, which required updating the software calibration on the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The vehicle was scanned by the dealer at check-in (116,561 miles) and had zero transmission faults. The technician updated the PCM, and the dealer put 2 miles on the vehicle during service. Within 4 minutes of leaving the property, while accelerating to 50 MPH on a public roadway, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic loss of power and total transmission failure. The vehicle dropped completely out of gear, would roll backward while shifted into Drive, and completely refused to engage Reverse. …
I took my car in for an engine knocking noise and was told that my motor needs to be replace. I was told that they have recalled all the other motors that were made during this time period but mine is not part of the recall. They have attempted it is a known issue with the cylinder that were put in the 2.4 L motors but will not help me in fixing the issue because they don't have my motor on recall. My is the E5 and the motors that they have recalled are the E4 and E6 motors that were put into the Jeeps and the Chrysler but they have not recalled the Dodges motors. Consumer have found out that these motors in fact have two recalls on them. The recall number is W80 and W84. They have found that the cylinder O-rings are bad, and this is confirmed with the with the notice that was sent with NHTSA ID # 10138863 with the manufacture communication number 9003357. …
As I was driving in March 2023 every light on the dashboard came on in the car. The car started shaking, the engine was very loud, the car speed slowed down than stopped, as I pressed the gas the car would not accelerate. After the car was parked overnight it started than I drove it to a Dodge dealership for repair, after being at the dealership for 7 days nothing was found by the technician to be wrong, the problem never happened while it was at the dealership, so I took the car. While driving the car for 7 months after the issue when I would drive up hills, I would have to completely press down on the gas to make it up the smallest hills. I didn't have any other issues until November 3, 2023, I was driving down the street and the same thing happened again. All the dashboard lights came on the car started shaking and the car speed slowed down eventually stopping.
I bought my 2017 Dodge Journey in September 2021, as I was driving home I noticed an issue with acceleration. I would have my foot on the throttle and the vehicle would seemingly convulse, like accelerate then bow down and repeat. I brought It back to the dealership and they kept it for a week and returned my vehicle stating they couldn't figure out the issue. to this day it still does the same thing! Its so dangerous especially when pulling out from a stop sign or a highway into flowing traffic. Sometimes My car will accelerate Great! Mostly its slow and harsh when im on the throttle. Only stops when I release the gas petal or floor it... NOT SAFE The dealership
So on 7/1/24 our vehicle started overheating some. And then we had the check engine light to come on along with another light that looks like a lightning bolt inside an inside out parenthesis. So I research the symbol and it came back as an issue with the Electric Throttle Control which is also means there is a problem with the electric parking brake. And then a mesage came on that said OIL TEMP HIGH SPEED MAY BE LIMITED. And then it started smoking really bad under the hood. So i researched some more and found out back in 2018 there was a recall on the same issue that was completed on September 23rd 2018.
Had over 1300 miles until next oil change. Car has no leaking issues. Car ran out of oil completely and seized engine during camping trip. I use synthetic and both mileage/time were both way under than what was on my next oil change sticker... warranty says they won't cover it. So now I just have a shell of a car I cannot drive nor afford a new engine for. It was not neglect.
While driving at any speed the vehicle will start jerking and RPM's will rev way up and heat Guage will fluctuate like the car is going to over heat but immediately drops back down to normal, when I let off the gas the vehicle starts to slow down very quickly like if I was pushing the break pedal.
Transmission complaints in other Journey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2017 Dodge Journey?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2017 Dodge Journey, 16% of the model year's 201 complaints. The component named most often is driveline › driveshaft (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Dodge Journey transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2017 Dodge Journey, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2017 Dodge Journey transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles, and 35% before 25,000 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.