Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Dodge Journey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that the engine was slow to turn over and start. There was an abnormal chugging sound at start up. The contact stated while driving, the vehicle shut off unintendedly and failed to restart. The contact stated that the half-circle symbol to depress the brake pedal was displayed. The engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was determined the failure was due to the electrical system. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the failure was due to the oil. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. …
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while reversing into a parking space the rear-view camera screen inadvertently turned black. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that as she opened the hatchback, the rear-view camera functionality returned. The contact also stated that the interior lights of the vehicle remained on for a month. The vehicle was taken to the local Pep Boys auto store who diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. Then, the vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that no issues were found with the vehicle however, an unknown software was reprogrammed. The contact stated that the interior lights remained on and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the rear wiring system needed to be replaced. …
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Journey. 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. Additionally, the windshield wipers engaged unintendedly and remained engaged after the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road. The contact's husband disconnected the battery terminals to turn off the windshield wipers; however, the vehicle failed to restart upon reconnecting the battery terminals. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V332000 (Electrical System, Vehicle Speed Control). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the transmission, catalytic converter, and motor mounts. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V524000 (Electrical System), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 86,000.
Sitting at red light and with out warning car turns off I place it in park and try to start car again as soon as I push the ignition to crank the car a huge explosion from under the hood blew the hood backwards striking the a-piler to the driver's door trapping me inside the car as flames were observed coming through the dashboard had to forcefully kick driver side window out of frame to dive out of the car because the door being jammed shut
I received a card from NHTSA about two years ago on this issue possibly due to NHTSA Action Number: EA24003. I am still having this issue and now it is worse. 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. When opening or closing the driver door, nothing happens. In the past, if I turned off the car left my key fob in the car and closed the door when it would lock, the horn would sound, and the doors would unlock. When getting out of the car, I would open the door, and the radio display panel would turn off. Now, it stays on with the engine off. Thankfully there is a delay and eventually turns off. It may be the driver's door harness as it can be easily searched on the internet as a faulty product. …
***Radio system not working properly no longer connecting properly to phone, sounds muffled to the receiver on the other end of call, audio connect is not allowing me to be heard and I got a brand new updated phone! Thinking that was the issue. It wasn't the phone, there was a precious recall regarding system updates issues, that I saw on here, but I was never notified about it!! *Audio hands free won't map my iphone, to the car Bluetooth system will not connect at times, ****instrument panel lights are not showing, Radio goes off while driving often, not working properly, *****BACK UP CAMERA NOT WORKING PROPERLY: *Back up camera not working properly, noticed blurry, not able to see properly at night. ****Back up parking assist lines are not as bright and clear when backing up, image is no longer vivid! …
Unknown!!! I have had my radio replaced two times already for defect and now the radio want shut off again and it want allow a phone to connect to it also now the controls to the air flowing system (ac) want shut off and stay off when u push the off button . It comes back on when u try to shut it off. It's a 2018 and it only has 40 thousand miles on it . I got it replaced two times for defect in the past three years . I'm tired of this happening. You should recall and fix it at no cost to me this is crazy. I'm disappointed about this. I had both replaced at dealer. So there is a record through mopar! Please let me no about this and how to handle it .. I about ready to sue.. I paid all this money for a vehicle I can't even listen to the radio and can't cut my air off .. let me no. …
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. No warning lamps appeared prior to the problem, but appeared when the stall/no start condition situation occurred. The most recent occurrance of the problem was on Saturday, October 4th, 2023. I located on the NHTSA website that there is a recall listed, NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V524000, for replacement of the pcm. On 11/06/2023 I spoke with Chrysler support, according to them a recalibration of the pcm was done on 01/07/2021, and they will not support replacing the pcm because it has been more than 2 years. …
When turning on vehicle the lightning stalls to come on properly. The dash board and radio is completely off even when vehicle has started. Speedometer does not have an accurate reading of how many miles per hour I'm truly going in which I don't feel safe due to the fact that I'm more likely to get pulled over for speeding or not driving fast enough while on the road. No one has inspected the vehicle to confirm other than myself and husband who drive the vehicle. I could be doing 20 miles a hour but the speedometer would say I'm going 45 miles a hour. I was resting at a complete stop and the speedometer stated that I was going 3 miles at a complete stop. There was no indicator flashing light or any message on the vehicle that was indicate there was a issue with the vehicle. The speedometer has been like this since April of 2022. …
Related recalls
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
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…
Remedy: 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.
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.
Electrical complaints in other Journey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2018 Dodge Journey?
NHTSA has 72 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Dodge Journey, 30% of the model year's 237 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2018 Dodge Journey electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-524 (front underhood, Aug 9, 2018); NHTSA recall 18V-332 (software, May 17, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2018 Dodge Journey electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 22,000 miles, and 52% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.