2017 Dodge Journey
The Verdict
The 2017 Dodge Journey has 196 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (55 complaints) and electrical (55 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 55/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Dodge Journey, consider the 2020 model year which has 68% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2020 has 68% fewer complaints
View the 2020 Dodge Journey dashboard →
Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution
About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 1
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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 ...
Risk
A dim reflector may reduce the visibility of the vehicle to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. FCA US,...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
Get notified if a recall hits this car.
We email you when NHTSA issues a new recall on the 2017 Dodge Journey. No spam, no marketing.
Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
While driving on a smooth paved road at normal speed, the active head restraint on the passenger seat suddenly deployed without any impact or collision. The headrest struck the passenger in the back of the head, causing pain and a potential injury. The vehicle did not experience a crash, bump, or sudden stop. After deployment, the headrest could not be reset or latched back into place. This appears to be a mechanical failure of the active head restraint system. This defect poses a serious safety risk because it could injure the driver causing an accident and may deploy again unexpectedly.
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60–70 MPH, the traction control warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was released, the vehicle was shaking erratically. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway, and the vehicle was turned off. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started. The contact stated that the traction control switch was inoperable. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken back to CarMax, where the vehicle was purchased. The contact was informed that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to operate. The contact stated that the vehicle was used to transport children. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
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.
Purchased vehicle from Wildcat Used Cars in Somerset, KY on [XXX]. Took home and notified dealership of not having seatbelts in middle row. After having an inspection completed, found the SRS system was disabled, airbags removed, knee airbag just stuffed back in. All cables and components unplugged, fuses missing to cause the system to not load up and show the defect. had resistance from dealership in undoing the sale, until i made note of their mechanics checking off and noting in the carfax that it was "all good" and had be completely inspected. Dealership admitted that they don't check fuse boxes and cables if the lights on the dash aren't illuminated. This is a huge failure of safety. All is on a recorded line from their phonelines from the date range of 4/27/26-5/2/26. All is notated in documentation and photographic evidence. Finally settled and they bought the vehicle back on [XXX] and assured me it would be sent back with the correct salvage title, and it is currently out for resale on their lot as of today 5/24/26. They are fully aware of all the issues. The SRS,ABS, HVAC 40 Relays, and the Traction control system have all been disengaged/compromised to bypass the system of any issues ongoing. The middle row seat isn't secured down, and the airbags have been entirely removed. [XXX] Above is the website listing for this vehicle. The carfax is not updated to the correct report. This vehicle was involved in an accident where the SRS system has been compromised & I was driving this with my [XXX] in this vehicle for approximately 2 months like this. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH on two occasions, the vehicle lost power, and the brake pedal and the steering wheel became stiff. There were no warning lights illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and turned off because the contact was nervous to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic however, the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact discovered that the driver’s side second-row and the passenger’s side second-row seat belts intermittently failed to release when the release button was depressed. The contact stated that for the vehicle to return to normal operation, the contact had to avoid sitting in the seats for several hours or a day, and eventually, the vehicle would return to normal operation. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the dealer stated that the cause of the failure was unknown. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
There is a backup camera recall for the Dodge Journey that I have been experiencing with my 2017 Dodge Journey since after the third year of owning my vehicle, I have replaced it twice already out of pocket, and now it’s happening again for the third time. My Dodge Journey needs to be included in this safety recall. The backup camera glitches, it goes upside down, it turns sideways, sometimes there are lines in it, other times it’s only half a picture or lines throughout the picture, it also goes black and white, then to colored again.
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormal scraping sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact became aware that the power steering cooler and hoses were hanging down underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the hood flew open and struck the windshield and cracking the bottom of the windshield. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and was able to partially close the hood. The contact then drove to her father's residence, and the contact's father assisted with closing the hood. The used car dealer, where the vehicle was purchased, was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Rear backup camera recently went black while still displaying check your surroundings message, and immediately returned to normal after a few seconds. Approximately one week later the image flipped 180 degrees to a upside down position in which I lost perception of where I was while backing up. Thankfully the warning beeper was working and I stopped before backing into a car in a busy street. Have not seen a dealership yet. I have looked up my vin and found no recall for this specific issue, but I did discover that newer models 2018 to 2020 did have a recall for the exact issue that I am having.
CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ON THESE MODELS ARE FAILING TOO. THERE ARE RECALLS ON THE OTHER 2017 DODGE JOURNEYS, PLEASE ADD THIS MODEL TOO THEM ASAP ITS DANGEROUS AND WE USE THIS TO TRANSPORT KIDS. THANK YOU PHOTOS OF FAILING CODES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
Initially, the component that was failing was the rear wiper blade. The wiper blade would not perform a proper rotation. It wouldn’t move at all when I would turn the switch, but anytime the car was unlocked or locked. The door was open or closed the blade would move. A few days later, one reverse light was out. The rear wiper doesn’t really pose any risks but with my reverse lights, failing and any other lights in the rear could be a safety issue. My partner being an elevator mechanic knows electrical like the back of his hand., so he did the process of elimination, realized that it was the wiring at the back hatch. The wiring is shot brittle breaking burning.. which could possibly start a car fire which would put me my child. My boyfriend in danger.. the problem has not been confirmed by a dealer have not taken it to an independent service center. My partner does all of the repair maintenance on my car. I did not get any warning, signs or messages prior to the failure. My partner has fixed the wiring issue at the back hatch, but if it still needs to be inspected, I’m sure if wiring is checked anywhere else in the car it’s gonna be the same issue. The wires are brittle and breaking melting,
My 2017 dodge journey needs to have the catalytic converter replaced. I drive my family to and from school and work on a daily basis and my families lives are at risk should this fail. The same issue is under a recall for the previous year 2016, and I am well aware of the VIN process, and how they can be “updated”, which means the parts are 2016 parts but then the vehicle was “re-vin” to reflect an updated year when the vehicle sits on the lot for more than the year it was manufactured. So then the vin is “updated”. By law this can be done up to two years from the actual manufactured date meaning a 2017 could have 2015 parts! Then my vehicle would be included in that 2016 recall for the catalytic converter as would the rest of these people who have been complaining about the same issue. Please include the 2017 in with the 2016 recall on the dodge journey for the replacement of the catalytic converter. Thank you!
Drivers side head rest popped open after getting out of vehicle at a store I stopped at after a hike. No warning lights no accident prior to this happening. It literally just popped open passenger in vehicle thought it was a cool feature until we researched this was a potential safety flaw that some how this vehicle is not showing eligible for.
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light unexpectedly illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,718.
The electrical system keeps failing. The front windows the radio ac and power lock and doors glitch on and off. This is daily to put where the radio and ac will not stay on for more than 30 seconds.
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.
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH with her son seated in the front passenger’s seat, there was a loud popping sound coming from the passenger’s side seat before the front passenger’s seat headrest exploded. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be inspected; however, the vehicle was not repaired due to a fractured clip. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
The active headrest deployed in the driver's seat while the vehicle was in use. The vehicle was not involved in any accident at the time of the deployment, and it was unprovoked.
My check light came on and when I check the code which was a p0420, Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1). Emissions Recall U67: Catalytic Converter Efficiency. This was part of the recall. Therefore it doesn’t meet the CA emissions standard. It is causing my vehicle to slightly overheat at standstill. It’s hasn’t been inspected yet and It has been over a month since this started happening to the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, several unknown warning lights were flashing on the instrument panel. The contact stated that after receiving an oil change, the engine oil was low within a week. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic where the oil level was topped off, and the contact was informed that the engine oil cooler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that oil was leaking onto top of the transmission and that the engine oil cooler needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
196 total