What are the cons of a Dodge Journey?

The Dodge Journey is a budget-friendly family crossover with practical seating for up to seven, but it comes with several notable drawbacks. This article highlights the main downsides you should know about, from performance to reliability and safety, to help you decide if it’s the right fit.

Performance and Powertrain

Owners and reviewers commonly point to the Journey’s powertrain as one of its biggest weaknesses. The base engine is a modest four-cylinder with limited acceleration, and even the available V6 option doesn’t fully close the gap with more modern crossovers. In addition, the vehicle’s older four-speed automatic is not as smooth or efficient as newer transmissions.

• Base 2.4L engine delivers modest power, making highway merging and quick recall of pace feel sluggish.


• Optional 3.5L V6 adds more oomph, but the acceleration still lags behind newer rivals and can feel buzzy at highway speeds.


• Older 4-speed automatic transmission can be less refined, with noticeable downshifts and slower response in some situations.


• Fuel economy is generally below average for its class, especially with the V6 or all-wheel drive options.

Taken together, the Journey’s powertrain tends to favor practicality over sporty performance, which can affect daily driving feel and long-distance comfort.

Interior and Comfort

The interior design and materials reflect the model’s budget-first approach. Space is a key selling point, but some layout choices and materials wear on longer trips or with frequent family use, and the third row remains best suited for smaller passengers.

• Third-row seating is small and cramped for adults; accessing it can be awkward when the second-row seats are in use.


• Hard plastics and older cabin materials feel dated compared with newer crossovers, affecting perceived quality.


• Infotainment and controls vary by year and trim, with earlier models lacking modern features like clear touchscreen interfaces and advanced connectivity.

The practical use of the Journey can be solid for families who prioritize seating capacity, but the interior quality and comfort on longer trips can fall short versus newer competitors.

Reliability, Maintenance, and Ownership Costs

Reliability history for the Journey is mixed, and as the model aged, ownership costs can rise due to maintenance and the challenge of sourcing parts. This is a common consideration for buyers looking at older Dodge vehicles.

• Owner reports and reliability rankings often place the Journey behind more traditional rivals in long-term dependability.


• As an aging model, parts availability and repair costs can increase, especially for specialized issues or out-of-warranty repairs.


• Maintenance and repair bills may be higher than for some newer, more reliable crossovers, offsetting any initial purchase price savings.

For buyers with a tight budget, the potential for higher maintenance costs and the possibility of more frequent repairs should be weighed against the lower upfront price of a used Journey.

Safety, Practicality, and Technology

Safety tech and modern driver-assistance features are not as comprehensive on many Journey trims as they are on newer vehicles, and this can affect overall safety and convenience, especially for families adopting newer safety expectations.

• Standard and available safety features lag behind modern crossovers; advanced driver assists were not universally standard across years and trims.


• Crash-test ratings and safety feature availability vary by year, with some models not meeting the latest safety benchmarks expected today.


• Rear seating and cargo flexibility are decent in some configurations, but the presence of a third row reduces cargo space when in use.

In short, while the Journey can serve as an affordable family hauler, its safety tech and overall protection features may feel outdated next to newer offerings.

Buying Tips and Alternatives

If you’re considering a Dodge Journey, it’s wise to inspect thoroughly and compare with other options in its price bracket. A careful pre-purchase inspection can identify the most common trouble spots before you buy.

• Have a trusted mechanic assess the transmission, engine, cooling system, and electrical components for signs of wear or repairs.


• Check for interior wear, especially on the seating, dashboard plastics, and infotainment hardware, which can reveal how well the vehicle has aged.


• Review maintenance history and any recall work to gauge how well the former owner cared for the vehicle.

Alternatives in the same budget range often offer stronger reliability, better fuel economy, more modern safety tech, and a more refined driving experience. Competitors to consider include family-friendly midsize crossovers from Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Hyundai/Kia, which frequently outperform the Journey on long-term ownership metrics.

If you’re choosing between trims or model years

Favor later-year models within the Journey’s production window if you must buy one, and prioritize trims that offered more modern features. However, keep expectations modest regarding refinement, fuel economy, and safety tech compared with newer crossovers.

Summary

The Dodge Journey stands out for its seating capacity and budget-friendly price, but its cons include a relatively weak powertrain, dated interior, mixed reliability, and limited safety/tech features by today’s standards. It can be a practical choice for buyers who need flexible seating and a low initial cost, provided they’re prepared for higher maintenance risk and a less modern driving experience. If those trade-offs don’t align with your needs, exploring more contemporary crossovers may deliver better value over ownership.

Bottom line: the Journey’s primary appeal is affordability and space, while its drawbacks center on performance, interior quality, reliability, and up-to-date safety features. Consider your priorities carefully and compare with current rivals to determine whether it’s the right fit for you.

What is the most common problem with Dodge Journeys?

The most common problems with the Dodge Journey include electrical system failures (especially with the keyless entry and remote start), engine overheating due to coolant issues, and premature brake wear. Other frequent complaints involve water leaks, particularly in the interior, and transmission problems like slipping or hard shifting, particularly in certain model years.
 
This video discusses common Dodge Journey problems, including electrical, engine, and transmission issues: 52sOBD InsightsYouTube · Aug 2, 2024
Electrical problems 

• Remote keyless entry: Intermittent or complete failure of the keyless entry system is a frequently reported nuisance. 
• General electrical issues: Owners report problems with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM), dead batteries, and malfunctioning power accessories. 
• Airbag malfunctions: This can include spontaneous deployment or failures, often indicated by a flashing airbag light. 

Engine and cooling system issues 

• Overheating: Particularly in models from 2009-2016, the engine can overheat due to a clogged coolant port in the thermostat housing. 
• Oil consumption: The 2.4-liter engine can consume a significant amount of oil. 
• Other engine complaints: Some models have experienced stalling, and the 3.6L engine can have issues with the oil cooler or radiator neck. 

Brake problems

• Premature wear: Owners report that brake pads and rotors wear out faster than expected. 
• Other issues: Problems include noisy brakes, sticking brake pedals, and ABS or ESC warning lights. 

Other common problems

• Interior water leaks: Water can leak into the cabin, particularly through the driver's door, and accumulate on the floor. 
• Transmission problems: Some model years, especially 2014-2015, are prone to transmission slipping or hard shifting. 
• Steering issues: Some owners report issues like a whining noise from the power steering pump. 

You can watch this video to learn about common Dodge Journey issues from a mechanic's perspective, including engine and transmission problems: 59sAlex The Car DoctorYouTube · Dec 31, 2021

What year to stay away from Dodge Journey?

The Dodge Journey years to avoid are primarily 2009, 2010, and 2015 due to numerous complaints about reliability issues. Other problematic years include 2011 and 2012, which also had significant reports of brake, engine, and electrical system failures. 
You can watch this video to learn about common Dodge Journey problems: 56scar PROblemsYouTube · Jun 28, 2022
Years to avoid

• 2009-2010: These are frequently cited as the worst years, with high numbers of complaints about premature brake wear, electrical failures (including the TIPM), engine problems, and locking brake calipers. The 2009 model also had eight different recalls. 
• 2015: This year is specifically mentioned as one of the worst for reliability. 
• 2011-2012: These years are also flagged for problems, including widespread brake issues, engine trouble, and various electrical system glitches. 

Common problems across problematic years

• Brake system: Premature wear of brake pads and rotors is a very common issue. 
• Electrical system: Multiple electrical failures, including issues with the TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module), sensors, gauges, and keyless entry. 
• Engine: Problems ranging from engine power loss to overheating, often linked to coolant system blockages. 
• Transmission: Hesitation, shifting delays, and other issues, particularly in specific models like the 2012 RT AWD. 
• Other issues: Water leaks and problems with the air conditioning and heater system are also frequently reported. 

What are the common complaints about the Journey?

The most complained-about problem to RepairPal is the remote keyless entry not working. Many Journey model years have electrical problems pertaining to the car failing to start, stalling, and buttons/lights failing randomly, but one more issue that's more of a nuisance than a major problem is the keyless entry.

Are Dodge Journeys reliable cars?

Dodge Journeys have a mixed reliability record, with later models generally being better than earlier ones. While some sources give it average to above-average reliability ratings, especially for later model years like 2020, many users report common issues like electrical problems, and {Consumer Reports https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/dodge/journey/} gives it a poor rating. 
Factors to consider

• Model year: Early models, particularly 2009-2012, are known for significant electrical issues, including recalls for issues like faulty airbags and engine stalling. 
• Later models: Later models, especially the 2020 model, show improvement with fewer complaints and no recalls. However, some minor electrical issues like problems with the reversing camera or infotainment system have been reported in these models. 
• General issues: Common problems across different model years can include warping brake rotors, moisture in the cabin, and occasional power steering pump issues. 
• Reliability ratings:
  • RepairPal: Rated the Journey 4.0 out of 5.0, ranking it 6th out of 26 midsize SUVs, with average annual repair costs and low frequency of major repairs. 
  • Cars.com: Consumer reviews for later models (2017-2020) show high satisfaction, with reliability ratings between 4.2 and 4.7 out of 5. 

Conclusion
If considering a Dodge Journey, focus on later model years (especially 2020) to minimize the risk of the significant problems that plagued earlier versions. Be prepared for potential minor electrical or brake-related issues even in later models.