KnownCarProblems2013 Dodge Journey Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 353 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Dodge Journey, most often about the engine (22% of complaints, typically around 82,000 miles). It is 7th of 14 Journey model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2013 Dodge Journey problems
Engine
77 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 82,000 miles.
Without warning one day the car started smoking then caught on fire right while I was driving on the hwy. I quickly jumped out on the hwy almost into traffic trying to get away from the SUV thet within seconds quickly engulfed into flames. I could have been killed. The dealership made no mention about the defects or…
My 2013 Dodge Journey has a random no start. It will just click. The battery, alternator, and starter are all good. I usually have to jump it to get it to start. Sometimes that doesn't even work. It will make the lights start to go haywire. They will flicker or flash on and off. It will say no key detected when I'm…
Brakes
74 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at night and during rainy weather conditions at approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle began spinning uncontrollably without warning. The contact was able to bring the vehicle to a stop. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to…
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that ESC (electronic stability control) warning light illuminated as well as the vehicle would suddenly brake without the brake pedal being depressed. The vehicle was taken to colonial Dodge chrysler jeep at 24 coolidge st, hudson, ma 01749, phone number…
Electrical
73 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 57,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, alternator/generator/regulator.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Journey. While driving 85 MPH, the speedometer fluctuated from 0 to 20 MPH and the battery saver mode and ABS light illuminated. The contact also stated that the radio failed and the headlights dimmed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it could not be diagnosed. The failure recurred…
I was traveling to work on the city street in my 2013 Dodge Journey sxt, a person ran the red light and struck me near the gas tank and then struck me a second time in the front drivers side of the vehicle. Six of the air bags deployed, the vehicle was totaled in the crash. I am writing this because I know that I am…
Seats
58 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 94,500 miles. Parts named most often: front assembly.
Driver side active headrest deployed while driving at about 35 MPH on a smooth road, no accident. Found that the plastic retainers were broken. Passenger side headrest also had damaged retainers.
Headrest on passenger side popped out when my daughter was getting out of the car. I tried to push it back in but the plastic that clamps around the metal bar was snapped off.
Air bags
44 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles.
I've had both drivers and passengers active headrest brake with out warning. The passenger side one broke with the car running parked in a driveway at 75k, passenger was struck. The drivers side one broke overnight when no one was around at 85k, in a driveway. Both were broke and need replacing, the actuator was still…
My whole steering column is causing problems from airbags, my wipers not working now, speed-control wont work., traction control . Causing my car to swerve out of control and causing my car to almost rollover as it went into oncoming traffic, I keep having to change my tires including the back tires the most.the car…
Stability control
44 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 61,500 miles.
I was driving down the highway going about 48 miles per hour with my baby in the car and I tried to slow the vehicle down for a yellow light my breaks would not stop it took a hard stomp to come to a complete stop. Also my car will not shift gears it jerks when done and takes off very slowly hardly picking up speed.…
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Journey. When depressing the brake pedal, a grinding sound was heard. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v675000 (electronic stability control, service…
Other or unspecified
31 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 65,500 miles.
1. Driver side headrest popped (airbag) while parked. The brake light in the dash was illuminated 2. On the instrument panel the "brake" light illuminates intermittenly
I have had problem with Dodge Journey not starting. I've spent money on emergency road service jump starts, along with new battery, but problem persists and the service garage can't get it to consistently start as all cars should! Winter has come early and I fear being stranded in freezing temperatures. Also big…
Transmission
29 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Journey. While the vehicle was stationary, the transmission failed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The dealer (desert automotives, 4119 e anderson rd, sierra vista, az 85650, ([phone]) was contacted and diagnosed that the transmission was faulty. The vehicle was not…
2013 Dodge Journey has transmission shifting problems from a stop to a start. The Journey was taken to our local chrysler dealership. They test drove the vehicle and said the transmission was overfilled. They drained some fluid out and test drove. My receipt for the vehicle states at the bottom found flash that had an…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Dodge Journey recalls
Air bags: frontal
Risk: Unexpected deployment of the driver's frontal air bag increases the risk of a crash or driver injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag wiring within the steering wheel, replacing it if necessary. A protective cover will also be installed. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began august 28, 2017. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is t47.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2011-2015 dodge journey vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may unexpectedly deploy if the air bag wiring harness gets chafed within the steering wheel and short circuits.
Steering: hose, piping, and connections
Risk: A loss of power steering assist may require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return hoses, steel tubes, and power steering oil cooler, free of charge. The recall began on may 24, 2016. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is s08.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 dodge journey vehicles manufactured july 31, 2007, to november 12, 2016. After exposure to cold temperatures, the power steering return hose may rupture at engine start-up causing a loss of power steering assist.
Stability control: electronic stability control (esc)
Risk: If the ABS or ESC is disabled, a loss of vehicle stability could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will seal the ABS wiring harness to prevent water from entering and will replace the ABS module and repair the headlamp and dash wiring harness, as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on december 21, 2015. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is r61.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 dodge journey vehicles manufactured april 21, 2012, to april 14, 2015. In the affected vehicles, water may enter the wiring harness for the anti-lock brake system (ABS) module and leak into the module, disabling the ABS and/or the electronic stability control (ESC) system.
Engine
Risk: If the displaced engine cover contacts the exhaust manifold, there would be an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install an improved mounting system for the engine cover, free of charge. The recall began on october 15, 2015. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is r32.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 dodge journey vehicles manufactured july 19, 2010, to may 26, 2015 and equipped with 2.4l engines. In the affected vehicles, the engine cover may detach from the engine and contact the exhaust manifold.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Vehicle entrapment
Summary
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. Odi has determined that additional reports of vehicle entrapment exist for other model year dodge journey vehicles. Odi continues to explore the cause of the thermal event and its potential effect on the actuation of the door locks. Odi also continues to explore other potential causes for door lock malfunction. Odi has determined that an upgrade to
Active head rest inadvertent deployment
Summary
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 warning reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat ahr inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.reported safety consequences resulting from the ahr deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of
Questions about the 2013 Dodge Journey
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Dodge Journey?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (77 complaints, typically around 82,000 miles); brakes (74 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles); electrical (73 complaints, typically around 57,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Dodge Journey have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 7, 2017 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Dodge Journey?
- It is 7th of 14 Journey model years by number of complaints, with 353 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.