Dodge Journey problems
349 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
- Electrical system: 62 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 40,000–89,730 mi
- Engine: 43 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 57,500–122,587 mi
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge journey. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v431000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the part needed to perform the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of…
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 Dodge journey. While driving 45 MPH at night, the contact drove over a large tree branch that was not visible at the time. As a result, the contact crashed into a tree that was lying in the road and then crashed into a brick mail box. The air bags…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge journey. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v431000 (engine); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…
While under warranty the rear passenger automatic door lock stopped working and it was replaced. After the warranty expired the passenger automatic front door lock stopped working and I paid to have a new one installed. Now the drivers side rear automatic door lock has stopped…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA24003 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2013 Dodge Journey reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 349 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Dodge Journey is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2013 Dodge Journey?
The 2013 Dodge Journey is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 62 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 40,000–89,730 mi; Engine: 43 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 57,500–122,587 mi; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Dodge Journey?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 62 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 63,655 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 63,655 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Dodge Journey has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Dodge Journey?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 349 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.