RE9 Radio Software Enhancements This bulletin involves updating the radio and navigation software, if required. A customer may experience, one or more of the following conditions: ? Navigation screen locks up or display will be blank. ? Incorrect symbols displayed when entering destination using QWERTY keyboard. ? Navigation feature lockout disable. ? Navigation system resets intermittently. ? Translation improvements/corrections. ? System consistency and operational improvements for menu selections, month/date formatting, and Garmin translation functions. ? Radio system improvements during remote start operation. ? Unable to adjust radio volume using steering wheel switch intermittently. ?
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Dodge Journey steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 Dodge Journey have filed 20 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 74,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Journey | 79 |
| 2010 Journey | 83 |
| 2011 Journey | 23 |
| 2012 Journey | 23 |
| 2013 Journey (this page) | 20 |
| 2014 Journey | 28 |
| 2015 Journey | 39 |
| 2016 Journey | 34 |
| 2017 Journey | 15 |
When does it fail?
Of the 20 steering complaints filed for the 2013 Dodge Journey, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Flash: RE2 RE3 RE4 RE6 RE7 RB4 RB5 RB6 RB4 Radio Enhancements This bulletin involves updating the radio?s software and Navigation if required. A customer may experience, one or more of the following conditions: Radio display screen shows ?Test Mode?. Navigation screen locks up or display will be blank. Navigation feature lockout disable (International Only). Navigation system resets intermittently. Translation improvements/corrections. System consistency and operational improvements for menu selections, month/date formatting, and Garmin translation functions. Radio system improvements during remote start operation. Unable to adjust radio volume using steering wheel switch intermittently. Sec
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Cruise Control Slow Or No Response This bulletin involves upgrading the software on the Steering Column Control Module (SCCM). A customer may experience, no response or slow response to cruise control switch activations. Issues will be experienced by the customers that activate/press the switches in a very fast manner.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Power steering hose failures dominate these complaints. Owners describe return hoses and pressure lines rupturing without warning between 35,000 and 180,000 miles, with cold weather a recurring trigger. The loss is total—steering becomes immovable, forcing owners onto shoulders or to manually wrestle the wheel off roadways. Dealers confirm the hoses are the problem but invoke NHTSA Campaign 16V273000, then claim some VINs aren't covered, even though owners' failures match the recall exactly. Some owners report the recall was performed but excluded their car because they lack an optional block heater.
Engine stalls strike without warning during normal driving, killing power steering and brakes simultaneously—one owner regained control only by coasting to a gas station. Another owner's stall followed a battery replacement and steering recall (T47), with the dealer unable to explain why reconnecting the battery triggered the failure; they later suggested expensive diagnostics and parts replacement at the owner's expense.
Steering seizing occurs independently of visible leaks, with fluid levels normal. The steering wheel locks solid at low speeds and during turns, sometimes intermittently, with assist cutting out then snapping the vehicle hard to one side. ABS and StabiliTrak systems cycle warnings on and off, stiffening brakes and steering unpredictably. Front-end grinding appears during turns, and one owner reports violent vibration from the front end that dealers replicate on multiple visits.
Same Dodge Journey steering reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering fluid leak / return hose failure
Return hose fails or ruptures without warning, causing power steering fluid loss and complete loss of power steering assist. Narratives describe the hose failing suddenly during normal driving or even while the vehicle is stationary warming up.
When: 35,000 miles to 180,000 miles; in cold weather conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes very difficult or impossible to turn; Power steering fluid leaking onto driveway or under vehicle; Extra effort needed to steer at low speeds; Sudden complete loss of power steering assist while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering return hose replacement needed; some owners report mechanic diagnosis of fractured rack and pinion requiring replacement; estimates cited by dealers but owner did not pay
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 16V273000 (Steering); some owners told their VIN was not included in recall; manufacturer referred some owners to NHTSA; recall allegedly excludes vehicles without optional block heater
Power steering pressure line rupture
High-pressure steering line fails in cold weather, causing pump failure and total steering loss. This appears related to the return hose failures but described as the pressure line.
When: Cold/freezing weather conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power steering assist; Pump failure
Repairs/costs cited: Pump and pressure line replacement needed
Power steering seizing / intermittent loss
Power steering suddenly becomes difficult to move or seizes completely without any warning or visible leaks, fluid level full. Occurs while turning or driving at various speeds. Some cases show intermittent behavior where assist cuts out then returns.
When: 60,000 miles to 99,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes extremely difficult to turn in either direction; Power steering assist fails intermittently—works then cuts out while turning; Violent snap to one side when assist suddenly returns; Seizing occurs during turns at low speeds
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed in narratives; dealers unable to replicate or diagnose issue in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 16V273000 (Steering); some owners informed VIN not included in recall; manufacturer advised one owner to file NHTSA complaint
Steering grinding noise during turns
Grinding or squealing noise occurs when turning, increasing in frequency and occurring at both left and right turns.
When: Ideal turning speeds of 5–15 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding noise when making turns; Noise becomes more frequent over time; Occurs at low turning speeds (5–15 mph)
Engine stall during low-speed operation / ESC system malfunction cascade
Engine shuts off without warning during normal driving (stop light, acceleration, low speeds) and does not restart until pushed or ignition cycled. One owner described this following a battery replacement and recall repair (T47 steering wiring); ESC light illuminates and vehicle loses steering control and braking response, pulling hard to one side.
When: After battery replacement and recall service; occurs while driving 35 mph and at stop lights
Symptoms owners cite: Engine suddenly shuts off while driving; No power steering or brakes when engine off; No warning lights on some occasions; Engine restarts after delay or restart attempt; ESC warning light illuminates; Brake pedal and steering wheel stiffen; Vehicle pulls hard to left, nearly into other lane; Loud rattling under front end; Vehicle slows/stalls-like behavior when ESC engages
Repairs/costs cited: One owner told dealer forgot to re-initialize ABS system after battery disconnect; dealer later suggested possible clock spring or axle/driveshaft/differential issues but wanted diagnostic fee (several hundred dollars) with owner paying for parts
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall T47 (airbags and steering wiring); some owners claim instructions for this recall would require opening steering wheel/shaft and direct contact with clock spring; dealer denied causing clock spring damage
Intermittent loss of power steering assist (unilateral)
Power steering assist works intermittently, particularly noticeable when turning one direction (often right) with little or no assist, while other direction has some assist. On highway and city streets.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Lack of power steering assist when turning right; some assist when turning left; Intermittent behavior; Occurs on highway and city streets
ABS and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warning light with brake/steering stiffness
ABS and StabiliTrak warning lights illuminate; brake pedal and steering wheel stiffen; warnings cycle on and off while driving. One owner stated vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign 15V675000.
When: 140,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminates; StabiliTrak warning light illuminates; Brake pedal stiffens; Steering wheel stiffens; Warning lights turn off and on at various speeds; Stiffness persists until warnings re-illuminate
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign 15V675000 (Electronic Stability Control, Service Brakes, Hydraulic); dealer did not diagnose or repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 15V675000; owner's vehicle allegedly not included
Front-end violent vibration causing instability
Violent vibration originates from front of vehicle, making vehicle unstable. Unable to be replicated by dealer on three separate service visits.
When: 25,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Violent vibration from front of vehicle; Vehicle becomes unstable during vibration events
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to replicate failure on three occasions; not repaired
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge journey. The contact stated that there was a violent vibration coming from the front of the vehicle causing the vehicle to become unstable. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on three occasions where the failure was unable to be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate…
Had steering trouble with your 2013 Dodge Journey?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2013 Dodge Journey?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 55,000 and 93,600 miles, with the median around 74,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 55,000; a quarter make it past 93,600. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Dodge/Journey.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.