Hands On Steering Wheel Message In EVIC
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Dodge Journey steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 Dodge Journey have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Journey | 28 |
| 2015 Journey | 39 |
| 2016 Journey | 34 |
| 2017 Journey | 15 |
| 2018 Journey (this page) | 11 |
| 2020 Journey | 3 |
When does it fail?
Of the 11 steering complaints filed for the 2018 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 5 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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2018 Dodge Journey's steering system has a documented pattern of fluid leaks from multiple locations, occurring most frequently in cold weather. Owners describe progressively worsening whining noises when the reservoir depletes, with no dashboard warning light alerting them to low fluid levels. At least one owner had the power steering hose rupture twice within a year. More serious are reports of complete power steering failure during driving—the system goes dead mid-turn or on the highway, forcing the driver to steer a vehicle without assist. In one case, this coincided with total power loss, including brake function loss, leaving the driver unable to control the vehicle.
Dealers using standard diagnostic equipment initially found no fault codes or problems, even after week-long observation. One owner's engine was eventually discovered to contain metal shards. The 2016 Journey was recalled for a similar power steering issue, but 2018 model VINs reportedly do not appear on that recall list. Owners consistently note the absence of warning lights or alerts before the steering system fails or fluid is depleted, which compounds the hazard—they have no advance notice of deteriorating steering function until the system quits completely.
Same Dodge Journey steering reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering fluid leaks at multiple locations
Intermittent leaks from the power steering system originating from various points, occurring most frequently in cold weather. Leaks can be severe enough to deplete the reservoir without warning.
When: 6 months to years into ownership; triggered or worsened by cold weather
Symptoms owners cite: Whining noise when fluid depletes; Fluid loss requiring repeated refilling; Difficult steering; No warning lights on dashboard
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report refilling power steering fluid regularly; hoses have ruptured and required replacement; 2016 Journey had similar recall but 2017-2018 models may not be covered
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2016 Dodge Journey had a recall for similar power steering issues; 2018 model VINs not listed in recalls despite similar symptoms
Complete power steering failure during operation
Power steering system loses function completely while driving, forcing the driver to pull over. System restarts after vehicle restart with no permanent damage apparent until subsequent failure.
When: 20,100 miles; occurs intermittently without warning
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power steering while driving; Steering becomes hard to turn or unresponsive; Loss of power and acceleration simultaneously in some cases; No warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed; dealer diagnostic equipment could not identify the problem; vehicle not officially diagnosed
Power steering hose rupture
Power steering hose ruptures unexpectedly, typically in cold weather conditions, causing immediate loss of power steering assist and rendering the vehicle unsafe to drive.
When: Cold weather; recurring issue a year apart in one owner's experience
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power steering; Hard steering requiring excessive force; Visible hose rupture
Repairs/costs cited: Hose replacement performed; failure repeated within 12 months in at least one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued for 2016 Journey; owner believes 2017-2018 models should be investigated
Engine failure tied to power loss events
Engine containing metal shards and other internal damage caused the vehicle to lose power, affecting both engine function and power steering assist simultaneously. Problem not detected by dealer diagnostic equipment initially.
When: Multiple occurrences early in ownership; discovered at dealership after week-long diagnostics
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power and steering during driving; No engine warning lights; Problem intermittent and difficult to reproduce; Vehicle dies suddenly in traffic or during turns
Repairs/costs cited: Chrysler directed dealer to inspect engine; metal shards found inside engine; faulty engine replaced or repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler knew some engines were faulty but had not notified dealerships or consumers; owner alleges manufacturer deliberately withheld information
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The ac air compressor are defective and caused the serptine belt to break and car stop immediately in traffic to a dead stop the dealership is not fixing it it's a factory default
Had steering trouble with your 2018 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 2018 Dodge Journey?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 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?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 23,950 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2018/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.