CAMERA – REAR VIEW
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Dodge Journey electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2020 Dodge Journey have filed 16 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 Journey | 65 |
| 2017 Journey | 47 |
| 2018 Journey | 61 |
| 2019 Journey | 20 |
| 2020 Journey (this page) | 16 |
1fire
What stands out
Of the 12 model years of Dodge Journey we track for electrical problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (16).
Electrical accounts for 26% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 5 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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.
LAMP - DOME
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗LAMP - DOME
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"Washer Light On And Will Not Turn Off After Adding Washer Solvent."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗LAMP - DOME
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2020 Dodge Journey electrical system shows a pattern of persistent failures across multiple systems. The backup camera is the most-reported problem—it displays upside down, sideways, blank, fuzzy, or staticky. Multiple owners report the camera failed again after dealership replacement, and one owner was quoted $800 for the fix; a recall has been issued but parts remain unavailable at local dealers even after over 2 years.
Door locks malfunction intermittently or completely, with key fobs and interior buttons failing to lock/unlock and back doors becoming trapped. HVAC systems activate on their own and won't stay off. Radio and Bluetooth cut in and out; volume surges randomly. One owner reported a fire erupting from under the front driver's side while driving at 10 mph with the ETC warning light on.
Additional electrical gremlins include headlights that fog repeatedly despite bulb replacement, windshield washer spray that quits, power windows that won't move, dashboard screens going dark when wipers are activated, backup sensors failing, and lights that dim and brighten while driving. One owner noted the speedometer has been inaccurate since purchase. A fuel cap sensor won't reset despite multiple replacements.
Same Dodge Journey electrical reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Backup camera image inversion/malfunction
Rearview camera displays upside down, sideways, black/blank, fuzzy, or poor quality—persists after replacement; safety concern for reversing.
When: Throughout ownership; some complaints after 1-2 years; one instance after ~1 hour of operation
Symptoms owners cite: Image displays upside down 180 degrees; Image sideways or rotated; Black screen or blank display; Fuzzy or poor-quality image despite cleaning; Image flashes in and out; Staticky display
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership quoted ~$800 for replacement; told replacement required, not repair. One replacement by dealership failed after one month. Complaint #13 noted recall issued but parts unavailable at local dealers over 2+ years.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued per complaint #12; complaint #5 noted VIN not included in recall; complaint #13 received recall notice twice with no remedy/parts available.
Door lock/unlock malfunction
Key fob and interior door lock buttons fail intermittently or completely. Doors won't lock/unlock; back passenger doors remain locked and inaccessible; back hatch unlocked at all times; automatic door locking disabled.
When: Occurrence unspecified
Symptoms owners cite: Key fob intermittent or non-responsive; Interior lock/unlock button non-functional on driver and passenger sides; Back passenger doors cannot be opened from inside or outside; Front passenger door cannot be unlocked from inside buttons; Back hatch remains unlocked; Automatic door locking disabled during driving; Horn beep when key fob pressed
Engine fire under front driver's side
Vehicle caught fire while driving; fire erupted from under front driver's side, totaling vehicle. ETC warning light illuminated prior to fire.
When: While driving at 10 MPH; failure mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal noise from engine; Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) warning light illuminated; Fire visible under front driver's side; Fire expanded and consumed front of vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed and totaled
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Neither dealer nor manufacturer notified
Engine stall with high RPM
Vehicle stalls and loses speed while driving but RPM continues to rise—symptoms suggest throttle control or fuel delivery issue.
When: During operation; purchased new April 2021
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls and will not pick up speed; RPM rises despite stalling
Headlight moisture/fogging
Front headlights repeatedly fog with moisture, causing bulbs to blow out. Issue persists despite multiple replacements.
When: Throughout ownership; multiple occurrences
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights fog with moisture; Bulbs blow due to fogging; Moisture returns after repair
Repairs/costs cited: Bulbs replaced multiple times
Radio/audio system intermittent failure
Radio works intermittently; volume goes up/down on its own or stops responding; Bluetooth malfunctions; speaker cuts in and out.
When: Throughout ownership; replaced by dealership, failed again after one month; one complaint since 2024 model year
Symptoms owners cite: Radio works when it wants to; Volume stops working intermittently or rises on its own; Bluetooth works intermittently; Left speaker at driver's seat cuts in and out; Hands-free call system non-functional
Repairs/costs cited: Replaced by dealership; failed again after one month; dealership refused further replacement due to multiple prior replacements
Power window failure (front driver's side)
Front driver's side window fails to roll up or down when power window switch engaged.
When: Failure mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Front driver's side window will not roll down; Front driver's side window will not roll up
Windshield washer fluid spray inoperative
Windshield wiper fluid spray system stops functioning.
When: After approximately 1 year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield wiper will not spray fluid to clear windshield
Speedometer inaccuracy
Speedometer reads incorrectly from time of purchase.
When: Since new purchase; unresolved
Symptoms owners cite: Speedometer inaccurate since purchase
HVAC uncontrolled activation
Air conditioning or heat activates on its own and will not stay off when turned off; sometimes dash buttons unresponsive.
When: Ongoing issue; one complaint from 2024 model year
Symptoms owners cite: AC/heat turns on and off randomly; AC/heat will not stay off when commanded; AC/heat turns back on after being switched off; Dash buttons become unresponsive to commands
Electrical shorts/lighting dimming and brightening
Electrical shorts cause intermittent failures; headlights dim and brighten while driving, worsening over time.
When: Worsening since purchase in 2024
Symptoms owners cite: Electrical shorts; Lights dim and brighten while driving on paved road at night; Problem worsens over time
Backup sensor malfunction
Rear backup/parking sensors fail; warning messages appear on dash even though fuses checked.
When: Failure mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Backup sensors fail; Warning message appears on dash; Unable to rely on sensor warnings for safe reversing
Repairs/costs cited: Fuses checked but issue persists; noted as safety hazard
Pedestrian warning system inoperative
Pedestrian warning system non-functional with no warning light illuminated.
When: Failure mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Pedestrian warning system inoperative; No warning light illuminated
Dashboard display goes dark with wiper activation
Dashboard and entertainment screen display go dark or become barely visible when windshield wipers are turned on.
When: Issue noted within owner tenure
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard screen goes dark when wipers activated; Entertainment screen goes dark when wipers activated; Display barely visible when wipers on
Check engine light and fuel cap seal sensor malfunction
Check engine light remains on with fuel cap seal diagnostic; sensor will not reset despite multiple fuel cap replacements. Complaint suspected real cause is small leak in fuel injection system tank.
When: Throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light stays on; Fuel cap seal reading will not clear; Reading persists despite fuel cap replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel cap replaced multiple times; owner suspects fuel injection system tank leak
Open door alarm random activation
Door ajar alarm sounds randomly without door being open.
When: Occurrence unspecified
Symptoms owners cite: Door open alarm sounds randomly
Cruise control malfunction
Cruise control system non-functional.
When: Occurrence unspecified
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control does not work
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Since I have owned this vehicle, the wiring for the backup camera has been wrong since purchase. The image is fuzzy, sometimes non-existent, and if it is it is upside down. The radio works when it wants to. The headlights keep filling with moisture no matter how many times I get it fixed. The windshield wiper will no longer spray the fluid to clear the windshield (after about owning it for a…
When put in reverse? The camera either doesn’t come on or it’s looks upside down on the review mirror. It makes it extremely difficult to back up in public areas when there is so many blind spots in the back. Also the electrical system has issues- Bluetooth, cruise control, volume will go up loud on its own, check engine light stays on and it says fuel cap seal is basically messed up and it’s…
Backup camera works when it wants to. Most times it's upside down, or staticky. Dealership says the only fix is to replace it, but we can't afford that. It's a safety hazard.
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera image was displayed upside down, sideways, and occasionally blank. Additionally, the pedestrian warning system was inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that front driver's side window failed to roll down or roll up while engaging the power door window…
Had electrical trouble with your 2020 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 electrical problem on the 2020 Dodge Journey?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2020/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.