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2013 Dodge Journey problems

What owners reported to NHTSA, at what mileage, and every safety recall for this model year.

353owner complaints
4safety recalls
19involved a crash

Also reported: 9 fires, 32 people injured, 0 deaths. Each complaint is counted once even if it lists several components.

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Most reported problems

Complaints by component. One complaint can name more than one component, so these add up to more than 353.

Electrical system73
Usually 39,825–85,242 miles (middle half of 52 reports with mileage)
Parts named: 12V/24V/48V battery (1); Alternator/generator/regulator (1)
Engine72
Usually 51,250–113,250 miles (middle half of 40 reports with mileage)
Service brakes61
Usually 34,500–84,500 miles (middle half of 35 reports with mileage)
Seats58
Usually 72,322–115,302 miles (middle half of 41 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Front assembly › head restraint (4)
Air bags44
Usually 47,500–115,000 miles (middle half of 27 reports with mileage)
Electronic stability control (ESC)44
Usually 48,585–88,242 miles (middle half of 26 reports with mileage)
Unknown or other31
Usually 36,697–107,500 miles (middle half of 18 reports with mileage)
Power train29
Usually 47,272–85,466 miles (middle half of 18 reports with mileage)
Steering20
Usually 55,000–93,600 miles (middle half of 17 reports with mileage)
Service brakes, hydraulic11
Usually 75,250–113,733 miles (middle half of 6 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (2); Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › ABS warning light (2)

When problems show up

Reports by odometer reading at the time of the problem, top components. Each bar is a 25,000-mile band, labeled by where it starts (0 = 0–25k miles). Reports without mileage are left out.

Electrical system

52 reports with mileage · median 57,000 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Engine

40 reports with mileage · median 82,000 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Service brakes

35 reports with mileage · median 60,000 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Safety recalls (4)

Recalls that cover the 2013 Dodge Journey. Some apply only to certain trims or build dates. This page cannot tell whether a specific car's recall work was done.

Check a specific VIN's open recalls on nhtsa.gov

Air bags › frontal

Campaign 17V432000 · 2017-07-07 · 363,480 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

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.

Consequence: Unexpected deployment of the driver's frontal air bag increases the risk of a crash or driver injury.

Remedy: 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.

Steering › hydraulic power assist › hose, piping, and connections

Campaign 16V273000 · 2016-05-06 · 8,569 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

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.

Consequence: A loss of power steering assist may require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Electronic stability control (ESC); service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Campaign 15V675000 · 2015-10-19 · 275,187 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

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.

Consequence: If the ABS or ESC is disabled, a loss of vehicle stability could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Engine and engine cooling › engine

Campaign 15V431000 · 2015-07-07 · 145,379 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

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.

Consequence: If the displaced engine cover contacts the exhaust manifold, there would be an increased risk of a vehicle fire.

Remedy: 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.

Questions to ask the seller

Any battery drain, dashboard warning lights, or electrical repairs? Test every switch, screen, and power accessory before buying.

73 owner complaints mention the electrical system, half of the reports with mileage are between 39,825 and 85,242 miles.

Has the engine had any repairs, oil leaks, or check-engine lights? Ask for the invoices and listen for knocking or ticking on a cold start.

72 owner complaints mention the engine, half of the reports with mileage are between 51,250 and 113,250 miles.

When were the brakes last serviced? On the test drive, check for pulsing, grinding, a soft pedal, or ABS warnings.

61 owner complaints mention the brakes, half of the reports with mileage are between 34,500 and 84,500 miles.

Do all seat adjusters, heaters, and latches work? Any seat-related repairs?

58 owner complaints mention the seats, half of the reports with mileage are between 72,322 and 115,302 miles.

Has the airbag warning light ever stayed on? Was any airbag replaced after a crash?

44 owner complaints mention the air bags, half of the reports with mileage are between 47,500 and 115,000 miles.

Has the open recall work been done? Ask for dealer service records, and check the VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year.

Other Dodge Journey years

Owner complaints per model year (2010–2022). Older cars have had more time to collect reports.

Compare all years on one chart

Source: NHTSA complaints file (FLAT_CMPL, updated 2026-10-21) and NHTSA recalls file. Page generated 2026-10-22.

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