Dodge Journey Best and Worst Years

Recalls and crash-test ratings for every model year from 2009 to 2020, from official NHTSA data.

Model yearsData retrieved By Sources & methodology

Short answer

Among Dodge Journey model years through 2024, 2019 and 2020 have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (1) and 2009 has the most (8). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.

Quick read

Dodge Journey: Key Facts

Model years with data
12 (2009–2020)
Distinct recall campaigns
27
Fewest recalls
2019 and 2020 (1)
Most recalls
2009 (8)
Most recalled system
Electrical system (10)

Dodge Journey Recalls and Ratings by Model Year

Dodge Journey — NHTSA recall campaigns and overall crash rating, model years 2009–2020
Model yearRecall campaignsOverall crash ratingMost recalled systems
2020 1 4 stars Back over prevention
2019 1 4 stars Back over prevention
2018 6 4 stars Electrical system, Back over prevention, Exterior lighting
2017 2 4 stars Electrical system, Exterior lighting
2016 4 4 stars Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling, Power train
2015 6 Not rated Air bags, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc)
2014 7 4 stars Equipment, Air bags, Electrical system
2013 4 4 stars Air bags, Electronic stability control (esc), Engine and engine cooling
2012 6 4 stars Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Electronic stability control (esc)
2011 4 Not rated Steering, Air bags, Engine and engine cooling
2010 4 Not rated Steering, Air bags, Electrical system
2009 8 Not rated Air bags, Electrical system, Power train

The scale of the difference

Recall Campaigns by Model Year

Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.

  1. 20201 recall
  2. 20191 recall
  3. 20186 recalls
  4. 20172 recalls
  5. 20164 recalls
  6. 20156 recalls
  7. 20147 recalls
  8. 20134 recalls
  9. 20126 recalls
  10. 20114 recalls
  11. 20104 recalls
  12. 20098 recalls

Dodge Journey: Analysis

How to read recall counts

A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.

What the recalls were about

Across all model years, the systems named most often in Dodge Journey recalls are electrical system (10), steering (10), air bags (9), engine and engine cooling (7) and electronic stability control (esc) (4). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.

Crash-test ratings

NHTSA has an overall star rating for 8 of these 12 model years. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.

FAQ: Dodge Journey Best and Worst Years

What are the best years for the Dodge Journey?

By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2019 and 2020 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 1 each.

Which Dodge Journey model years have the most recalls?

2009 has the most, with 8 recall campaigns each.

Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?

No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.

Sources & methodology

Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "Journey", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.

NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by . Editorial policy