NHTSA has 353 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Dodge Journey[1]. The engine, brakes and electrical system groups are named most often[2][3][4].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups owners name most often, biggest first.
- Engine. 77 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe odd noises, a stuttering feel, and a warning light that keeps coming back. Some say a dealer visit did not fix it.
- Brakes. 74 complaints[3]. Owners describe a pedal that feels hard or does not slow the car as expected, and a few mention the car feeling out of control at low speed.
- Electrical System. 73 complaints[4]. Owners describe door locks that act up, a speedometer that reads wrong, cruise control that is hard to cancel, and a car that is slow to start.
- Seats. 58 complaints[8]. Owners describe front headrests that pop out of position without warning, sometimes while the car is parked.
- Air Bags. 44 complaints[9].
- Electronic Stability Control. 44 complaints[10].
- Unknown or Other. 31 complaints[11].
- Power Train. 29 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2013 Journey is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Frontal (17V432), July 2017. About 363,480 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, And Connections (16V273), May 2016. About 8,569 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, steering problems, loss of power. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Electronic Stability Control (Esc) (15V675), October 2015. About 275,187 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine (15V431), July 2015. About 145,379 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Journey FWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive[17] | 17 / 25 / 20 | $3,350 |
| Journey FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[6] | 19 / 26 / 21 | $3,200 |
| Journey AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive[18] | 16 / 24 / 19 | $3,550 |
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
How 2013 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1,594 | 8 |
| 2010 | 1,085 | 4 |
| 2011 | 169 | 4 |
| 2012 | 376 | 6 |
| 2013 | 353 | 4 |
| 2014 | 416 | 7 |
| 2015 | 554 | 6 |
| 2016 | 389 | 4 |
| 2017 | 201 | 2 |
| 2018 | 237 | 6 |
| 2019 | 102 | 1 |
| 2020 | 66 | 1 |
NHTSA's counts for the Journey show 353 complaints and 4 recalls for 2013[5]. Among the 12 model years listed, 5 have fewer complaints than 2013 and 6 have more[5]. The fewest complaints are for 2020 (66) and the most are for 2009 (1,594)[5]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2013 Journey?
The 2013 Dodge Journey has 353 complaints on file[1]. The engine, brakes and electrical system groups lead the list[2][3][4]. These are unverified owner reports and the counts are not adjusted for sales. Recalls exist for this year too[5]. Check the generated sections on this page for recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Dodge Journey?
- The engine group has 77 complaints[2], the brakes group 74[3] and the electrical system group 73[4].
- Does the 2013 Dodge Journey have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year facts list 4 recalls[5]. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.
- How many complaints does the 2013 Dodge Journey have?
- NHTSA has 353 owner complaints on file[1]. They are unverified reports and one complaint can name several components.
- Is the 2013 Dodge Journey reliable?
- Owner complaints are spread across several groups, led by engine (77), brakes (74) and electrical system (73)[2][3][4]. Read the problems and recalls sections, then compare with other years of the same model in the by-year section.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2013 Dodge Journey?
- See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Dodge Journey
Compare all model years of the Dodge Journey
Other Dodge models from 2013
Similar cars from 2013: small suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 353 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Dodge Journey (19 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 32 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 77 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 7 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 74 complaints name the brakes component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 73 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 4 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Journey model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Journey FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4WD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 58 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 94,271). NHTSA vehicle records
- 44 complaints name the air bags component group (12 crashes, 1 fires, 14 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 44 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,627). NHTSA vehicle records
- 31 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 29 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,792). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 17V432, filed July 7, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V273, filed May 6, 2016: Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, And Connections. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V675, filed October 19, 2015: Electronic Stability Control (Esc). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V431, filed July 7, 2015: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Journey FWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Journey AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2013 Dodge Journey with electric motor: rated 173 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2013 Dodge Journey with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 283 hp. www.epa.gov