CarBrief

NHTSA has 201 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Dodge Journey[1], and the biggest groups are electrical, engine, power train and air bags[2][3][4][5]. It has 2 recalls[6], including one for cruise control that may not switch off[7].

201owner complaints[1]
2recalls[6]
19–21MPG combined (EPA)[8]
4★NHTSA overall rating[9]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 201 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 12 mention a crash, 7 a fire and 13 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts of the car.

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Electrical system[2] 59 35,750
Engine[3] 45 48,900
Power train[4] 32 29,660
Air bags[5] 30 38,500
Unknown or other[10] 25 48,542
Seats[11] 21 74,000
Speed control[12] 19 24,647
Brakes[13] 17 30,000

We also read a small sample of the complaint texts for four groups. It is a sample, so treat it as a hint and not as a count of all owners.

The fires are spread thin. The groups with fires are electrical (3), engine (3), air bags (1) and unknown or other (1)[2][3][5][10]. They add up to more than the 7 fires in the total[1] because one complaint can name several groups.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 2 recalls for this model year[6]. Newest first:

Fuel economy

EPA lists three versions of the 2017 Journey:

Version City Highway Combined Annual fuel cost
2.4L 4-cylinder, front-wheel drive[8] 19 25 21 $3,200
3.6L 6-cylinder, front-wheel drive[15] 17 25 19 $3,550
3.6L 6-cylinder, all-wheel drive[16] 16 24 19 $3,550

Mpg figures are in miles per gallon. The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new[8]. The front-wheel drive 3.6L is listed for gasoline or E85[15]. The others are listed for regular[8][16].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives both versions 4 stars overall, 4 stars for frontal crashes, 5 stars for side crashes and 4 stars for rollover[9][17]. The rollover risk is 17.9% for the all-wheel drive version[9] and 18.5% for the front-wheel drive version[17].

Engine and size

EPA's test car list shows 283 hp for a 2017 Journey with the 3.6L 6-cylinder[18]. EPA's list also has a 2017 Journey entry rated 173 hp, described as having an electric motor, without saying which version it is[19].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models. All three versions share the same size: length 193 in, width 72 in, height 67 in and wheelbase 114 in[20][21][22]. Only the weight differs.

Version Curb weight
FWD I4[21] 3,825 lb
FWD V6[22] 4,043 lb
AWD V6[20] 4,246 lb

How 2017 compares with other years

2009: 1,594 complaints, 8 recalls20092010: 1,085 complaints, 4 recalls20102011: 169 complaints, 4 recalls20112012: 376 complaints, 6 recalls20122013: 353 complaints, 4 recalls20132014: 416 complaints, 7 recalls20142015: 554 complaints, 6 recalls20152016: 389 complaints, 4 recalls20162017: 201 complaints, 2 recalls20120172018: 237 complaints, 6 recalls20182019: 102 complaints, 1 recalls20192020: 66 complaints, 1 recalls2020
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Journey model year. The 2017 is highlighted[6].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20091,5948
20101,0854
20111694
20123766
20133534
20144167
20155546
20163894
20172012
20182376
20191021
2020661

NHTSA counts 201 complaints and 2 recalls for the 2017 model year[6]. Among the 12 Journey model years from 2009 to 2020, only 2011 (169), 2019 (102) and 2020 (66) have fewer complaints[6]. The 2009 model year has the most, at 1,594[6]. For recalls, 2019 and 2020 have 1 each, and 2017 is next with 2[6]. The 2018 model year has 237 complaints and 6 recalls[6].

Keep in mind that complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, Keep in mind that complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold..

Should you buy a used 2017 Journey?

The numbers are middling to good for this model line. The 2017 year has fewer complaints than most other Journey years[6], and it earns 4 stars overall from NHTSA[9][17]. The concerns are the stalling and power loss owners describe in the complaint samples we read[3][4], and the air bag warning lights and no-deploy reports[5]. Ask for the car's VIN and check that both recalls[14][7] were done, and have a mechanic look for stalling and warning lights on a test drive. If you want the best fuel economy, the 2.4L is rated 21 mpg combined[8], against 19 for the 3.6L versions[15][16].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Dodge Journey?
Owner complaints on file with NHTSA are largest for the electrical system (59), engine (45), power train (32) and air bags (30)[2][3][4][5]. In the samples we read, owners describe stalling or power loss and air bag warning lights[3][4][5].
Does the 2017 Dodge Journey have any recalls?
Yes, 2[6]. One covers a headlamp reflector (22V723)[14]. The other covers cruise control that may not switch off (18V332)[7].
What is the gas mileage of the 2017 Dodge Journey?
EPA rates it at 21 mpg combined with the 2.4L[8] and 19 mpg combined with the 3.6L, front-wheel or all-wheel drive[15][16].
How safe is the 2017 Dodge Journey?
NHTSA rates it 4 stars overall, with 5 stars for side crashes[9][17].
Is 2017 a good year for the Dodge Journey?
By NHTSA counts, 2017 has fewer complaints (201) than most other model years, and only 2011, 2019 and 2020 have fewer[6].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 201 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Dodge Journey (12 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 13 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 59 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 3 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,750). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 45 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,900). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 32 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,660). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 30 complaints name the air bags component group (8 crashes, 1 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 38,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Journey model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 18V332, filed May 17, 2018: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
  8. EPA rating for Journey, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  9. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 25 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,542). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 21 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 19 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 24,647). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 17 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 22V723, filed September 29, 2022: Exterior Lighting. NHTSA recall database
  15. EPA rating for Journey, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Dodge Journey with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 283 hp. www.epa.gov
  19. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Dodge Journey with electric motor: rated 173 hp. www.epa.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, JOURNEY 4DR SUV AWD V6: length 193 in, width 72 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 4,246 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, JOURNEY 4DR SUV FWD I4: length 193 in, width 72 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 3,825 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, JOURNEY 4DR SUV FWD V6: length 193 in, width 72 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 4,043 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.