2018 Dodge Journey: Problems & Reliability
SOLID2018 Dodge Journey: SOLID — 237 owner complaints, 0.8× the Journey median year by raw count; top issue: electrical system (72 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2018 is 1.22, where 1.00 is a typical Journey year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road, between the best line (0.75) and caution (1.25). 40% of its complaints are severe — a crash, fire, injury or a safety-critical system.
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2011–2022 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
237
NHTSA complaints
0.8×
vs. median Journey year
139
Service bulletins
6
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2018 Dodge Journey problems
Electrical system is the clear leader, named in 30% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2018 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 72 | 30% |
| Unknown or other | 45 | 19% |
| Engine | 31 | 13% |
| Exterior lighting | 27 | 11% |
| Backup camera / back-over prevention | 25 | 11% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2018 Dodge Journey recalls
6 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2018, reported between May 17, 2018 and Sep 29, 2022.
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 22V723000 | Sep 29, 2022 | Exterior lighting |
| 18V523000 | Aug 9, 2018 | Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper |
| 18V524000 | Aug 9, 2018 | Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood |
| 18V396000 | Jun 14, 2018 | Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices |
| 18V398000 | Jun 14, 2018 | Backup camera / back-over prevention › Sensing system › Camera |
| 18V332000 | May 17, 2018 | Electrical system › Wiring |
2018 Dodge Journey service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 139 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2018 — close to the 159 of the median Journey year from 2011 to 2022. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (32), structure (27), engine & cooling (19). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2018 vs. the year before and after
From the 2017 to the 2018, owner complaints rose 17% (202 → 237) — a step backward. The 2019 that followed fell by more than half (237 → 102), so the 2019 has the lighter record so far.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Journey | SOLID | 202 | 157 | 2 | — |
| 2018 (this page) | SOLID | 237 | 139 | 6 | — |
| 2019 Journey | BEST | 102 | 118 | 1 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Dodge Journey years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2018 Dodge Journey
Electrical system (72 complaints on the 2018): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Engine (31 complaints on the 2018): cold-start it yourself and listen for ticking or knocking; check for oil leaks, low coolant and a lit check-engine light, and ask for oil-change records.
Exterior lighting (27 complaints on the 2018): check low and high beams, brake lights and turn signals, and look for condensation inside the housings.
Backup camera / back-over prevention (25 complaints on the 2018): shift into reverse several times and make sure the camera image comes up quickly and clearly.
Service brakes (25 complaints on the 2018): check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, look at rotor and pad wear, and ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
Recalls: confirm all 6 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Know what to pay for the right 2018 Dodge Journey — then negotiate it
Years-to-avoid tells you which year. Search live listings to see the target price and what verified buyers actually paid for it.
- Verified buyer-paid target price for your exact make, model & trim
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FAQ
Is the 2018 Dodge Journey reliable?
2018 Dodge Journey: SOLID — 237 owner complaints, 0.8× the Journey median year by raw count; top issue: electrical system (72 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2018 is 1.22, where 1.00 is a typical Journey year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road, between the best line (0.75) and caution (1.25).
What are the most common 2018 Dodge Journey problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2018 Dodge Journey are electrical system (72, 30%), unknown or other (45, 19%), engine (31, 13%). The manufacturer has 139 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2018 Dodge Journey have?
6 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2018 Dodge Journey, most recently 22V723000 (Sep 29, 2022, exterior lighting); 18V523000 (Aug 9, 2018, service brakes, hydraulic); 18V524000 (Aug 9, 2018, electrical system). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2018 Dodge Journey before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2018 Dodge Journey come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the verdict is CarWhere’s severity-weighted, time-on-road-adjusted score compared with the model’s own median year. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.