2018 Dodge Journey Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe rear-view camera problems — a blank, upside-down, flickering or slow image when reversing — frequently noting that their VIN was not covered by the camera recalls. Brake vibration or grinding, headlights filling with moisture, and occasional stalling or sudden loss of power also come up, the last often tied in complaints to electrical or charging-system faults.

1. 1
   Back-over prevention (rear camera)

   Rear-view camera blank, inverted or slow image

   • 44 complaints (19%)
   • median 66,500 mi at 7.5 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • filed 2021–2026

   When shifting into reverse, owners say the screen in the rear-view mirror or display stays blank, shows an upside-down or flickering image, or takes several seconds to come on, sometimes working again after the hatch is opened or the vehicle is restarted. Several complaints describe the camera failing intermittently and then becoming a regular occurrence. Some owners were told by the dealer that the camera needed replacement, and others were told their VIN was not included in the camera recall. Reported across a wide mileage range, from around 11,000 to over 100,000 miles, and often described as intermittent at first.

   Recall 18V398000Recall 18V3960001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Before buying, shift into reverse and watch the display for several seconds; check for a blank, inverted or flickering image. Ask whether any camera recall or bulletin work was performed on the vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Backup camera malfunctioning shows up side down camera when working most times backup camera shows a silver screen flickering this is back over prevention equipment malfunctioning malfunctioning this is a major safety problem this issue happened all of a sudden the backup camera work perfectly the night before the next morning the camera would not work and has not worked since there are recalls for this issue on the 2018 Dodge Journey which exactly what mine is but my VIN says no recall the display appears on the rear view mirror”

   NHTSA complaint #11399059, filed 2021-03, 45,023 miles

   “The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the back over prevention camera was foggy or the image was displayed upside down. An independent mechanic was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the back over prevention camera wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11729403, filed 2026-04, 140,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake vibration, shuddering or grinding

   Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe a shudder or vibration through the pedal and body when braking, often worse at highway speed or coming downhill, and sometimes a grinding sound from the rear. Complaints mention rotors being replaced, in some cases more than once, without the vibration going away, and some report being told the condition was normal or not covered. A few complaints describe rear caliper pistons being diagnosed as the cause. Reported from roughly 9,000 to 75,000 miles, with several owners noticing it early in ownership and it worsening over time.

   Recall 18V523000

   What to check: Test-brake from highway speed and listen for grinding; ask for brake service records, especially rotor and caliper replacement history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At just 13k miles all 4 rotors are completely warped and need to be replaced. Not covered under my extended warranty due to rotors are maintenance even tho rotors are supposed to last 70,000 miles! I was told to 'not use my brakes while doing 75 around turns...that is chrysler's solution?car shudders are 75 MPH if you touch the brakes.”

   NHTSA complaint #11321229, filed 2020-04, 13,389 miles

   “Since around 9,000 miles I have had a vibration when braking took it to the dealership they replaced the front rotors still doing it I have took it back 7 times they claim nothing wrong took it to another dealership nothing wrong took it back again they said it was the back rotor replaced them with new and still doing it the car has around 27,000 now Dodge is refusing to look into it further it does it worse going doing hill using the brakes some times it gets to the point you have trouble braking”

   NHTSA complaint #11338822, filed 2020-07, 27,000 miles
3. 3
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights fogged with moisture

   • 15 complaints (6%)
   • median 30,350 mi at 2.9 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners report water and condensation collecting inside the headlight housings, which they say leaves the lights dim and reduces night-time visibility. Complaints describe dealers replacing the headlight assemblies, with the moisture returning in at least one case, and some mention bulbs burning out soon after replacement. Mostly reported between about 500 and 45,000 miles, and described as visible while parked as well as while driving.

   Recall 22V723000

   What to check: Inspect both headlight housings for fogging, droplets or staining in daylight, and check that both lamps light the road evenly at night.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle, the contact observed water filling the driver's and passenger's side headlights, potentially reducing nighttime visibility. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced both headlights, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided not assistance. The failure mileage was 24,917.”

   NHTSA complaint #11533261, filed 2023-07, 24,917 miles

   “The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while parked or driving, the headlights would become fogged. The skid and a check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed where it was diagnosed with sensor issues. The vehicle was repaired however the warning light re-illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired because it was not under recall. The contact stated that the failure persisted. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11632478, filed 2024-12, 35,784 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Stalling or sudden loss of power while driving

   • 25 complaints (11%)
   • median 20,050 mi at 1.8 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Complaints describe the engine cutting off or the vehicle losing power mid-drive, in some cases with power steering and brake assist affected, and sometimes with warning lights on the dash. Several owners link the events to battery, alternator or electrical faults; one describes the battery light coming on and the car dying shortly after a battery replacement, and another had a shop trace the problem to the electrical system. Spread from very low mileage to over 100,000 miles, with several reports in the first few thousand miles of ownership.

   Recall 18V524000Recall 18V3320002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask about battery and alternator replacement history and any charging-system warning repairs; have the charging system and battery sensor checked before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The car kept losing power in the middle of driving and no engine lights were popping up to show that anything was wrong with the vehicle. The first 2 times were in reverse. The power cut off and I was unable to move the steering wheel or brakes. I was able to restart the car and go. The third time I was going forward on a highway. I slowed to turn on and the power cut off in the middle of the turn. I was unable to control the steering wheel or brakes. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11204621, filed 2019-04, 2,700 miles

   “My vehicle has 27400 miles and purchased april 4th 2018. My car battery light came on while driving. Took to dealership where I bought it. They replaced my battery and told me I didn't need a rental car. I went back to work 15 minutes away. Got off in 5 hours after replacement picked up my infant drove home which is 20 minutes away. As I was driving 15 minutes into my ride my lights start going crazy and the alternator light comes on and the car dies on the side of the road. How does this happen on a brand new car?”

   NHTSA complaint #11385535, filed 2020-12, 27,400 miles
5. 5
   Vehicle speed control

   Cruise control will not disengage properly

   • 17 complaints (7%)
   • median 26,000 mi at 1.9 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2025

   Owners say that with cruise control engaged the system sometimes fails to shut off promptly when the brake is pressed, or the vehicle speeds up and slows erratically with rising engine rpm. Some describe having to switch the system off manually to regain control, and others report warning lights coming on at the same time. Reported from very low mileage up to around 190,000 miles, typically at highway speeds under cruise.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: On a test drive, engage cruise at highway speed and confirm it cancels cleanly with the brake pedal; ask whether any brake-pedal sensor or software updates were applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I had pulled up to a stop light and the vehicle would not fully come to a stop so I depressed the break harder and as I release the brake the car took off and was steadily accelerating I turn the car off and got to a parking lot the tow truck driver had the same result when he tried to back the vehicle up to place it on the truck.”

   NHTSA complaint #11327085, filed 2020-06, 30,000 miles

   “On 6/4/2018 I picked up my vehicle from the service department at my local dealership after taking it in for the ABS and traction control lights being on and loss of power. The dealership advised they did an update on the power control model and fixed a wheel speed sensor. While on the freeway about 9 miles away from the dealership the lights (ABS and traction control) came back on and the rpms went up. The vehicle was in cruise control and the vehicle had a 5mph loss in speed but went back up to 65mph with the raise in rpms. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11099864, filed 2018-06, 646 miles

Buying note. On a used example, test the rear camera and cruise-control cancel function directly and check brake feel at speed and headlight clarity. Ask for service records covering battery, alternator, brake and camera work.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.