2013 Dodge Journey Owner Complaints

Incident occurred onJune 29, 2026 approximately around 6 pm. The system in question is the electrical. I was pulling out of the parking space at the Safeway parking lot, my arm was rested on the driver side door, window was down, and I heard the automatic door locks engaged. At that exact moment I felt a heavy shock go through my arm. I screamed, and at first I did not know what happened. As I was driving home, I knew the shock had come from my arm resting on the door lock. My left arm had a visible red mark. The incident had just now occurred so it has not been confirmed by anyone. No warning lights, messages, or symptoms.

NHTSA ID

11747308

Incident

Jun 29, 2026

ABS Module failure. Replaced ABS module with brand new Mopar replacement. ABS module still will not communicate with system. No traction control, cruise control, multiple lights in dash.

NHTSA ID

11746595

Incident

Apr 9, 2025

The contact owned a 2013 Dodge Journey. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V432000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that previously, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle would hesitate to accelerate as intended while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The check engine oil pressure warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact managed to pull over at a local gas station and noticed black smoke leaking from under the hood. The contact stated that after she depressed the release hood latch button, the engine fire increased and rose in size. The contact was able to safely exit the vehicle. The contact managed to obtain a nearby fire extinguisher and extinguished the fire with the help of nearby pedestrians. The local fire deparment arrive on scene and filed a report. A police report was not filed. The contact sought medical attention for severe mental distress. The fire department deems the source of the fire was possibly due to engine oil. Upon further investigation, a local independent mechanic diagnosed the source of the fire as an engine main wireharness failure. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard, where it was diagnosed as a total loss by the insurance provider and later transported to the contact's residence. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 267,000.

NHTSA ID

11721423

Incident

Dec 21, 2025

Mileage

267,000 mi

I received TWO safety recalls that my dealer has never fixed. One for the ABS System R61/NHTSA 15V-675 and one for the beauty cover R32/NHTSA 15V-431. I was supposed to be contacted when the parts were available and never was. My beauty cover has come off and my ABS system randomly turns off. I am not sure who reported that these repairs for the recalls were completed but they were not. I would like them to be completed before my car either catches fire OR my ABS gives out and I get in an accident.

NHTSA ID

11715809

Incident

Feb 2, 2026

We were driving our vehicle and suddenly the car shut down. It basically stopped running. Dash lights on, heater blower going etc but speed was dropping to 0 quickly. We were in a small town so we could pull over but had it been a highway it could have caused major issue pending what lane you were in. There was no warning, no sign like a check engine light nothing. I got out and checked the engine area everything looked fine, continued moving and tapping things and finally shut the hood ready to call road side assistance because it had been about 30 min when we decided to try one more time to start it. We were getting cranking but no start and then after 30 min and poking around tapping it started right up. We already replaced alternator, battery, belt etc. But it just randomly shuts down. One day it started to shut down and then kicked back on again. But there is no warning, no check engine, no pending codes, no sign anything is wrong it just shuts down. Scary when you have a family you use the car for and it is winter with below freezing temps.

NHTSA ID

11714378

Incident

Jan 29, 2026

Cusumer choice automotive 1706 lower Roswell rd. Sold me a vehicle with a branded title with /knowledge it was a total loss vehicle now the ABS and traction lights or on the seatbelt deployed light is on air sensor light on and brakes or grinding I purchased on 10-4- 2025 this is November-20-2025 I asked for refund and to cancel they say as is not sure this is a wreck or flooded vehicle

NHTSA ID

11700612

Incident

Oct 4, 2025

Oil filter housing cap broke during Oil filter change.

NHTSA ID

11698412

Incident

Nov 8, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware of a fluid leak underneath the front end of the vehicle. The “Low Oil” warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken for an oil change, and the contact was informed that the oil level was adequate, and the oil was clean. The contact was informed that the warning light might be faulty. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer found 5 holes in the radiator. The radiator was replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the engine also needed to be replaced. The engine was not replaced. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11698080

Incident

Jul 7, 2022

On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at approximately 1:30 PM, the driver’s side headrest, part of my 2013 Dodge Journey’s AHR (Active Head Restraint) system suddenly exploded for no apparent reason. I was alone in the vehicle, waiting to make a left turn. The sudden loud, sharp sound and impact to the back of my head startled and stunned me; I felt as if I had been rear ended. I looked back but there was no one behind me. Not knowing what had happened, I felt scared and light headed. I was still able to complete my turn but I pulled over to compose myself and ensure that I was okay. I didn’t become aware of the failure of the headrest until I returned home and my husband inspected the vehicle. As I write this incident report 24 hours after it occurred, I am experiencing soreness and discomfort in my neck and plan to seek a medical assessment. The vehicle is available for inspection until repairs are made. The manufacturer acknowledges that the sudden failure of this component is a defect for this vehicle but as yet it has not been the subject of a recall. No inspection of the head rest component by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.

NHTSA ID

11687948

Incident

Sep 16, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed and the Push to START button was pressed; however, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the brake pedal felt firm and added force was needed to depress the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with ETC (Electronic Throttle Control) system failure. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that most recently, the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired after the most recent failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11681728

Incident

Aug 19, 2025

My headrest randomly deployed/opened. I have contacted the dealership, and spoke directly, with Dodge; still no success. I have been trying to get this issue fixed for over a year; I still have a broken headrest that hurts my neck and makes it uncomfortable to drive. Please RECALL the headrest for 2013 Dodge Journey! This is my second form and NOTHING has been done yet!!

NHTSA ID

11652174

Incident

Jan 7, 2024

The driver side seat headrest cushion deployed automatically. There was no car collision. I noticed the seat headrest deployed after returning to the car hours later. I liked into the interior back side of the cushion part and I saw broken pieces inside.

NHTSA ID

11651269

Incident

Mar 27, 2025

We were going thru the park we did not hit anything nor where we going fast we were only going 14/15 mph . I was sitting in the pasenger seat and all of a sudden we heard what sounded like a loud pop and my head was hit by the head rest for no reason . We were not in an accident or anthing to cause it to just all of a sudden deploy.

NHTSA ID

11637995

Incident

Jan 22, 2025

The Catalytic Converter is the issue per our mechanic. We have had several issues out of the the vehicle, resulting in more money than the car is worth. The car no longer reaches over 55-60 mph, which is unsafe on the highway. Many times the car wont start. We thought it was the battery which have been changed several times, but the last mechanic stated it in fact the recall part that is needed.

NHTSA ID

11634792

Incident

Dec 10, 2024

Recently I have been having issues with the rear back up camera in the vehicle not working turning off beeping when nothing is around, also glitching and showing the camera upside down. I am also experiencing battery drainage in the vehicle I have just had the battery replaced and the alternator replaced as well, while I am searching online for common issues this seems to be happening to a large amount of people and the issues just keep equaling out to more then one problem. Motors staying on, electrical problems, constant power draws, many more issues I have many links to articles with dodge journey owners having numerous issues and dodge not wanting to fix anything or recall things to fix their mistakes. I can add links to this page. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11629475

Incident

Nov 20, 2024

I was driving to work and my ABS and Traction control light came on while driving in the rain and started hydroplaning on the highway now my brakes are not working properly

NHTSA ID

11619580

Incident

Aug 28, 2024

The drive seat headrest popped open for no apparent reason. My son had placed a hand on the back of the seat when entering the back seat and it just popped right open. From what I understand this is a safety feature when in an accident. That feature is no longer working so that places myself at risk when driving. It obviously malfunctioned, and needs to be replaced. I have not yet taken it to get serviced. There were no warning lights regarding this issue and this happened about six months ago.

NHTSA ID

11605195

Incident

Jan 6, 2024

As I was driving to pick my son up from work at 10pm, I started to drive my 2013 dodge journey sxt and noticed my head position didn't feel right. I got to my sons job and as we were making our way to the gas station to get gas before we headed home my headrest hit me in the back of the head randomly. The active headrest sprung forward hitting me in the back of the head. Luckily I was not driving at that moment or it could have caused me to crash, being that it was night time and raining. I got home where I could get my flash light out and give it a good looking over and realized that it the clips on the inside of the active headrest broke. I tried to reset the headrest to dee if there was some other mechanism that would let it re-clip back in place and it just keeps springing forward. I have not taken it to get it looked at yet as I am writing you on the same night of the incident. I tool a picture of the headrest in it sprung forward state. I have also read alot of reviews on cargurus website about other dodge journey owners having the same issues. Over 20 complaints regarding this same issue. There were jo warning signs other than me noticing my head position felt strange before the headrest completely sprung forward.

NHTSA ID

11604626

Incident

Jul 25, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the contact heard a loud explosion and was struck in the back of the head. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road, and the contact observed that the driver's side headrest had unintendedly deployed. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the headrest needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the headrest needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

NHTSA ID

11603329

Incident

Jun 3, 2024

Mileage

78,000 mi

We were pulling out of a parking lot on to the road and the riverside head headrest “exploded” open. We have looked and seen that some weee recalled but ours was not apart of the recall.

NHTSA ID

11599864

Incident

Jul 7, 2024

There was no damage to my headrest when I parked my car on the evening of: June 29, 2024. On Sunday morning; June 30, 2024. When I entered my vehicle. I learned that the driver seat headrest; airbag deployed/busted open for no apparent reason. My children travel with me in this vehicle. This is very, very dangerous!

NHTSA ID

11597845

Incident

Jun 30, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while her husband was driving out of the driveway, the passenger's side headrest abruptly exploded. No injuries were reported. The contact related to the failure with the Extended Warranty Program: Active Head Restraint (AHR) Inadvertent Deployment- X88 Warranty Extension. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, it was confirmed that the vehicle was no longer covered under the warranty extension. The contact received notification of the communication. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11592484

Incident

Jun 4, 2024

Mileage

180,000 mi

The contact owned a 2013 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in a parking lot, she had observed a small amount of smoke but was not aware of where the smoke was being emitted. The contact stated that she was alerted that her vehicle had burst into flames. The contact stated that when she was able to get to her vehicle the flames had been extinguished by the fire department and it was being towed away. The contact stated that the police were on the scene and issued a report. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to an impound lot and her insurance provider declared the vehicle a total loss. The contact was advised by her insurance provider that her vehicle had an open recall, NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V431000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) which had not been completed. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11590335

Incident

Apr 30, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger’s side headrest air bag independently deployed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 132,300.

NHTSA ID

11587296

Incident

May 6, 2024

Mileage

132,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and driving through slush or snow on the ground, the traction control failed to operate as designed. The message to check all-wheel drive was displayed. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V675000 (Electronic Stability Control, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

NHTSA ID

11566888

Incident

Dec 22, 2023

Mileage

89,000 mi