Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 65 safety complaints
about the 2020 Dodge Journey with the US government. Of those, 1 describes a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 1 person was injured and no death is recorded. One recall campaign is open against it, covering back-over prevention.
The most complained-about system is the electrical system,
named in 19 complaints, 29% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 40,000 miles,
the median across the 13
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers February 2021 to September 2026 · How this is counted
What is on file
65 complaints on file
65
Complaints
1
Describe a crash
1
Mention fire
1
People injured
0
Deaths
A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a
finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts
them.
Complaints rose by half year on year: 28 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 16 in the twelve before.
A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free.
Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can
answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a
model year.
A further 1 defect
investigation is
open and unresolved.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19 · 29%
19 29%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 19 · 29%
19 29%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 14 · 22%
14 22%
ENGINE 8 · 12%
8 12%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 5 · 8%
5 8%
POWER TRAIN 3 · 5%
3 5%
SERVICE BRAKES 3 · 5%
3 5%
STEERING 3 · 5%
3 5%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 3 · 5%
3 5%
AIR BAGS 2 · 3%
2 3%
SEAT BELTS 2 · 3%
2 3%
TIRES 2 · 3%
2 3%
0815
Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it.
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 65.
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2025 at 21.
24 18 12 6
212021222022232023242024252025262026
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2021 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what
happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2020 Dodge JOURNEY, and it is a separate
question from what owners report going wrong later.
Test
SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover
18.5%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard
A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Ram ProMaster and 2019-2020 Dodge Journey vehicles. Cracks in the microprocessor may cause the vehicle's rearview camera image not to display properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility.
The risk
A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed beginning September 30, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated July 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 59C.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 219,577 vehicles across all model years covered
Defect investigations
2 on file
An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A
preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering
analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.
Vehicle entrapment
EA24003
Still open engineering analysis · opened August 1, 2024
the latches, locks and linkages
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-008 on May 1, 2023 to investigate an incident involving a 2009 Dodge Journey alleging occupant entrapment during a vehicle fire that resulted in a fatality. During the investigation, ODI collected information from the manufacturer and involved parties to confirm or refute the defect allegation. ODI has determined that additional reports of vehicle entrapment exist for other model year Dodge Journey vehicles. ODI continues to explore the cause of the thermal event and its potential effect on the actuation of the door locks. ODI also continues to explore other potential causes for door lock malfunction. ODI has determined that an upgrade to an Engineering Analysis (EA) is necessary to continue the review of the investigative material and to assess the risk to motor vehicle safety . To review the ODI report cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Back up camera failure
PE24006
Closed preliminary evaluation · opened February 27, 2024 · closed September 26, 2025 · led to recall 25E052
back-over prevention
On February 27, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to investigate complaints alleging a loss of back up camera function in Model Year (MY) 2018 through 2020 Dodge Journey vehicles. Complainants reported experiencing black screens, upside down images, flashing images, or blurred images. A back up camera that does not display correctly increases the likelihood of a crash or injury. Analysis of warranty data provided in response to ODI’s information request letter demonstrated a pattern of elevated warranty claims in subject vehicles built in calendar years (CY) 2019 and 2020. The rate of camera related warranty repairs for models built in CY 2019-2020 was nearly double that of vehicles built in CY 2017-2018. This increase in warranty claims occurred after the introduction of a new camera part number. ODI presented this analysis to FCA in February 2025. In response, FCA started a review of component change history in February 2025 and opened an internal investigation into MY 2019-2020 Dodge Journey and 2019-2021 Ram Promaster vehicles in May of 2025. On August 26, 2025, FCA submitted a Part 573 Safety Recall Report to the agency. In the report, FCA notes that a damaged microprocessor may cause the camera to not function properly. FCA will replace defective cameras in the recalled vehicles with an updated part that mitigates the issue. See NHTSA recalls 25V552 and 25E052 for further details. Based on available information, FCA's recalls address the alleged defect identified in this PE. Accordingly, this investigation is closed. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
In owners’ own words
Quoted from the complaint file
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed · 9,600 miles
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD APPROACHING STANDSTILL TRAFFIC, I ATTEMPTED TO STEP ON THE BREAK TO SLOW DOWN TO COME TO A STOP. AS I PUSHED ON THE BRAKES I GOT ABOUT HALFWAY DOWN AND I NOTICED MORE PLAY IN THE BRAKES THAN USUAL, SO I ATTEMPTED TO PUSH THE BRAKES FURTHER DOWN TO COME TO A STOP AS I WAS GETTING CLOSER TO A STOPPED CAR. IN DOING SO AS I GOT THE BRAKE PEDAL ALMOST COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR THE AIRBAG JUST IN FRONT OF THE PEDALS DEPLOYED, PUSHING MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK, PUTTING A GASH IN MY ANKLE, AND CAUSED ME TO REAR END SOMEBODY.*DT*JB*DT*JB
NHTSA complaint 11395877. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
fire · towed
The contact stated that their father owned a 2020 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, the vehicle began making an abnormal noise. The Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system warning light was illuminated. The contact began to head back home when another vehicle blew its horn and informed them of a fire coming from under the front driver's side of the vehicle. The contact immediately stopped the vehicle and was able to safely exit. The fire expanded and consumed the front of the vehicle. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. A fire report and a police report were filed. The vehicle was towed and totaled. The contact had no injuries, and no …
NHTSA complaint 11712872, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
towed · 34,294 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 50 MPH, the check engine, Service Park Assist, and the TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The contact’s wife immediately pulled over to the side of the road to restart the vehicle; however, while attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brake pedal locked up, and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brakes and ABS Module kit needed to be replaced; however, the part was no longer manufactured. The dealer informed the contact the vehicle could not be fully repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was …
NHTSA complaint 11655091, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
towed · 57,800 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated and then lost motive power, with the check engine warning light illuminated after the loss of power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was not diagnosed; however, the contact was informed that the engine may have failed due to the vehicle having no antifreeze, which caused the engine to overheat. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,800.
NHTSA complaint 11701199. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
My 2020 Dodge Journey is subject to FCA Recall 59C / NHTSA Campaign 25V-552 involving the rearview camera. The camera malfunction affected the rearview image used when backing. While the recall was open, I contacted an authorized Dodge dealer. I was advised that FCA's official recall remedy/parts had not yet been released. The dealer nevertheless offered a customer-paid camera replacement and provided pricing. Because the vehicle was used for rental, the open safety recall also prevented it from being listed on the rental platform. In approximately October 2025, while the official recall remedy remained unavailable, the rearview camera was replaced at my expense. I later submitted a …
NHTSA complaint 11765169, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
When starting my car and turning on my air or heat component the front will turn on but the components in the middle won’t! You have to hit the panel to make it turn on and when your driving the middle component shuts off losing power and dims the lights and dash lights with radio screen! I’ve had this issue since I purchased this car 3yrs ago and the business just says oh they have that issue why do I have to pay to rewire my electrical system and paying over $17k for this vehicle it should have been covered by the warranty
NHTSA complaint 11758733. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
BACK OVER PREVENTION
97,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while reversing the vehicle, the rear-view camera was inverted. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V552000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 97,000.
NHTSA complaint 11756716. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The wiring harness for back hatch the coating of the wire are all cracking . The passenger side rear back up light wasn’t working and the harness is cracking the wiring when opening and closing the hatch . I have picture. It looks worse in person
NHTSA complaint 11755881. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
BACK OVER PREVENTION
36,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the rearview camera image was intermittently flipped, distorted, and inoperative. No warning lights were illuminated. A dealer was contacted and stated that there was no fix for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V552000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
NHTSA complaint 11746706. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
BACK OVER PREVENTION
110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Journey. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V552000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part for the repair was unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the remedy to be available. The contact stated that when reversing the back over, the prevention camera would display a distorted image. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that there was no remedy. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 110,000.
NHTSA complaint 11739227. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's
lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How
many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by
the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed August 26, 2025.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst