Reliable Auto DB

2017 Dodge Journey reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2017 Dodge Journey holds 197 complaints after 10 years, a rate of 25 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Journey years here — over the median of the other years, which is 20. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Exterior lighting and Wiring.

2012 Dodge Journey
Photo by Noah Wulf, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

197

Per year

25

Recalls

2

Years on the road

10

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (59 of 197), then Engine (43) and Powertrain (32). Those filings include 12 that report a crash, 7 that report a fire, and 12 that report an injury.

Next to 2016 and 2018

The 2016 Journey has 386 complaints, 27 per year, and the 2018 has 234 complaints, 25 per year. The 2017 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2016. The 2017 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2018.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2017 Dodge Journey. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

Recall Exterior lighting 2022-09-29 · NHTSA campaign 22V723000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Dodge Journey vehicles. The amber side reflex reflector assembled into the headlamp may not reflect brightly enough. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Remedy Dealers will replace the headlamp assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 16, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z99.
Recall electrical system, wiring 2018-05-17 · NHTSA campaign 18V332000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

Complaints by component (197 total)

Electrical system
59
Engine
43
Powertrain
32
Air bags
29
Seats
19
Speed control
19
Steering
15
Fuel and propulsion system
14
Service brakes
14
Seat belts
8
Exterior lighting
5
Visibility and wipers
5
Structure
4
Wheels
4
Electronic stability control (ESC)
3
Forward collision avoidance
3
Suspension
3
Engine and engine cooling
2
Traction control
2
Air brakes
1
Carry handle, shell, and base
1
Chest clip, buckle, and harness
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Hydraulic brakes
1
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Tether and lower anchor
1
Tires
1
Show 19 more Show less
Crash-flagged

12

Fire-flagged

7

Injury reports

12

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

5201726201845201920202015202120202222202317202420202572026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "On the morning of August 26, 2026, my 2017 Dodge Journey 2.4L was brought to DeLand Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram for federal safety Emissions Recall Z98, which required updating the software calibration on the Powertrain…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-08-27
  • "While driving on a smooth paved road at normal speed, the active head restraint on the passenger seat suddenly deployed without any impact or collision. The headrest struck the passenger in the back of the head, causing…"
    Seats · filed 2026-07-07
  • "The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60–70 MPH, the traction control warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was…"
    Speed control, traction control · filed 2026-06-16
  • "Had over 1300 miles until next oil change. Car has no leaking issues. Car ran out of oil completely and seized engine during camping trip. I use synthetic and both mileage/time were both way under than what was on my…"
    Powertrain, Engine · filed 2026-06-07
  • "Purchased vehicle from Wildcat Used Cars in Somerset, KY on [XXX]. Took home and notified dealership of not having seatbelts in middle row. After having an inspection completed, found the SRS system was disabled,…"
    Powertrain, Air bags, Seat belts · filed 2026-05-24

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Journey 3.6L, 6-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 17 25 19 MPG $3400
Journey 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 4-speed Front-wheel drive 19 25 21 MPG $3100
Journey all-wheel drive 3.6L, 6-cyl Automatic 6-speed All-wheel drive 16 24 19 MPG $3400

Specs and fitment

JC generation, 2012–2020
Body styles Crossover
Oil 5W-20 (2.4L four-cylinder; 3.6L V6 uses 5W-20 in US service) , 4.5 qt capacity
Tire size 225/65R17 (most trims)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 18V-396 covers certain 2018 Dodge Journey vehicles: when reverse gear is selected, the rear camera view may not be fully visible within two seconds, so the vehicles fail to meet FMVSS 111 rear visibility timing. Dealers update the radio software. Recall 18V-332 covers certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger, and Durango vehicles and other FCA products: wiring may chafe and cause a short, increasing fire risk; dealers inspect and repair wiring and add protective covering.

Compare

Previous year 2016 Dodge Journey Next year 2018 Dodge Journey See every Dodge Journey model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Dodge Journey reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2017 Dodge Journey holds 197 complaints after 10 years, a rate of 25 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Journey years here — over the median of the other years, which is 20. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Exterior lighting and Wiring.

What are common problems with a 2017 Dodge Journey?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (59 of 197), then Engine (43) and Powertrain (32). Those filings include 12 that report a crash, 7 that report a fire, and 12 that report an injury.

Is the 2017 Dodge Journey more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2016 Journey has 386 complaints, 27 per year, and the 2018 has 234 complaints, 25 per year. The 2017 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2016. The 2017 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2018.

Has the 2017 Dodge Journey been recalled?

The 2017 Dodge Journey has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2017 Dodge Journey?

Owners have filed 197 complaints about the 2017 Dodge Journey with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2017 Dodge Journey get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2017 Dodge Journey is 19.7 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What year did Dodge stop selling the Journey in the US?

US sales ended after the 2020 model year.

What engine oil does a Dodge Journey use?

5W-20 (2.4L four-cylinder; 3.6L V6 uses 5W-20 in US service)

What does NHTSA recall 18V-396 cover on the Dodge Journey?

Recall 18V-396 covers certain 2018 Dodge Journey vehicles: when reverse gear is selected, the rear camera view may not be fully visible within two seconds, so the vehicles fail to meet FMVSS 111 rear visibility timing.