Dodge
Journey

I was driving home in the dark and I heard a loud bang pop! It scared me at first I didn't see anything wrong but when I got home to looked I notice the passenger head rest popped out! I am happy that no one was sitting next to me. That could have been so scary. I have uploaded a picture of it not extended out. I was driving 70 mph going home on the interstate. No accident nothing. Just came out of no where. This was scary.

I have a 2018 Dodge Journey SE with currently 70,000 miles. I'm the second owner & purchased it with only 11,000 miles on it. The front brakes | anti-lock braking system (ABS) experienced failure when I needed to stop the vehicle. I was approaching a 4-way intersection and had the green light ahead of me not knowing that a semi truck was entering the intersection due to other vehicles in left turn lane blocking my view momentarily, when I realized/saw it, immediately I hit brake pedal, the front brakes produced a grinding noise, and grinding was also felt in/on brake pedal. VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP IN TIME, I SKID/SLID DIRECTLY IN THE SEMI'S PATH & INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION ALMOST CRASHING INTO THE FRONT/SIDE OF IT, BEFORE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED! GOD SAVED ME FROM WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A TERRIBLE LIFE THREATENING CRASH DUE TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE! Vehicle has been inspected by local service/repair shop prior to this event/failure for the same exact failure. They said nothing could be determined, located or seen that would indicate why such a failure occurs on and off. ABSOLUTELY ZERO warning indicators of any kind occurred before, during or after failure. Prior to this event and on multiple occasions the same exact failure type has happened, but during a rain storm or after one when the road is still wet thus the reason I took it to shop previously. I only have this one vehicle and rely on it heavily to get myself and kids to and from work and school etc daily. With a catastrophic failure such as this I would hope the manufacturer would step up to ensure these are looked at seriously and correct the issue so it doesn't continue to happen. My VIN is not part of a recall or anything service related to this failure type.

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while in reverse, the digital screen failed to display a rearview image as intended, and the image was distorted, flickered a black screen, or a signal error was displayed. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? ANSWER: The middle seat belt in the 2nd row back seat does NOT lock. (It buckles into the buckle fine) 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? ANSWER: I cannot have my children or anyone else ride in the back middle seat due to it not locking. If we were in a wreck, the seat belt would not lock. I also cannot put a car seat in the middle. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? ANSWER: I can go get it checked out by a dodge dealer. However, I have read that other people have the same issue. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? ANSWER: The vehicle was repaired after I was hit back in June 2024. I do not believe the seat belt itself was inspected. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? ANSWER: No, there were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms. I noticed it when I was switching my carseat around. I feel this is a major safety issue and it needs to be reported and resolved.

The back up camera intermittently comes on when vehicle in reverse. Sometimes it shows a camera with a line, sometimes an image then it disappears and sometimes the image is hazy or distorted. It is never consistent nor reliable. The rear view mirror cannot be used to its full size because of the image of the failed camera.

10.17.25 Vehicle started making tapping noise under the hood. I wasn’t able to identify the problem. I took it to the dealership and they found noise coming from the transmission and stated possible front pump, but wasn’t for sure. They wanted to do an additional diagnostic after I had already paid $197.27, for 3 more hours at $200 per hour. I took vehicle to another company who found noise was coming from the transmission and stated that the transmission will need to be replaced as they found metal shavings in the pan. They flushed the fluid, replaced the filter, test drove noise went away. They advised that I would make it back to Georgia but definitely suggested to get transmission checked. I made it 107 miles from home when it stalled out in 5 o’clock traffic. I tried to accelerate and but it lost motive power. I tapped the breaks tried again after 2 attempts I was able to get to the right shoulder out of the heavy traffic without incident. I was on the side of the road for 4hrs before an older man pulled up to assist. I had to be pushed 2 exits to a gas station. We added more transmission fluid still no motive power it stalled again. Got it towed to a shop to be checked for 3rd time was told it’s the transmission and as of this morning it has been towed to a 4th shop who handles transmission. In my online search for recalls I noticed the same thing happened with the 2016 Dodge Journey as well. I’ve had this vehicle just over a year. I received it with 42k miles on it, awesome condition, apparently one owner who appears to have taken care of it from the looks of vehicle. No major/minor issues noted. By God’s grace I made it out of heavy traffic safely to the off shoulder which was still frightening as well. I may be the first one to report this issue but it needs to be addressed not only for me but everyone who owns one. Metal shavings inside the transmission is crazy. No warning lights on the dash to show something is wrong.

Stated having coolant issues in 2023. September 2025 Engine light Started blinking and Started running rough at 65 mph. Stopped the vehicle and you could see the whole car shaking from the motor running so rough. Fueled up kept going and it kept doing it. Eventually dying at a stop light and I couldn't get it to fire back up. Ended up needing a tow since it wouldn't stay running. White smoke coming from tailpipe. Cracked cylinder head. $3000 repair with a USED PART.

The contact's husband owns a 2018 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rear-view camera image was either blank or upside-down. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the camera was repaired. Despite the repair, the contact stated that the failure had recently recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the recent failure, but informed the contact that there were no recalls on the VIN related to the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V398000 (Back Over Prevention) which was linked to the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 83,258