general problems of the 2018 Dodge Journey - part 1

I am reporting a safety concern involving a 2018 Dodge Journey se (VIN: [xxx] ) related to a failure in the vehicle’s emissions control system, specifically the catalytic converter and oxygen sensors. On January 13, 2026, the vehicle began producing a strong sulfur or “rotten egg” odor while driving, and shortly afterward the check engine light illuminated. Diagnostic testing revealed trouble code p0420 (catalyst system efficiency below threshold – bank 1). This code indicates that the catalytic converter is not properly converting exhaust gases, which can result in increased emissions and potential exposure to exhaust fumes. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and ram dealership in maurice, louisiana, which confirmed that the catalytic converter and oxygen sensors are failing and must be replaced. The vehicle remains available for inspection upon request. This vehicle was purchased for our growing family and is regularly used to transport our children, including a [xxx] infant and a [xxx] child. Since the emissions system issue began, occupants have noticed persistent exhaust-like fumes and strong sulfur odors while the vehicle is operating. Our infant has experienced recurring respiratory issues, and our [xxx] began experiencing respiratory symptoms after we purchased this vehicle. While we cannot definitively determine the cause, we are concerned that exposure to exhaust fumes from the malfunctioning emissions system may be contributing to these health issues. In addition, adult occupants have reported feeling unusually tired or fatigued after longer car rides in the vehicle, which raises additional concerns about potential exposure to exhaust gases inside the cabin. Because catalytic converter failures can allow harmful exhaust gases such as carbon monoxide and other pollutants to pass through the exhaust system improperly, we believe this issue presents a potential safety risk to vehicle occupants, p information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.

I replaced the alternator and battery, 3 months later I was told I have an issue with the pcm which was similar with the recall for the same vehicle I drove. My vehicle was not part of the recall. Tbs recall tv-u87-18.

Back up camera failure cutting off and on. Could cause wreck. Dull headlights. Could cause a wreck. Leak in firewall driver floor wet. Could short out electrical system, cause shock, cause a wreck. No accident to report. This is ongoing since purchase in 2023.

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.

Car trys to start, it turns over but doesn't start. When it does start the red lightening bold is illuminated. Motor runs rough and shaky has zero power to accelerate. On going since 2024.

There are known recalls on 2018 Dodge Journeys. For some reason my VIN 3c4pdcab7jt443786 doesn't show on the list. 1) back up camera shows a black screen or a blurry dark picture (on going issue for over a year) 2) electrical system sometimes refuses to acknowledge the key fob and or won't start due to it thinking it has a dead battery. (on going issue for almost two years) 3) when braking in an emergency situation, heavy vibration from the rear of vehicle (on going issue for a few years when hard braking rarely occurs).

My back up camera has flipped the view upside down. Sometimes it glitches like static. I have tried different approaches to fix the issue but it continues to be upside down. It also caused me to back into my other car due to it glitching in the process of me backing up by causing me to lose visibility in a split second. It has been like this for years now with no hope of finding a solution. This is a safety issue and should be recalled.

The backup camera randomly works. When it does work, within minutes it slowly fades from a picture to a black screen.

Back up camera goes black.

The cruise control has stopped working. And there is faulty wiring in the hood making the check engine light come on. And a huge water and oil leak we just got the vehicle Friday 2/21.

While driving on the freeway some of the lights on my dash kit up and all the sudden my car would not go over 15 mph. I tried to turn it off and turn it back on and it continued to do the same thing. I did have my grandkids in the car.

Lighting bolt with parentheses came on along with off road sign. I was unable to accelerate past 20 mph and then I just rolled to a stop in morning traffic with my flashers on. I took it to dealership and they replaced my key battery since I told them I was also having problems lock and unlocking my car. I was told this should solve the problem. It did for about 3 weeks now lights back on car won’t accelerate only till and it’s shaking bad.

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at 45 mph, check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the transmission, catalytic converter, and motor mounts. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 18v524000 (electrical system), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 86,000.

***radio system not working properly no longer connecting properly to phone, sounds muffled to the receiver on the other end of call, audio connect is not allowing me to be heard and I got a brand new updated phone! thinking that was the issue. It wasn’t the phone, there was a precious recall regarding system updates issues, that I saw on here, but I was never notified about it!! *audio hands free won’t map my iphone, to the car bluetooth system will not connect at times, ****instrument panel lights are not showing, radio goes off while driving often, not working properly, *****back up camera not working properly: *back up camera not working properly, noticed blurry, not able to see properly at night. ****back up parking assist lines are not as bright and clear when backing up, image is no longer vivid! *difficulty seeing behind you at night when backing up, looks like snow on a tv screen ! ** road system comes on by its self and stays on at times, car is serviced regularly!.

All doors get stuck locked and/or unlocked. Key fob will not lock or unlock and door panels will not unlock our lock. 999 back wiper only works intermittently.

Door locks doors remain locked or unlocked. Key fob will not unlock or lock doors. Panel will not unlock or locked doors.

The back up camera does not display an image. It will only show black, with a camera slashed out symbol.

It started with third brake light out, then,tail wipers intermittenly work, then camera not working- had to have someone watch the back of car to see also right inside light out and tailgate wont lock with rest of doors after looking on youtube this has been going on since 2012.

The car will turn systems of the car off and own without anyone touching anything windows rolling up on their, traction turning off, and climate controls and a/c coming on by itself. I contacted stellantis last year about this vehicle and received no substantial resolution. This exact thing happened when I owned a 2014 Dodge Journey and I submitted the same complaint. I have taken video of this occurrence, there is no way to demonstrate issue via still photo.

Failure of the back up camera to function while in reverse. Unit generally displays a blank screen although occasionally does work but image is extremely blurry.

A stall/no start condition situation occurred while driving, and has occurred a few times over the last couple of weeks. I have had the issue checked by a trusted mechanic, and it was suggested that the power control module(pcm) would likely need to be replaced. No warning lamps appeared prior to the problem, but appeared when the stall/no start condition situation occurred. The most recent occurrance of the problem was on Saturday, October 4th, 2023. I located on the NHTSA website that there is a recall listed, NHTSA campaign number: 18v524000, for replacement of the pcm. On 11/06/2023 I spoke with Chrysler support, according to them a recalibration of the pcm was done on 01/07/2021, and they will not support replacing the pcm because it has been more than 2 years. According to the customer rep, the unit was just recalibrated, and not replaced, but the remedy in the recall notice states that dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge.

I received a card from NHTSA about two years ago on this issue possibly due to NHTSA action number: ea24003. I am still having this issue and now it is worse. 2 years ago, it started with the driver side window not opening intermittently. Then the door locks would not operate from the driver side controls. Now every window will not open and the driver door is not recognized by the car. When opening or closing the driver door, nothing happens. In the past, if I turned off the car left my key fob in the car and closed the door when it would lock, the horn would sound, and the doors would unlock. When getting out of the car, I would open the door, and the radio display panel would turn off. Now, it stays on with the engine off. Thankfully there is a delay and eventually turns off. It may be the driver's door harness as it can be easily searched on the internet as a faulty product. Again, nhsta originally approached me two years ago and the issue has not gotten worse. $800 minimum to replace the door harness. Hopefully that fixes it temporarily. Start date given is an estimate on when I received a card from nhsta on this issue.

My back up camera isn't working and none of the locks work with the key fob. I bought my car from a car lot and it was a fleet car and it says all recalls have been fixed but my car hasn't been fixed at all and I don't know why. My car won't even charge my phone at all in either port so it has a big wiring problem. I have kids and grandkids in my car all the time and I can not see behind me because my camera hasn't worked since the day I got it which is 10/20/23 and that is really dangerous and I can't even charge my phone to call someone even if I do have an accident.

The headlights in the "auto" position will turn on the headlights and then after 5 or so minutes of driving, the interior dash board will dim and brighten, and then the headlights turn off entirely. If you move them off the "auto" position, the headlights will not turn on even when switched to the headlights. When you switch back to auto, it puts the brights on instead of the standard headlights. Rinse and repeat while driving, lights on/off/then only brights.

The vehicles warning lights have all lit up and the engine has stalled. We have taken it to multiple mechanics and they believe it to be the voltage regulator chip that is faulty which is accusing the engine to stall. It has also lost the back up camera capabilities which is also another recall of the 2018 Dodge Journey.

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving 75 mph, the adaptive cruise control (acc) mode failed to disengage as intended and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the windshield wipers engaged unintendedly and remained engaged after the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road. The contact's husband disconnected the battery terminals to turn off the windshield wipers; however, the vehicle failed to restart upon reconnecting the battery terminals. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 18v332000 (electrical system, vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

While driving car at 45 mph car stalled. Unable to start car. Continued to read service awd system as well as press clutch to start car, the car is an automatic with no clutch. Once started continued to stall while driving. Check engine light, battery light illuminated while driving not while car stalled.

In my Journey my back up camera is the mirror not the center one. The thing is my mirror doing the same thing cant even see and idk how. Its all blurry the thing is the mirror looks really good and the camera. Im original owner. Also the cruise control doesn't even work or operate. Its wild how having a vehicle will have so many important things fail. I see hondas from the 90s and their cruise working, and cars that had their first back up like a 2010 Acura zdx I tinted worked like it was brand new still and its still ome for tht owner.

We had problems with axels. After that the throttle control system light would turn on. Now the backup camera doesnt work and we changed everything and still doesnt work. Currently the car starts getting hot when we drive in the freeway and the ac blows hot air.

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that the engine was slow to turn over and start. There was an abnormal chugging sound at start up. The contact stated while driving, the vehicle shutoff unintendedly and failed to restart. The contact stated that the half-circle symbol to depress the brake pedal was displayed. The engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was determined the failure was due to the electrical system. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the failure was due to the oil. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at undisclosed speeds over a bridge, the steering wheel and the brakes became inoperable, and the vehicle shut down. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the electrical system, transmission, timing chain, camshaft, and engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Back up camera glitches to flicker black screen or is upside down. Works intermittently, most of the time it is a black screen. Driver window does roll down when the door is opened.

Unknown!!! I have had my radio replaced two times already for defect and now the radio want shut off again and it want allow a phone to connect to it also now the controls to the air flowing system (ac) want shut off and stay off when u push the off button . It comes back on when u try to shut it off. It’s a 2018 and it only has 40 thousand miles on it . I got it replaced two times for defect in the past three years . I’m tired of this happening. You should recall and fix it at no cost to me this is crazy. I’m disappointed about this. I had both replaced at dealer. So there is a record through mopar! please let me no about this and how to handle it . . I about ready to sue. . I paid all this money for a vehicle I can’t even listen to the radio and can’t cut my air off . . Let me no. Now when question in next section is answered the date of incident is when it stated then followed after that another time now is the third time I’m going through it again .

Rear back up camera in the rear view mirror is not functioning correctly. It will go black but illuminate a camera with a line through it. Makes in impossible to use to back up because the light on the mirror makes it extremely difficult to see in the mirror and the camera isn’t working to help either. One day it worked and the following day it didn’t. Also, the passenger airbag light will go in and off even with someone occupying the seat which leads me to believe the airbag will not deploy if if in an accident. The computer has been run and it showed no issues. I know there was a recall to the back up cameras but it says my vehicle wasn’t affected. How do I get this fixed. Both are major safety concerns. This car has 60k miles on it and has been through 3 sets of tires. The tires wear extremely fast on this vehicle and they are 50-60k tires.

My wiring harness needs replaced. 3 of my 4 windows would only work sometimes. I was told there was a loose connection but when those wires were held together it got extremely hot very fast, and not to even attempt to use the windows because it could cause a fire. So I took my car to the dealership and they confirmed it is the wiring harness that needs replaced. So a new part has been ordered and I'm scheduled to have that done as soon as it comes in.

When turning on vehicle the lightning stalls to come on properly. The dash board and radio is completely off even when vehicle has started. Speedometer does not have an accurate reading of how many miles per hour I'm truly going in which I don't feel safe due to the fact that I'm more likely to get pulled over for speeding or not driving fast enough while on the road. No one has inspected the vehicle to confirm other than myself and husband who drive the vehicle. I could be doing 20 miles a hour but the speedometer would say I'm going 45 miles a hour. I was resting at a complete stop and the speedometer stated that I was going 3 miles at a complete stop. There was no indicator flashing light or any message on the vehicle that was indicate there was a issue with the vehicle. The speedometer has been like this since April of 2022. The lighting also but it does it sporadically from time to time.