Is the 2013 Dodge Journey a bad year?
352 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Journey years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2013 Dodge Journey are in line with other Journey years. Brakes, seats, air bags and 1 more stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2013 Journey owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 82,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 74 (21%) | 36k–91k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| SeatsSTANDS OUT | 58 (16%) | 72k–115k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 44 (13%) | 48k–115k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability controlSTANDS OUT | 44 (13%) | 49k–88k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 76 (22%) | 53k–113k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 73 (21%) | 41k–85k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 29 (8%) | 20k–92k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Steering | 20 (6%) | 33k–103k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Fuel system | 10 (3%) | 45k–114k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 10 (3%) | 42k–102k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 8 (2%) | 16k–74k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 82,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 352 complaints: 19 mention a crash · 9 mention a fire · 27 report an injury · 21 say the car was towed.
10 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Aug 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
At 80k miles the catalytic converter sensor went bad. Also break system light and tire pressure light wont go off.
The 2013 Dodge journey's VIN number is: 3C4PDCAB9DT2241. The national highway traffic safety admistration has stated to me that the recall for the engines's cover recall has passed the 60 day grace period.
Vehicle stalls for no reason while driving. Makes braking and steering very difficult. This has happened 4 times in the last 2 weeks.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 82,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2013 Dodge Journey: 4
In the affected vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may unexpectedly deploy if the air bag wiring harness gets chafed within the steering wheel and short circuits. Unexpected deployment of the driver's frontal air bag increases the risk of a crash or driver injury.
After exposure to cold temperatures, the power steering return hose may rupture at engine start-up causing a loss of power steering assist. A loss of power steering assist may require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
In the affected vehicles, water may enter the wiring harness for the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module and leak into the module, disabling the ABS and/or the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system. If the ABS or ESC is disabled, a loss of vehicle stability could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
In the affected vehicles, the engine cover may detach from the engine and contact the exhaust manifold. If the displaced engine cover contacts the exhaust manifold, there would be an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 120
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2013 Dodge Journey. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
WiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA)
Some vehicles may exceed NOx (Oxides of Nitrogen) emission level standards due to loss of catalytic converter efficiency
Gear Ratio DTC's, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Vehicle entrapment
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Neighbouring years
2012 Journey: 377 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2014 Journey: 416 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Dodge Journey year
2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · All Journey years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2013 Dodge Journey a bad year?
352 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Journey years. At 82,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Dodge Journey?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (74), seats (58), air bags (44), stability control (44), engine (76).
How many recalls does the 2013 Dodge Journey have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 17V-432), Steering (NHTSA 16V-273), Brakes (NHTSA 15V-675), Engine (NHTSA 15V-431). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.