Is the 2017 Dodge Journey a bad year?
202 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Journey years.
Keep it. You picked a good year.
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2017 Dodge Journey are in line with other Journey years.
3th quietest of 11 Journey years by owner complaints (years with 7+ years on the road).
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2017 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 36,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 59 (29%) | 24k–62k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 46 (23%) | 31k–70k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 32 (16%) | 26k–81k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Air bags | 30 (15%) | 18k–78k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 19 (9%) | 24k–67k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 17 (8%) | 20k–61k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Steering | 15 (7%) | 15k–50k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Seats | 21 (10%) | 45k–88k miles · ahead | — |
| Fuel system | 16 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 5 (2%) | 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 36,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 202 complaints: 12 mention a crash · 7 mention a fire · 12 report an injury · 22 say the car was towed.
14 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
This is a follow-up to 11244334 and 11243797. For background, the 2017 journey began stalling intermittently and not throwing a code (Starting at about 23,500 miles).
First it was all the lights on my dashboard would stay on. My USB and charging ports would go out. Every once in while my digital speedometer would randomly start doubling my speed.
2017 Dodge journey sxt is stalling out at various speeds causing extreme safety hazard to those on board and other motorists.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 36,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2017 Dodge Journey: 2
The amber side reflex reflector assembled into the headlamp may not reflect brightly enough. A dim reflector may reduce the visibility of the vehicle to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
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… If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
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: 90
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2017 Dodge Journey. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
AMERICA Catalytic Converter Efficiency Z98 SYMPTOM DESCRIPTION About 68,312 of the above vehicles may exceed emission standards for Oxides of Nitrogen…
Suspected engine coolant leak
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)
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Vehicle entrapment
Back up camera failure
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Neighbouring years
2016 Journey: 389 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2018 Journey: 237 complaints, keep it.
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 2017 Dodge Journey a bad year?
202 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Journey years. At 36,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Dodge Journey?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (59), engine (46), transmission and drivetrain (32), air bags (30), speed control (19).
How many recalls does the 2017 Dodge Journey have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 22V-723), Speed control (NHTSA 18V-332). 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.