Is the 2013 Dodge JOURNEY reliable?

The 2013 Dodge JOURNEY has 503 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Dodge JOURNEY?

Top problems: ENGINE (77 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (72 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (71 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Dodge JOURNEY?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE. Contact any Dodge dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Dodge JOURNEY?

The 2013 Dodge JOURNEY gets 19 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2526. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Dodge JOURNEY?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Dodge JOURNEY is approximately $1,585/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Dodge JOURNEY

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Dodge JOURNEY has 503 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 503. The most common issue is engine problems (15% of all complaints), specifically: i could not set the cruise control without hitting the steering wheel. once i got the cruise control set to 75 mph i could not get it to turn off. i hit the brakes 5 times before it would decelerate. once the cruise control turned off there was a sudden hard shift on the engine and a loud knocking. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 14 fire reports filed.

14 fire reports 27 crash reports 34 injuries

503

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

77 complaints

15%

• I COULD NOT SET THE CRUISE CONTROL WITHOUT HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL. ONCE I GOT THE CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 75 MPH I COULD NOT GET IT TO TURN OFF. I HIT THE BRAKES 5 TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD DECELERATE. ONCE THE CRUISE CONTROL TURNED OFF THERE WAS A SUDDEN HARD SHIFT ON THE ENGINE AND A LOUD KNOCKING
• TURNED CAR ON AND FEELS LIKE THE ENGINE IS STUTTERING NEED TO MAKE TRIP TO DEALER. SUSPENSION NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. TRUCK HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES ON THE SUSPENSION ISSUE. THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID THEY LUBED THE BUSHINGS AND EVERY OTHER TIME THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRED. THE DETAILS OF THE REPAIR WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILA

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 7 fire reports

“I COULD NOT SET THE CRUISE CONTROL WITHOUT HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL. ONCE I GOT THE CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 75 MPH I COULD NOT GET IT TO TURN OFF. I HIT THE BRAKES 5 TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD DECELERATE. ONCE THE CRUISE CONTROL TURNED OFF THERE WAS A SUDDEN HARD SHIFT ON THE ENGINE AND A LOUD KNOCKING”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Dodge JOURNEY

Based on 330 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 72K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

114

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

Earlier than typicalmedian 51K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

Earlier than typicalmedian 95K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Reported earliermedian 57K mi · 52 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

Reported earliermedian 60K mi · 25 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

Reported earliermedian 44K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

In line with typicalmedian 94K mi · 45 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL07/07/2017

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles. 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.

Risk: Unexpected deployment of the driver's frontal air bag increases the risk of a crash or driver injury.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag wiring within the steering wheel, replacing it if necessary. A protective cover will also be installed. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T47.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Dodge JOURNEY

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,527

Per month

$211

Per mile

21.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,001/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Dodge JOURNEY

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,585

Full coverage / month

$132

Liability only / year

$626

vs US avg

-5%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1585

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Dodge New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Dodge. If you're buying a used 2013 JOURNEY, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Dodge dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 503 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: I COULD NOT SET THE CRUISE CONTROL WITHOUT HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL. ONCE I GOT THE CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 75 MPH I COULD NOT GET IT TO TURN OFF. I HIT THE BRAKES 5 TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD DECELERATE. ONCE THE CRUISE CONTROL TURNED OFF THERE WAS A SUDDEN HARD SHIFT ON THE ENGINE AND A LOUD KNOCKING
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED BUT THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED INCORRECT SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SEATS/RESTRAINTS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE JOURNEY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT HEAD REST DEPLOYED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON ONE OCCASION. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND NECK SPASMS FROM THE HEAD REST THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Dodge dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)