Generations
JC49 — First Generation
2007–2019
2.0 CRD
Top issues to watch for
The most serious Dodge Journey problems ranked by severity. We track 5 known issues — here are the ones you need to know about first.
Dangerous
Steering ball joint wear
Steering ball joints show excessive wear at unusually low mileages on the Journey, with MOT failures at 8.2 times the national average. The joints develop excessive play affecting steering precision and potentially causing dangerous steering failure if left unaddressed. This is a safety-critical issue that requires immediate attention when detected.
What happens if ignoredExcessive ball joint wear causes imprecise steering, tyre wear, and in extreme cases can lead to complete steering failure. This is a safety-critical defect that makes the vehicle dangerous to drive. Typical repair cost is £150-300 per side.
Independent garage
£150–£400
Specialist
£200–£500
Main dealer
£300–£700
Parts only
£40–£150
Major
Suspension bush and joint wear
The Journey suffers from premature wear of suspension components, particularly lower control arm bushes and ball joints. MOT data shows failure rates over 22 times the national average for suspension pin, bush or joint wear, with consistent failures across the 60,000-150,000 mile range. This appears to be a design weakness in the suspension geometry or component specification rather than normal wear patterns.
What happens if ignoredWorn suspension bushes cause poor handling, increased tyre wear, and knocking noises. Severely worn ball joints can separate causing loss of steering control. Replace worn components promptly - costs typically £200-400 per side for control arms and bushes.
Independent garage
£200–£600
Specialist
£250–£700
Main dealer
£400–£1,000
Parts only
£80–£300
Major
Handbrake system deterioration
The Journey shows significant handbrake system problems with both efficiency and operation failures. MOT data shows parking brake efficiency below requirements at 6.4 times the national average, and parking brake inoperative on one side at 4.2 times the average. This suggests problems with the cable adjustment mechanism, brake shoe wear, or caliper operation.
What happens if ignoredPoor handbrake performance is an MOT failure and creates a safety risk on slopes. Complete handbrake failure can allow the vehicle to roll when parked. Repair typically involves cable adjustment, shoe replacement, or caliper servicing, costing £100-400.
Independent garage
£100–£300
Specialist
£120–£400
Main dealer
£200–£600
Parts only
£30–£150
Major
Wheel bearing wear
Wheel bearings on the Journey deteriorate prematurely, showing both excessive roughness (5.1x national average) and excessive play (3.8x national average) in MOT testing. The problem affects multiple mileage bands from 80,000 miles onwards, suggesting inadequate bearing specification or sealing for the vehicle's weight and intended use.
What happens if ignoredWorn wheel bearings create noise, vibration, and poor handling. Severely worn bearings can cause wheel wobble and in extreme cases wheel detachment. Replace bearings promptly when wear is detected - costs typically £150-300 per wheel.
Independent garage
£150–£250
Specialist
£180–£300
Main dealer
£250–£450
Parts only
£50–£120
1 more known issues tracked
Including wear items, electrical niggles, and generation-specific problems.
MOT failure hotspots
Based on DVSA MOT test data. These are the items where the Dodge Journey fails at a significantly higher rate than the average car.
Cable damaged or knotted
Brakes · 80-100k miles
MOT failure rate: 23x the fleet average
Sample: 1,108 tests
Suspension pin, bush or joint worn
Suspension · 60-80k miles
MOT failure rate: 22x the fleet average
Sample: 596 tests
Brake hoses perished or damaged
Brakes · 40-60k miles
MOT failure rate: 14x the fleet average
Sample: 180 tests
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake...
Brakes · 150k+ miles
MOT failure rate: 13x the fleet average
Sample: 129 tests
Tyre valve seriously damaged or misaligned
Tyres · 80-100k miles
MOT failure rate: 13x the fleet average
Sample: 550 tests
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
Brakes · 40-60k miles
MOT failure rate: 12x the fleet average
Sample: 180 tests
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Related
Dodge Journey reliability FAQs
What are the most common problems with the Dodge Journey?
The Dodge Journey has 5 known issues across 3 severity levels. The most serious are: Steering ball joint wear.
Is the Dodge Journey reliable?
The Dodge Journey has 1 dangerous and 3 major known issues. Most can be avoided with a thorough pre-purchase check and full service history.
How much does it cost to fix Dodge Journey problems?
Repair costs range widely. The most significant issue (Steering ball joint wear) costs £150–£400 at an independent garage. Minor issues can be under £200. Always get a full inspection before buying.