Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2014 Dodge JourneyRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 416 owner complaints for the 2014 Dodge Journey. Most complaints involve electrical system (106) and engine (98). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
19–21mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest May 2018
Owner complaints
416
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: wiring

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. 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, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Electrical systemReported May 17, 2018NHTSA 18V332000

Equipment

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

EquipmentReported Dec 21, 2017NHTSA 17V824000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jul 7, 2017NHTSA 17V432000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

416 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2014 – Sep 2026
  1. Electrical system106
  2. Engine98
  3. Service brakes80
  4. Air bags46
  5. Seats43
  6. Electronic stability control (esc)41
  7. Power train36
  8. Steering28
  9. Vehicle speed control22

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Journey model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20091,594
20101,085
2011169
2012376
2013353
2014416
2015554
2016389
2017202
2018237
2019102
202066
Crashes reported
26
Fires reported
9
Injuries reported
38
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

106 reports4 crashes6 fires
“The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while pulling into the workplace at 3 MPH, smoke was coming from the middle of the hood. The vehicle was parked and the smoke intensified until the front of the vehicle was completely consumed by fire. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. The contact stated that based on the damages, the vehicle was a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 25, 2026Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11766919

Engine

98 reports2 crashes3 fires
“Won't start sometimes. This is because the BRAND NEW battery is slowly draining. Yet nothing has been left on, no lights, doors all securely shut. Nothing is left on that's visible anyway. Left me stranded and had to get towed or jumped. The battery is brand new as I mentioned. Afraid it's going to stall out on me and even not start up when I turn it off to run into the store! Even though I have been charging the battery until someone can figure this out, I don't trust it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 10, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11763331

Service brakes

80 reports9 crashes
“The Electronic Brake Control Module: Anti-Lock Brakes. This has caused the cruise control to stop working, the wheel sensors on the front to stop working. The speedometer (digital and gauge) to stop working and the Engine light to stay on. This has been witness by an Independent service center. The dash sensors would go on and off randomly. Many other repairs have been performed throughout the pass 3 years.Unsure when the first sensor started. Today 6/12/2026 replaced the wheel senors but they do not register on the dash, senors lights remain on.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 12, 2026Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11743828
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Journey FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192521$2,950420
Journey AWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
162419$3,300470
Journey FWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172519$3,300457
  • Journey FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Journey AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Journey FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Dodge Journey SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.9%
Overall
4 / 5
Dodge Journey SUV 4WD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
18.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 8195Vehicle 8194
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2014 Journey questions

How many recalls does the 2014 Dodge Journey have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2014 Dodge Journey problems?

Owners filed 416 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (106), engine (98), service brakes (80). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 Dodge Journey get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Dodge Journey at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2014 Dodge Journey?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2014 Dodge Journey 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026