The 2018 Journey is essentially a 2008 design soldier-on with known weak points in transmission cooling, electrical harness integrity, and TIPM failures. The 3.6L V6 paired with the 62TE transmission sees the most catastrophic issues, while the 2.4L fares slightly better but suffers from oil consumption and timing chain problems.
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure and Internal Transmission Damage (62TE)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Pink or milky transmission fluid — coolant cross-contamination from cooler failure, Harsh shifting, delayed engagement, or limp mode, Overheating transmission, burnt ATF smell, Complete transmission failure after coolant intrusion goes unnoticed
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler and lines (2-3 hours), flush system multiple times. If coolant contaminated the trans, full rebuild or replacement required (8-12 hours labor). External cooler install recommended as preventive measure (add 2 hours).
Estimated cost: $800-1,200 for cooler/lines only; $3,500-5,500 for transmission rebuild or reman unit
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) Failure
Common · high severity
Symptoms: Fuel pump not priming, no-start condition, Wipers running on their own or not working, ABS and traction control lights, erratic brake behavior, Horn honking randomly, windows or locks operating themselves, Multiple seemingly unrelated electrical gremlins at once
Fix: TIPM replacement and reprogramming required, located in engine bay. Common for certain relays inside to weld shut or fail open. 1.5-2.5 hours labor. Some independent shops offer TIPM repair services ($300-500) but reliability varies.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400 for dealer TIPM replacement; $400-700 for aftermarket or repair service
2.4L World Engine Oil Consumption and Timing Chain Stretch
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Burning one quart of oil every 500-1,000 miles, Cold-start rattle for 2-5 seconds (timing chain slack), Check engine light with cam/crank correlation codes (P0016, P0017), Loss of power, rough idle as chain stretches further
Fix: For oil consumption alone, many owners live with it and top off frequently. Timing chain job requires front cover removal, new guides, tensioners, chains (8-11 hours). Often find worn cam phasers needing replacement at same time. If rings are worn, you're looking at engine rebuild or replacement.
Estimated cost: $1,800-2,800 for timing chain service; $4,000-6,500 for engine rebuild or used engine swap
Front Lower Control Arm Bushings and Ball Joints
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front end, Steering wander, vague or loose on-center feel, Tire wear on inside edges, Vibration or shimmy at highway speeds
Fix: Lower control arms typically replaced as assemblies rather than pressing bushings. 2-3 hours per side including alignment. Ball joints fail separately or integrated into arms depending on supplier.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000 for both sides including alignment
Rear Caliper Seizing and Parking Brake Cable Corrosion
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Rear brakes dragging, pulling to one side, Burning smell from rear wheels after driving, Parking brake stuck on or won't engage, Premature rear pad and rotor wear on one side
Fix: Rear calipers on these seize frequently, especially in rust-belt states. Replace calipers, pads, rotors, and parking brake cables as needed. 2-3 hours per axle. Caliper slide pins require regular cleaning and lubrication.
Estimated cost: $500-850 for full rear brake job including calipers
3.6L Pentastar Left Cylinder Head and Rocker Arm Failure (VVT solenoid side)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Loud ticking or knocking from left side of engine, Check engine light with misfire codes (left bank), Metal shavings in oil, Rocker arm failure can lead to dropped valve and catastrophic damage
Fix: Left head has known rocker arm failures due to oiling issues. Requires left head removal, new rockers, lifters, possibly cam (10-14 hours). If valve drops, you're into full engine rebuild. This is less common than older 3.6L issues but still happens.
Estimated cost: $3,000-4,500 for head work; $5,000-7,500 for engine rebuild if valve damage occurs
AC Condenser Leaks and HVAC Blend Door Actuator Failures
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: AC blows warm, refrigerant leaks from front of vehicle, Clicking or tapping noise from dashboard when changing temperature, Air blows from wrong vents or temperature fluctuates wildly, Recirc door stuck open or closed
Fix: Condenser is vulnerable to road debris punctures. Replacement requires front bumper removal, evacuate/recharge system (3-4 hours). Blend door actuators fail regularly, accessible behind glove box or under dash (1-1.5 hours each). Multiple actuators exist, diagnosis needed.
Estimated cost: $700-1,200 for condenser; $200-400 per blend door actuator
Owner tips
Install external transmission cooler immediately if buying one with 62TE — cheap insurance at $200-300
Check transmission fluid color every oil change; pink or milky means cooler is leaking internally
2.4L engines: use quality full-synthetic oil, check level every 500 miles, address timing chain rattle early
Inspect TIPM for corrosion and water intrusion if any electrical weirdness appears
Flush brake fluid every 2 years and lube caliper slide pins annually in salt states
Budget $1,000-1,500/year for deferred-maintenance surprises on any Journey over 80k miles
Hard pass unless you're getting it for $4,000-5,000 under book value to cover inevitable transmission and electrical issues — this platform was outdated when it rolled off the line in 2018.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: Standard top post battery; located in engine compartment
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Every control module on the 2011-2020 Dodge Journey — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
Electric Power Steering Module (EPS)2.5 hr R&Rdealer / factory tool +0.5 hr▸ programming details
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Dodge Journey vehicles. The amber side reflex reflector assembled into the headlamp may not reflect brightly enough. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: A dim reflector may reduce the visibility of the vehicle to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the headlamp assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 16, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z99.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER · 18V523000
2018-08-09
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan and Jeep Compass, 2018 Dodge Journey, and 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U86.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
Consequence: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES · 18V396000
2018-06-14
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Journey vehicles. When reverse gear has been selected, the rear camera view may not be fully visible within two seconds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Consequence: If the full camera view is delayed and the driver does not check their surroundings before backing up, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview mirror, free of charge. The recall began August 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U58.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 18V398000
2018-06-14
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Journey and RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The backup camera may experience a loss of image display while backing up. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Consequence: A loss of image in the rearview camera while backing up can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview mirror, free of charge. The recall began August 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U56.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · 18V332000
2018-05-17
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.
Consequence: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2018 Dodge Journey 3.6L V6 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.