Dodge Journey
12 model years from 2009 to 2020, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

- Model years
- 2009–2020
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Latest engines
- 2.4L 4-cyl
- Best MPG
- 21–22 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2020)
- Recalls
- 23 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2009 (876)
- Fewest problems
- 2020
- Interest
- 5,318 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2020 Journey in brief
The 2020 Dodge Journey is a small SUV offered with a 2.4L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 193 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,246 lb (4dr SUV AWD V6).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (19 city / 25 highway), 18% worse than the 2020 small SUV average of 25.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,200 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
The Dodge Journey has 12 model years in our data, from 2009 to 2020, classed as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD.
Its most efficient year was 2012 at 22 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 21 to 22 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the electrical system (1,755), engine (830), unknown or other (630).
Buying used? 2020 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2015 is the year to avoid.
2014 has the most recalls (7); all years together count 23 campaigns and 4,351 owner complaints.
How the 2009 Journey compares
The 2009 Dodge Journey is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 193 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,211 lb (4dr Cuv AWD Sxt/Rt).
About the Dodge Journey
The Dodge Journey is a mid-size crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' Dodge brand for model years 2009 to 2020 over a single generation, with a facelift for the 2011 model year. The Journey was styled by Ryan Nagode, and was marketed globally in both left- and right-hand drive, including as the Fiat Freemont.
From the Wikipedia article "Dodge Journey", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2020 Journey pros & cons
Full 2020 details →What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 21 MPG combined, 18% below the 2020 small SUV average of 25.6 MPG.
- No AWD or 4WDTwo-wheel drive only, unusual for a small SUV.
Best and worst years to buy used
2020 Journey
66 owner complaints · 1 recall · 1 fire report · 1 crash report
NHTSA overall: ★★★★★
Year to avoid2015 Journey
553 owner complaints · 6 recalls · 9 fire reports · 30 crash reports
Most reported: Engine
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 6 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Journey changes by model year
- 2020
- Engine dropped: 3.6L 6-cyl
- All-wheel / four-wheel drive no longer offered
- 2018
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 4 stars overall
- 2011
- Engine added: 3.6L 6-cyl
- Engine dropped: 3.5L 6-cyl
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 12 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2.4L 4-cyl | 21 MPG | 192.5 in | 4,246 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 66 |
| 2019 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl | 21 MPG | 192.5 in | 4,246 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 102 |
| 2018 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl | 21 MPG | 192.5 in | 4,246 lb | ★★★★★ | 6 | 237 |
| 2017 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl | 21 MPG | 192.5 in | 4,246 lb | Not rated | 2 | 202 |
| 2016 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl | 21 MPG | 192.5 in | 4,246 lb | Not rated | 4 | 389 |
| 2015 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl | 21 MPG | 192.5 in | 4,246 lb | Not rated | 6 | 553 |
| 2014 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl | 21 MPG | 192.5 in | 4,246 lb | Not rated | 7 | 396 |
| 2013 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl | 21 MPG | 192.5 in | 4,246 lb | Not rated | 4 | 333 |
| 2012 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 192.5 in | 4,229 lb | Not rated | 6 | 317 |
| 2011 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 192.5 in | 4,229 lb | Not rated | 4 | 110 |
| 2010 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl | 21 MPG | 192.5 in | 4,240 lb | Not rated | 4 | 770 |
| 2009 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl | 21 MPG | 192.5 in | 4,211 lb | Not rated | 4 | 876 |
Alternatives to the 2020 Journey
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Toyota 4Runner | 17 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2020 Ford Explorer | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 35 |
| 2020 Toyota Highlander | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2020 Kia Telluride | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Dodge. How we calculate this →