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2020 Dodge Journey problems, recalls and owner complaints

What the 2020 Dodge Journey has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.

  • 1safety recall
  • 66owner complaints
  • 1crash report
  • 1fire report
  • 1injury reported

The least complained-about Dodge Journey year on file: 66 complaints, against an average of 328 for the other model years.

Every Dodge Journey model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.

What goes wrong with the 2020 Dodge Journey?

The components named most often in the 66 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.

  1. Electrical System20 (30.3%)
  2. Back Over Prevention14 (21.2%)
  3. Engine8 (12.1%)
  4. Exterior Lighting5 (7.6%)
  5. Service Brakes4 (6.1%)
  6. Power Train3 (4.5%)
  7. Steering3 (4.5%)
  8. Visibility/Wiper3 (4.5%)

What symptoms do 2020 Dodge Journey owners describe?

Found by reading the text of all 66 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.

Has the 2020 Dodge Journey been recalled?

1 U.S. safety recall. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.

Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Ram ProMaster and 2019-2020 Dodge Journey vehicles. Cracks in the microprocessor may cause the vehicle's rearview camera image not to display properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility. NHTSA campaign 25V552000 · August 26, 2025 · Risk and fix

Risk: A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed beginning September 30, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated July 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 59C.

What do 2020 Dodge Journey owners report?

12 of the 66 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.

The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that after the vehicle was not driven and remained parked in the driveway for two weeks, the police department notified the contact at approximately 1:00 AM that the horn was sounding continuously. The contact attempted to deactivate the horn using the security alarm key fob, but the attempt failed. The contact opened a vehicle door and attempted to start the vehicle with the door open. At that time, the doors locked automatically, and there was a burning plastic odor coming from the vehicle, and the horn continued sounding. The contact…
Electrical SystemNHTSA complaint 11770755 · Oct 13, 2026
My 2020 Dodge Journey is subject to FCA Recall 59C / NHTSA Campaign 25V-552 involving the rearview camera. The camera malfunction affected the rearview image used when backing. While the recall was open, I contacted an authorized Dodge dealer. I was advised that FCA's official recall remedy/parts had not yet been released. The dealer nevertheless offered a customer-paid camera replacement and provided pricing. Because the vehicle was used for rental, the open safety recall also prevented it from being listed on the rental platform. In approximately October 2025, while the official recall…
Back Over PreventionNHTSA complaint 11765169 · Sep 18, 2026
When starting my car and turning on my air or heat component the front will turn on but the components in the middle won’t! You have to hit the panel to make it turn on and when your driving the middle component shuts off losing power and dims the lights and dash lights with radio screen! I’ve had this issue since I purchased this car 3yrs ago and the business just says oh they have that issue why do I have to pay to rewire my electrical system and paying over $17k for this vehicle it should have been covered by the warranty
Electrical SystemNHTSA complaint 11758733 · Aug 22, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while reversing the vehicle, the rear-view camera was inverted. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V552000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 97,000.
Back Over PreventionNHTSA complaint 11756716 · Aug 13, 2026
Backup camera has been recalled several months ago but no remedy has been made yet. I’ve also noticed when I turn on the wipers my screens including the dash and entertainment go dark and barely visible.
Electrical System, Visibility/WiperNHTSA complaint 11731256 · Apr 14, 2026
If you turn the air or heat off it turns itself back on. Sometimes none of the botton on the dash responds to any command including turning the radio air or anything off or on.
Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Unknown Or OtherNHTSA complaint 11728675 · Apr 1, 2026
I am filing this complaint to report a repeated safety-related defect involving the engine thermostat in my 2020 Dodge Journey and to formally request an investigation by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). The thermostat in this vehicle has failed twice, despite being replaced after the initial failure. The recurrence of the same failure in a critical engine temperature control component indicates a potential design or manufacturing defect, not normal wear or improper maintenance. Each thermostat failure resulted in abnormal engine temperature behavior and warning indicators…
EngineNHTSA complaint 11714270 · Jan 29, 2026
Driving on highway 26 at 70 miles in Newberry, SC, the truck hesitated and cut of stalled, was able to get it of the road before it died, push the button to try to start, Engine light came on and dashboard went out, steam coming from the hood, got the children out of the car, on the side of the road, open the hood, fluid everywhere, with no warning lights, truck ran hot, and messed the engine up in the truck, me and my daughter and grandchildren could have gotten hurt in that truck if another car had hit us in that road, the truck just cut of No warning lights or nothing, this problem needs to…
Power Train, EngineNHTSA complaint 11704116 · Dec 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated and then lost motive power, with the check engine warning light illuminated after the loss of power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was not diagnosed; however, the contact was informed that the engine may have failed due to the vehicle having no antifreeze, which caused the engine to overheat. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate…
EngineNHTSA complaint 11701199 · Nov 24, 2025
Passenger side headlight which is a sealed headlight has moisture creating dimmed visibility a night -how does a sealed headlight get moisture in it unless it’s defective - the car only had 23,000 miles when problem started
Exterior LightingNHTSA complaint 11686502 · Sep 11, 2025
The car has 40k miles on it with the extended power train warranty. On [XXX], I drove into Phoenix, AZ 35 minute drive from my home in Buckeye, AZ. As I turned down a road, I heard a "klink" and the engine only reved in both drive and reverse. I turned off the car and pushed it to a nearby parking lot. I was able to call my insurance company and have it towed to Larry H. Miller Avondale Dodge. I awaited for the service advisor to call me and when Mark did call, it was to inform me the computer could not read my car due to the ABS module possibly malfunctioned and this is causing the computer…
Power Train, Service BrakesNHTSA complaint 11678044 · Aug 3, 2025
Driving down the road and when I try to make a right turn the car does not want to turn, it’s as if there’s no power steering. The fluid is not getting to the right side rack and pinion. The older models had a recall for this same issue and now my year model is having the same exact problem. It was not expected so it was difficult to turn into my own lane of traffic. Took it to a dodge dealer ship and they recommended replacing it but since it’s not covered under my certified preowned warranty it has to wait. No warnings no lights nothing but shock
SteeringNHTSA complaint 11571253 · Feb 10, 2024

2020 Dodge Journey: questions owners ask

Is the 2020 Dodge Journey reliable?

NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 66 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Dodge Journey; the most common categories were electrical system (20, 30.3%), back over prevention (14, 21.2%), engine (8, 12.1%). There is 1 safety recall. 1 complaint mentions a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 1 injury was reported.

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Dodge Journey?

Across 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are electrical system (30.3% of complaints), back over prevention (21.2% of complaints), engine (12.1% of complaints), exterior lighting (7.6% of complaints), service brakes (6.1% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.

Does the 2020 Dodge Journey have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2020 Dodge Journey; the most recent (campaign 25V552000, 2025-08-26) concerns Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Why does the backup camera not work on my 2020 Dodge Journey?

14 of the 66 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2020 Dodge Journey (21.2%) describe the rearview or backup camera failing or showing a blank screen. A related recall exists: campaign 25V552000 (back over prevention: sensing system: camera). The fix: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. One owner wrote: "Backup camera has been recalled several months ago but no remedy has been made yet. I’ve also noticed when I turn on the wipers my screens including the dash and entertainment go dark and barely visible." (NHTSA complaint 11731256, April 2026). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Why does my 2020 Dodge Journey stall, lose power or shut off while driving?

8 of the 66 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2020 Dodge Journey (12.1%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "My electrical shorts out, radio goes in and out and the ac/heat turns on and off! When I choose to turn off it will turn back on!" (NHTSA complaint 11718274, February 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.

Why is the check engine light on in my 2020 Dodge Journey?

5 of the 66 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2020 Dodge Journey (7.6%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "Driving on highway 26 at 70 miles in Newberry, SC, the truck hesitated and cut of stalled, was able to get it of the road before it died, push the button to try to start, Engine light came on and dashboard went out, steam coming from the hood, got the…" (NHTSA complaint 11704116, December 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.

Why does my 2020 Dodge Journey overheat?

4 of the 66 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2020 Dodge Journey (6.1%) describe the engine overheating or coolant loss. One owner wrote: "The thermostat and housing failed at 57,000 miles, less than 5 years of owning the vehicle. Not available for inspection as it is being replaced as I'm typing this. The problem was reproduced by the shop who is repairing the thermostat." (NHTSA complaint 11652276, April 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.

Why does my 2020 Dodge Journey idle rough, misfire or hesitate?

3 of the 66 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2020 Dodge Journey (4.5%) describe rough idling, misfires or hesitation when accelerating. One owner wrote: "Driving on highway 26 at 70 miles in Newberry, SC, the truck hesitated and cut of stalled, was able to get it of the road before it died, push the button to try to start, Engine light came on and dashboard went out, steam coming from the hood, got the…" (NHTSA complaint 11704116, December 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.

Why do the headlights or taillights fail on my 2020 Dodge Journey?

3 of the 66 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2020 Dodge Journey (4.5%) describe headlights, taillights or brake lights failing or condensation in the lamps. One owner wrote: "Passenger side headlight which is a sealed headlight has moisture creating dimmed visibility a night -how does a sealed headlight get moisture in it unless it’s defective - the car only had 23,000 miles when problem started" (NHTSA complaint 11686502, September 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.

Check your own Journey

Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2020 only.

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