Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Dodge Journey, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 14 | 22% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 13% |
| Back over prevention | 8 | 13% |
| Engine | 4 | 6% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 3% |
| Steering | 2 | 3% |
| Tires | 2 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 of
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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);
NHTSA complaint: Back over prevention
The wiring harness for back hatch the coating of the wire are all cracking . The passenger side rear back up light wasn’t working and the harness is cracking the wiring when opening and closing the hatch . I have picture
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the rearview camera image was intermittently flipped, distorted, and inoperative. No warning lights were illuminated
NHTSA complaint: Back over prevention
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Journey. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V552000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part for the repair was unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer h
NHTSA complaint: Back over prevention
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rearview camera would display an upside image. The contact stated that she had purchased a replacement camera and was given an estim
NHTSA complaint: Back over prevention
Back-up camera was recalled August 25, 2025. Not repaired yet and no information from Manufacturer, Chrysler Corp. The screen shows black and streaks, sometimes reflects upside down images. I have the 2020 Dodge Journ
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2020 Dodge Journey. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 S
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
| Reliability raw | 97 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 84 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 77 | good |
| Performance | 48 | below average |
| Efficiency | 39 | below average |
| Safety | 56 | average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and unknown or other is the most reported area with 14 of them (22%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 97/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 84/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2020 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.