Head-to-head reliability
Dodge Journey vs FORD F 150
How the Dodge Journey and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Dodge Journey vs FORD F 150: The Journey averages 191 complaints per year, mostly electrical and engine issues like burst heater hoses. The F-150 averages 2755 complaints per year, with serious powertrain and electrical failures including total power loss. Neither is trouble-free, but the Journey has fewer reported incidents. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Dodge Journey or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Dodge Journey
The Dodge Journey is a budget-friendly SUV that, based on NHTSA data, has a high rate of electrical and engine issues. Owners report heater hoses bursting and causing overheating, door locks that fail intermittently, and engine thermostat failures. With 191 complaints per year on average, it's a vehicle that demands careful inspection before purchase.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a popular full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume—over 2,755 per year—reflecting its widespread use. Owners report serious powertrain problems like the shifter getting stuck in drive and sudden unintended acceleration, as well as electrical failures causing total power loss while driving. Its recall count is also high at 141.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge Journey | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,912 Better | 27,552 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 27 Better | 141 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 100 Better | 762 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 191.2 Better | 2755.2 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 125 Better | 714 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 10 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Dodge Journey
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM470
- 02ENGINE433
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER318
- 04SERVICE BRAKES296
- 05POWER TRAIN256
Owners report heater hoses that suddenly burst, spewing coolant and causing the engine to overheat and stall. Door locks and key fobs also fail intermittently, leaving the vehicle unsecured.
The engine thermostat repeatedly fails, leading to overheating. Heater hose ruptures are also common, causing coolant leaks and potential engine damage.
ABS and traction control lights come on after hard braking, and the HCU and ABS modules fail, disabling cruise control and reducing braking confidence.
Transmission issues include the vehicle revving without moving in drive or reverse, indicating potential transmission failure at low mileage.
“Heater hose malfunction. No issues spotted but within 24 hours the car began to smoke and the hose obtained a leak and leak anti freeze while driving the entire hose blew up while car was in motion and came to a complete overheated stall in the middle of a bu…”
“The car door locks fail to lock/unlock. Outside, it has been intermittent, meaning at times, my key fob will unlock/lock the doors but at times will it work. I tried to lock my car after parking and the car buttons wouldn’t work and the car horn just beeped w…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN9,967
- 02ENGINE4,861
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3,479
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER3,210
- 05STRUCTURE1,485
The shifter gets stuck in drive when shutting down, failing to engage park. Turbo wastegate issues and transmission valve body problems are also reported, causing drivability concerns.
Engine problems include the same park pawl engagement issue, and emissions control label updates suggest ongoing powertrain calibration fixes.
Total power loss while driving—including brakes, steering, and airbags—is a critical safety concern. ABS system noise after recall repairs also indicates unresolved issues.
Sudden unintended acceleration at low speeds, even without pressing the accelerator, and persistent severe shake/vibration after repairs are reported.
“When I am parking the truck, I press and hold the brake pedal, While the truck shifter in in "Drive", I press the start/stop button to shut truck down, the shifter gets stuck in "drive" and doesn't automatically shift in to park. The truck locks down and will…”
“My truck is a 2025 Ford F150 STX with 5,900 miles on it. This truck was purchased new at River City Ford in Lavalette, WV The component in questions seems to be involved with the turbos and more specifically the wastegate that attached to the turbos. Also, ye…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Dodge Journey — 27 recalls
The defect: 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…
The risk: A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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, anticip…
The defect: 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…
The risk: A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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, anticip…
The defect: 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 Chrysle…
The risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
The fix: 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 1-8…
The defect: 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, Reflec…
The risk: A dim reflector may reduce the visibility of the vehicle to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
FORD F 150 — 141 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may los…
The risk: Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, 2024 Expedition and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine. The engines may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.
The risk: A rapid oil leak can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 23, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for th…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
The risk: Unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S19.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Expedition, and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. The engine may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.
The risk: A rapid oil leak can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this…
Buyer analysis
Dodge Journey or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Dodge Journey has far fewer complaints per year (191 vs 2755), but its issues are concentrated in electrical and engine systems that can leave you stranded. The Ford F-150's higher volume reflects its popularity, but the severity of problems like total power loss and unintended acceleration is alarming. Neither is trouble-free, but the Journey's lower complaint rate may appeal to budget-conscious buyers.
Key differences
- Dodge Journey has 191 complaints/year vs Ford F-150's 2755/year, but Journey's issues often cause breakdowns (burst hoses, thermostat failure).
- Ford F-150 has critical safety complaints: total power loss while driving and unintended acceleration; Journey's worst are overheating and door lock failures.
- Ford F-150 has 141 recalls vs Journey's 27, indicating more widespread manufacturer-acknowledged defects.
- Journey's top problem is electrical system (470 complaints); F-150's is powertrain (9967 complaints), suggesting different reliability weak points.
- Inspect the heater hoses and engine thermostat for leaks or previous replacements; these are common failure points that can cause overheating.
- Check all door locks and key fob operation repeatedly; intermittent failures are a known issue.
- Test the shifter by parking and shutting off the engine to ensure it engages park; listen for unusual transmission noises.
- Check for any history of total power loss or sudden acceleration incidents; inspect the integrated trailer brake control and ABS system for recall completion.
Before you buy
- Obtain the vehicle's VIN and check NHTSA.gov for open recalls on both models.
- For the Journey: pressure-test the cooling system and verify heater hose condition; test all door locks multiple times.
- For the F-150: test the park pawl engagement by parking on a slope; check for any driveline vibrations or shakes.
- Request service records for any transmission or electrical repairs; look for repeated visits for the same issue.
- Take both vehicles for an extended test drive including highway speeds and hard braking to replicate reported failures.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Dodge Journey | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 0 | 1448 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3285 |
| 2021 | 0 | 4942 |
| 2020 | 61 | 2530 |
| 2019 | 92 | 5718 |
| 2018 | 223 | 5505 |
| 2017 | 196 | 3198 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Dodge Journey or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge Journey vs FORD F 150
- Dodge Journey total complaints
- 1,912
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 27,552
- Dodge Journey total recalls
- 27
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 141
- Dodge Journey avg complaints/year
- 191.2
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 2755.2
- More reliable overall
- Dodge Journey
- Dodge Journey top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN