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 averaged 195 complaints per year with 27 recalls, while the F 150 averaged 1,162 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The F 150 also had 1 death and 297 injuries reported, versus 0 deaths and 125 injuries for the Journey. 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 mid-size SUV that averaged about 195 complaints per year over a decade, with 27 recalls. Owners most often report electrical problems, especially the rearview camera failing intermittently or staying off, and engine misfires tied to coil packs and spark plugs. Brake and power train complaints also appear, so a used Journey needs a careful electrical and engine inspection before purchase.
FORD F 150
The Ford F 150 is a full-size pickup that generated about 1,162 complaints per year over ten years, with 151 recalls. The dominant theme is power train trouble, including transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures that owners describe as recurring and sometimes dangerous. Electrical issues, such as rear window defroster shorts and sensor failures, add to the ownership burden.
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 | 1,954 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 27 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 101 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 195.4 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 125 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
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 SYSTEM482
- 02ENGINE436
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER328
- 04SERVICE BRAKES299
- 05POWER TRAIN260
Owners repeatedly report the rearview camera failing intermittently or staying off without warning, and a recall was issued for the backup camera. This matters because a non-working camera affects rear visibility and parking safety.
Complaints describe faulty coil packs and spark plugs causing misfires, with some owners paying multiple times for repairs that did not fix the problem. Persistent misfires can lead to rough running and expensive engine damage if ignored.
Brake-related complaints are among the top categories, though the sample text does not detail specific symptoms. Buyers should still have the brakes inspected because braking issues are a common owner concern.
Power train complaints appear in the top five, but the provided sample does not describe a specific failure. This suggests transmission or drivetrain problems are reported often enough to warrant a thorough test drive and mechanic check.
“Vehicle: 2019 Dodge Journey Issue: Rearview Camera Failure / Malfunction I am reporting an ongoing issue with the factory-installed backup camera in my 2019 Dodge Journey. The camera has been malfunctioning for several years. The camera intermittently display…”
“The rear backup camera will fail often and stay off without any warning I was just pulling into my garage and it stopped halfway. This type of equipment failure seems to be a big issue because if I am around my kids at school or really anywhere where I use my…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report transmission limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause near-collisions. These issues often recur even after repairs, making the truck risky for daily driving if not properly fixed.
Complaints include lead frame problems and output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode, plus rear window defroster shorts that can shatter the back glass. Electrical faults can disable safety features and lead to costly repairs.
Exterior lighting is a top complaint category, though the sample text does not specify the exact failure. Buyers should check all lights and wiring, as lighting problems can affect visibility and safety.
Engine complaints are present but less frequent than power train issues in the sample. Still, any engine trouble on a used F-150 can be expensive, so a pre-purchase inspection is essential.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
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 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Dodge Journey or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Dodge Journey has far fewer complaints per year (about 195) than the Ford F 150 (about 1,162), but both have serious reported issues. In practice, the Journey's problems cluster around electrical and engine faults, while the F 150's are dominated by power train failures that can cause limp mode and near-collisions.
Key differences
- The Dodge Journey averages about 195 complaints per year, while the Ford F 150 averages about 1,162 per year.
- Dodge Journey owners most often report rearview camera failures and engine misfires from coil packs and spark plugs.
- Ford F 150 owners most often report transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures that can cause near-collisions.
- The F 150 has 151 recalls versus 27 for the Journey, and the F 150 has 1 death and 297 injuries reported versus 0 deaths and 125 injuries for the Journey.
- Test the rearview camera repeatedly; if it flickers or stays off, it may need replacement and could be a recurring electrical fault.
- Listen for engine misfires or rough idle, and ask for records of coil pack and spark plug repairs, since owners report these fixes often fail.
- During a test drive, watch for the transmission suddenly going into limp mode or sticking in 5th gear, which owners describe as a daily occurrence.
- Check the rear window defroster for shorts; owners report the back glass can shatter after the defroster is turned off.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls have been repaired, especially the backup camera recall on the Journey and the 26S28 software recall on the F 150.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the transmission and electrical system, focusing on lead frame and sensor codes for the F 150 and camera and wiring for the Journey.
- Test drive for at least 20 minutes, including highway speeds, to check for limp mode, rough shifting, or misfires.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records showing regular transmission fluid changes and engine tune-ups.
- Verify that all exterior lights, the rearview camera, and the rear defroster work properly before buying.
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 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 0 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 65 | 44 |
| 2019 | 101 | 52 |
| 2018 | 234 | 79 |
| 2017 | 197 | 59 |
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
- 1,954
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Dodge Journey total recalls
- 27
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Dodge Journey avg complaints/year
- 195.4
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Dodge Journey
- Dodge Journey top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN