The Dodge Journey: Safety through the Years

Whenever you look at any vehicle, safety features should always be a major concern. After all, while a powerful engine and excellent gas mileage are important, if your car can’t help protect you, then nothing else matters. As you look at different vehicles, especially if you’re interested in a used model, it’s important to note that a vehicle will generally have more safety features if it is newer. Looking at different options for a used Dodge Journey, for example, there can be some differences in terms of safety as you go from one year to another.

No matter what you’re looking for, before you buy any used Dodge Journey, you should look at the specific specs and details of any particular model you’re interested in. With that in mind, having an overall sense of what was available in different years can help guide you and narrow down your options. Today, let’s take a brief look at the safety features for several different years for the Dodge Journey. We’ll start with the year it was released, 2009, as well as the most recent model, 2020, with a few in between to get a good sense of what all is out there.

The Dodge Journey

Before we get into any specific years, let’s take a moment to look at the Dodge Journey in general. First released for the model year 2009, the Journey was a midsize crossover SUV, which means it was built on a car platform rather than a truck platform like standard SUVs. It was also sold as the Fiat Freemont in some markets – Australia, parts of Europe, China, and Brazil – and was available with either front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.

The Journey was first revealed in 2007 and then went on sale in 2008 for the 2009 model year. In 2011, a major facelift occurred, which updated a number of features on the Dodge Journey, particularly the exterior design. So, if you’re looking for a used Dodge Journey, you’ll notice that 2009 and 2010 models look quite a bit different from 2011 and later vehicles. 2020 was the last year for the Journey, as Dodge has decided to focus more on performance vehicles like the Charger and Challenger.

Safety Features – 2009 Dodge Journey

When looking for a used Dodge Journey, a 2009 model is going to be the oldest one you can find. This means that models from this year probably have the most mileage on them but will also have the lowest price. Since these models are more than a decade old, however, some of their safety features are lacking compared to a more modern vehicle. Twelve years might not seem like much, but there has been a tremendous amount of innovation when it comes to safety over the last decade.

Standard safety features on all 2009 Dodge Journey models include advanced multistage driver and front-passenger airbags, with side airbags for the front seat and side-curtain airbags for all three rows. Electronic stability control is standard, which includes brake assist, all-speed traction control, and electronic roll mitigation. That was pretty much it for standard safety features, which was fine but certainly not exceptional by today’s standards.

Several safety features were offered on packages, or standard on higher trims, including a rear backup camera – in 2009, this was not yet mandatory on all vehicles in the US. A hands-free communication system was available on higher trim levels, which was packaged with an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Otherwise, you won’t find too many other safety features on a used Dodge Journey from 2009, so keep that in mind if safety is important to you.

Safety Features – 2011 Dodge Journey

The Dodge Journey received a facelift in 2011 and added a few more safety features to go along with it. There is an important thing to note, when looking for a used Dodge Journey, know this: for the first two years, the trims were SE, SXT, and R/T. Starting in 2011, however, the trims changed to Express, Mainstreet, Crew, and Lux – so keep this in mind as you look at different models.

The standard Journey Express came with electronic stability control with electronic roll mitigation and trail sway control. It featured speed control and a good airbag system throughout the interior, but that was about it. Available safety features for the Express were unimpressive, while the Journey Mainstreet had a rear backup camera and rear park assist features available, though not standard.

For 2011, the Journey Crew had pretty much the same safety features as the Mainstreet, with other niceties offered on it. The Journey Lux, however, featured the rear backup camera and rear park assist system, both standard on every model. That means that if you’re looking for good safety on an older used Dodge Journey, then the Lux trim is the way to go.

Safety Features – 2016 Dodge Journey

By 2016, a number of improvements had been made to the Dodge Journey, so this is a good year to look for when shopping for a used model – especially since it likely won’t have as many miles on it as an older one. In terms of overall safety, there were some new features on 2016 models compared to those from 2011, and many of the same additional options were still available.

Every used Dodge Journey from 2016 will have advanced multistage front airbags, with supplemental side-curtain airbags in all three rows, along with side driver and front-passenger seat-mounted airbags and a driver inflatable knee bolster. The 2016 model also features all-speed traction control, speed-sensitive automatic power door locks, electronic brake-force distribution, and active headrests. As before, a rear backup camera and rear park assist are available for higher trim levels as part of optional packages, but they’re not standard.

Safety Features – 2020 Dodge Journey

Finally, we come to the most recent models you’ll find when shopping for a used Dodge Journey and the final year for the Journey: 2020. For 2020, only two trims were available – the SE and the Crossroad – with a lot of similar features between the two of them. By 2020, rear backup cameras are now standard on all models, and the SE features a comprehensive airbag package, as well as brake assist, traction control, and electronic stability control. It comes with a rear parking sensor and standard cruise control.

The Crossroad has a lot more to offer, just not in terms of safety. Overall, the safety features on both the SE and the Crossroad are essentially the same, so no matter which used Dodge Journey from 2020 you choose, you’ll find the same great features. The Crossroad has a number of excellent additional features such as leather-trimmed seating, a 10-way power driver seat, and three-zone automatic temperature control. But in terms of safety, either model will do.

Final Considerations

So, where does all of this leave us at the end of the day when looking for a used Dodge Journey and keeping safety in mind? Honestly, there haven’t been many massive changes or additions to the Journey in terms of safety throughout the years, which means you can pretty well shop with confidence no matter which model you’re looking at. Keep in mind that the rear backup camera only became standard starting with 2019 models, so look for the most recent ones or high trims to ensure you stay as safe as possible. Come visit us in Georgetown to find out more, and we’ll make sure you drive away in a vehicle that will help keep you safe.

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