Investigations
Back up camera failure
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE24006 — closed, opened 2024-02-27 and involving the DODGE JOURNEY.
NHTSA investigation PE24006 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2024-02-27 and currently closed. The subject of record is DODGE JOURNEY, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for DODGE. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2025-09-26 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE24006 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "On February 27, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to investigate complaints alleging a loss of back up camera function in Model Year (MY) 2018 through 2020 Dodge Jour..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related DODGE files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
On February 27, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to investigate complaints alleging a loss of back up camera function in Model Year (MY) 2018 through 2020 Dodge Journey vehicles. Complainants reported experiencing black screens, upside down images, flashing images, or blurred images. A back up camera that does not display correctly increases the likelihood of a crash or injury. Analysis of warranty data provided in response to ODI’s information request letter demonstrated a pattern of elevated warranty claims in subject vehicles built in calendar years (CY) 2019 and 2020. The rate of camera related warranty repairs for models built in CY 2019-2020 was nearly double that of vehicles built in CY 2017-2018. This increase in warranty claims occurred after the introduction of a new camera part number. ODI presented this analysis to FCA in February 2025. In response, FCA started a review of component change history in February 2025 and opened an internal investigation into MY 2019-2020 Dodge Journey and 2019-2021 Ram Promaster vehicles in May of 2025. On August 26, 2025, FCA submitted a Part 573 Safety Recall Report to the agency. In the report, FCA notes that a damaged microprocessor may cause the camera to not function properly. FCA will replace defective cameras in the recalled vehicles with an updated part that mitigates the issue. See NHTSA recalls 25V552 and 25E052 for further details. Based on available information, FCA's recalls address the alleged defect identified in this PE. Accordingly, this investigation is closed. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Other DODGE Investigations
Vehicle entrapment
Vehicle entrapment
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Chrysler's execution of 13V-528 & 529
Alternator failure
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.