2016 Dodge Journey Problems, Recalls & Reliability
613 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2016 Dodge Journey, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 27/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 67,000 miles.
Typical
Where 2016 sits among all Journey years
What owners report
“The engine just shut off while driving.. No warning, no lights just off. Loss power steering, lights, all power. Luckily was able to glide over to side of road and was able to put car in park and hit engine on button and it started up as normal.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Journey
“I was driving down the street and loss all power and brake control. No warning lights and no notice just shut off while driving, radio and lights everything cut off without warning.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Journey
“The transmission started to slip and the rpm's were really high. Could only drive 40 mph.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Journey
“I have had the crankshaft position sensor replaced two times now. This is a dangerous issue as the car becomes disabled while driving.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Journey
“Driving in a parking lot at a low speed, no breaking and 2 sensors came on. Anti-lock brake and traction control light. No reason for them to engage and have not turned off.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Journey
“Headrest deployed and won't go bac in. The vehicle was just sitting in the driveway, when we ot in we noticed the headrest out.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Journey
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 368 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 56,237 miles. Half of those reports fall between 30,000 and 80,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (4)
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,…
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…
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Journey, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Patriot vehicles manufactured May 9, 2016, to July 15, 2016. The crankshaft or camshaft sensor may only work intermittently, causing the engine to stall.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft or camshaft sensor connector, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at…
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured July 31, 2015, to April 18, 2016, 2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured August 17, 2015, to January 29, 2016, and 2016 RAM…
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission pump, free of charge. The recall began on August 18, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.…
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 31, 2007, to November 12, 2016. After exposure to cold temperatures, the power steering return hose may rupture at engine start-up causing a loss of…
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return hoses, steel tubes, and power steering oil cooler, free of charge. The recall began on May 24, 2016. Owners may…
Federal defect investigations
Still open as of the last data refresh. An investigation is not a recall; it may close with no action. All open investigations →
Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-008 on May 1, 2023 to investigate an incident involving a 2009 Dodge Journey alleging occupant entrapment during a vehicle fire that resulted in a fatality. During the investigation, ODI collected information from the manufacturer and involved…
Model years named: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Technical service bulletins
181 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2016 Dodge Journey. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2016 Journey TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2016 Dodge Journey reliable?
The 2016 Dodge Journey drew 613 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 27/100, scored against the model's worst year (2009).
What are the most common 2016 Dodge Journey problems?
The top reported problems for the 2016 Dodge Journey are engine (123 complaints), electrical (93), and transmission & drivetrain (86).
At what mileage do 2016 Dodge Journey problems show up?
Owners most often report 2016 Dodge Journey problems around 56,237 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 30,000 and 80,000 miles.
Does the 2016 Dodge Journey have recalls?
4 recall campaigns apply to the 2016 Dodge Journey. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.