AI Damage2016 Dodge Journey: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Dodge Journey filed 389 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain. The maker issued 125 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 389
- involving a crash
- 19
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 125
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 29% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 22% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 22% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 5 Seats 9% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 9% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 8% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- Engine: 114 complaints (29% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Powertrain: 87 complaints (22% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 25.
- Electrical system: 85 complaints (22% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 31.
- Service brakes: 54 complaints (14% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Seats: 36 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 13.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 3 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 389 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 114 | 0 | 9 |
| Powertrain | 87 | 4 | 25 |
| Electrical system | 85 | 0 | 31 |
| Service brakes | 54 | 6 | 0 |
| Seats | 36 | 1 | 13 |
| Steering | 34 | 4 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 33 | 2 | 2 |
| Air bags | 26 | 6 | 2 |
| Electronic stability control | 18 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 13 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 10 | 0 | 22 |
| Exterior lighting | 9 | 0 | 2 |
| Suspension | 7 | 2 | 2 |
| Seat belts | 7 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The rear view camera has become unreliable. It sometimes flickers. It sometimes is upside down. It is sometimes gray. It works properly about 10% of the time. I believe it was a significant contributor to my backing into and damaging another vehicle in a parking lot.
was involved in a major accident and the air bags did not deploy. Was hit on head on and right side.
Airbags didn't deploy in head on collision and break system has a defect in the abs module
The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space the contact attempted to press the brake pedal however, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. The contact stated the vehicle crashed into the post holding the handicap sign for the parking space. The airbags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed.
Vehicle while drive fine for many miles usually after driving on the highway but when I need to make a turn it becomes difficult for the vehicle to accelerate and will suddenly jerk forward or pop.
The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated after the failure. A police report was filed. The contact sustained left arm soreness, but no medical attention was required. The vehicle was not towed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing.
The transmission shifts jerky between 30 to 37 mph and then engine light comes on and vehilce stops.
The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to a body shop (all magic paint and body) and the body damage was repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed by the dealer. The vehicle was not deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 154 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 7% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Journey has 142 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 389, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- About 68,312 of the above vehicles may exceed emission standards for Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) because of a…
About 68,312 of the above vehicles may exceed emission standards for Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) because of a loss of catalytic converter efficiency.
- Emissions Recall U67 - Catalytic Converter Efficiency - Dealer Notification (Revision 11)
- Verify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders
Warranty, Mopar, customer pay and service contract. Order "68" part number for New unsold units only.
- LAMP - DOME
- ACTUATOR - A/C AND HEATER
- STARTER - ENGINE
- Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC)…
Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning…
- Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair…
Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service…
- Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges…
Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates. NOTE: **Verify current…
- ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA)
For any other MY review and follow instructions from the latest STAR Online S1809000007 available on Dealer Connect. Also, consider the following: 1) Remove OFA 2) Replace only the oil inlet O-ring and gaskets (seals…
- ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA)
For any other MY (with mileage above 30,000) review and follow instructions from STAR Online S1809000007 REV. C available on Dealer Connect. Also, consider the following: 1) Remove OFA 2) Replace only the oil inlet…
- LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is…
LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.
NHTSA lists 125 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Dodge Journey?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, powertrain, electrical system. Total complaints: 389. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (22%), stalls while driving (18%), knocking, grinding or other noise (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Dodge Journey?
NHTSA lists 125 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Dodge Journey from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.