2016 Dodge Journey: engine and transmission complaints
HIGH COMPLAINT SIGNAL
57%
197 of 347 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system
57% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2016 Dodge Journey are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.
Worse than 74% of the 1,230 model years we track (2010–2023).
Excludes 39 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 51%).
The percentage is each model year's drivetrain complaint share. No elevated signal describes the model year, not any one car; a well-kept example of a flagged model can still be the right buy, and any of these still needs an inspection.
What owners reported
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),FUEL/PROPULSI11/18/20191 INJURED
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THERE WAS A STRANGE SMELL AS IF GAS FILLED THE CAR UP AND I GOT OUT AND MY HEAD WAS HURTING FROM THE SMELL AND I GOT NAUSEOUS AND THREW UP. WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT I ALMOST PASSED OUT. ALSO MY VOLUME GOES UP AND DOWN BY ITSELF AND THE A/C TURNS ON AND OFF.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE07/02/2026
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25-30 MPH, the engine made an abnormally loud sound. The check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had progressively worsened. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, wher…
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES05/29/2026
The 2012-2015 Dodge Journey was previously subject to an NHTSA recall for an electronic stability control module defect producing similar ABS warning and brake-related symptoms. The 2016 model year was not included in that recall. Other 2016 Dodge Journey owners have reported the same symptoms to consumer complaint dat…
Three of 197 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
Recall campaigns on this model year (4)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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 …
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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 cranksh…
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 …
This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.
Before you buy a 2016 Dodge Journey
Ask the seller whether the engine has ever been repaired or replaced, and whether the car has shown stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light.
Drive it from a cold start and long enough to warm up. Many engine faults hide once the car is warm.
Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose, and tell them to focus on the engine.
4 recall campaigns on this model year. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on the VIN; the report checks that.
Ask for service records. A engine already replaced under warranty is a different car from one that was not.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history
report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition
of any individual vehicle.
