YearToAvoid

2016 Dodge Journey Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2016 Dodge Journey has a Complaint Index of 62, ranking 6th worst out of 14 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 386 complaints, 4 recalls, and 19 crashes tied to reports, with Engine problems the top complaint area at 37% of complaints.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
62/100
#6 of 14 Journey years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
386
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
4
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
19
reported in complaints
Fires
4
Injuries
16
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2019
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
20
18 city / 25 hwy
Injuries / deaths
16 / 0

Top 2016 Dodge Journey problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine141 (37%)
  2. Electrical System89 (23%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain86 (22%)
  4. Brakes66 (17%)
  5. Other66 (17%)
  6. Structure & Body40 (10%)
  7. Steering34 (9%)
  8. Airbags26 (7%)
  9. Fuel System13 (3%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Transmission shifts jerky or downshifts hard between 30 and 37 mph, sometimes with the engine failing to shut off until the brake pedal is pressed.
  • Steering wheel jerks or pulls unexpectedly to one side at low speed, in some cases leading to a collision with a fixed object.
  • Vehicle reportedly moves on its own while parking with the brake pedal depressed, striking a curb or building.
  • Brakes work inconsistently, with the ABS warning light illuminating and front sensor or hub bearing replacements not resolving the issue.
  • Airbags fail to deploy during a reported collision after the driver swerves to avoid another vehicle.
  • Seat headrest and third-row seat components separate or eject during a rear-end collision.
2016 Dodge Journey complaints: complaints filed per quarter232016 Q12017 Q32019 Q12020 Q32022 Q12023 Q32025 Q12026 Q3
386 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q1 (23).

2016 Dodge Journey recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V332000May 17, 2018Electrical System4,815,661 vehicles

    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 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

    Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

    Remedy: 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 may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

  2. NHTSA 16V907000Dec 16, 2016Engine42,231 vehicles

    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 crankshaft or camshaft sensor may only work intermittently, causing the engine to stall.

    Risk: If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: 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 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S89.

  3. NHTSA 16V461000Jun 24, 2016Transmission & Powertrain26,298 vehicles

    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 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured August 17, 2015, to January 29, 2016, and 2016 RAM ProMaster vehicles manufactured August 15, 2016, to April 15, 2016. The transmission pump may seize causing a loss of hydraulic pressure.

    Risk: If the transmission loses hydraulic pressure, the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: 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's number for this recall is S44.

See all 4 recalls for the 2016 Dodge Journey →

2016 Dodge Journey fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18 MPG
Highway
25 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,250
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2016 compared with other Journey years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Avoid77415720
2015Avoid85553620
2016Caution62386420
2017Good46197220
2018Good38234620

All Dodge Journey years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Dodge Journey reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2016 Journey a Complaint Index of 62 and a Caution verdict, ranking 6th worst among 14 model years of the Journey. Engine complaints make up 37% of reports.
What problems does the 2016 Dodge Journey have?
Owners most often report Engine issues (141 complaints, 37% share), followed by Electrical System (89 complaints) and Transmission & Powertrain problems (86 complaints). Median mileage at failure ranges from 34,000 to 69,500 depending on the area.
Does the 2016 Dodge Journey have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Journey covering the electrical system software, an engine crankshaft/camshaft sensor connector, a transmission pump, and a power steering return hose. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2016 Journey compare to other Journey model years?
The 2016 Journey's Complaint Index of 62 is worse than 2017 (46), 2018 (38), 2019 (23), and 2020 (15), all rated Good or Best, but better than 2009 and 2010, which are rated Avoid with indexes of 100 and 92.
What is the top complaint area for the 2016 Dodge Journey?
Engine is the top problem area, with 141 complaints making up 37% of all reports and a median failure mileage of 63,456.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.