2016 Dodge Journey Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
50/100
#6 most-complained of 11 Journey years
The 2016 Dodge Journey has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 6th worst among 11 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine complaints lead at 141 (37% share), with 4 recalls covering electrical, engine, transmission, and steering systems.
- Complaints
- 386
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 19 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 16 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18 city / 25 hwy
Top 2016 Dodge Journey problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine141 (37%)
- Electrical System89 (23%)
- Transmission & Powertrain86 (22%)
- Brakes66 (17%)
- Other66 (17%)
- Structure & Body40 (10%)
- Steering34 (9%)
- Airbags26 (7%)
- Fuel System13 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (2%)
What owners report
- Transmission downshifts hard in slow traffic and shifts jerky between 30 and 37 mph, sometimes with the engine failing to shut off until the brake is pressed and the vehicle is put in park.
- Steering wheel jerks unexpectedly to one side at low speed, in one case causing a collision with a light pole.
- Vehicle reportedly moves on its own while parking with the brake pedal depressed, striking a fixed object.
- Brakes work inconsistently, sometimes failing to engage, accompanied by an ABS warning light and front sensor or hub bearing replacement.
- Steering pulls hard to one side while the transmission randomly fails to change gear and lunges forward when stopping.
- Vehicle jerks or pops when accelerating out of a turn after highway driving, linked to a cracked drive shaft.
2016 Dodge Journey recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Dodge Journey a good year to buy?
- NHTSA data gives the 2016 Journey a Complaint Index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 6th worst out of 11 model years. It's not among the worst years (2010, 2014, 2015 rank worse) but trails newer years like 2017-2020.
- What is the most common problem with the 2016 Dodge Journey?
- Engine complaints are the top problem area, accounting for 141 complaints and 37% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 63,456 miles.
- Does the 2016 Dodge Journey have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Journey, covering the electrical system, engine crankshaft/camshaft sensor, transmission pump, and power steering return hose. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 Journey compare to other Journey years?
- Its Complaint Index of 50 is worse than 2011 (20), 2017 (30), 2018 (40), 2019 (10), and 2020 (0), but better than 2010 (100), 2012 (70), 2013 (60), 2014 (80), and 2015 (90).