If a Mopar oil filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds USCAR36 specification and is compatible with semi and full synthetic oils.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Dodge Journey engine problems
severe Owners of the 2010 Dodge Journey have filed 75 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 73,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
75
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Journey | 88 |
| 2010 Journey (this page) | 75 |
| 2011 Journey | 22 |
| 2012 Journey | 46 |
| 2013 Journey | 43 |
| 2014 Journey | 51 |
2crashes
5fires
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 75 engine complaints filed for the 2010 Dodge Journey, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 75 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 12 model years of Dodge Journey in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
(Revision A) No Start No Crank ? Starter Will Not Engage And There Are No Related Codes Or Concerns
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗THROTTLE BODY For clarification, only use 68414676A$ on 2010 & earlier vehicles as supply is limited.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NAG1 (5A580) Valve Body As per Warranty Bulletin D-13-22, please use R2108213A$ valve body for all Warranty (W), Mopar (M) and Mopar Vehicle Protection (F) claims.~ Assembly also includes Filter (52108325AA) and Gasket (52108332AA).~
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Part Description: Valve Body Assembly Issue Description: Valve body design was changed between 2010MY and 2011MY applications. To prevent mix matching valve bodies and solenoid packs the connectors are color coded.~ Valve bodies with a white connector can be used on 2010, 2009, 2008..., model years. Valve bodies with a gray connector can only be used on 2011, 2012, 2013..., model years.~ Solenoid packs with a white connector are used with 2010, 2009, 2008..., model years. Solenoid packs with a gray connector are used with 2011, 2012, 2013..., model years.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2010 Dodge Journey engine problems cluster around several distinct failures. The most common complaint is stalling while driving—sometimes at highway speeds, sometimes during turns or parking. Owners report the vehicle shuts off without warning, sometimes with no check engine light; it typically restarts but recurs intermittently. Others describe no-start conditions where the key turns but the engine cranks weakly or not at all; dealers can't duplicate the problem, and waiting hours or overnight sometimes allows the vehicle to start again.
Misfires and cylinder head failures appear in early failure narratives. One owner at 32,000 miles had the right cylinder head, lower intake manifold, and coolant tank replaced due to misfiring and valve sealing issues; a second failure at the same mileage involved worn rocker arms. Another reports #2 cylinder failing with the owner claiming to be 379th on a parts shortage list for cylinder head replacement.
Engine overheating occurs suddenly—temperature gauges spiking from normal to overheat in seconds, steam pouring from the hood. Thermostat replacement provided only temporary relief. Two separate incidents describe engine fires—one at 100,000 miles with melted engine parts and no prior warning beyond a check engine light, another at 15,300 miles while parking in a driveway.
Electrical issues surface repeatedly: intermittent loss of all electrical power while driving, instrument clusters going dark, failures to start after the vehicle has been stationary, and one case of racing idle that occurred with no one inside the vehicle. Owners consistently report dealers cannot diagnose these problems and cannot duplicate failures in the shop.
Same Dodge Journey engine reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Cylinder head and valve seal failure
Right cylinder head assembly failure with intake and exhaust valves not sealing properly; lower intake manifold seeping coolant; coolant expansion tank leaking. Second related failure involved rocker arms walking due to worn cylinder blocks at low mileage.
When: 32,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Vehicle shuddering; Misfiring (#1 cylinder reported); Clicking noise from engine; Loss of engine cooling
Repairs/costs cited: Right cylinder head assembly, lower intake manifold, and expansion coolant tank replaced; later rocker arms/shafts/tappets replaced
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Repairs completed; owner requested full engine replacement, Chrysler declined
Engine stalling while driving
Engine shuts off completely without warning during normal driving at various speeds (low speed, highway, during turns). Vehicle typically restarts but failure recurs intermittently. Dealers unable to duplicate or diagnose in most cases. No check engine light in many instances.
When: Reported from 2,500 miles to 144,000 miles; recurring intermittently
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off mid-drive; Loss of power steering and brakes during stall; Traction system light on (in one case 90% of the time stalling occurs); Vehicle jerks before stalling; Smoke under hood (in at least one case)
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plugs, head gaskets, engine, and engine sensors replaced in various cases with failures recurring; dealers often unable to diagnose
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer diagnostic attempts unsuccessful; manufacturer offered no assistance in multiple cases; reference numbers provided but no recalls applied
No-start / intermittent starting failure
Engine fails to crank or cranks weakly when key is turned. All dash lights come on, radio works, but starter does not turn over. Intermittent—may occur sporadically then resolve after waiting hours or overnight. Occurs even on freshly charged batteries.
When: Reported from 20,000 miles to 144,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking sound when turning key; No engine cranking despite electrical power; Prolonged wait time (hours to days) before vehicle will start; Recurs without pattern
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement, starter replacement ($250), alternator checked; multiple owners state all components checked with no defect found
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge customer service and dealerships unable to resolve; one case had Dodge acknowledging a recall L02 then invalidating it
Engine overheating
Temperature gauge spikes rapidly from normal to overheated; steam rolls from hood. Occurs suddenly during normal driving in mild weather (75-80°F outside). Thermostat replacement provides only temporary relief (3 hours) before same failure recurs.
When: Reported at 55 mph in ambient temps 75-80°F
Symptoms owners cite: Temperature warning alarm activates; Gauge spikes instantly to overheat; Steam exits from hood; Engine capable of only 30 mph after heating
Repairs/costs cited: Thermostat replaced; failed to resolve issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge acknowledged multiple complaints but stated not enough to recall; advised to build it right the first time
Engine fire
Engine fire erupted from under the hood or engine compartment. In one case, flames came from hood with newborn baby recently removed from vehicle; in another, melted engine parts found with burning odor and flickering odometer.
When: 15,300 miles and 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Flames visible from hood or engine compartment; Burning odor inside vehicle; Melted engine parts; Check engine light prior (in one case for old misfire)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles towed to salvage; no diagnosis or repair performed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler stated 13-year-old vehicle not liable; indicated same 2.4L engine covered under recall R32 (2011+) but owner's 2010 engine not included; no dealership willing to inspect
Electrical power loss / instrument cluster shutdown
Complete loss of electrical power while driving; instrument cluster goes dark. Engine stalls and must be restarted. One case involved racing idle that occurred even with no occupants in vehicle.
When: Various; one case at 8,500 miles, another with repetitive no-warning events
Symptoms owners cite: All electrical power cut off; Instrument cluster goes dark; Engine stalls; Engine racing idle (with no one in vehicle); Vehicle will not stop despite brake application
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; dealer unable to duplicate
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to diagnose; NHTSA reference provided (14V373000) but vehicle stated not included in campaign
Engine knock / knock noise at idle
Hard knocking noise from engine during operation, particularly noted at idle or from driver's side. Occurs without warning lights illuminated.
When: Reported at 65,000 and 249,712 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hard knocking from engine; Noise from driver's side; No warning indicators
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to diagnose in both cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No diagnosis or repair completed
Engine acceleration / throttle control failure
Engine does not accelerate properly despite driver depressing throttle pedal. RPMs rise but vehicle will not gain speed. In other cases, vehicle jerks, RPMs spike to 4,500 unexpectedly, or throttle body control module malfunction diagnosed.
When: Reported at 40 mph (91,000-93,000 miles) and 98,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No acceleration despite pedal input; RPMs rise without speed increase; Vehicle jerks and stalls; Unexpected RPM spikes
Repairs/costs cited: Oxygen sensor and catalytic converter replaced in one case with failure persisting; throttle body control module replacement recommended in another but not performed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in one case; repairs attempted but failure recurred
Steering failure
Steering became inoperable or very difficult to turn. Occurred intermittently for approximately two years and was most noticeable while parking.
When: Intermittent over two years; mileage 105,000
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel difficult or impossible to turn; Steering failure while parking
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; dealer could not duplicate
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Failure not duplicated at dealership; vehicle not repaired
Synthesized from 75 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl*the contact owns a 2010 Dodge journey. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH the vehicle suddenly shut off. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer multiple times and they were unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was very unsafe to drive and feared that it would cause a crash. The failure mileage was 26,000. *ln
My 2010 Dodge journey's engine stalls and I have no power steering or brakes while I am driving. This problem happened first in nov. 2015 with around 68000 miles on vehicle and thought it was a fluke or caused by bad weather. It started to happen several times again march/april 2016. Dealership could not find the problem. Took it back in to dealership in june 2016, still could not find issue.…
Had engine trouble with your 2010 Dodge Journey?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2010 Dodge Journey?
It's a meaningful issue. 75 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 66 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 30,000 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 73,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 100,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Dodge/Journey.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.