Emissions Recall U67 - Catalytic Converter Efficiency - Dealer Notification (Revision 11)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Dodge Journey engine problems
severe Owners of the 2011 Dodge Journey have filed 22 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 90,000 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
22
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Journey | 88 |
| 2010 Journey | 75 |
| 2011 Journey (this page) | 22 |
| 2012 Journey | 46 |
| 2013 Journey | 43 |
| 2014 Journey | 51 |
| 2015 Journey | 66 |
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 22 engine complaints filed for the 2011 Dodge Journey, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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.
STARTER - ENGINE
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some of the above-involved vehicles may exceed NOx (Oxides of Nitrogen) emission level standards due to loss of catalytic converter efficiency
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗62TE 6-Speed Transmission Cracked Torque Converter (TC) Piston Repair Index, To Aid In Diagnosis And Repair
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2011 Dodge Journey report a troubling pattern of engine failures across the fleet. The most common complaint is unexpected stalling while driving—sometimes at highway speeds, sometimes in traffic—with the engine going dead while accessories stay powered. Multiple owners took their vehicles to dealers three or more times for the same stalling issue without resolution; dealers struggled to reproduce the problem during testing.
Cylinder head misfire shows up repeatedly, with owners reporting rough idle, hesitation on acceleration, and check engine lights firing for cylinders 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. One owner had both cylinder heads replaced with remanufactured parts; another reports Dodge has no extended warranty on 3.6L V6 engines despite covering other model years for the same issue.
Two owners reported engine compartment fires, one explicitly after the vehicle had been repaired under NHTSA recall campaign 15V431000. Both fires destroyed the vehicle.
Engine overheating appears in several complaints, with one owner citing $900 per repair and needing fixes twice within four months. An oil filter cartridge assembly shattered on one vehicle around 50,000 miles. Early-ownership electrical failures—dead battery, alternator issues, inability to start—persist even after parts replacement. A wiring harness near the cylinder head was found defective on another.
Cooling system issues accompany some complaints. Heater function problems (passenger side blowing cold while driver side blows hot) and catalyst converter failure also appear in the data.
Same Dodge Journey engine reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalling while driving
Engine shuts down completely during operation—sometimes at highway speeds, sometimes at stop signs. Accessories remain powered, but engine does not restart immediately. Check engine light may or may not illuminate before stall. Issue persists after multiple dealer visits and repair attempts.
When: Reported between 16,000 and 117,000 miles; one case at 55–60 mph, others at highway and city speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts out without warning; Accessories stay powered while engine dead; Delayed or failed restart attempts; Check engine light may appear after stall; Vehicle stranded multiple times
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to reproduce issue during testing; no permanent fix documented across multiple visits
Cylinder head misfire
Misfire detected on one or more cylinders—reported on cylinders 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 across different complaints. Check engine light illuminates with misfire codes. Owner reports rough idle and hesitation during acceleration at low speeds. One complaint indicates both cylinder heads needed replacement; another states Dodge lacks extended warranty coverage for 3.6L V6 head replacement.
When: Reported as early as 15,000 miles; one case at 90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light on; Rough engine idle and ignition; Hesitation during acceleration; Vehicle shakes coming to a stop; Multiple cylinder misfire across heads
Codes mentioned: Cylinder 1 misfire, Cylinder 2 misfire, Cylinder 3 misfire, Cylinder 4 misfire, Cylinder 5 misfire
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plugs and coils replaced without resolving issue; both cylinder heads replaced in one case using remanufactured parts; extended warranty not available on some 3.6L units
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 15V431000 (Engine, Engine Cooling) applied to some vehicles; repair parts unavailable on at least one case
Engine fire
Fire broke out in the engine compartment, reportedly originating from the manifold area. Occurred after vehicle had been repaired under recall campaign 15V431000. Vehicle was completely destroyed; fire department extinguished the blaze. No occupants injured in reported cases.
When: Recurrence after recall repair; mileage unknown in both fire complaints
Symptoms owners cite: Flames visible from hood; Fire in engine compartment
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destroyed; not diagnosed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 15V431000 (Engine, Engine Cooling) applied; fire recurred post-repair
Engine overheating
Coolant system overheats repeatedly despite repair attempts. Check engine light illuminates with overheating condition. One owner reported fix attempts twice within four months at high cost. One complaint indicates overheating with check engine light after transmission, engine, solenoids, and coils had been replaced.
When: At 90,000 miles in one case; recurring within 4-month period in another
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated; Coolant system overheating
Repairs/costs cited: Heater core replacement needed on one case, cited at over $1,000; coolant system repairs at $900 per occurrence
Catalyst converter failure
Both catalyst converters failed simultaneously, causing vehicle to fail emissions testing. Permanent diagnostic code stored. Owner states VIN did not match the U67 catalyst emission recall despite matching vehicle description, trim, make, and model. Owner believes recall should have been expanded to 3.6L engines.
When: Within one year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle failed Georgia emissions test; Permanent diagnostic code
Codes mentioned: Catalyst converter failure
Repairs/costs cited: Dual catalyst converter failure; owner also reports prior transmission rebuild and caliber issues
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: U67 catalyst emission recall applied to some vehicles but not this VIN, despite matching criteria
Oil filter cartridge assembly failure
Oil filter cartridge assembly broke apart during removal, ejecting a spring and broken plastic pieces. Occurred around 50,000 miles. Owner notes this appears to be a common problem that was later addressed on newer vehicles.
When: Around 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Spring and broken plastic pieces ejected from oil filter assembly during removal
Repairs/costs cited: Covered under Dodge certified used car warranty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Part design updated on new vehicles after this issue was identified
No-start and electrical issues
Vehicle fails to start or loses all power. In some cases, accompanied by loss of headlights and brake lights. Vehicle may not shift into gear. Occurs early in ownership and recurs despite multiple dealership visits and part replacements including battery and alternator.
When: First failure 2 months after purchase; recurrence around 6 months later and beyond
Symptoms owners cite: No power at all; Vehicle will not start; Loss of headlights and brake lights; Inability to shift into gear
Repairs/costs cited: New battery installed; new alternator installed; multiple dealership visits with no resolution after one month in service
Telematics and electrical module failure
Touchscreen stopped working and dashboard display showed text in German. After dealer replaced telematics gateway control module, several relays, and battery, vehicle began experiencing recurrent stalling—a new failure that did not occur before the repair. Dealer unable to reproduce stalling issue during diagnostic testing.
When: Stalling began after repair; original module failure timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Touchscreen inoperative; Dash display in German; Engine stalls at highway and city speeds after repair; Accessories remain energized during stall
Repairs/costs cited: Telematics gateway control module replaced; several relays replaced; battery replaced; stalling issue unresolved after repair
Defective wiring harness near cylinder head
Wiring harness shaft near cylinder head found defective at dealership inspection. Vehicle hesitates during acceleration from stops and illuminates check engine light early in ownership.
When: At 15,000 miles (failure mileage), current mileage 17,383
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated upon starting; Hesitation during acceleration from stops
Repairs/costs cited: Defective wiring harness identified but vehicle not repaired per complaint record
Engine compartment noise
Abnormal noise coming from engine compartment while vehicle parked. No diagnosis or repair performed at dealership.
When: At 89,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal noise from engine compartment
Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired
Heater system malfunction
Driver-side heat blows hot while passenger-side blows cold. Issue persists even after vehicle has been running 15+ minutes. Dealer cited heater core plugged and needing replacement.
When: During normal operation after warm-up period
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger-side heat cold while driver-side hot; Cold air from passenger side even after 15+ minutes of driving
Repairs/costs cited: Heater core replacement quoted at over $1,000
Synthesized from 22 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
No heat on passenger side of vehicle dealer states heater core plugged needs replacing at over $1000.
My 2011 Dodge journey on the driver side heat blows hot on the passage side it blows code. This happen when driving or when it's started to warm up the passage side it blows cold even when the car has been driven from 15 minutes.
Had engine trouble with your 2011 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 2011 Dodge Journey?
It's a meaningful issue. 22 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 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 65,000 and 117,000 miles, with the median around 90,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 65,000; a quarter make it past 117,000. 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/2011/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.