STARTER - ENGINE
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Dodge Journey engine problems
moderate 53 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
53
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 53 engine complaints filed for the 2016 Dodge Journey, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 53 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.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 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.
Suspected engine coolant leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Water Quality When Mixed With Engine Coolant
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA). For any other MY review and follow instructions from the latest STAR Online S1809000007 available on Dealer Connect. Also, consider the following: 1) Remove OFA 2) Replace only the oil inlet O-ring and gaskets (seals kit in SOL above). 3) Re-install the OFA. For 2023MY and beyond use black O-ring. For 2022MY and prior use red O-ring. Note: When replacing OFA, it may be necessary to transfer the Oil Temp/Pressure Sensor from the old OFA to the new OFA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2016 Dodge Journey shows consistent complaints of unwarned engine stalling—the vehicle simply shuts off while driving at any speed, killing power steering and brakes. Owners describe restarting the vehicle and experiencing repeat failures, often intermittently, making diagnosis difficult. Crankshaft and camshaft sensor replacements occur repeatedly in the narratives, yet failures persist. Some owners report four crankshaft sensor replacements on the same vehicle.
Catalytic converter failure is also widespread, flagged by check engine code P0420. While NHTSA Campaign U67 addresses this, many owners report VIN exclusions—their identical-year vehicles fall outside the recall window. Similarly, NHTSA Campaign 16V907000 for engine and cooling should cover stalling issues, but VINs routinely don't match recall parameters, leaving owners to pay $2,900+ for sensor work out of pocket.
Overheating and cooling failures occur, including one engine fire at 132,000 miles. Engine noise (tapping, knocking) with metal shavings in oil indicates internal wear or defect requiring engine replacement. Plastic oil filter housings crack under heat, leaking onto the transmission and exhaust—a known issue with no recall, costing owners $500+ to repair with aftermarket aluminum housings. Transmission slipping and power loss also appear, some linked to transmission oil pump failure. The intermittent nature of these faults—especially stalling—often leaves mechanics unable to reproduce issues, frustrating owners and delaying diagnosis.
Same Dodge Journey engine reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalling without warning
Engine shuts off while driving at various speeds with no prior warning. Vehicle loses power steering and brakes when stalled. Restart possible but failure recurs intermittently. Occurs during acceleration, deceleration, braking, or steady driving.
When: Typically 20,000–105,000 miles; some early (as low as 2,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Abrupt engine shutdown during driving; Loss of power steering and brakes; Check engine light illumination after restart; Intermittent nature—difficult to reproduce for mechanics; Restart required by turning vehicle off and back on
Codes mentioned: P0420, P0018 (Camshaft/Crankshaft position sensor failure), Various codes not always retrievable
Repairs/costs cited: Crankshaft sensor replaced multiple times (up to four replacements cited in one case), camshaft sensor replaced, crank sensor harness plugs replaced, throttle body cleaned. Failures persist despite repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V907000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) addresses sensor issues; however, many affected VINs excluded from recall eligibility despite same year/make/model. Dodge Cares and dealerships cite VIN not matching recall parameters.
Catalytic converter failure
Catalytic converter fails prematurely, triggering check engine light. Owners report being denied coverage under recall when VIN falls outside prescribed range despite identical issues.
When: Approximately 30,000–99,000 miles; owners report issues within 2 years of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; P0420 diagnostic code; Engine performance degradation
Codes mentioned: P0420
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter replacement required. Cost not specified in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign U67 (Emissions Recall) covers affected vehicles; however, VIN exclusions leave owners outside recall window. Dodge Cares initially unhelpful; later acknowledged recall but excluded complaining owner's VIN.
Engine overheating and cooling system failure
Engine temperature spikes with 'Temperature High' messages displayed. Water pump, radiator, and cooling system require replacement. One vehicle caught fire due to overheating engine.
When: Approximately 132,000–220,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: 'Temperature High' warning message; Engine compartment fire (one case); Loss of power while driving; Overheating warning light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Water pump, radiator, and cooling system replacement needed. One vehicle deemed total loss and burned; emergency services extinguished fire.
Engine noise and compression loss
Abnormal loud tapping or knocking sounds from engine with vibration and stalling. Metal shavings found in engine oil. Low compression in cylinders requiring engine replacement or long block rebuild.
When: 80,000–170,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud tapping or knocking from engine; Abnormal vibration; Hesitation upon acceleration; Metal shavings in oil; Low compression in cylinders (cylinder #2 cited)
Repairs/costs cited: Metal shavings in oil; cylinder head replacement, long block replacement, or full engine replacement required. Costs not cited in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no assistance provided. Vehicles outside warranty.
Plastic oil filter housing cracking and oil leaks
Plastic oil filter housing located in engine valley between cylinder heads cracks due to heat and poor design. Hot oil pools and leaks from housing, spilling onto transmission, exhaust, and wheels. Fire hazard and potential crash risk.
When: Unknown mileage; described as well-known issue
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaks into engine valley and pools; Oil spills onto transmission and exhaust; Oil on driver-side wheels; Fire hazard; Aftermarket aluminum housings available as fix
Repairs/costs cited: No recall issued. Aftermarket aluminum housings available. Owners cite $500+ repair cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall; consumers bear cost
Transmission slipping and power loss
Transmission fails to shift properly or slips between gears. Vehicle loses motive power when attempting to accelerate or surge. Transmission fluid leaking (oil pump issue cited).
When: 30,000–71,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Violent gear changes; Loss of acceleration/motive power; Transmission slipping between 2nd and 3rd gear; Hesitation on acceleration from stop; Service engine light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement or repair required. Transmission oil pump failure cited in one narrative. Costs not specified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V461000 cited but VIN exclusions noted. Missed safety recall for transmission oil pump mentioned.
Ignition coil and misfire issues
Ignition coils fail requiring replacement. Vehicle misfires after coil replacement, suggesting deeper ignition or fuel system problem.
When: 117,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine misfire after ignition coil replacement; Check engine light illumination; Failure to start on several occasions
Repairs/costs cited: Ignition coils replaced by independent mechanic; misfire persisted. Cylinder head found defective and required replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer confirmed no warranty or recall coverage
Camshaft/crankshaft sensor wiring defect
Wiring harness or connector for camshaft/crankshaft sensors fails, causing intermittent stalling. One owner reported mechanic found shortage in wire from cam to ECM sensor.
When: 42,000 miles and higher
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalling; Check engine light; Vehicle feels like stick shift; Electrical shortage in sensor wiring
Codes mentioned: P0018
Repairs/costs cited: Crank sensor harness plugs replacement. Wiring repair may be needed but not specified in costs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall S89 mentioned by one owner (camshaft-related) but unclear if applied to complainant's VIN
Synthesized from 53 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
When I first start the vehicle it makes a loud whine noise for about 2 to 5 min. Then seems to go away. If the vehicle sits for 3 to 4 hours it will do the same noise again. Dealer told me that all the six cylinders make that noise and it's normal. Have never owned a vehicle that makes a whine noise where something wasn't wrong especially at around 6000 miles on the vehicle. The vehicle was…
Engine oil filter housing made of cheap plastic. Sitting under the intake in the V part of the engine between the cylinder heads. PLASTIC housing with hot oil trapped in the middle of the engine. Dries out the seals and causes housing to crack. Well known issue, all aftermarket housings are made of aluminum because of this. Due to location oil leaks into that V area and pools continuously.…
Had engine trouble with your 2016 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 2016 Dodge Journey?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 53 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 37 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 44,000 and 99,000 miles, with the median around 70,635. A quarter of owners report trouble before 44,000; a quarter make it past 99,000. 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/2016/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.