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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Dodge Journey powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Dodge Journey have filed 82 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 66,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
82
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Journey | 32 |
| 2013 Journey | 28 |
| 2014 Journey | 31 |
| 2015 Journey | 69 |
| 2016 Journey (this page) | 82 |
| 2017 Journey | 28 |
| 2018 Journey | 16 |
| 2019 Journey | 6 |
| 2020 Journey | 3 |
4crashes
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 82 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 Dodge Journey, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 82 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 12 model years of Dodge Journey in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Remanufactured Transmission Assembly 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles: a) If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) must be replaced as they are one-time usage. b) Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. c) Vehicles built on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. Only use the reman 62TE specified in StarParts for each model year - Only use R8210327A$ for 2014 - Feb 28, 2019 VF. - Only use R8453637
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Powertrain Diagnostic And System Enhancements
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Remanufactured Transmission Assembly 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles: a) If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) must be replaced as they are one-time usage. b) Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. c) Vehicles built on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. Only use the reman 62TE specified in StarParts for each model year - Only use R8210327A$ for 2014 - 2018 VF. - Only use R8453637A$ for 2
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Remanufactured Transmission Assembly 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles: a) If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) must be replaced as they are one-time usage. b) Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. c) Vehicles built on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. Only use the reman 62TE specified in StarParts for each model year - Only use R8210327A$ for 2014 - 2018 VF. - Only use R8453637A$ for 2
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
2016 Dodge Journey owners report a cluster of powertrain failures centered on transmission and sensor issues. The most common complaint involves transmission pump failure, often occurring between 40,000 and 130,000 miles. When the pump fails, owners lose hydraulic pressure; the transmission slips or fails to engage, sometimes leaving the vehicle stuck in neutral or unable to move. Many report whining noises before failure, followed by check engine lights and complete loss of power while driving. Several owners cite recall S44 (NHTSA 16V461000) for transmission pump issues, but claim their VINs fall outside the recall window despite matching the recall's symptoms, dates, and vehicle specifications.
Sensor failures also appear repeatedly. Camshaft position sensor (P0365) and crankshaft position sensor faults cause rough idle, stalling, and failure to start. One owner's bad sensor led to bent engine valves from timing issues. Others report gear-shift problems—the transmission shifting into neutral on its own, refusing to engage reverse, or failing to upshift properly. A smaller subset describes electrical issues: fuses blowing, intermittent brake/ABS/traction control lights, and loss of power steering during driving. Some owners replaced wheel speed sensors and bearings without lasting resolution. Several note that dealerships have offered no assistance because their VINs don't match existing recalls, and warranty coverage expires shortly before failure occurs.
Same Dodge Journey powertrain reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission pump failure and hydraulic pressure loss
The transmission pump fails, resulting in loss of hydraulic pressure. The transmission cannot engage gears or shifts erratically. Vehicle may become stuck in neutral or unable to move forward, even though the engine runs.
When: 40,000–143,000 miles; commonly 50,000–90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Whining noise from transmission; Vehicle loss of power while driving; Transmission slips or fails to engage gears; Vehicle stuck in neutral or unable to move; Check engine light illuminated; Grinding noises; Jerking or hesitation during acceleration; Inability to reverse
Codes mentioned: P0944 (Loss of Hydraulic Pump Prime)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission pump replacement or full transmission replacement ($4,000–$5,000+ reported by owners). One owner replaced transmission three times in under a year.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall S44 / NHTSA Campaign 16V461000 for 2016 Dodge Journey transmission pump failure, but many owners report their VINs excluded despite matching symptoms and manufacture dates (August 17, 2015 to January 29, 2016).
Camshaft position sensor (P0365) fault
Camshaft position sensor fails or becomes intermittent, causing loss of fuel injection timing. Engine stalls, refuses to start, runs rough, and loses power steering and brake assist.
When: Unknown mileage in complaints; one owner experienced failure after initial battery replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalling while driving; Rough idle; Failure to start or hard start; Check engine light (P0365 code); Lightning bolt (electronic throttle) warning; Loss of power steering; Stiff brake pedal; Engine jerking
Codes mentioned: P0365 (Camshaft Position Sensor B Circuit)
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body cleaning; camshaft sensor replacement implied but one owner reported bent engine valves from timing issues before replacement was possible.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall exists for some 2016 Dodge Journey camshaft sensors; owners report VINs excluded from recall despite matching symptoms. FCA reportedly states no coverage if VIN not in recall range.
Crankshaft position sensor failure / engine stalling
Crankshaft position sensor fails, causing engine to stall without warning during driving. Vehicle may restart after shutdown and reset, but fault recurs. Related to recall S89 for 2016 Dodge Journey but many owners' VINs not included.
When: Varies; one owner at 68,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalling while driving at highway or city speeds; Check engine light on and off; Engine will not start or cranks but will not turn over fully; Engine cranks then stalls repeatedly
Codes mentioned: Crankshaft/crank sensor fault (specific code not always cited by owners)
Repairs/costs cited: Crankshaft or camshaft sensor replacement needed (owners do not cite specific repair costs).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall S89 for 2016 Dodge Journey manufactured May 9, 2016 to July 15, 2016; affected vehicles need camshaft or crankshaft sensor replacement. Many owners' VINs excluded despite matching manufacture date and symptoms.
Transmission shift quality / jerking / hard shifts
Transmission exhibits delayed or jerky shifts, clunking between gears (especially 2nd to 3rd), hard downshifts, and resistance when shifting from park. Check engine light may come on. Issue may persist or repeat despite dealership resets.
When: Present at purchase (2016 model year) through later mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Hard or jerky downshifts in slow traffic; Clunking or grinding noise between gear changes; Resistance or loud bang when shifting from park; Delayed upshift response; Engine light on during shift events; Transmission shift at 30–37 mph range followed by stall
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (code not always retrieved by owner)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership resets code; issue returns after 200–400 miles. No permanent repair cited in complaints.
Transmission failure to engage / neutral slip
Transmission independently shifts into neutral while driving or fails to engage reverse. Vehicle rolls backward at traffic lights despite being in drive.
When: 40,000–146,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shifts into neutral on its own; Failure to engage reverse gear; Vehicle rolls backward in drive gear at stop light; Check engine and/or fuel warning lights
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (specific codes not cited)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner required transmission rebuild (cost not specified). Another had to repeatedly shift from park to drive to re-engage.
Fuel pump / fuel sensor failure
Fuel sensor inside fuel pump fails after water exposure (heavy rain). Fuel gauge reads empty, speedometer fluctuates, and multiple warning lights (ABS, brake, traction control) illuminate. Fuel pump replaced but failure recurs within hours.
When: Days to hours after water exposure (54,000 miles on vehicle)
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel gauge reads empty; Speedometer reads erratically; ABS, brake, traction control lights come on; Vehicle stops on highway; Lights continue to come on while driving; Battery drained repeatedly
Codes mentioned: Multiple error codes (owner charged $135 per code by dealership; specific codes not listed)
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump replacement ($1,000+ implied by warranty claim context). Replaced twice in short period; issue persists despite repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership offered warranty replacement on second fuel pump; would not provide root cause diagnosis.
Electronic throttle / engine power loss under acceleration
Engine loses power under acceleration at highway or city speeds. Lightning bolt (electronic throttle) warning illuminates. Vehicle will not exceed 15–30 mph or loses all RPM response. Resets temporarily after engine shutdown.
When: Intermittent; one case at 82,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power during acceleration; Red lightning bolt (electronic throttle) warning; Engine limited to 1500–1800 RPM; Vehicle will not accelerate uphill; Traction control light on; Battery charging light on; Engine struggles to rev above set RPM
Codes mentioned: Electronic throttle body fault (P code not specified)
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body cleaned and tested; issue persisted. One owner's mechanic found bent engine valves from timing issues.
ABS/traction control sensor and electrical issues
ABS, traction control, and/or AWD service lights illuminate repeatedly. Vehicle jerks or jumps before acceleration. Grinding noises heard during acceleration. Issue recurs despite wheel speed sensor, bearing, and tire replacement. Diagnostic scanners show communication faults between ABS, TCM (transmission control module), and ECU.
When: Intermittent; persistent at 56,000–75,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: ABS light on constantly; Traction control light on; AWD service light on; Vehicle jerks or jumps before accelerating; Grinding noise during acceleration; Vehicle limited to 15 mph with grinding; Brake pedal pulsing (ABS activation); Cruise control inoperative
Codes mentioned: Wheel speed sensor faults, ABS module communication errors, Data line faults between modules
Repairs/costs cited: Wheel speed sensors replaced; ABS module may be faulty. Wiring and data communication lines suspected as culprit. No permanent fix reported in complaints.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 18V332000 (electrical system, vehicle speed control) applied to one vehicle; issue persisted after recall repair with burning odor and failures at various speeds.
Transmission failure (general)
Transmission fails completely, requiring full replacement. Failures occur with little to no warning. Vehicle stalls or loses motive power while driving.
When: 46,600–146,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Vehicle jerking or loss of acceleration; Vehicle stalls while driving; Grinding or abnormal noises; Vehicle will not move despite running engine; Whining noise
Codes mentioned: Transmission failure codes (specific codes not cited by most owners)
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement ($4,000–$5,000+ cost). One owner replaced transmission four times in under one year.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall S44 (16V461000) cited by owners but VINs excluded from recall coverage.
Driveshaft cracking
Driveshaft cracks in an abnormal way, requiring replacement. After repair, transmission jerking and acceleration issues persist or worsen.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Difficult acceleration when turning; Jerking when accelerating; Humming noise while turning; Issues persist or worsen after driveshaft repair
Repairs/costs cited: Driveshaft replacement cost $4,200 per owner; issue not resolved.
Differential / axle failure
Differential axle fails; vehicle will not move despite accelerator input. Failure recurs after repair.
When: 26,035 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator pedal depressed but vehicle will not move; Vehicle failure to move forward
Repairs/costs cited: Differential axle replacement required; failure recurred after first repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA case number 33323599 opened; no further assistance provided.
Transfer case noise
Abnormal noises heard from under the hood, diagnosed as transfer case issue. Not repaired per complaint narrative.
When: 59,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal noises underneath hood
Repairs/costs cited: Transfer case repair needed; vehicle not repaired.
Electrical fuse and climate control issues
Fuses blow when charging devices plugged into vehicle outlets. Air conditioning blows hot air when set to cool; defrost does not work in winter. Backup camera glitches when in reverse.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Fuses blow when charger plugged in; A/C blows hot air; Defrost inoperative; Backup camera goes black/glitches
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 18V332000 addressed one vehicle; issue persisted after repair.
Headlight flicker and transmission rebuild
Headlights flicker intermittently without warning, especially during acceleration from stop. After transmission rebuild for a faulty seal, headlight flickering continues.
When: 600 miles (initial failure)
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights flicker without warning; Vehicle fails to move during acceleration; Headlight flickering persists after transmission repair
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission rebuilt for faulty seal at 600 miles. Headlight issue unresolved.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; no resolution provided.
Synthesized from 82 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
i have been having problems with my 2016 dodge journey crossroads loss of propulsion while accelerating and a p0841 with a whine noise. Car was made 6 /2016 door vin says it was made.
Backing out of driveway in reverse and the transfer case twisted out of the vehicle, snapping hardware and breaking off aluminum casing also found lose hardware. Vehicle only has 65,000 miles on it. This occurred on level grade there was no inclines
Tl* the contact owns 2016 Dodge journey. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the gear shifter failed to change gears. Additionally, while accelerating there was abnormal winding noise detected. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to keffer Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (8214 e independence blvd, charlotte, nc 28227, (704) 532-1050) to be diagnosed.…
Takata recall, researching my car VIN 3 recalls flagged up and I have never been notified of the recalls my car has breaking issues the breaks work at times and not other times , the transmission will not change gear randomly and will lung forward when stopping lastly it pulls to the right so hard its hard to drive the car dealer said there is not issues with the car.
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2016 Dodge Journey?
It's a meaningful issue. 82 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 43 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 40,000 and 84,000 miles, with the median around 66,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 84,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.