Owners report 34 complaints centered on critical steering and power loss failures in the 2016 Dodge Journey. The dominant issue is engine stalling during driving—at highway speeds, stop signs, or mid-turn—with complete loss of power steering and power braking. Electrical systems stay live (radio, lights, climate control), but the engine cuts out and the steering wheel locks or becomes immovable. Owners must put the vehicle in PARK and restart it to recover function. This has happened multiple times per day, sometimes within hours. Owners describe nearly crashing into oncoming traffic, rear-ending other vehicles, and being stuck in intersections with their families aboard.
Several owners report power steering fluid leaks or hoses that disconnect, causing steering resistance or total hardening of the wheel. Some cite crankshaft sensor or powertrain control module codes, though dealer replacements of sensors haven't resolved the stalling.
A smaller subset reports steering column locks, steering wheel vibration, unexpected lane jerking, and rear differential failure. One owner reports front seat and steering wheel moving independently.
Dealers consistently find no fault codes and return vehicles unrepaired. Owners note their vehicles fall outside NHTSA recall windows despite manufacturing only weeks before the recall start date. Multiple owners cite repair costs refused under warranty or recalled parts excluded because of build date. The pattern is troubling: undiagnosed critical failures combining total loss of engine, steering, and brake control at speed.
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalling with total loss of power steering and brakes
Engine shuts off without warning during driving, braking, or deceleration. Ignition button remains in RUN position and electrical components (radio, lights, AC) stay operational, but engine power is lost. Loss of power steering makes wheel extremely hard to turn; loss of power brake assist makes brakes difficult or impossible to engage. Vehicle must be put in PARK and restarted to regain function.
When: Occurs randomly while driving at highway speeds (60–75 mph), city streets, during turns, at red lights, and while decelerating. Some incidents happen within hours of each other or multiple times in a single day.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts out mid-drive with no warning lights beforehand; All power steering is lost; wheel locks or becomes extremely hard to turn; Braking becomes difficult or power assist fails completely; Electrical systems (radio, lights, climate control) remain on; Vehicle coasts and loses speed rapidly; Check Engine light may illuminate after stall; Vehicle restarts immediately after putting in PARK and pressing start button
Codes mentioned: Crankshaft Position Sensor failure (diagnosed by some dealers), Powertrain Control Module codes (cleared without fix in at least one case)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports crankshaft sensor replacement did not resolve the issue. Dealers in multiple cases found no fault codes and returned vehicle unrepaired. One owner reports engine crankshaft replacement offered but not covered under powertrain warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall S89 applies to some model years but owners report their VINs excluded due to manufacturing date cutoff (cars built weeks before recall start date). Dodge service case #29588743 opened but closed without resolution. Dealers state defect undetectable or no error code present.
Power steering hose failure and fluid leakage
Power steering fluid leaks from disconnected or failed hoses, causing steering resistance and eventual total loss of power steering functionality. Fluid may drain completely despite topping off. No warning light illuminates.
When: Occurs at mileage ranging from 36,000 to 147,000 miles. One case noted failure occurred after dealer performed lower control arm replacement on suspension.
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal popping sound from vehicle while running; Puddle of power steering fluid under vehicle; Loud whining noise from steering wheel, especially in reverse or when turning; Steering wheel becomes extremely stiff and resistant; Extra physical effort required to turn steering wheel; Power steering hoses disconnected or severely leaking
Repairs/costs cited: One owner refilled power steering fluid reservoir multiple times in one day; reservoir emptied again despite refill. Independent mechanic performed unknown repairs; failure recurred. No repairs completed in most cases reported.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One VIN confirmed not included in NHTSA Campaign 16V273000 (Steering). Manufacturer referred owner to NHTSA Hotline. Another case linked to same recall campaign but VIN excluded from recall eligibility.
Steering wheel lock or extreme stiffness while driving
Steering wheel becomes extremely difficult or impossible to turn, or locks completely without warning during operation. Occurs while turning left or right at low to moderate speeds.
When: Failure mileage ranges from 6,000 to 147,000 miles. Incidents occur while turning at intersections, during highway maneuvers, and at slow speeds (25–47 mph).
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel extremely stiff and resistant to turning, especially left turns; Complete steering wheel lock or seizure; Difficulty maneuvering vehicle safely; Hard steering combined with loss of power from other systems
Repairs/costs cited: One independent mechanic diagnosed power steering failure and performed repairs; failure recurred. Multiple dealers found vehicle not included in recall and offered no solution. Vehicle not repaired in most reported cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicles consistently found to be excluded from NHTSA Campaign 16V273000 (Steering) based on VIN. Manufacturers referred owners to dealers for diagnosis and repair at owner expense.
Steering column lock during normal operation
Steering column locks without warning while approaching traffic light or during normal driving. Accelerator pedal fails to respond when steering is locked. Vehicle requires restart to reset.
When: Occurs at low mileage (6,000 miles reported).
Symptoms owners cite: Steering column locks without warning; Accelerator pedal becomes unresponsive; Vehicle must be turned off and restarted to restore function
Codes mentioned: Powertrain Control Module code (cleared by dealer without diagnosis)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer cleared PCM code but provided no repair solution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no action taken. Dealer test drive could not duplicate failure.
Power loss and loss of control while braking or stopped
Vehicle loses all electrical power and engine control while braking, stopped at traffic light, or during deceleration. Lights, displays go blank; braking becomes impossible; steering becomes extremely difficult.
When: Occurs at low mileage in newer purchase (14,807 miles on vehicle purchased just days prior). Multiple incidents within hours of each other.
Symptoms owners cite: All electrical components go blank (no lights, no dashboard); Total loss of braking function; Steering becomes extremely difficult; Vehicle must be restarted multiple times within hours; Oil indicator light illuminates after restart; Hazard lights may start flashing
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired. Owner reports vehicle purchased with 400 miles, multiple failures before 15,000 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented in narrative.
Steering wheel vibration and instability
Steering wheel shakes uncontrollably during driving. Suspension becomes unstable. Noise from front driver side wheel suspension area.
When: Issue ongoing since purchase. Failure mileage approximately 60,000 miles for one case. Another case reports steering wheel shaking since purchase, accident occurred November 26, 2015.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel shakes uncontrollably; Suspension unstable during driving; Abnormal noise from front driver side wheel area; Braking becomes inaccurate; Loss of steering and braking capacity
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced lower control arm under manufacturer service campaign for suspension. Repair failed to resolve steering issues. Multiple return visits (3+) provided no remedy. Vehicle not successfully repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer service campaign for suspension issued; dealer performed control arm replacement without addressing root cause.
Unexpected vehicle jerking or lane deviation
Vehicle jerks or veers unexpectedly to one side without driver input, causing collision with fixed object or parked vehicle.
When: Occurs at low speed (12 mph, in roundabout) and during normal turning maneuvers.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle jerks suddenly to left or right without driver steering input; Vehicle veers off intended path; Loss of directional control
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented.
Power steering fluid loss and hose failure on cold start
Power steering fluid pours from bottom of vehicle immediately upon cold start, causing severe steering difficulty.
When: Occurs in very cold weather conditions.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering fluid rapidly drains from system on startup; Vehicle becomes very hard to steer; Power steering hose rupture or failure
Repairs/costs cited: Shop diagnosed power steering assist hose failure.
Multiple sensor failures and engine overheating
Multiple sensors fail rapidly after purchase, vehicle overheats, and engine stalls repeatedly.
When: Occurs within 2 weeks of purchase.
Symptoms owners cite: All sensors fail; Engine overheats; Vehicle stalls repeatedly while driving; Vehicle left stranded on roadside
Repairs/costs cited: Battery rewound. Vehicle left on roadside, towed by highway patrol.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner cites recalls claimed to be repaired but believes repairs were not actually completed.
Engine stalling with steering hose rupture and head gasket failure
Vehicle enters limp mode and stalls without warning. Engine stall causes steering hose to rupture. Head gasket subsequently fails.
When: Occurs during driving operation.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle enters limp mode with no warning; Loss of steering wheel and brake control upon stall; Engine stalls repeatedly; Steering hose ruptures from stall-related impact; Head gasket blows
Repairs/costs cited: Camshaft replaced but issue persists. Engine now stalling, steering hose burst, head gasket blown.
Rear differential and electric clutch assembly failure
Rear differential and electric clutch assembly fail at relatively low mileage, causing vehicle to pop during turning and acceleration.
When: Occurs at 36,385 miles, a single owner vehicle.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle pops during turning and accelerating; Feels like vehicle will delay in turning; Safety concern; vehicle feels unstable during maneuvers
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented. Owner notes this is a major component failure at low mileage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls for this issue at time of report.
Front seat and steering wheel independent movement
Front driver's seat moves up and down independently. Steering wheel moves up and down independently. Both occur without driver input.
When: Failure mileage unknown.
Symptoms owners cite: Driver seat moves up and down independently; Steering wheel moves up and down independently
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired by mechanic or dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware of failure.
Power steering wheel noise during low-speed steering
Whining noise occurs when steering wheel is turned left or right, particularly during parking maneuvers.
Symptoms owners cite: Whining noise when turning steering wheel left or right; Noise present during parking operations
Synthesized from 34 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.