The 2016 Dodge Journey carries 4 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering wiring and engine. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “ABS module failure with warning lights.” Dodge uses Stellantis' Oil Change Indicator — it watches engine load and duty cycle and messages when to change oil, capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months. Know your engine: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 goes 100,000 miles on plugs, while HEMI V8s carry sixteen plugs (two per cylinder) on a roughly 30,000-mile interval — that's a real cost difference at the service counter. HEMI models with MDS cylinder deactivation are especially sensitive to overdue oil.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Campaign #18V332000 · May 17, 2018
Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Campaign #16V907000 · Dec 16, 2016
Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Journey, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Patriot vehicles manufactured May 9, 2016, to July 15, 2016. The crankshaft or camshaft sensor may only work intermittently, causing the engine to stall.
Risk: If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft or camshaft sensor connector, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S89.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Campaign #16V461000 · Jun 24, 2016
Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured July 31, 2015, to April 18, 2016, 2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured August 17, 2015, to January 29, 2016, and 2016 RAM ProMaster vehicles manufactured August 15, 2016, to April 15, 2016. The transmission pump may seize causing a loss of hydraulic pressure.
Risk: If the transmission loses hydraulic pressure, the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission pump, free of charge. The recall began on August 18, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S44.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
Campaign #16V273000 · Jun 5, 2016
Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 31, 2007, to November 12, 2016. After exposure to cold temperatures, the power steering return hose may rupture at engine start-up causing a loss of power steering assist.
Risk: A loss of power steering assist may require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return hoses, steel tubes, and power steering oil cooler, free of charge. The recall began on May 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S08.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2016 Dodge Journey.
Vehicle entrapment
Action #EA24003 · opened Aug 1, 2024
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-008 on May 1, 2023 to investigate an incident involving a 2009 Dodge Journey alleging occupant entrapment during a vehicle fire that resulted in a fatality. During the investigation, ODI collected information from the manufact…
SERVICE BRAKES
9 NHTSA complaints · 2020-06 → 2026-05
“My abs, brake and traction light came on. I ran a code reader which indicated my abs module has failed”
“My abs module has malfunctioned so I lost anti lock brakes traction control and cruise control. The dealership has no parts and don't know when they can them”
“The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that the traction control warning light and the ABS warning light was illuminated”
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
21 NHTSA complaints · 2020-06 → 2026-05
“The air conditioner turns on by itself. When I turn it off it immediately turns itself back on. I have turned it off at least ten times repeatedly back to back and it continued to turn back on by itself”
“The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the doors continuously locked and unlocked, and the windows continuously rolled up and down unintendedly”
“Headlights keep flickering while driving and park on high beams and low beams”
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
6 NHTSA complaints · 2020-08 → 2024-08
“Driving home from work (about 10:45p on 7/22/2021), when, without warning, the ETC (electronic throttle control) and the Trac light came on. This led to an immediate lose of power with no ability to accelerate”
“The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and the RPM was between 2,500 - 3,500 RPM, the vehicle started decelerating”
BACK OVER PREVENTION
4 NHTSA complaints · 2024-03 → 2026-07
“The rearview camera of my Dodge Journey, without warning, displayed an inverted screen in place of the rearview image”
“The rear view camera has become unreliable. It sometimes flickers. It sometimes is upside down. It is sometimes gray. It works properly about 10% of the time”
“The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera image was completely black. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring”
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
24 NHTSA complaints · 2020-06 → 2025-07
“The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped for a traffic signal or stopped for traffic, the vehicle was stalling. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated”
“In regards to the recall S89 that has NOT been issued for my 2016 Dodge Journey - the crankshaft sensor has been replaced 3 times. While traveling on the highway, at highway speeds the vehicle will just die with little to no warning”
“I was traveling on the highway when the vehicle suddenly, without warning, stalled and stopped running. I was able to cruise until the vehicle completely stopped”
POWER TRAIN
35 NHTSA complaints · 2020-09 → 2026-04
“The car started making a whining noise as I was exiting the highway. Within 2 minutes, the check engine light came on. Shortly after that as I was turning right on the street to enter the parking lot, the car lost power and would not move forward”
“Transmission pump has failed at only 98,000 miles. I was stopped at a stop light and the vehicle would no longer move. I restarted it, and it allowed me to continue driving, but once I stopped again at a stop light it wouldn’t move”
“As I was driving 80 miles hour on interstate, I begin to hear a whining noise and pulled into rest area (thankfully). As I pull in, the car stops moving and will not go anywhere...not reverse or drive. At this time Engine light comes on. No early warning signs”
SEATS
37 NHTSA complaints · 2020-05 → 2026-06
“The passenger side active head restraint (AHR) burst open injuring the owner who was sitting in the passenger seat while the vehicle was moving. There was no rear end impact and there was no reason for the AHR to malfunction”
“While driving, the front passenger headrest just deployed and sprung forward, hitting my son in the back of the head”
“WHILE MY CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY AT MY HOUSE, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD REST RESTRAINT DEPLOYED WHEN NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE”
STEERING
5 NHTSA complaints · 2020-05 → 2026-02
“The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH and turning left, the steering wheel was extremely stiff. The contact stopped, exited the vehicle, opened the hood, and became aware that the power steering hoses were disconnected”
“The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-45 MPH and turning the steering wheel to the left or to the right, the steering wheel was resistant”
“WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR WHEN STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. IT WAS FRIGHTENING AND DANGEROUS. WE WERE FINALLY ABLE TO MUSCLE THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, DODGING TRAFFIC ALL THE WAY, AND STOP”
Note: NHTSA also opened 2 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Change when the indicator says so — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L: 0W-20. HEMI 5.7L: 5W-20 (0W-40 for 6.4L SRT). MDS-equipped HEMIs punish stretched oil intervals with lifter and cam wear.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate every 8,000 miles. Charger/Challenger R/T and Scat Pack: staggered-width setups can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect pads and rotors at every oil change. Heavy Durangos used for towing and hard-driven Chargers both run through rear pads faster than the front-pad-first rule of thumb suggests.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
HEMI 5.7L: sixteen plugs roughly every 30,000 miles — check your year's manual. Pentastar 3.6L (Charger/Challenger V6, Durango V6, Journey, Grand Caravan): 100,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Grand Caravan/Journey (62TE): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles in family duty. Charger/Challenger/Durango with the TorqueFlite 8-speed: no published normal interval, but specialists recommend service around 60,000-100,000 miles — sooner with towing.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
RWD Charger/Challenger and AWD Durango: replace rear diff fluid around 60,000 miles, sooner with towing or drag-strip duty. Limited-slip units need the friction-modifier additive.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$150–$195
Shop
~$105–$135
DIY
~$20–$50
Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.
Replace every 30,000 miles. HEMIs pull serious airflow — a clogged filter costs measurable power before it throws a code.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Inspect from 60,000 miles, replace on cracking or glazing. On the HEMI, a shredded belt can take the cooling drive with it mid-drive.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$195–$235
Shop
~$135–$165
DIY
~$20–$50
DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped (behind the glovebox on most models). Some earlier Journeys and Avengers shipped without one — check before buying a filter.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Stellantis OAT coolant is scheduled for 10 years / 150,000 miles; shops commonly refresh by 100,000. OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing chemistries gels the system.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Test annually after year 3. Big-audio Chargers and tow-package Durangos lean on the battery hard; weak batteries surface as gremlins in the electronics before they fail to crank.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$225–$390
Shop
~$160–$280
DIY
~$130–$250
Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
51 crashes 2010–2024
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
19
complaints mentioning a crash
4
complaints mentioning a fire
Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2016 Dodge Journey reflects Dodge's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.