Is the 2016 Dodge Journey a bad year?
389 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 122, 3.7× a quiet Journey year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 37k–95k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 Journey owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 66,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 122 (31%) | 37k–95k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 87 (22%) | 34k–84k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 85 (22%) | 36k–82k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Seats | 36 (9%) | 46k–95k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 33 (8%) | 27k–78k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 26 (7%) | 35k–80k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 18 (5%) | 30k–71k miles · around this mileage | — |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 54 (14%) | 20k–58k miles · mostly behind | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Steering | 34 (9%) | 15k–61k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 13 (3%) | 21k–64k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 9 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 66,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 389 complaints: 19 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 10 report an injury · 28 say the car was towed.
23 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Vehicle stalls randomly. Mostly at low speeds or slowing down.
2016 Dodge journey power shuts off while driving on a city street. Replaced once already and same code came up: crankshaft.
Vehicle was in reverse. As soon as the gas was pressed the engine stalled out. We were pulling out from a parking spot when it happened.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 66,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2016 Dodge Journey: 4
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… If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
The crankshaft or camshaft sensor may only work intermittently, causing the engine to stall. If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
The transmission pump may seize causing a loss of hydraulic pressure. If the transmission loses hydraulic pressure, the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
After exposure to cold temperatures, the power steering return hose may rupture at engine start-up causing a loss of power steering assist. A loss of power steering assist may require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 101
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 Dodge Journey. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
AMERICA Catalytic Converter Efficiency Z98 SYMPTOM DESCRIPTION About 68,312 of the above vehicles may exceed emission standards for Oxides of Nitrogen…
Suspected engine coolant leak
WiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA)
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Vehicle entrapment
Stall from Crankshaft\Camshaft Failure
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Neighbouring years
2015 Journey: 554 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2017 Journey: 202 complaints, keep it.
Every Dodge Journey year
2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · All Journey years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2016 Dodge Journey a bad year?
389 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 122, 3.7× a quiet Journey year. At 66,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 37k–95k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Dodge Journey?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (122), transmission and drivetrain (87), electrical system (85), seats (36), speed control (33). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 37k–95k miles.
How many recalls does the 2016 Dodge Journey have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Speed control (NHTSA 18V-332), Engine (NHTSA 16V-907), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 16V-461), Steering (NHTSA 16V-273). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.