2016 Dodge Journey transmission and drivetrain problems
87 of the 388 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Dodge Journey name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 32 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database4 of the 87 reports a crash · 2 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 2 · 2017: 10 · 2018: 7 · 2019: 13 · 2020: 12 · 2021: 11 · 2022: 10 · 2023: 7 · 2024: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2026: 6
Half of the 48 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 35,000 and 84,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
388 complaints in all about the 2016 Dodge Journey, 6 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Dodge Journey transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. While driving at unknown speeds, the accelerator pedal was applied, but the vehicle failed to move. The vehicle was taken twice to the local dealer (fury motors, 1000 concord st south, saint paul, mn 55075) where it was diagnosed each time that the differential axle needed to be replaced.
I was driving the vehicle and it just loss power. Luckily there were no cars behind me. The car will turn on but won't drive. Had it towed to shop and found out transmission was gone. I just purchased vehicle in oct 2016, how can transmission be gone. Warranty just expired 3000 ago.
Vehicle downshifts hard in slow traffic. Vehicle then proceeds to turn off but engine will not stop until you put foot on brake put vehicle in park and push engine button. The dealership resets code and runs good for about 200 to 400 miles and happens again. Been back to dealership three times.
The truck has always shifted hard since I purchased it january 2016 but I figured it would just work its way out since it was brand new. Friday july 21st 2017 I was driving and started hearing a very loud grinding type of noise coming from the engine and I was just trying to make it home asap.
While driving the car, the transmission jerks and it seems that the computer telling the transmission when to shift gears is slow and not properly functioning. It's happening frequently, especially when slowing down, coming to a complete stop or starting to drive from a complete stop.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 16V461000 HighJun 24, 2016 · 26,298 vehicles
- 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.
32 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2016 Dodge Journey names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2016 Dodge Journey
Source: the same files- engine problems 123 complaints
- electrical problems 85 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2016 Dodge Journey?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 87 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (22% of everything owners filed about it), and 32 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the 2016 Dodge Journey?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 16V461000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2016 Dodge Journey?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 66,000 miles; half of them between 35,000 and 84,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.