Dodge Journey engine problems, 2016–2020
219 of the 985 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Dodge Journey 2016–2020 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2016 (123), 2017 (45), 2018 (33). Filed under the same heading across these years: 4 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall campaign, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Dodge Journey engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 9 | 14% | — | 20 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 9 | 9% | — | 27 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 | 33 | 14% | 20k | 28 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 | 45 | 23% | 50k | 30 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 in depth | 123 | 32% | 67k | 36 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigation | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 7 · 2017: 9 · 2018: 14 · 2019: 48 · 2020: 33 · 2021: 18 · 2022: 13 · 2023: 23 · 2024: 20 · 2025: 28 · 2026: 6
Across the model years, half of the 130 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 30,000 and 82,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Wife was backing out of driveway and engine stopped / stalled as she entered the road and started to turn while backing. Radio and electrical systems were working. Had to push starter button to off so I could start it again.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. While driving 70 MPH on the expressway, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle on the first attempt; however, the failure recurred twice.
This is a continuation of 11243797. For background, the 2017 doge Journey has been stalling intermittently starting at 23,000 miles most of the time not throwing a code. The dealership couldn't recreate the problem and without a code could not fix without a code.
Engine light appeared on the dash and I immediately noticed that the car was hesitating and felt as it was losing power while accelerating. I then took it into an auto repair shop and was informed that my catalytic converter needed to be replaced and was over $800 in repairs.
My 2018 dodge journey shutdown when driving. There is recalls for this but not for my dodge journey. This is unsafe. The manufacturer should pay for it to be fixed. I have read so many store on all makes of dodge journeys they all have same problem but only certain ones are being recalled
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 16V907000 HighDec 16, 2016 · 42,231 vehicles
- 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.
NHTSA investigation
- RQ22002 Stall from Crankshaft\Camshaft Failureopened Jul 22, 2022 · closed Jun 16, 2025
- On December 13, 2016, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received recall 16V-907 from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) that identified a safety defect involving crankshaft or camshaft sensor failures on certain 2016 Model Year Dodge Journey, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Patriot vehicles. The failure of the crankshaft or camshaft sensor may lead to a loss of motive power (LOMP) in …
4 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Jun 25, 2026
- Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must exhibit/set one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): ● P0420 - Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1. ● P0430 - Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 2. Customers may also comment on the following: ● Vehicle fails e
- Jun 18, 2026
- Emissions Recall U67 - Catalytic Converter Efficiency - Dealer Notification (Revision 11)
- Oct 21, 2025
- Engine Oil Leak
- Mar 20, 2025
- STARTER - ENGINE
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Dodge Journey
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Dodge Journey problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Dodge Journey years have the most engine complaints?
2016, 123; 2017, 45; 2018, 33. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2016 (32%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the Dodge Journey?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 16V907000 (2016). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the Dodge Journey?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 60,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 30,000 and 82,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.