2016 Dodge JOURNEY
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2016 Dodge JOURNEY has 609 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 503. The most common issue is engine problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: i had 2016 dodge journey bought from superstition dodge in mesa arizona. the engine shuts off by itself while braking and one time while driving. when engine shuts off the car looses power steering and brakes. this could cause fetal accident and may be death. i contacted dodge tempe arizona. i went . There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 7 fire reports filed.
609
Total Complaints
4
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
1.2x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ENGINE
122 complaints- • I HAD 2016 DODGE JOURNEY BOUGHT FROM SUPERSTITION DODGE IN MESA ARIZONA. THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF BY ITSELF WHILE BRAKING AND ONE TIME WHILE DRIVING. WHEN ENGINE SHUTS OFF THE CAR LOOSES POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THIS COULD CAUSE FETAL ACCIDENT AND MAY BE DEATH. I CONTACTED DODGE TEMPE ARIZONA. I WENT
- • VEHICLE STALLS RANDOMLY WHILE DECELLERATING, BRAKING, STOPPED OR DRIVING. ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS REMAIN OPERATIONAL (A/C. RADIO, GAUGES, ETC.) BUT BRAKING AND STEERING BECOME DIFFICULT. YOU MUST COME TO A STOP, PARK AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES NOW, TWICE TO MYSELF AND O
- • WHILE DRIVING MY BRAND NEW DODGE JOURNEY JUST PURCHASED ALMOST 2 MONTHS AGO, THE ENGINE STALLS OUT SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW, WITH THE LAST TIME BEING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY ALMOST CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES LOCK AND CAR JUST C
“I HAD 2016 DODGE JOURNEY BOUGHT FROM SUPERSTITION DODGE IN MESA ARIZONA. THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF BY ITSELF WHILE BRAKING AND ONE TIME WHILE DRIVING. WHEN ENGINE SHUTS OFF THE CAR LOOSES POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THIS COULD CAUSE FETAL ACCIDENT AND MAY BE DEATH. I CONTACTED DODGE TEMPE ARIZONA. I WENT ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2016 Dodge JOURNEY
Based on 379 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 55K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.
BRAKES
STEERING
FUEL SYSTEM
SUSPENSION
LIGHTING
OTHER
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (4)
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.
Charging Cost Calculator for 2016 Dodge JOURNEY
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Dodge JOURNEY
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Dodge New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Dodge. If you're buying a used 2016 JOURNEY, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Dodge dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
EV Incentives for 2016 Dodge JOURNEY
Updated 2026-07Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30
Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.
State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)
Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 609 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: I HAD 2016 DODGE JOURNEY BOUGHT FROM SUPERSTITION DODGE IN MESA ARIZONA. THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF BY ITSELF WHILE BRAKING AND ONE TIME WHILE DRIVING. WHEN ENGINE SHUTS OFF THE CAR LOOSES POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THIS COULD CAUSE FETAL ACCIDENT AND MAY BE DEATH. I CONTACTED DODGE TEMPE ARIZONA. I WENT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE JOURNEY. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT ,THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF TO RESET THE COMPUTER. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: HEADLIGHTS FLICKER WHILE DRIVING. HAS BEEN TAKEN IN AT LEAST 3 TIMES DEALERSHIP NOT ABLE TO PINPOINT ISSUE. CAR HAD ALL LIGHTS COME ON IN DASH AND HEADLIGHTS STROBED, THEN CAR LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING, WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN ON HAZARDS AS CAR HAD NO POWER, CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. SCREEN IN CAR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: WE WERE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND THE BACK HATCH BACK OPENED EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE LOCKS WERE ENGAGED AND LOCKED SHUT. THE DOOR LOCKS WERE ENGAGED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT, NO AUDIBLE ALARM-NOT A WARNING OF ANY KIND. AT THAT POINT, WE HAD NOT IDEA THE HATCH BACK WAS OPENED, AND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Dodge dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Dodge JOURNEY — Year Comparison
How does 2016 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 609
- Recalls
- 4
- Fire reports
- 7
- Crash reports
- 21
- Injury reports
- 11
- Segment avg
- 503
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2016 Dodge JOURNEY