2014 Dodge Journey Engine Problems

103 owners have reported engine & cooling problems with the 2014 Dodge Journey to NHTSA — 25% of all 416 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 56,000 miles. That ranks #6 of 12 Journey model years for engine complaints (a typical year has 77). One related recall has been issued.

103complaints
56ktypical miles
1related recalls
2crashes
4fires
3injuries

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1932%
  • 25k–50k
    813%
  • 50k–75k
    1220%
  • 75k–100k
    610%
  • 100k–150k
    915%
  • 150k+
    610%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Dodge Journey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact's daughter owned a 2014 Dodge Journey. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign: 15V431000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, parts were not available. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, black smoke was seen coming from under the hood, and the engine caught on fire. The driver was able to successfully exit the vehicle. No warning lights illuminated. The local fire department arrived on the scene to extinguish the fire. A police report was not filed. The source of the fire was deemed recall-related. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location and was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. No injuries or medical attention were sought. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.

230,000 miles · Jan 2026 · fire

The contact's son owns a 2014 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact then stated that on numerous occasions after the vehicle stalled, the vehicle needed to be jumpstarted each time after turning off the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that he was unable to turn off the headlamps and the key fob failed to operate as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that water prevented the fuel from entering the fuel pump and the fuel injector and an unknown engine component needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. …

110,000 miles · Jan 2023

The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at speeds over 35 MPH, the vehicle began to shake violently, and the temperature gauge was in the red. The contact also stated that on one occasion while the vehicle was turned off, the vehicle did not start. Additionally, the contact stated that the front passenger's side door could not be opened from the outside. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

111,000 miles · Jul 2020

The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the failure recurred two days later. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to a different dealer where the failure was undetermined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 151,978.

152,000 miles · Mar 2022

Just before my warranty was up I got a check engine light and the car started running really rough almost like it was gonna die when I came to a stop. I called the dealership and they told me they would try to get me in at the next availability. With the end of my warranty closely approaching I told them this wasn't an option. They finally got my car in after I made a few demanding phone calls to the right people and come to find out that somehow some hardware in my engine came loose and it was causing very abnormal wear on my lifters and so they "fixed" the problem. Fast forward a few months and now I've been having an annoying ticking noise coming from my engine. I tried using Seafoam, nada. I tried using Lucas High Mileage additive, no dice. …

Oct 2019

My complaint is I just had an oil change which I have done every 3000 miles since I own this car. I took car in December 9th for an oil change and after, the car started leaking oil all over. I took it back to Richlonn's Service which indicated that the cooler/oil filter housing was cracked, it cost me $1,382.93 to repair. The cooler/filter housing is located above exhaust manifold which had to be removed to replace, I think this is a fire hazard, not only that, I found out, Chrysler has had problems with these plastic housings, over the years Did they withhold information from the NHTSA.? If you check Amazon just look at the number of people that had to replace these units. I'm [redacted], driving [redacted] years all the cars that I owned I never heard of a oil housing cracking. …

Jan 2025

When trying to start the car in the past every now in then I would get a one click and no start I tried to shift into neutral and nothing the same , I played with the button by turning g off and back on a few time and it would start and it started to get harder to get it to start and now it will only click and no start , I replaced the battery and starter was checked out and is good all battery ends are new and new battery cables , I know Google is no auto mechanic but the post I have read there is a lot of dodge journeys that has this issue when I called dodge I was told to bring it in and I will be charged , also about every 4th time I hit the door locks from the door as soon as the door shuts the horn beeps 3 times and all the doors unlock , need help please from what I am understanding it's something to do with the anti theft or the neutral safety switch inside the transmission ,

Apr 2024

I bought this car used but it only had 26340 on it and now it is almost to 30000. When driving it sounds as though the motor is knocking, but the oil is fine when checked on. It seems to have difficulty changing gears, sometimes way to fast and it whines other times it struggles to shift gears. Rpms are not steady they are bouncing around high love. When it does get to speed it feels as though the brakes are being appflied. At times the motorwhines because, the gear is to low it starts to get loud and become very hesitant when shifting to the higher gears. Sometimes it feels like the motor or something is going to come offf. There is a bunch of rattling going on . When I do park and turn it off, shortly after it sounds as if there is something running around inside the motor area. I was told it runs great and haven't even put 3000 miles on it. I think it's going to blow up or just die

Mar 2023

Last year on or about June 17, my transmission gave out completely on me while driving up hill on a 2way road. My vehicle is available for inspection, but the transmission has already been replaced with a used transmission. This event put my life and others at risk because my car completely stopped working on an incline with no indication it was going to give out. My father was actually imjured in his attempt to help me stop the car from rolling backwards. The day it happened I took my car to be assessed at our local Dodge dealership, and had it repaired by an independent contractor. As mentioned before there were no warning signs that it was going to fail. No signs of overheating and/or weird noises.

Jun 2021 · 1 injury

After getting oil changed/air filter replaced and 4 new tires, vehicle has stalled out every day since while running (less than week) it is now stalling out while driving!! Happened while I was driving on the highway. EXTREMELY dangerous. Car usually will restart. But 95% of the time it continuously sounds like it's trying to turn over until I push the ignition button to turn off. I am currently stuck on the side of the road for about a half hour because it won't start back up. I have had this car less than a year!

Jun 2021

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling › Engine

NHTSA recall 15V-431 · Jul 7, 2015 · 145,379 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 19, 2010, to May 26, 2015 and equipped with 2.4L engines. In the affected vehicles, the engine cover may detach from the engine and contact the exhaust manifold.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install an improved mounting system for the engine cover, free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2015.

Engine complaints in other Journey years

20082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920201962043410577103138122453399
Engine complaints per model year, Dodge Journey.

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2014 Dodge Journey?

NHTSA has 103 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2014 Dodge Journey, 25% of the model year's 416 complaints.

Is there a recall for 2014 Dodge Journey engine problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-431 (engine, Jul 7, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2014 Dodge Journey engine problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 2 crashes, 4 fires and 3 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.