2015 Dodge Journey Engine Problems

138 owners have reported engine & cooling problems with the 2015 Dodge Journey to NHTSA — 25% of all 554 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 59,000 miles. That ranks #3 of 12 Journey model years for engine complaints (a typical year has 77). One related recall has been issued.

138complaints
59ktypical miles
1related recalls
3crashes
1fires
2injuries

Which parts fail

  • Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
    1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    2128%
  • 25k–50k
    1115%
  • 50k–75k
    1621%
  • 75k–100k
    1723%
  • 100k–150k
    79%
  • 150k+
    34%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Dodge Journey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the engine started to misfire and the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to O'Reilly Auto Parts where it was diagnosed that the number three cylinder had a bad coil and needed to be replaced. The coil was replaced but the failure recurred. The engine warning light illuminated again. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the number three-cylinder coil cracked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided case number 83819460. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. The consumer stated the extended warranty for the cracks in the cylinder applies to the right side and not the left side of the cylinder. …

50,000 miles · Aug 2022

The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving at unknown speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, the instrument panel flashed, and the vehicle turned off. The contact stated that the vehicle restarted approximately 15 minutes later and was taken to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the flash software, power train control module, anti-lock brake system, wiring three-way, crankshaft position, and sensor battery were replaced. The contact received notification of the Emissions Recall U67 for the Catalytic Converter Efficiency, however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. …

100,000 miles · Feb 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that there was an abnormally strong exhaust odor coming from the vehicle. While attempting to accelerate, the vehicle was hesitating and experiencing a loss of motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the catalytic convertor had failed and needed to be repaired. While having the vehicle inspected, the vehicle received another diagnostic test and the contact was informed of the failure related to Customer Satisfaction Campaign Number: U67 with NHTSA Campaign Number: 10230438 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Unknown or Other, Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 209,000.

209,000 miles · Sep 2024

The contact owned a 2015 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, she observed a burning odor and the vehicle then stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road where she observed smoke and flames from the engine compartment. An unknown driver stopped and used an extinguisher to extinguish the fire but the flames grew too large. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. There were no other damages. The vehicle was towed to a lot where it was deemed inoperable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

160,000 miles · Jul 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the "Service Engine" warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that cylinder #6 had experienced a misfire. Additionally, the engine had experienced low compression and cylinder head damage. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 85,000.

85,000 miles · Jun 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was overheating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the thermostat was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated and the transmission slipped, almost causing the contact to crash into another vehicle. The contact engaged the parking brake and the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was then towed to a transmission specialist where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the check engine warning light illuminated while driving. …

100,000 miles · Oct 2021

Vehicle has P0740 code of which is a recall on the transmission pump. The recall is S 44 however my vin does not apply even though it's the same make,model,year, engine and drivetrain as the recall. Please include my Vin number in the recall because the vehicle stalls/ hesitate when the gas pedal is applied and the transmission is trying to downshift when speeding up to change lanes. The situation is dangerous because the driver can lose control of the vehicle when planning to execute and not get a response from the vehicle when accelerating or changing lanes. The problem is more of a 2 to 3 second hiccup and the vehicle seems confused. Include this vehicle and my Vin number in the S 44 recall of which my dealership has stated it should've been included with the rest of the 2015 and 2016 caravan, dodge journey recalls. …

Oct 2024

I noticed that my heater hose looked like it had some crusted coolant around the Tee joint. I looked closer and realized that the Tee joint appeared to be cracked on both bottom left and right side of the joint. I literally just grabbed it and it fell apart. I started to do my research and this happend to be a common problem that owners of dodge journeys are having because the factory Tee joint is made of plastic and is not made to with stand the heat. I went to an Auto Parts store and was informed that this part has not been released for aftermarket sale. So I called the dodge dealership and was told that I can not just buy the Tee joint. I have to buy the entire assembly with is around $200. I researched how much it would cost for part and labor if I didn't change it my self and that would cost $600. …

Aug 2021

On/about [redacted] I was driving from St. Petersburg, Florida to Winter Park, Florida. I was eastbound on [redacted]. The traffic was heavy and therefore slow. As I was proceeding at about 35 mph, the engine suddenly died. The vehicle became difficult to steer and the brakes felt abnormally difficult to apply. I was able to coast to the small space that separated the inside lane from the divider separating the eastbound lanes from the westbound lanes. After coming to a stop, I put the car in park. I then tried to restart the vehicle. The vehicle started normally and I resumed my travel. My safety and the safety of other drivers was put at risk by the sudden stopping of the engine in the middle of traffic. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. …

Mar 2024

After buying used 2015 Dodge journey driving home from work at busy rush hour traffic my car just stopped with loss of brakes and steering was nearly rear ended was so nervous by this car started since then it keeps doing it but now check engine light is on I'm going thru divorce and he is incarcerated so I don't have a ton of money dealer wants be to pay I have since researched this online and find this to be a repeated over and over again problem this is the first Dodge vehicle I've owned and will be the last I do not feel safe driving this vehicle at all and I don't feel safe with the with Dodge if they're not going to stand behind their product I see that there was problems with that they took care of before the year 2015 but not since although it's the same problem I'm sick of being taken by these large corporations that just getting bigger and bigger on their greed while I …

Jun 2024

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.

NHTSA investigations

Stall from Crankshaft\Camshaft Failure

NHTSA investigation RQ22002 · opened 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.

Engine complaints in other Journey years

20082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920201962043410577103138122453399
Engine complaints per model year, Dodge Journey.

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2015 Dodge Journey?

NHTSA has 138 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2015 Dodge Journey, 25% of the model year's 554 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor (1 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2015 Dodge Journey engine problems?

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

At what mileage do 2015 Dodge Journey engine problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 2 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.