Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Dodge Journey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle failed to start. Due to the failure, the contact was forced to jumpstart the vehicle. There were several messages displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the messages disappeared while driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on several occasions for the same failure. The contact stated that the battery, alternator, starter motor, and various other parts were replaced; however, the failure persisted. Recently, the contact stated that upon attempting to unlock the door with the key fob, the vehicle failed to unlock, and there was no power from the vehicle. The contact used the key to manually unlock the door, and the alarm system sounded off. Due to the key fob failing to operate as needed, the contact was unable to disengage the alarm. …
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle hesitated upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. The vehicle entered LIMP Mode with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact initially took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a shift solenoid defect related to the engine control module (ECM). The contact took the vehicle to several other independent mechanics and was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V332000 (Electrical System, Vehicle Speed Control) which she linked to the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the software update would be covered under recall; however, any additional repairs would be paid out of pocket. …
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake pads needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the brake pads were replaced. The contact also stated that the cruise control system failed to operate as designed, and the driver's side window failed to open as needed. The contact stated that the Navigation System was inoperable and there were also several unknown warning lights illuminated upon starting the vehicle. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the doors continuously locked and unlocked, and the windows continuously rolled up and down unintendedly. Additionally, the interior lights and the exterior lights were turned off and on unintendedly. The contact also stated that a light indicating that the tailgate was opened was displayed while the tailgate was securely closed. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a fee for the diagnostic test would be charged. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at an undetermined speed, there was an abnormal ticking noise detected. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they informed the contact the camshaft sensor and crankshaft sensor should be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V907000 ( Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
The engine/powertrain occasionally does not accelerate on the freeway causing us to backup traffic. This happens randomly and will eventually cause a major accident. I have contacted dodge but they want me to leave my car for 6 weeks with no loaner I am a single mother that is not possible. The car is under bumper to bumper coverage but they still wont fix the issue! Also my heated seats are stuck on high and often smell like they are going to catch fire! Again dodge wont help!
Was driving car after cleaning it had a box in trunk that barely took a portion of the trunk up. While drive smelt smoke and electrical smell and my trunk was on fire inside. Pulled over and the back hatch inside got so hot from what I can only guess was electrical that the box caught fire. This caused a whole inside back hatch and melted part of my seat and damaged my storage containers.
Sometimes when I turn my car on the front screen won't turn on it will stay black, when I go to back up my rear view camera won't work, sometimes my two front windows won't roll down, my defroster won't turn on in the front, my blowers used to work where I was able to switch them to defrost, just face, or feet but it's just stuck on one setting and my passenger side blows hot air when the AC is on. In winter it's hard to see out my front window even when I let the car warm up, it will fog up while I'm driving and it causes me not to see and could potentially cause a major accident, also in the summertime when I need the AC for my children and it's not working properly can effect them as well, my car definitely should be on the recall list for several things that have been recalled, I feel unsafe to drive it especially with my babies in the car. It's my only transportation for anything! …
My car Intermittent just shuts down while driving on the road without warning and has done so 4 times now with my family in it as this is the family car. Thank God no one has been hurt or any accidents at this time. When it shuts down you loose control of the vehicle and the steering wheel locks and unable to move safely off the road you have to stop in the middle of traffic and put it in neutral and get out and push it off the road! I have had it sent to two shops to find the problem and they both come up with the Crank Shaft Sensor the first one replaced and the problem still happens! So the 2nd shop a Dodge dealership has diagnosed the same problem but then they say the Recall S89 is the problem with my vehicle but because My vehicle was made 6 months before the start of the recall they say I have to fix the problem out of pocket and I refuse to do it! …
I bought the car in 2019 . Since purchasing it has had electrical issues. The AC blew hot air, the rear windows did not work, the center console usb plug caught fire, the lights on dash flicker. Dome light comes on by itself. Now the head lights flicker and go out. I have had it checked , and on computers nothing comes up.I cannot even use cruise control because it speeds up on its own to high speeds. I contacted the dealership, I was told I was making it up, I took it in and was told they could not find anything. I have taken video, and even have numerous witnesses to this. This is just one of many issues.Three nights ago on my way home from the store all my lights went out on the highway. It was pitch black. I was lucky no one was around me and I was able to get off the near by exit without crashing. …
Related recalls
Electrical system › Software
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…
Remedy: 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.
Electrical complaints in other Journey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2016 Dodge Journey?
NHTSA has 85 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Dodge Journey, 22% of the model year's 389 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Dodge Journey electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-332 (software, May 17, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Dodge Journey electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.