Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 owned a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated and the security alarm sounded. Shortly afterward, the temperature gauge began to indicate the vehicle was overheating, and moments later vehicle lost automotive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle then burst into flames originating from the engine compartment. The overheating warning light was illuminated. Local emergency services arrived and were able to extinguish the flames. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contacts insurance provider. A fire report was filed and the contact was informed that investigators intended to inspect the vehicle. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact's daughter received a notification for Emissions Recall: U67 related to the catalytic converter. An appointment was scheduled to have the vehicle serviced; however, the day prior to the appointment, the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and stated that the warning light might be related to the emissions recall. The dealer performed a diagnostic test for the check engine warning light and discovered that the warning light was related to the cam shaft. The dealer replaced the catalytic converter and reset the computer which cleared the check engine warning light. Despite the repair, the vehicle shut off while driving on three separate occasions. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer each time however, the failure returned soon after the vehicle was repaired. …
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving 35-40 MPH, the engine started overheating. The message "Temperature High" was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that the power windows were intermittently inoperable. While attempting to drive from a complete stop, the transmission failed to shift gears as intended. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal while driving, the engine revved, but the vehicle failed to respond as intended. Additionally, there was a discrepancy between the instrument cluster speedometer reading and the digital speedometer reading. The vehicle was taken to Wilcox & Sons Automotive, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the water pump, the radiator, the cooling system, and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. …
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and attempting to accelerate to 55 MPH due to oncoming traffic, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to get the vehicle to the side of the road where the vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated that a certified mechanic arrived and serviced the vehicle on the side of the road. The crankshaft was replaced, and the check engine warning light turned off. The failure recurred and the crankshaft was replaced four times. The check engine warning light then illuminated and remained illuminated despite the crankshaft replacement. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V907000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. …
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped for a traffic signal or stopped for traffic, the vehicle was stalling. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the crankshaft sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V907000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact called a local dealer and was advised that the information was correct and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made abnormal knocking sounds. Additionally, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated while responding upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while starting the vehicle and driving from a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was low compression in cylinder #2, and the long block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, or while the vehicle was idling while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle made a chugging and choking sound. The vehicle hesitated before accelerating as needed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first but had become a constant failure. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that an inspection was completed, and the vehicle failed the Emissions test due to DTC: P40; for the catalytic converter and Oxygen sensor. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving on a neighborhood street at 20 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over safely to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact was able to continue driving. The contact drove the vehicle to the local Auto Zone, where the vehicle was diagnosed and DTC: P0018 ( Camshaft/Crankshaft psoition sensor failure) was retrieved. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,365.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25-30 MPH, the engine made an abnormally loud sound. The check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had progressively worsened. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the driver's side of the cabin, underneath the steering wheel, was significantly hot while driving. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.
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.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft or camshaft sensor connector, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA investigations
Stall from Crankshaft\Camshaft Failure
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
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2016 Dodge Journey?
NHTSA has 122 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2016 Dodge Journey, 31% of the model year's 389 complaints. The component named most often is engine › crank/camshaft position sensor (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Dodge Journey engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-907 (engine, Dec 16, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Dodge Journey engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 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.