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 while the vehicle was started and running, there was an abnormal popping sound coming from the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed a puddle of fluid on the ground underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the fluid was possibly power steering fluid. The contact was on the way to work, and while the vehicle was in reverse(R), there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the steering wheel. The contact stopped at an auto specialty store, and when the contact checked the power steering fluid reservoir, the reservoir was empty. The contact refilled the power steering fluid reservoir. The contact stated that later in the day the contact checked the power steering fluid reservoir was checked and was empty. There was no warning light illuminated. …
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-45 MPH and turning the steering wheel to the left or to the right, the steering wheel was resistant. The contact stated that the failure progressively increased, and the steering wheel completely seized. The vehicle was towed to a certified independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with power steering failure. The mechanic performed unknown repairs on the vehicle; however, the failure recurred while driving approximately 40 MPH. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V273000(Steering). …
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH and turning left, the steering wheel was extremely stiff. The contact stopped, exited the vehicle, opened the hood, and became aware that the power steering hoses were disconnected. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and the failure was associated with NHTSA ID Number: 16V273000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 147,000.
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! …
While I was driving, my car unexpectedly lost power and the engine shut off while I was making a left hand turn. There was no warning. The steering wheel became very hard to maneuver and the car coasted through the turn. I was almost hit by incoming Traffic. Once the car came to a complete stop, I was able to put it in park and restart it after attempting twice. The first time, it sputtered. It has not been confirmed by a dealer and it has not been inspected by anyone. There were no warning lights prior to it shutting off. The radio never stopped working on either. It happens when the air is running
When making a turn and accelerating the gas the vehicle pops. This vehicle is a 1 time owner has 36,385 miles and is the rear differential and electric clutch assembly on rear differential is out. This vehicle should not have something this major occurring with the low mileage. So far no recalls. However I have seen multiple complaints within google search. This is a safety issue as it feels as though the vehicle is going to delay in turning and could cause an accident.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's seat independently moved up and down. In addition, the steering wheel independently moved up and down. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The car kept stalling while driving. We had it for 2 weeks and all the sencers went bad and it over heated. Had to leave it on the side of the road and it got towed by highway patrol.Also rewend the battery. Now we are stuck without a ride.i looked up the recalls it said they were repaired but I don't think that's true.
When driving the car will go into limp mode with no warning. When the car shuts off I have no control of steering wheel and brakes. Thus cam shaft was replaced but the issue now persists. Now the engine is stalling and caused the steering hose to bust and head gasket is blown.
I was driving 65 MPH in a middle lane on the freeway when my engine suddenly stalled out. I lost the ability to steer or brake, and my vehicle quickly lost speed. I barely managed to get to the side of the freeway before it completely stopped. I called my husband to come get me, and he managed to restart it and drove it home while I followed in our truck. About 5 miles down the road, the engine stalled out on him. We took it to the Dodge dealership, and the mechanic who took it for a test drive freaked out when the problem happened to him with my husband in the passenger seat. However, they found nothing wrong with the vehicle and refuse replace any of the recalled parts from 2016 Dodge Journey's relating to the engine stalling out because they insist my car was manufactured a couples of weeks before the recall goes into effect. …
Related recalls
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 31, 2007, to November 12, 2016. After exposure to cold temperatures, the power steering return hose may rupture at engine start-up causing a loss of power steering assist.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return hoses, steel tubes, and power steering oil cooler, free of charge. The recall began on May 24, 2016.
Steering complaints in other Journey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2016 Dodge Journey?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the steering of the 2016 Dodge Journey, 9% of the model year's 389 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2016 Dodge Journey steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-273 (hose, piping, and connections, May 6, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Dodge Journey steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles, and 42% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to steering 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.