496 of the
7,994 complaints filed about the Dodge Journey
are about the transmission —
6% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2009.
496
Complaints
6%
Share of all complaints
17
Crashes
12
Fires
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year
Had over 1300 miles until next oil change. Car has no leaking issues. Car ran out of oil completely and seized engine during camping trip. I use synthetic and both mileage/time were both way under than what was on my next oil change sticker... warranty says they won't cover it. So now I just have a shell of a car I cannot drive nor afford a new engine for. It was not neglect.
NHTSA complaint #11742564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an abnormal whining sound was heard coming from under the vehicle, and the Tachometer would abnormally rise while depressing the accelerator pedal. An unknown warning light illuminated. In addition, a local independent tow mechanic arrived on scene, and while attempting to shift the vehicle in Reverse, the vehicle moved forward. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it remains, and was diagnosed as needing a transmission replacement. The vehicle was not repaired due to the costs. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 16V461000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
NHTSA complaint #11740860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The 2012-2015 Dodge Journey was previously subject to an NHTSA recall for an electronic stability control module defect producing similar ABS warning and brake-related symptoms. The 2016 model year was not included in that recall. Other 2016 Dodge Journey owners have reported the same symptoms to consumer complaint databases and noted the gap in recall coverage. The 2018 Dodge Journey was separately recalled for a brake caliper defect affecting braking performance. The defects I experienced on this 2016 vehicle appear consistent with a documented pattern across multiple Dodge Journey model years that may warrant extending recall coverage.
NHTSA complaint #11740795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Purchased vehicle from Wildcat Used Cars in Somerset, KY on [XXX]. Took home and notified dealership of not having seatbelts in middle row. After having an inspection completed, found the SRS system was disabled, airbags removed, knee airbag just stuffed back in. All cables and components unplugged, fuses missing to cause the system to not load up and show the defect. had resistance from dealership in undoing the sale, until i made note of their mechanics checking off and noting in the carfax that it was "all good" and had be completely inspected. Dealership admitted that they don't check fuse boxes and cables if the lights on the dash aren't illuminated. This is a huge failure of safety. All is on a recorded line from their phonelines from the date range of 4/27/26-5/2/26. All is notated in documentation and photographic evidence. Finally settled and they bought the vehicle back on [XXX] and assured me it would be sent back with the correct salvage title, and it is currently out for resale on their lot as of today 5/24/26. They are fully aware of all the issues. The SRS,ABS, HVAC 40 Relays, and the Traction control system have all been disengaged/compromised to bypass the system of any issues ongoing. The middle row seat isn't secured down, and the airbags have been entirely removed. [XXX] Above is the website listing for this vehicle. The carfax is not updated to the correct report. This vehicle was involved in an accident where the SRS system has been compromised & I was driving this with my [XXX] in this vehicle for approximately 2 months like this. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11739789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car started making a whining noise as I was exiting the highway. Within 2 minutes, the check engine light came on. Shortly after that as I was turning right on the street to enter the parking lot, the car lost power and would not move forward. THe car just lost power in the middle of the street as I was driving. I had someone look at the car and they said the transmission pump or transmission needs to be replaced. I read there was a recall: Recall Number: S44 (NHTSA Campaign 16V-461) Affected Vehicles: The recall affects approximately 26,299 vehicles, specifically 2016 Dodge Journey models manufactured between August 17, 2015, and January 29, 2016. 2. Issue: The transmission pump may seize, resulting in a loss of hydraulic pressure. This can lead to a complete loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash without warning. This is exactly what happened to me but my vin doesn't come up when I enter it on the website. I think my vehicle should have been included under the recall and transmission pump replaced.
NHTSA complaint #11729840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I replaced the alternator and battery, 3 months later I was told I have an issue with the pcm which was similar with the recall for the same vehicle I drove. My vehicle was not part of the recall. Tbs Recall tv-u87-18
NHTSA complaint #11722733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2012 dodge journey suddenly and violently stalled in the middle of crossing a green light. no check engine lights prior to this only thing that happened a few days before was car wouldn’t start said to press clutch and start button I have an automatic engine, and kept saying keys lefts vehicle even though keys where in the car. This was very scary because it gave me no problems before we could have been on the freeway when this happened thankfully not but this needs to be looked into.
NHTSA complaint #11718174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 16V461000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.
NHTSA complaint #11713647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I had to have my engine replaced Dan Cummins didn’t put the bolts back into my transfer case which caused me to need a new transfer case and sylnoids , now I am being told I need a new transmission.
NHTSA complaint #11712331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Started off with check engine light reaching the end of November 2025 then about a week later started to experience whining noises when accelerating, jerking and fluid started leaking. My safety and of others was put at risk because as the jerking happened out of nowhere when driving other vehicles could of hit me from behind. I looked up to see if there was any recalls and some did show up but when i reached out to the dealer they did not respond back. Then a independent service center looked into it and on their end they also saw the recall without me mentioning it and they reached out to the dealer and they were told there was no recall.
NHTSA complaint #11709479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
i have been having problems with my 2016 dodge journey crossroads loss of propulsion while accelerating and a p0841 with a whine noise. Car was made 6 /2016 door vin says it was made.
NHTSA complaint #11707919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driving on highway 26 at 70 miles in Newberry, SC, the truck hesitated and cut of stalled, was able to get it of the road before it died, push the button to try to start, Engine light came on and dashboard went out, steam coming from the hood, got the children out of the car, on the side of the road, open the hood, fluid everywhere, with no warning lights, truck ran hot, and messed the engine up in the truck, me and my daughter and grandchildren could have gotten hurt in that truck if another car had hit us in that road, the truck just cut of No warning lights or nothing, this problem needs to be fixed.
NHTSA complaint #11704116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving down the freeway and my transmission started slipping and eventually lost power, had to pull over on a 80mph freeway with my 4 kids in the car after turning on my hazard lights and wait for my husband to come get us (1 hour, due to how remote We are) he was able to limp the car home, but we couldn't even get it off of the freeway because it did not have the power to get off on an off ramp... I can't even begin to explain how scary that was to have my kids in a car on the side of the freeway while semis shook the car passing us at 70+ mph.. this is a known issue but my car does not fall under the recall and it absolutely should! The transmission oil and filter has been flushed as well as tested to make sure the solenoids are in good working order.
NHTSA complaint #11699624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
10.17.25 Vehicle started making tapping noise under the hood. I wasn’t able to identify the problem. I took it to the dealership and they found noise coming from the transmission and stated possible front pump, but wasn’t for sure. They wanted to do an additional diagnostic after I had already paid $197.27, for 3 more hours at $200 per hour. I took vehicle to another company who found noise was coming from the transmission and stated that the transmission will need to be replaced as they found metal shavings in the pan. They flushed the fluid, replaced the filter, test drove noise went away. They advised that I would make it back to Georgia but definitely suggested to get transmission checked. I made it 107 miles from home when it stalled out in 5 o’clock traffic. I tried to accelerate and but it lost motive power. I tapped the breaks tried again after 2 attempts I was able to get to the right shoulder out of the heavy traffic without incident. I was on the side of the road for 4hrs before an older man pulled up to assist. I had to be pushed 2 exits to a gas station. We added more transmission fluid still no motive power it stalled again. Got it towed to a shop to be checked for 3rd time was told it’s the transmission and as of this morning it has been towed to a 4th shop who handles transmission. In my online search for recalls I noticed the same thing happened with the 2016 Dodge Journey as well. I’ve had this vehicle just over a year. I received it with 42k miles on it, awesome condition, apparently one owner who appears to have taken care of it from the looks of vehicle. No major/minor issues noted. By God’s grace I made it out of heavy traffic safely to the off shoulder which was still frightening as well. I may be the first one to report this issue but it needs to be addressed not only for me but everyone who owns one. Metal shavings inside the transmission is crazy. No warning lights on the dash to show something is wrong.
NHTSA complaint #11696563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stated having coolant issues in 2023. September 2025 Engine light Started blinking and Started running rough at 65 mph. Stopped the vehicle and you could see the whole car shaking from the motor running so rough. Fueled up kept going and it kept doing it. Eventually dying at a stop light and I couldn't get it to fire back up. Ended up needing a tow since it wouldn't stay running. White smoke coming from tailpipe. Cracked cylinder head. $3000 repair with a USED PART.
NHTSA complaint #11693018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
As I was driving my 2016 DJ just list power.. I coast my to the side of the road. I try cranking the car up but it wouldn't crank up. So I had it towed to my house which were about 5 mins away. Please help me with my car. Vehicle would not go up small hills
NHTSA complaint #11692237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact's fiancée owns a 2015 Journey Dodge. The contact stated that while his fiancée was driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle was jerking. The driver pulled to the side of the road, called, and notified the contact of the failure. The contact advised the driver to continue driving slowly. The driver was able to slowly drive to the residence. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the transmission fluid was flushed and replaced, and a filter was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.
NHTSA complaint #11688139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
P0868 low pressure. current Recall needs expanded years. 2014 manufactured date is effected as well. Many things already replaced leading back to faulty pump. Viscous coupler also malfunctions in these at low milage. Flex plate fractures.
NHTSA complaint #11680414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hello. This vehicle ,2016 Dodge Journey has had repeat transmission problems . It should of been recalled under S44 as the date of production was Sept 2015, engine, 3.6L. and automatic transaxle (DG2) .. It is again at Crown Dodge for the repeat transmission problem .. The Crown Dodge Dealership has been paid for this recurring transmission since 2021when the vehicle had only 59,000 miles on it . I have noticed others have had the same issue with this particular vehicle that should of been and is listed on recall S44.. Thank you for your help...
NHTSA complaint #11678497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.