CarBrief

NHTSA has 389 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Dodge Journey[1], and the engine group has the most complaints[2]. Four recalls are on file for this model year[3], and each one has a free remedy[4][5][6][7].

389owner complaints[1]
4recalls[3]
19–21MPG combined (EPA)[8]
4★NHTSA overall rating[9]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 389 owner complaints for the 2016 Journey[1]. Of those, 19 mention a crash[1], 4 a fire[1] and 16 an injury[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

The largest groups are below.

Component group Complaints Crashes Median mileage at failure
Engine[2] 122 0 65,000
Power train[10] 87 4 65,000
Electrical system[11] 85 0 61,000
Unknown or other[12] 65 4 41,000
Brakes[13] 54 6 34,750

Seats (36 complaints[14]), steering (34[15]) and speed control (33[16]) follow.

We read a small sample of complaint texts in each group. This is not a count of all owners.

Steering has 4 crashes among 34 complaints[15].

Recalls

NHTSA lists four recalls for this model year[3]. Newest first:

Two of these cover only cars built in set date ranges[5][6]. A car can be outside the build dates and still have a different recall open[4][5][6][7]. Check the VIN on NHTSA's recall page before you buy. Owners can also call Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403[4].

Fuel economy

EPA ratings for three versions of the 2016 Journey:

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2.4L 4-cylinder, front-wheel drive[8] 19 / 25 / 21 $3,200
3.6L 6-cylinder, front-wheel drive[17] 17 / 25 / 19 $3,550
3.6L 6-cylinder, all-wheel drive[18] 16 / 24 / 19 $3,550

The 4-cylinder is rated 2 MPG better combined than either 6-cylinder[8][17][18]. EPA's annual cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the all-wheel drive Journey 4 stars overall[9], 4 for frontal crashes[9], 5 for side crashes[9] and 4 for rollover[9]. Rollover risk is 17.9%[9].

The front-wheel drive version has the same star ratings, with a rollover risk of 18.5%[19].

Engine and size

EPA lists 283 hp for the 3.6L 6-cylinder[20]. A separate EPA test entry for a 2.4L engine, listed with an electric motor, shows 173 hp[21].

Size and weight come from Canadian-market specifications, so a US car can differ slightly. All three versions below share the same body size[22][23][24].

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
FWD I4[23] 193 in 72 in 67 in 114 in 3,825 lb
FWD V6[24] 193 in 72 in 67 in 114 in 4,043 lb
AWD V6[22] 193 in 72 in 67 in 114 in 4,246 lb

How 2016 compares with other years

2009: 1,594 complaints, 8 recalls20092010: 1,085 complaints, 4 recalls20102011: 169 complaints, 4 recalls20112012: 376 complaints, 6 recalls20122013: 353 complaints, 4 recalls20132014: 416 complaints, 7 recalls20142015: 554 complaints, 6 recalls20152016: 389 complaints, 4 recalls38920162017: 201 complaints, 2 recalls20172018: 237 complaints, 6 recalls20182019: 102 complaints, 1 recalls20192020: 66 complaints, 1 recalls2020
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Journey model year. The 2016 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20091,5948
20101,0854
20111694
20123766
20133534
20144167
20155546
20163894
20172012
20182376
20191021
2020661

NHTSA's counts for each Journey model year[3]:

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2016 Journey?

Owners filed 389 complaints[1], and in the samples we read, stalling and sudden power loss show up under engine, power train, electrical and brakes[2][10][11][13]. Those texts are a small sample, so they show what some owners describe, not how often it happens. The engine stall recall (16V907) and the transmission pump recall (16V461) cover only some cars, and each has a free fix[5][6]. Before buying, check the VIN for open recalls and ask for proof the work was done. Safety ratings are 4 stars overall[9][19], and the 4-cylinder is the more economical choice at 21 MPG combined[8].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Dodge Journey?
Engine is the largest complaint group at 122 of 389 complaints, then power train at 87 and electrical at 85[1][2][10][11]. In a small sample of texts, owners describe stalling and sudden power loss.
Does the 2016 Dodge Journey have any recalls?
NHTSA lists four: 18V332 cruise control software, 16V907 crankshaft or camshaft sensor, 16V461 transmission pump and 16V273 power steering hose[4][5][6][7]. Each fact lists a free remedy.
What is the gas mileage of the 2016 Dodge Journey?
EPA rates the 2.4L at 21 MPG combined and the 3.6L at 19 MPG combined, front-wheel or all-wheel drive[8][17][18].
What is the safety rating of the 2016 Dodge Journey?
NHTSA gives both the AWD and FWD versions 4 stars overall[9][19].
Is 2016 a good year for the Dodge Journey?
It has the fifth highest complaint count of twelve years, 389, and 4 recalls[3]. Years 2009, 2010, 2015 and 2014 have more complaints[3].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 389 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Dodge Journey (19 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 16 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 122 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Journey model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 18V332, filed May 17, 2018: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 16V907, filed December 16, 2016: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 16V461, filed June 24, 2016: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 16V273, filed May 6, 2016: Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, And Connections. NHTSA recall database
  8. EPA rating for Journey, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  9. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 87 complaints name the power train component group (4 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 85 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 65 complaints name the unknown or other component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 54 complaints name the brakes component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 34,750). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 36 complaints name the seats component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 34 complaints name the steering component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 34,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 33 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,118). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. EPA rating for Journey, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Journey AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Dodge Journey with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 283 hp. www.epa.gov
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Dodge Journey with electric motor: rated 173 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, JOURNEY 4DR SUV AWD V6: length 193 in, width 72 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 4,246 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, JOURNEY 4DR SUV FWD I4: length 193 in, width 72 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 3,825 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, JOURNEY 4DR SUV FWD V6: length 193 in, width 72 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 4,043 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.