2016 Dodge Journey Safety Report

2016 Dodge Journey Safety Report

375Complaints
4Recalls
★★★★☆Safety Rating
19/100Reliability Score
19Crash Reports
4Fire Reports
16Injuries
Most reported components: Power Train (47)Engine (42)Unknown Or Other (32)Electrical System (23)Seats (23)Air Bags (12)Electrical System,Engine (11)Steering,Service Brakes,Engine (10)Service Brakes (10)Engine And Engine Cooling (7)

Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Dodge Journey

This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Dodge Journey. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.

2016 Dodge Journey Safety Signal Summary
SignalValueWhat to inspect next
Recall burdenHigh (4)Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below.
Owner complaintsHigh (375)Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates.
Crash and fire reports23Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item.
Primary component hubPower TrainCompare power train issues across vehicles.
Cleaner nearby model year2020Compare against the 2020 Dodge Journey with 54 complaints and 1 recalls.
Riskier nearby model year2015Check the 2015 Dodge Journey before buying across this generation.

Dodge Journey Year-by-Year Comparison

The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Dodge Journey years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.

Nearby Dodge Journey Model Years
Model YearComplaintsRecallsUse case
2017 Dodge Journey 192 2 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2015 Dodge Journey 545 6 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.
2018 Dodge Journey 214 6 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2019 Dodge Journey 85 1 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2020 Dodge Journey 54 1 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.

2016 Dodge Journey Complaint Theme Map

Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Dodge Journey, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.

Power Train

47 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Power Train issues Dodge only

Engine

42 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Engine issues Dodge only

Unknown Or Other

32 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Unknown Or Other issues Dodge only

Electrical System

23 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Electrical System issues Dodge only

Seats

23 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Seats issues Dodge only

Air Bags

12 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Air Bags issues Dodge only

AI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Dodge Journey

The 2016 DODGE JOURNEY has accumulated 375 complaints and 4 recalls in the NHTSA database. It received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Among the complaints, 19 involved crashes and 4 involved fires. There have been 16 reported injuries and 0 reported deaths. The most frequently reported problem areas are power train (47 complaints), engine (42 complaints), unknown or other (32 complaints). Steering issues: In one instance, the steering wheel was extremely stiff while turning at 25 MPH. Hydraulic power assist hose, piping, and connections were recalled for 2009-2016 Dodge Journey vehicles. Engine overheating: A contact reported the engine started overheating at 35-40 MPH, with a 'Temperature High' message appearing. Key known issues to be aware of include Hydraulic power assist hose, piping, and connections, Engine overheating, Electrical system issues. Be cautious of steering and engine issues, as well as electrical system and air bag deployment failures. Consider a thorough inspection before purchasing.

Reliability Score

The 2016 Dodge Journey receives a reliability score of 19 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.

NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Dodge Journey

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.

Overall
★★★★☆
4/5
Frontal Crash
★★★★☆
4/5
Side Crash
★★★★★
5/5
Rollover
★★★★☆
4/5

Known Issues for the 2016 Dodge Journey

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Dodge Journey:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Hydraulic Power Assist Hose, Piping, And Connections
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 Dodge Journey vehicles for hydraulic power assist hose, piping, and connections issues.
Medium Rare 30k-60k miles
Engine Overheating
A contact reported the engine started overheating at 35-40 MPH, with a 'Temperature High' message appearing.
Medium Rare 30k-60k miles
Electrical System Issues
The rear view camera has become unreliable, sometimes flickering, upside down, or gray. The EVIC lights turn off while driving, posing a risk.
High Common 30k-60k miles
Air Bag Deployment Failure
Air bags did not deploy during an MVC.
High Rare 30k-60k miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Dodge Journey:

Steering 23% of complaints

Hydraulic power assist hose, piping, and connections issues were reported.

Engine 23% of complaints

Engine overheating and check engine light issues were reported.

Electrical System 16% of complaints

Rear view camera and EVIC light issues were reported.

Air Bags 12% of complaints

Air bag deployment failure was reported.

Recall Details for the 2016 Dodge Journey

The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2016 Dodge Journey by NHTSA:

Electrical System:Wiring
Campaign #18V332000 17/05/2018

Summary: 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 Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the c...

Consequence: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be d...

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Campaign #16V907000 16/12/2016

Summary: 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.

Consequence: If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.

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. Chrysler's number for this recall is S89.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Campaign #16V461000 24/06/2016

Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured July 31, 2015, to April 18, 2016, 2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured August 17, 2015, to January 29, 2016, and 2016 RAM ProMaster vehicles manufactured August 15, 2016, to April 15, 2016. The transmission pump may seize causing a loss of hydraulic pressure.

Consequence: If the transmission loses hydraulic pressure, the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission pump, free of charge. The recall began on August 18, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S44.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections
Campaign #16V273000 06/05/2016

Summary: 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.

Consequence: A loss of power steering assist may require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S08.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Dodge Journey

Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Dodge Journey with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 3 complaints involved crashes. 2 involved fires. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.

Crash Reports: 3 Fire Reports: 2 Injury/Fatality Reports: 1
Steering
02/24/2026

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);...

ODI #11720186
Back Over Prevention
Crash 02/12/2026

The rear view camera has become unreliable. It sometimes flickers. It sometimes is upside down. It is sometimes gray. It works properly about 10% of the time. I believe it was a significant contributor to my backing into and damaging another vehicle in a parking lot. I understand that there is a recall notification (NHTSA 25V552; Chrysler 59C) for the Dodge Journey beginning with model year...

ODI #11717520
Air Bags
Crash 02/10/2026

Air bags did not deploy during an mvc

ODI #11717106
Engine And Engine Cooling,Power Train
01/27/2026

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 ac...

ODI #11713647
Power Train
01/21/2026

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.

ODI #11712331
Power Train
01/07/2026

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 wh...

ODI #11709479
Power Train
12/30/2025

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.

ODI #11707919
Steering
12/09/2025

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 ...

ODI #11703998
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting,Vehicle Speed Control
11/18/2025

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 spe...

ODI #11700144
Electrical System
10/16/2025

The EVIC lights will turn off while driving. Doesn’t matter if it’s daylight or evening. During evening hours it poses a risk due to not seeing speed or any other lights on dashboard. The EVIC will stay on after car is shut off and key fob is moved away from vehicle causing the battery to die.

ODI #11693976
Power Train,Electrical System,Engine
10/09/2025

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

ODI #11692237
Unknown Or Other
10/01/2025

P0240 code keeps coming up but the catalytic converter was changed and the cylinders at the dlrshp. This has been an ongoing issue for over 3 years.

ODI #11690824
Seats
09/17/2025

I opened my car door to get in and found that that head rest was completely popped out. It was not in that condition the previous day.

ODI #11688005
Seats
09/14/2025

Head rest deployed out of no where and we can’t reset it.

ODI #11687192
Air Bags,Seats
09/10/2025

While returning from a shopping trip with my mom the passenger headrest broke/exploded? It caused several small plastic fragments to fly from I guess inside and the headrest hit my mom in the back of the head. There were no lights to indicate a problem, no other vehicles around and we were only traveling 25 mph. No police or anyone else involved Ed. Wasn't sure what to do. I saw a recall for this ...

ODI #11686440
Seats
08/08/2025

After coming home and parking the car in the driveway, went out with my son and noticed the passenger headrest had been pulled out. Went and looked at it and noticed some of the brackets holding a metal bar in place had been broke off.

ODI #11679457
Power Train
08/05/2025

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 ...

ODI #11678497
Engine And Engine Cooling
07/14/2025

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 th...

ODI #11673338
Engine And Engine Cooling
07/07/2025

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 replace...

ODI #11671775
Power Train
06/27/2025

To whom it may concern: My 2016 Dodge Journey Crossroad AWD (3.6L) is currently experiencing "P0944 Loss of Hydraulic Pump Prime" (See attached diagnostic report, vehicle_record_report.pdf from a local auto repair shop) The car was assembled in November 2015. The assembly date falls within the date range specified in the attached safety recall report for S44 / NHTSA 16V-461. (attached is copy...

ODI #11669774

Showing 20 of 375 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.

NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2016 Dodge Journey

NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.

Stall from Crankshaft\Camshaft Failure
NHTSA RQ22002 Closed

Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Crank/Camshaft Position Sensor

Opened 2022-07-22 · Closed 2025-06-16

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. The failure of the crankshaft or camshaft sensor may lead to a loss of motive power (LOMP) in the recalled vehicles.  Following the receipt of recall 16V-907, the Office of Defects Investigation...

Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
NHTSA PE19014 Closed

Component: Seats

Opened 2019-09-09 · Closed 2026-02-25

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deploy...

Vehicle entrapment
NHTSA EA24003 Open

Component: Latches/Locks/Linkages

Opened 2024-08-01

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-008 on May 1, 2023 to investigate an incident involving a 2009 Dodge Journey alleging occupant entrapment during a vehicle fire that resulted in a fatality. During the investigation, ODI collected information from the manufacturer and involved parties to confirm or refute the defect allegation. ODI has determined that additional reports of vehicle entrapment exist for other model year Dodge Journey vehicles. ODI continues to explore the cause...

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Dodge Journey

Has the 2016 DODGE JOURNEY been recalled?

Yes, the 2016 DODGE JOURNEY has 4 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.

How many complaints does the 2016 DODGE JOURNEY have?

The 2016 DODGE JOURNEY has 375 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 19 involved crashes. 16 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.

What is the safety rating for the 2016 DODGE JOURNEY?

The 2016 DODGE JOURNEY received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 DODGE JOURNEY?

The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 DODGE JOURNEY involve power train (47 complaints), engine (42 complaints), unknown or other (32 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system, seats, air bags.

How many crash reports does the 2016 DODGE JOURNEY have?

There are 19 crash reports associated with the 2016 DODGE JOURNEY out of 375 total complaints (5.1% of complaints involved crashes).

How many fire reports does the 2016 DODGE JOURNEY have?

There are 4 fire reports for the 2016 DODGE JOURNEY out of 375 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.

Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 DODGE JOURNEY?

No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 DODGE JOURNEY.

How many injuries are reported for the 2016 DODGE JOURNEY?

16 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 DODGE JOURNEY. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.

Should I buy a 2016 DODGE JOURNEY?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 DODGE JOURNEY is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 375 complaints, 4 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.

What components fail most on the 2016 DODGE JOURNEY?

The components with the most failures on the 2016 DODGE JOURNEY are: 1. POWER TRAIN (47 complaints), 2. ENGINE (42 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (32 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (23 complaints), 5. SEATS (23 complaints). POWER TRAIN is the single most-reported problem area with 47 complaints.

What should I know before buying a 2016 DODGE JOURNEY?

Be cautious of steering and engine issues, as well as electrical system and air bag deployment failures. Consider a thorough inspection before purchasing. The 2016 DODGE JOURNEY has 375 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).

How reliable is the 2016 DODGE JOURNEY?

The 2016 DODGE JOURNEY receives a reliability score of 19/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 375 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 23 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Hydraulic power assist hose, piping, and connections and Engine overheating.

What are the known issues with the 2016 DODGE JOURNEY?

Known issues with the 2016 DODGE JOURNEY include: Hydraulic power assist hose, piping, and connections, Engine overheating, Electrical system issues, Air bag deployment failure. These are based on patterns found across 375 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.

Are there any recalls for the 2016 Dodge Journey?

Yes, there are recalls for hydraulic power assist hose, piping, and connections, as well as engine and engine cooling issues.

What are the most common electrical system issues?

The rear view camera has become unreliable, sometimes flickering, upside down, or gray. The EVIC lights turn off while driving.

Have there been any reports of air bag deployment failures?

Yes, air bags did not deploy during an MVC.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Be cautious of steering and engine issues, as well as electrical system and air bag deployment failures. Consider a thorough inspection before purchasing.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Dodge Journey

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Dodge Journey. The data includes 375 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 19 reported crashes, 4 fire incidents, 16 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Dodge Journey an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.

Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.

Analysis last updated: 2026-05-14