Dodge Journey Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Some, but not unusually many. 526 of the 5,488 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2020 Dodge Journey (9.6%) name the transmission, near the 12.6% median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2009, 2016 and 2015.
Transmission complaints
526
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2020 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
9.6%
of 5,488 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
2
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Dodge Journey transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 0 | 0% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2009WORST | 132 | 8.3% | 15 | 08V528000 | 10 |
| 2010 | 53 | 4.9% | 3 | — | 11 |
| 2011 | 20 | 11.8% | 1 | — | 41 |
| 2012 | 36 | 9.6% | 3 | — | 45 |
| 2013 | 29 | 8.3% | 2 | — | 45 |
| 2014 | 35 | 8.6% | 1 | — | 42 |
| 2015WORST | 77 | 14.1% | 2 | — | 46 |
| 2016WORST | 86 | 22.5% | 5 | 16V461000 | 32 |
| 2017 | 31 | 15.8% | 0 | — | 20 |
| 2018 | 18 | 8.2% | 0 | — | 17 |
| 2019 | 6 | 6.5% | 0 | — | 20 |
| 2020 | 3 | 4.9% | 0 | — | 18 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Dodge Journey transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 526 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Dodge Journey years to avoid for the transmission
2009 Dodge Journey
132 transmission complaints (8.3% of the year's 1,594). Most often described: whining, grinding or humming noise. Covered by transmission recall 08V528000.
2016 Dodge Journey
86 transmission complaints (22.5% of the year's 383). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recall 16V461000.
2015 Dodge Journey
77 transmission complaints (14.1% of the year's 548). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Dodge Journey years to avoid.
Dodge Journey transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Dodge Journey model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 16V461000 · 2016-06-24 · 2016 models
The transmission pump may seize causing a loss of hydraulic pressure.
- 08V528000 · 2008-10-09 · 2009 models
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 712 MY 2009 SEBRING, DODGE CALIBER, AVENGER, JOURNEY, JEEP PATRIOT, AND COMPASS VEHICLES. A NEW ADHESIVE USED IN THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) MANUFACTURING PROCESS CAN CAUSE THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD TO BREAK.
Which transmission does the Dodge Journey use?
- Chrysler 62TE 6-speed — 2011–2019 (V6)
Years are as listed for that transmission's applications. Some apply to certain engines only.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2009 Dodge Journey have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 132 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2009 Dodge Journey, 8.3% of all 1,594 complaints for that year. The most common description is "whining, grinding or humming noise" (11 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 08V528000. 15 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2016 Dodge Journey have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 86 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2016 Dodge Journey, 22.5% of all 383 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (12 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 16V461000. 5 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2015 Dodge Journey have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 77 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2015 Dodge Journey, 14.1% of all 548 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (14 complaints). 2 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Dodge Journey years have the most transmission complaints?
2009 (132), 2016 (86) and 2015 (77), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Dodge Journey transmission problems?
In the 526 transmission complaints, owners most often describe jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (14.1%), transmission repaired or replaced (6.8%) and whining, grinding or humming noise (6.7%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Dodge Journey model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration