2016 Dodge Journey: Problems & Reliability
AVOID2016 Dodge Journey: AVOID — 389 owner complaints, 1.3× the Journey median year by raw count; top issue: engine (114 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2016 is 1.70, where 1.00 is a typical Journey year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; the avoid line is 1.60, so this year clears it by 0.10. Severity drives it: 66% of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury or involve a safety-critical system (engine, powertrain, steering, brakes or fuel).
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2011–2022 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
389
NHTSA complaints
1.3×
vs. median Journey year
179
Service bulletins
4
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2016 Dodge Journey problems
Engine leads a spread-out record, named in 29% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2016 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 114 | 29% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 87 | 22% |
| Electrical system | 85 | 22% |
| Unknown or other | 65 | 17% |
| Service brakes | 54 | 14% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2016 Dodge Journey recalls
4 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2016, reported between May 6, 2016 and May 17, 2018.
2016 Dodge Journey service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 179 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2016 — close to the 159 of the median Journey year from 2011 to 2022. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (45), powertrain / transmission (32), structure (28). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2016 vs. the year before and after
From the 2015 to the 2016, owner complaints fell 30% (554 → 389) — an improvement. The 2017 that followed fell 48% (389 → 202), so the 2017 has the lighter record so far.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Journey | AVOID | 554 | 222 | 6 | — |
| 2016 (this page) | AVOID | 389 | 179 | 4 | — |
| 2017 Journey | SOLID | 202 | 157 | 2 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Dodge Journey years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2016 Dodge Journey
Engine (114 complaints on the 2016): cold-start it yourself and listen for ticking or knocking; check for oil leaks, low coolant and a lit check-engine light, and ask for oil-change records.
Powertrain / transmission (87 complaints on the 2016): test-drive from cold through every gear and feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder; ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced.
Electrical system (85 complaints on the 2016): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Service brakes (54 complaints on the 2016): check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, look at rotor and pad wear, and ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
Seats (36 complaints on the 2016): try every power and manual seat adjustment and the seat heaters if fitted.
Recalls: confirm all 4 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Know what to pay for the right 2016 Dodge Journey — then negotiate it
Years-to-avoid tells you which year. Search live listings to see the target price and what verified buyers actually paid for it.
- Verified buyer-paid target price for your exact make, model & trim
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Found a 2016 Dodge Journey for sale? See what the seller isn't telling you.
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FAQ
Is the 2016 Dodge Journey reliable?
2016 Dodge Journey: AVOID — 389 owner complaints, 1.3× the Journey median year by raw count; top issue: engine (114 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2016 is 1.70, where 1.00 is a typical Journey year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; the avoid line is 1.60, so this year clears it by 0.10.
What are the most common 2016 Dodge Journey problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2016 Dodge Journey are engine (114, 29%), powertrain / transmission (87, 22%), electrical system (85, 22%). The manufacturer has 179 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2016 Dodge Journey have?
4 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2016 Dodge Journey, most recently 18V332000 (May 17, 2018, electrical system); 16V907000 (Dec 16, 2016, engine & cooling); 16V461000 (Jun 24, 2016, powertrain / transmission). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2016 Dodge Journey before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2016 Dodge Journey come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the verdict is CarWhere’s severity-weighted, time-on-road-adjusted score compared with the model’s own median year. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.