2016 Dodge Journey Review: Budget Friendly Midsize SUV With Fuel Injector Problems

Anne on February 3, 2025

I have had nothing but problems with my journey. I have put over 4 grand in the car. All of it underneath. Arms, struts, shocks, bearings. Repeat. Now it need a whole axel. Because you can't buy a carrier bearing. It only has 120,000. Rediculous Nothing but junk

Diane on August 30, 2023

I purchased a 2016 Dodge Journey October of 2022 with 70k on it. I had a Kia Sorento previously that got up to 360k and was starting to go down and with 4 little ones, we needed a new car. It was great for a few months and now everything is going down at once. I was driving home with one of my kids and suddenly my steering wheel locked, it went into power-save mode and started overheating. A nice man who happened to be a mechanic stopped to take a look as we were in the middle of the road, told me that my serpentine belt broke and found that my car had been leaking oil on the inside which was getting on the belt. Replaced the belt and took it to my mechanic and was told that I needed another coolant housing unit which cost me $900. Then it was fine, but started leaking again 2 weeks later and the battery light started to come on sporadically. Went back to my mechanic. Now they find that I need a new VVT Solenoid and an engine oil gasket cover which is going to cost another $1200, but battery and alternator checked out. I got the car towed home as I was afraid to drive and now it's only operating in battery-save mode which is weird as the battery and alternator have been tested multiple times. It's just been sitting in our driveway as I don't know what to do with it. Now we're back looking for another car. P.S. Whoever designed the placement of the battery does not need to have their position anymore.

Princess on May 9, 2023

I've had so many issues with this vehicle, transmission, engine , shocks, control arms , leaks , axles. Lord have mercy never again. I have Camry and Honda in mind smh .

Feral Fever Trapper on November 18, 2022

Bought my 2016 Dodge Journey back in April 2022 with 84,000 miles on it. Thought it was a great vehicle, comfortable, roomy, good performance with the V-6. within 3 months the electrical outlets under the dash as well as by the back tailgate quit working. Then the passenger side back door lock quit working. then 2 weeks ago while out on an animal rescue call, I parked it, shut it off & 30 minutes later it would not start. Managed to jump start it after having jumper cables on it for 30 minutes. Got it home, which wasn't too far away, shut it off & that was the end of driving my Journey. It had 87,000 miles on it at that point. Had it towed to my mechanics shop where they went thru every thing, the battery was fine, less than a year old. Was told the starter was bad as well as it had a cracked motor mount. Had all of that work done as well as an oil change while it was there. After being in the shop for almost a week I picked it up at a cost of $1000. Did some driving around the following day than it sat in my driveway for 2 days. The next day it started up fine, went out to vote, it started up fine again, then ran to Walmart to stock up on animal supplies before the Tropical Storm Nicole. Loaded up the Journey with supplies, went to start it & nothing. Every warning light was flashing on & off as well as a message saying the vehicle was not in park. AAA came out, could not start it so off it went on a tow truck back to the shop where it's now been for over a week. Diagnostics are showing every error code known to Dodge vehicles. The entire fuse box has been replaced, the battery & starter gone thru again, the wiring gone thru & no matter what they try the Journey will not start, no turnover, nothing. If they can't figure it out by this Monday I will have it towed to my local Dodge dealer & see if they can figure it out. By the way this shop specializes in custom trucks & SUVs, have an amazing reputation & are well known for the work they do yet they can't figure out why it will not start, turnover or even click. This is the first Dodge I've ever owned & will be the last one. Should've bought a Ford Explorer like I was going to do. Luckily I didn't sell my 1997 4 cylinder Ford Escort with over 250,000 miles on it when I bought the Journey. I'm back driving that now.

TheOneSisal on September 23, 2022

I've owned the 2016 Dodge Journey SXT 3.6L V6 AWD SUV, since April 2017. Purchased with approximately 10k miles, this vehicle has been nothing but a pleasure to drive & own. I've had zero mechanical issues beyond regular maintenance (new tires, oil changes/scheduled manufacturer service, basic upkeep). I worked between Charlotte & NYC for more than 4 years, driving each way every 6-8 weeks and the car has had no problems at all. Super reliable with extra seating & massive cargo space. I now have 74k miles & still no major issues.

Eduardo M on March 22, 2022

The person that designed the battery compartment and those that approved it should be fired! Having to jack up your car, remove the tire, unattach the wheel well, peel back cover, reach in and remove battery cable with a small ratchet set, a big one will not work, remove the battery from a tiny space and I have small hands, turn the battery over so that I can slide it out, then slide the replacement battery in, try to reattach the battery cables, there is also a battery lock down bar, I left it off because of aggravation, close the cover, remount the tire, let down the jack and that's it, 2 hours plus. Amazingly Stupid!!!

Sarah on May 19, 2021

For a vehicle with a third row, I was surprised at the mileage this vehicle gets as compared to my Buick Enclave. Rides very smoothly also

Skriller on April 4, 2021

I love our Journey! Just purchased it with low mileage. The R/T sure does make me love it more! Very comfy leather seats and a great entertainment system. My only complaint is the gas mileage. Seriously! I owned a 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan and it had way better mileage! That being said the Journey is still the best vehicle I've ever owned.

Kayla & Steve Mulli s on March 16, 2021

Meets my familys need my husband and I have 4 boys and it has enough room. We love the the 3ed row and the remote control start.

Smashausen on January 29, 2021

At 65,000 miles, our Journey has been excellent. The 3.6L V6 with the 6-speed have been nothing but great. I also really love the styling, especially with the black top package. The ride quality is great too. My only complaint is the infotainment system. It's a little outdated and the Bluetooth connectivity is problematic. So basically, my opinion is in complete disagreement with cars.com. haha! I would definitely but a Journey again.