Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Engine & cooling

2011 Dodge Journey Engine problems

Owners have filed 34 complaints about the 2011 Dodge Journey's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 20% of all its complaints, most recently on May 3, 2024. They describe 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
34
Recalls
1
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Engine recalls for the 2011 Dodge Journey

Engine

15V431000145,379 vehicles affected

The problem
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 19, 2010, to May 26, 2015 and equipped with 2.4L engines. In the affected vehicles, the engine cover may detach from the engine and contact the exhaust manifold.
The risk
If the displaced engine cover contacts the exhaust manifold, there would be an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
The fix
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install an improved mounting system for the engine cover, free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R32.

Engine complaints

Engine & coolingFire

The contact owned a 2011 Dodge Journey. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V431000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was repaired, however, the failure recurred while the vehicle was stopped at a stop sign, and the contact saw flames coming from the hood. The contact exited the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. A fire report was filed. There were no other occupants in the vehicle. No injuries were sustained. The contact was informed...

Read the full complaint

that the fire started in the manifold. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11586886
Electrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

SPEED IS HORRIBLE I DON'T NO WHERE TO START

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11406418
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

My car has only 91000 miles and there is a click from the transmission and a weird slowing noise have no clue why done all the maintenance one it

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11383252
Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrain

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge journey. The contact stated that the engine overheated with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was previously taken to kelly jeep chrysler dodge ram 501 state avenue, emmaus, pa 180449, (610)904-8499 where the transmission, the engine, engine solenoids and engine coils were replaced prior to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. *Dt*jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Power trainNHTSA 11326139
Engine & cooling

Both catalyst converts went out at the same time and failed my ga emissions test. There is a permanent code. I only had this suv a year and have already rebuilt the transmission, along with caliber issues. I was told that my vin didn't match the u67 catalyst emission recall that included my vehicle description, trim, make and model. The recall should have expanded to 3.6 Liters as well, considering the problem is an exact match. I expect dodge will rectify this emissions problem, considering that ga residents will find this suv useless in such a strict emission state.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11268317
Engine & cooling

We purchased this vehicle used, back in february. Over the last several months the vehicle had sporadically shut off while driving. The engine completely stops while moving. Some times it takes multiple attempts to turn it back on after shutting down and other times it will turn back on. We have already had the car looked at and had some recall work done to it, but this keeps happening even so. It happened again today while going 40 mph, 2 seconds before the car stalled the check engine light came on and then the...

Read the full complaint

car stopped while driving. Thankfully the person behind me was not following too close because they almost hit me when the car stopped moving. I was driving on a city street with moderate traffic around me, so I am lucky that no one hit me when the car came to a complete stop. I was able to put the car in park and put my hazards on, while waiting to restart the car. This isn't the first time this has happened and I am sure this won't be the last.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11230398
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Mil illuminates indicating cam shaft position senor and multiple other codes at start up or highway speeds. This also cuts off the stability control and puts the car in ,imp mode. The car will also stall without warning at highway speeds creating an unsafe condition. Dealership currently evaluating issue for cam shaft phaser failure. This occurs at least once a week however the most recent incidence on 6/14/2019 resulted in the car stalling while turning resulting in loss of power steering and braking. The code...

Read the full complaint

always resets after a driving cycle is completed but comes back in a day or so. It is my understanding that early 3.6 L engines for 2011 had an issue with cam shaft phaser but no recall has been issued for my vehicle.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11221155
SteeringEngine & coolingFire

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge journey. The contact stated that while driving about 35 mph, the contact saw smoke emitting from the hood without warning. The contact pulled to the side and added some coolant but the failure recurred after driving 5 more minutes. The vehicle lost power and the contact saw flames from the engine. The fire momentarily extinguished itself. The steering wheel then could not turn and the vehicle shut down. The contact mentioned that the alternator and wiring were damaged sue to the...

Read the full complaint

failure. There was no report filed and there were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to the contact's resident. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the failure was known but the vin was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

Filed Incident Steering · EngineNHTSA 11209289
Engine & cooling

My 2011 dodge journey on the driver side heat blows hot on the passage side it blows code. This happen when driving or when it's started to warm up the passage side it blows cold even when the car has been driven from 15 minutes.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11163164
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

I believe that maybe the location of the battery has caused overheating problems that have caused the vehicle not to start. The whole car will turn on (ac, lights, radio) except for the engine and it has left myself and my children stranded in extreme weather conditions. The car intermittently turns on and this has been occurring for one year now. It can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 3 hours before the car turns back on.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11142369
SteeringBrakesEngine & cooling

The vehicle completely shut down while driving down ford road in dearborn mi. The steering would not move. The engine turned off. The brakes locked up. The car would not start to move out of oncoming traffic. It was towed to firstone complete autocare and serviced. Received the vehicle back on saturday the 4th of august. Again drove the vehicle and on a bridge on ecorse rd in taylor mi. The vehicle did the exact thing. It was towed back to firestone. Firestone returned the vehicle on august 6th and sent it...

Read the full complaint

to dealership for repair. Firestone said they saw no problem. Couldn't understand the problem. Both instances of stalling I had my 7 year old. Both instances we were nearly rear ended multiple times. Both times the vehicle shuts down with no steering, no breaks, and wont restart. It was a death trap. Firstone can verify my pick up locations both times. Used goch and sons towing through firestone on 8/5. Used united towing in dearborn on 8/3. Firestone also has vehicle records on file.

Filed Incident Steering · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11118070
Engine & cooling

No heat on passenger side of vehicle dealer states heater core plugged needs replacing at over $1000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11057789
Engine & cooling

While driving this vehicle, sometimes at highway speeds, the engine will stall. While all interior accessories stay energized, the engine does not attempt to restart. This has happened dozens of times and the vehicle has been to the dealership for this issue three different times. This issue did not start occurring until the touchscreen stopped working and the dash display started showing in german along with the vehicle not starting. I had it towed into the dealer where they had it for two weeks. They replaced the...

Read the full complaint

telematics gateway control module, several relays, and the battery. After this repair is when the above issue started happening. This is outright dangerous and has left my wife (her vehicle) stranded now three separate times. I understand the dealer is trying to recreated the issue when I take it to them, but they have not been able to get the vehicle to do it when they have it in their possession. I honestly believe that they are only driving the vehicle around the block and calling it good. This stalling has happened on city streets and at highway speeds. I just want my wife and child to be safe and I don't feel that is the case here. I will be looking to trade vehicle in if this issue cannot be figured out. I am also angry that I am paying on a piece of junk that spends more time in the shop than being driven.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11043371
Engine & cooling

While driving on the highway the car just shut off has done this multiple times with no check engine lights at all.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11032996
Engine & cooling

Check engine light with code for misfire on cylinder 4. Spark plugs and coils replaced. Vin not listed with other 3.6L v6 that has extended warranty for same issues for replacement of cylinder head. Check engine light comes on during low speed or stopped and rough engine ignition. Vehicle is a 2011 dodge journey 3.6L v6. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10940426
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge journey. While the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal noise coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10915776
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge journey. While driving 65 mph, the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the check engine light illuminated due to a low battery. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. In addition, while driving 25 mph, there where a squeaking noise coming from the brakes. When the vehicle was in reverse, it made a knocking/kicking noise and failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a second time where it was...

Read the full complaint

diagnosed that the transmission and a faulty cylinder head failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10865391
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

Recurring safety issue with no concrete resolution. While driving at 55mph on a parkway vehicle engine stalled. I could not accelerate and the brakes and steering wheel locked. Radio, power windows, etc. All worked and I couldn't shut off the vehicle via the push button start/stop. When I pressed it to try and turn it off it made a noise like it was trying to start but couldn't. While waiting for the tow truck all of the check engine lights started flashing. Had it towed to the dealership, they replaced the...

Read the full complaint

alternator ($$) though diagnostics revealed no problems and they were able to start the car fine once it got there. One week later I was on the highway and the exact same thing happened. It was so scary. I could barely get to the shoulder of the road because the steering had locked. My speed was declining rapidly with cars rushing past at 65+ mph. Once on the shoulder, even though my speed had declined to 0, I was on a slight hill so I just kept rolling bc I had no ability to break. Journey was towed to dealership again and, as before, nothing comes up as the source of the problem via the diagnostics test. The one thing that diagnostics did reveal was that it was detecting a key fob in the car with a low battery- both of the keys are at home with me with no car to drive. Additional problems and repair costs incurred have included malfunction of all steering wheel control buttons and horn, tire sensors needing to be replaced (they all showed 0 pressure when the tires were fine), and key fob detection. I have seen many complaints of this scary engine stall experience with no clear resolution as to why it is happening. It seems the mechanics and star techs are stumped.My car only has 75k miles on it and I am terrified to drive it especially with my child in the car. Please investigate this issue before someone gets injured.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 10854830
Engine & coolingFire

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge journey. The contact stated that the vehicle and house caught fire. A police and a fire report were filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was destroyed. The failure mileage and vin were unknown.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10784796
Engine & cooling

The coolant system keep overheating had fix 2 times in 4months at a cost $900.00 Reach time

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10782896
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge journey. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v431000 (engine, engine cooling); however the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10766503
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge journey. While driving at approximately 50 mph, the vehicle stalled and was able to be restarted. This was a recurring failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The contact was unable to remember what the technician stated was the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10760949
Electrical systemBrakesEngine & cooling

Today 8-24-15 my 2011 dodge journey shut off as I was driving down a road. There was no prior indication the car all of the sudden would not steer , brake or do anything . The electric was still on but the car completely shut off . I had to use all my strength to maneuver it off the road and wait for it to slow down . My child was in the car . This is the second incident this has happened - 1st being in march 2015. Both have been reported to chrysler . Both times I have brought to my local mechanic and it was set...

Read the full complaint

up for computerized diagnostic testing and both time threw no error codes. My mechanic believes it is an issue with the win module or something that is making the car ignition faulty and turning to accessory mode . It is unsafe to drive and I have contacted chrysler because they need to stand behind their product . They are unwilling to make it a priority and have not offered a resolution . Just a note , the 2009 and 2010 version of this vehicle have been recalled for same issue . I have set up appt to have it diagnosed by chrysler service center as they have indicated -however , the only time they could fit me in was a full week away . So now I wait because they feel that my car is safe ? And haven't even offered a rental ?!

Filed Incident Electrical system · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 10759013
Electrical systemBrakesEngine & cooling

It has been about a month since my 2011 dodge journey had begun to shut off without warning while I was driving, and with nyc traffic in the city it became dangerous for me to drive. I took it to my own mechanic who said it could only be resolved by the dealership since it may be an electrical issue with the car's computer that only the service shop at the dealership has the tools to fix. I am not driving faster than 30 mph when it happens, I'm unable to brake and the car shuts off automatically. I have begun to...

Read the full complaint

use the emergency brake, but if there is a car that is too close, in front or behind me, I can get into an accident. Thankfully, I have always been by the shoulder on the highway and am able to pull over.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 10745537
Engine & cooling

After removing the cartridge style oil filter from the assembly, a spring and broken plastic pieces flew out of the assembly. This occurred around 50,000 miles. Vehicle was covered under certified used car warranty provided by dodge. Appears to be a common problem and the part has since been updated on new vehicles.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10743879

Dodge Journey engine complaints by year

Journey engine problems, every year

Had a engine problem with your 2011 Journey? Tell other owners.

Your experience goes live straight away and helps every owner and buyer who checks this vehicle. Anonymous, free, no account.

Overall, how would you rate it? *

0/4000 · Please leave out names, phone numbers and your full VIN.

By posting you confirm it's your own, honest experience and agree to the rules. Safety defect? Also report it to NHTSA - that's how recalls start.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience