2016 Dodge Journey Electrical System Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 29, 2026 · 85 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 85 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the 2016 Dodge Journey, 22% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 61,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “traction control” (9% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Traction control: mentioned in 8 of 85 complaints (9%)

At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?

Based on 51 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles3 · 6%
10k–25k miles6 · 12%
25k–50k miles8 · 16%
50k–75k miles17 · 33%
75k–100k miles8 · 16%
100k–150k miles9 · 18%
150k+ miles0 · 0%

How serious are the reports?

Of 85 complaints, 2 a fire.

Dodge Journey electrical system complaints by model year

Peak: 2009, with 767 complaints
2007: 1200712008: 6200862009: 76720097672010: 60020106002011: 432011432012: 11620121162013: 732013732014: 10620141062015: 11820151182016: 852016852017: 592017592018: 722018722019: 232019232020: 19202019

n = 2,088 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearElectrical System complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2020 Journey1929%—
2019 Journey2323%15,375
2018 Journey7231%22,000
2017 Journey5930%35,750
2016 Journey8522%61,000
2015 Journey11821%47,500
2014 Journey10625%47,000
2013 Journey7321%57,000
2012 Journey11631%85,000
2011 Journey4325%80,000
2010 Journey60061%79,000
2009 Journey76754%80,000
2008 Journey675%91,000
2007 Journey125%57,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2019, with 19 complaints
2017: 5201752018: 102018102019: 192019192020: 9202092021: 142021142022: 9202292023: 4202342024: 2202422025: 9202592026: 420264

n = 85 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

Electrical system:software; vehicle speed control:cruise control; electrical system:wiringMay 17, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V332000 · 4,815,661 vehicles

Problem: 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 cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

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

Fix: 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 disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

The ABS light came on and the Brake light came on plus the traction light is on. The car will not activate cruise control or the traction control either. We have no idea when it will completely stop working and causing an accident as a result. The problem has been identified as the ABS Brake Module…

Received Sep 25, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11767034

The 2012-2015 Dodge Journey was previously subject to an NHTSA recall for an electronic stability control module defect producing similar ABS warning and brake-related symptoms. The 2016 model year was not included in that recall. Other 2016 Dodge Journey owners have reported the same symptoms to…

Received May 29, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11740795

The air conditioner turns on by itself. When I turn it off it immediately turns itself back on. I have turned it off at least ten times repeatedly back to back and it continued to turn back on by itself. It can happen randomly sometimes, but has now become more of a problem.

Received May 19, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11738916
Dodge Journey
Second generation Dodge Journey based on the second generation GAC GS5 (GAC GS4 Plus) in Playa del Carmen. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Cannonball walk, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2016 Dodge Journeys have electrical system problems?

No. NHTSA has 85 owner complaints about electrical system for the 2016 Dodge Journey (22% of the 388 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2016 Dodge Journey electrical system?

Yes: 1 safety recall list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do electrical system problems start?

The median reported mileage is 61,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about electrical system problems on the 2016 Dodge Journey?

The most frequent phrase is “traction control”, in 8 of 85 complaints.

Other 2016 Dodge Journey problems

See all 2016 Dodge Journey problems or electrical system problems across all Journey years.