2016 Dodge Journey: sudden loss of power

Filed Sep 29, 2026 · Transmission · 128,761 miles · SC

The contact's wife owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The vehicle lost power while depressing the accelerator pedal in the middle of an intersection and narrowly avoided being struck by an 18-wheeler. The check engine warning light and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact and his wife manually pushed the vehicle out of the intersection. Once out of the intersection, the contact attempted to drive the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to engage while shifted in drive(D) or reverse(R). Due to the failure, the contact had a friend tow the vehicle back to the residence. The contact’s wife informed him that a week prior to the failure, the vehicle surged forward upon depression of the accelerator pedal after coming to a complete stop. The contact stated that there was an abnormal, burning odor coming from the vehicle after the failure. The contact and his wife suffered mental anguish due to the failure. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V461000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 128,761.

Filed Jun 11, 2026 · IN

The vehicle has experienced multiple sudden and complete losses of power without warning, creating a serious safety hazard. On May 22, 2026, while driving toward a parking lot exit, the engine abruptly shut off and all electrical systems powered down. After approximately five minutes, the vehicle restarted and I was able to leave. The failed component is UNKNOWN, and the vehicle is available for inspection. This condition puts me and others at risk because the vehicle can lose all power unexpectedly while in motion, increasing the risk of a crash due to loss of propulsion and reduced control. The issue has occurred three times and taken to the dealership 3 times: May 22, 2026 – complete shutdown while driving May 27, 2026 – shutdown while reversing; vehicle would not restart and required towing June 10, 2026 – shutdown again immediately when leaving dealership There were no warning lights, messages, or prior symptoms before any failure. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times by a dealership. Each time, they reported no diagnostic trouble codes and no identified cause. The failures have not been reproduced under dealership testing conditions, despite repeated real-world occurrences, including immediately after release from service. No inspections by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives have occurred. Cause remains UNKNOWN. Due to the repeated, unpredictable loss of power and inability to diagnose or repair the issue, I believe the vehicle is unsafe to operate.

Filed Apr 8, 2026 · Transmission · NV

The car started making a whining noise as I was exiting the highway. Within 2 minutes, the check engine light came on. Shortly after that as I was turning right on the street to enter the parking lot, the car lost power and would not move forward. THe car just lost power in the middle of the street as I was driving. I had someone look at the car and they said the transmission pump or transmission needs to be replaced. I read there was a recall: Recall Number: S44 (the federal safety agency Campaign 16V‑461) Affected Vehicles: The recall affects approximately 26,299 vehicles, specifically 2016 Dodge Journey models manufactured between August 17, 2015, and January 29, 2016. 2. Issue: The transmission pump may seize, resulting in a loss of hydraulic pressure. This can lead to a complete loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash without warning. This is exactly what happened to me but my vin doesn't come up when I enter it on the website. I think my vehicle should have been included under the recall and transmission pump replaced.

Filed Nov 1, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · VA

While driving the car, car stalled and began displaying the lightning bolt icon on the cluster. The power steering stopped working and the brake was very stiff and hard to depress. I pulled off the road and waited a few minutes and started the car again. The idle was very rough, icon was still displayed on the cluster, and car began jerking and stalled again. I had the vehicle towed to the house and began looking into the issue. Error codes read on the car was P0365: Camshaft Position Sensor “B” Circuit, and the red lightning bolt indicating an issue with the electronic throttle body. The battery was taken out and tested bad so it was replaced. The throttle body was cleaned and tested good. When I tried to start the car after the codes were cleared, the vehicle attempted to start but wasn't able to turn over fully. The P0365 code returned. I then had a mechanic come check out the car to see if he could do anything to help. He determined that the valves in the engine were bent and the cars timing was off. With all of this being said, This issue I am complaining about is the P0365 Camshaft sensor code. There was a recall for the camshaft sensors in some 2016 Dodge Journeys but my VIN did not fall in that range. When I called FCA, I was told there was nothing to be done because my VIN wasn't included in the recall. A bad camshaft sensor would cause all of the issues that I am experiencing with the car. If the sensor is bad or doesn't perform as it should, it could effect the overall timing of the engine's firing sequence, causing stalling, failure to start, and damage to the engine, like in my case with the bent valves. This incident posed a severe safety risk to myself and the other drivers around me due to the loss of power steering and partial loss of braking ability. Luckily this incident did not occur on the interstate or major highway, where there are speeds in excess of 55 mph.

Filed Sep 5, 2024 · Brakes, Engine · MD

While I was driving, my car unexpectedly lost power and the engine shut off while I was making a left hand turn. There was no warning. The steering wheel became very hard to maneuver and the car coasted through the turn. I was almost hit by incoming Traffic. Once the car came to a complete stop, I was able to put it in park and restart it after attempting twice. The first time, it sputtered. It has not been confirmed by a dealer and it has not been inspected by anyone. There were no warning lights prior to it shutting off. The radio never stopped working on either. It happens when the air is running

Filed Feb 26, 2023 · Transmission · PA

While driving as I increased speed it seems that the trans would slip. Also several times it actually lost power for a second before regaining composure. But today all this occurred and when I came to a traffic light , suddenly the car shutdown. I was able to turn it back on again, but I believe these occurrences are happening with regard to a recall regarding the transmission pump. One that I never received info about in 2016. If I had I probably wouldn't be reporting this.

Filed Oct 12, 2022 · Brakes, Transmission · GA

The vehicle started making a whining noise, also brake light came on, vehicle lost ability to brake in open traffic, slipping in and out of gear, vehicle loss power while driving in open traffic. This all began on or around 10/8. The engine light came on in the vehicle after which time the vehicle was no longer driven by owner as a safety precaution. On 10/11 the vehicle was diagnosed by Aamco transmissions. The mechanic advised the vehicle had experience hydraulic pressure failure, the hydraulic pump in the vehicle went out unexpectedly. The mechanic said all fluids were inspected and topped off and look well all except transmission fluid, which was described as burnt. The mechanic explained that because of the pump failure the transmission wasn’t receiving any pressure. I found an open recall not specific to my VIN but specific to 2016 Dodge Journeys that was for power train automatic transmissions. Recall number was S44. Another recall number was 16V461000. The consequences of this recall is exactly what my vehicle experienced. AAMCO also confirmed they see this a lot with my type of vehicle. My vehicle is available for inspection. My safety was gravely out at risk as I drive a lot taking my kids to basketball practice. I live in a very busy area metro Atlanta and have used the expressway often I could have loss the ability to brake at a higher speed or completely shut off in the middle of high speed traffic.

Filed Apr 28, 2022 · Transmission · 143,069 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the contact felt a loss of power. The contact stated that the vehicle started to decelerate and eventually stopped. The contact stated he did not notice any warning lights being illuminated. The contact pulled off the highway safely and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V461000 (Power Train). The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer who informed her that there was no recall on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 143,069.

Filed Oct 21, 2021 · Transmission · CA

My car lost power at all due to transmission failure

Filed Jul 24, 2021 · Acceleration · WV

Driving home from work (about 10:45p on 7/22/2021), when, without warning, the ETC (electronic throttle control) and the Trac light came on. This led to an immediate lose of power with no ability to accelerate. This happened 7 times from Sterling Boulevard to Loudoun County Parkway exit on Rt 7. At one point, I was almost rear-end after loosing power. This happened to me once before on 7/18/2021 at 11:30p, again I was driving home from work. I called the dealership on 7/22, because I was out of town from 719-7/21, in the morning to see if they could repair the issue. They could not get me in until July 28th. They assured me it was safe to drive. If it happened again, I was instructed to stop and reset the vehicle, which was done every time I lost power on 7/22, but they assured me the vehicle was safe to drive to a job I had Salisbury, Maryland on Saturday (3 hrs away). I ended up canceling the job. My concern is that upon researching the internet, there seemed to be too many of the same stories. This issue seems to be affecting Journeys and Chargers based on my research. If I was on an Interstate with a semi behind me, there is no way that driver could have braked in time.

Filed May 4, 2021 · Transmission · PA

2016 dodge journey. Consumer stated that she loss power while operating her vehicle. *ld the consumer stated that the throttle body was replaced. The consumer requested to be reimbursed the cost of repairs.

Filed Jan 16, 2021 · Brakes, Electrical · 110,000 miles · GA

I was driving down the street and loss all power and brake control. No warning lights and no notice just shut off while driving, radio and lights everything cut off without warning.