Check a VIN

Dodge Journey knocking problems

41 of the 5,298 owner complaints about the Dodge Journey describe engine knocking or ticking, most of them for the 2010 model year.

owner complaints
41
worst model year
2010
typical repair cost reported
$1,500
typical mileage
67,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Apr 11, 2025 · Engine · FL

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed, and there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. Additionally, the contact stated he had noticed that there was an abnormal odor coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine oil cooler and the intake gasket needed to be replaced due to oil leak, and the O2 sensors, the timing cover gasket, both cover gasket seals, and the front crankshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V907000(Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Mar 26, 2024 · Acceleration, Brakes · 109,004 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal clunking and knocking sound was heard. The traction control, ABS, and AWD warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the brakes and sensors. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, who referred the contact to the local dealer for assistance with the ABS module. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS module was corroded and there was no recall coverage. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 109,004.

Filed Dec 10, 2023 · Airbags, Electrical · MN

Horn honks randomly will driving or turned off/parked. Windows go up/down on their own. Locks/unlocks. wipers turn on/off. Emergency flashers turn on/blink all on their own. Appears to be an issue with security system. Replaced TIPM and still having issues with all of the above. My truck is dead every day, replaced battery twice & crack shaft sensor, still having issues. There is a ticking noise and sounds like my truck is trying to turn itself on without the key in the ignition. Airbag light will not go off. This vehicle is 13 years old and Dodge needs to do a recall for all the issues people are reporting.

Filed Sep 5, 2023 · Engine · 170,000 miles · UT

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made abnormal knocking sounds. Additionally, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated while responding upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while starting the vehicle and driving from a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was low compression in cylinder #2, and the long block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Apr 9, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

I bought this car used but it only had 26340 on it and now it is almost to 30000. When driving it sounds as though the motor is knocking, but the oil is fine when checked on. It seems to have difficulty changing gears, sometimes way to fast and it whines other times it struggles to shift gears. Rpms are not steady they are bouncing around high love. When it does get to speed it feels as though the brakes are being appflied. At times the motorwhines because, the gear is to low it starts to get loud and become very hesitant when shifting to the higher gears. Sometimes it feels like the motor or something is going to come offf. There is a bunch of rattling going on . When I do park and turn it off, shortly after it sounds as if there is something running around inside the motor area. I was told it runs great and haven't even put 3000 miles on it. I think it's going to blow up or just die

Filed Aug 15, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · 80,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at an undetermined speed, there was an abnormal ticking noise detected. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they informed the contact the camshaft sensor and crankshaft sensor should be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V907000 ( Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Jun 24, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · OK

I took my car in for an engine knocking noise and was told that my motor needs to be replace. I was told that they have recalled all the other motors that were made during this time period but mine is not part of the recall. They have attempted it is a known issue with the cylinder that were put in the 2.4 L motors but will not help me in fixing the issue because they don't have my motor on recall. My is the E5 and the motors that they have recalled are the E4 and E6 motors that were put into the Jeeps and the Chrysler but they have not recalled the Dodges motors. Consumer have found out that these motors in fact have two recalls on them. The recall number is W80 and W84. They have found that the cylinder O-rings are bad, and this is confirmed with the with the notice that was sent with the federal safety agency ID # 10138863 with the manufacture communication number 9003357. Dodge is still refusing to fix the issue and replace the motor.

Filed Feb 18, 2022 · Engine · OH

Car Engine Started knocking while driving home from work. No Check Engine Lights or warning Chimes, was not over heating. Car made a loud bang and blew out a puff of smoke. Was stranded along side a busy state route. Was towed to a local garage where they informed me that the engine was blown. They showed me the oil pan which had chunk of metal and pieces of a connecting rod in the pan. This car only had 76,000 miles and we have only had it for not even 6 months. Had an oil change 3 days prior to the failure. I’ve been buying dodge my entire life but this will be the last one. It was the family car so It put us in a tight spot. Cant get another car because we owe over $13,000 on the loan which still will have to be paid.

Filed Sep 10, 2021 · Seats · MI

I was driving and moved the seat back of the car to sit up straighter. When I did I heard a loud noise from what I thought was the back seat and pulled over to check what it was. Upon inspection I noticed the head rest had completely separated. My first thought was that I was happy it didn’t knock me out which is exactly what I said to my daughter who was sitting in the passenger seat. I got online to see how to put it back together and realized this is a common and expensive issue for dodge journeys and that the head rest can’t be pushed back together. I can have it inspected if need be. No warning lamps came on yet.

Filed May 26, 2021 · Engine · AZ

Just before my warranty was up I got a check engine light and the car started running really rough almost like it was gonna die when I came to a stop. I called the dealership and they told me they would try to get me in at the next availability. With the end of my warranty closely approaching I told them this wasn’t an option. They finally got my car in after I made a few demanding phone calls to the right people and come to find out that somehow some hardware in my engine came loose and it was causing very abnormal wear on my lifters and so they “fixed” the problem. Fast forward a few months and now I’ve been having an annoying ticking noise coming from my engine. I tried using Seafoam, nada. I tried using Lucas High Mileage additive, no dice. So I took it to a trusted mechanic as it is now well outside my warranty and he told me “it’s your lifters” which I already had a feeling it would be just by listening to the sound as between and idle and acceleration. So being I have over 167k miles on it it’s not even worth fixing. Oh and just a side note, my mechanic also mentioned to me that he fixed 4 other Journeys that week which tells me that Dodge has a serious problem with these model cars that they will not address. Oh and just for the record, I have the garbage 3.6L Pentastar engine

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engineReported December 16, 2016 · 42,231 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Journey, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Patriot vehicles manufactured May 9, 2016, to July 15, 2016. The crankshaft or camshaft sensor may only work intermittently, causing the engine to stall.
Risk
If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft or camshaft sensor connector, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S89.

Recall number 16V907000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: engineReported July 7, 2015 · 145,379 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
If the displaced engine cover contacts the exhaust manifold, there would be an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 15V431000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported September 29, 2011 · 667 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 chrysler vehicles, including 200 and town and country models, dodge vehicles, including charger, durango, grand caravan and journey models and jeep grand cherokee vehicles manufactured from august 31, 2011, through september 13, 2011, that are equipped with 3.6l engines. These engines may experience connecting rod bearing failure due to debris inside the engine block.
Risk
Connecting rod failure may lead to engine seizure which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners and replace the engine free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about november 18, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 11V487000 · Recall details

Questions about the Dodge Journey knocking

Which Dodge Journey years have engine knocking or ticking problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2010 (7 complaints), 2013 (6 complaints) and 2014 (6 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix engine knocking or ticking on the Dodge Journey?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,500 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Dodge Journey?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history