The 2013 Journey is a budget-friendly crossover built on aging Dodge/Chrysler bones with significant powertrain durability concerns, particularly transmission and engine internal failures that can appear surprisingly early for modern vehicles.
Automatic Transmission Failure (62TE Six-Speed)
Common · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard shifting between 2nd-3rd or 3rd-4th gears, Delayed engagement from Park to Drive, Transmission slipping or flaring RPMs during shifts, Check engine light with solenoid pack or pressure control codes
Fix: The 62TE is notorious for solenoid pack failures and valve body issues leading to full rebuilds. External transmission oil cooler often fails first, starving trans fluid and accelerating internal damage. Rebuild requires 12-16 hours labor; used transmissions are gamble.
Estimated cost: $2,800-4,500
2.4L Tigershark Engine Internal Failure
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (quart every 500-1,000 miles), Knocking or ticking noise from bottom end, Metal shavings in oil, low oil pressure warning, Catastrophic bearing failure with no prior warning
Fix: The 2.4L World Engine suffers piston ring land failures and rod bearing issues. Many see sudden bearing failure despite maintenance. Full engine rebuild requires 18-24 hours; used engines common route but inherits same design flaws. Heads often need resurfacing during rebuild.
Estimated cost: $4,000-6,500
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) Failures
Common · medium severitySymptoms: Fuel pump cycles constantly or won't prime, Wipers activate randomly or won't turn off, Door locks cycling on their own, No-start condition despite good battery and starter, ABS light with wheel speed sensor codes that aren't sensor-related
Fix: Classic Chrysler TIPM nightmare. Internal relay failures cause bizarre electrical gremlins. Dealer-only part ($600-900), 2-3 hours replacement, but often requires reprogramming. Aftermarket rebuilds available but quality varies. Some failures are weather/moisture related.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Power Steering Hose Leaks
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Power steering fluid pooling under front of vehicle, Whining noise from pump, especially when cold, Heavy steering effort at low speeds, Rapid fluid loss requiring frequent top-offs
Fix: High-pressure hose from pump to rack develops leaks at crimped fittings or develops cracks. Also see rack seals fail. Hose replacement 1.5-2 hours; rack replacement 4-5 hours if internal seals gone. Recall 13V-227 addressed some hoses but not comprehensive.
Estimated cost: $250-450 (hose); $600-1,200 (rack)
Front Suspension Lower Control Arm Bushings
Common · low severityTypical onset: 60,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front end, Steering wander or vague on-center feel, Inner tire edge wear, Visible cracks or separation in rubber bushings
Fix: Lower control arm bushings deteriorate early, especially rear bushing mounts. Some techs press in new bushings (2 hours per side), but full arm replacement with ball joint is cleaner solution (1.5 hours per side). Alignment required after.
Estimated cost: $400-700 (both sides with alignment)
Water Pump Failure (3.6L V6)
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant leak from front timing cover area, Whining or grinding noise from engine front, Overheating or temperature gauge fluctuation, Coolant level drops with no external leak visible
Fix: 3.6L Pentastar has internal water pump driven by timing chain. Failure requires timing cover removal, chain R&R. Not external bolt-on. 6-8 hours labor, must replace chains/guides while in there. Catastrophic if pump seizes and damages chain.
Estimated cost: $1,200-1,800
Evaporative Emissions System Leaks
Occasional · low severityTypical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Check engine light with P0456 or P0457 (small EVAP leak), Fuel smell near tank after filling, Failed emissions test in states requiring it
Fix: Purge valve, vent valve, and vapor canister connections develop leaks. Smoke test required to pinpoint. Purge valve common culprit (1 hour), but cracked lines or corroded canister add time. Parts cheap but labor varies with location.
Estimated cost: $150-500
Skip it unless under $5,000 with documented trans/engine work—too many expensive grenades waiting to go off for what you're getting in utility and refinement.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.