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 severity
Typical 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 severity
Typical 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 severity
Symptoms: 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 severity
Typical 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.
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 severity
Typical 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 severity
Typical 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
Owner tips
Change transmission fluid every 50k miles maximum—62TE cannot tolerate neglect despite 'lifetime fill' claims
Check oil level on 2.4L engine every fill-up; consumption is early warning sign of ring failure
Budget $500/year for unexpected repairs after 80k miles—these are not long-term ownership vehicles
Avoid extended warranties from third parties—transmission and engine claims often denied on technicalities
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.
Fitment notes: Battery located under hood on driver side; standard flooded lead acid battery for base 2.4L engine
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Every control module on the 2011-2020 Dodge Journey — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
Electric Power Steering Module (EPS)2.5 hr R&Rdealer / factory tool +0.5 hr▸ programming details
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may unexpectedly deploy if the air bag wiring harness gets chafed within the steering wheel and short circuits.
Consequence: Unexpected deployment of the driver's frontal air bag increases the risk of a crash or driver injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag wiring within the steering wheel, replacing it if necessary. A protective cover will also be installed. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T47.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS · 16V273000
2016-05-06
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 31, 2007, to November 12, 2016. After exposure to cold temperatures, the power steering return hose may rupture at engine start-up causing a loss of power steering assist.
Consequence: A loss of power steering assist may require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return hoses, steel tubes, and power steering oil cooler, free of charge. The recall began on May 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S08.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · 15V675000
2015-10-19
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured April 21, 2012, to April 14, 2015. In the affected vehicles, water may enter the wiring harness for the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module and leak into the module, disabling the ABS and/or the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system.
Consequence: If the ABS or ESC is disabled, a loss of vehicle stability could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will seal the ABS wiring harness to prevent water from entering and will replace the ABS module and repair the headlamp and dash wiring harness, as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R61.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · 15V431000
2015-07-07
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.
Consequence: 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.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2013 Dodge Journey 2.4L I4 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.