The 2014 Dodge Journey is a budget-oriented crossover built on aging Chrysler/Fiat architecture with known weak points in the transmission, engine internals (especially 2.4L), and cooling systems. Expect major mechanical issues before 120,000 miles if maintenance was deferred.
Transmission Cooler Line & Internal Failure (62TE & 6-Speed Auto)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid leaking from cooler lines at radiator connection, Harsh shifting, slipping between gears, delayed engagement, Overheating transmission — burnt fluid smell, Check engine light with transmission codes (P0711, P0841)
Fix: Cooler line replacement is 2-3 hours if caught early. Once internal damage occurs (common), expect full rebuild or replacement at 12-18 hours labor. The 62TE 4-speed in base models is particularly fragile; the 6-speed behind the V6 fares slightly better but still problematic.
Estimated cost: $400-800 for lines only; $2,800-4,500 for rebuild/reman unit installed
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1 qt per 1,000 miles or worse), Knocking/ticking noise from bottom end, especially cold start, Low oil pressure warning light, Sudden catastrophic failure — spun bearings, rod knock
Fix: The 2.4L MultiAir has defective piston rings and oil control issues from the factory. Running low on oil destroys rod and main bearings. Short-block or complete engine replacement is typical — 18-24 hours labor for engine R&R. Used engines are plentiful but carry same risk.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,000 for reman long-block installed; $2,500-4,000 for used engine swap
3.6L Pentastar Left Cylinder Head Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant loss with no visible external leak, White smoke from exhaust on cold start, Misfires on cylinders 1, 3, or 5 (left bank), Overheating, rough idle
Fix: Left head has a casting/porosity defect causing coolant intrusion into cylinders. Requires left head removal, resurface/replacement, new gaskets — 10-14 hours labor. Right head rarely affected. Chrysler extended warranty covered some cases but expired for most 2014s.
Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800 depending on machine shop work and parts
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) Failures
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Fuel pump not priming — no start, no crank, Intermittent gauge cluster blackout, Wipers, windows, locks operating randomly or not at all, Multiple electrical codes stored, seemingly unrelated
Fix: The TIPM is Chrysler's Achilles' heel across this era. Corrosion on internal relays causes erratic behavior. Replacement is plug-and-play (1.5-2 hours) but requires programming at dealer in some cases. Aftermarket rebuilt units available but quality varies.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200 for reman TIPM installed and programmed
Front Lower Control Arm Bushings & Ball Joints
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front end, Wandering steering, poor tracking, Inner tire wear, Vibration through steering wheel
Fix: The rubber bushings and ball joints wear prematurely, especially in rust-belt cars. Control arms are typically replaced as assemblies rather than pressing new bushings — 2-3 hours per side including alignment. Budget OE-quality parts.
Estimated cost: $500-900 for both sides with alignment
Water Pump & Thermostat Housing Leaks (3.6L)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant weeping from timing cover area, Overheating under load or in traffic, Low coolant warning light, Coolant smell in cabin or under hood
Fix: The 3.6L water pump is timing-chain driven and buried. Replacement involves partial timing cover removal — 4-6 hours labor. Thermostat housing (plastic) also cracks. Do both together if either is leaking to avoid repeat labor.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400 for water pump and thermostat housing combo
Blower Motor Resistor & Final Stage Unit Failure
Common · low severity
Symptoms: HVAC blower only works on high speed, No air flow from vents at any setting, Intermittent blower operation, Burning smell from vents
Fix: The blower motor resistor (final stage unit for auto climate) burns out regularly. Located under passenger dash — 0.5-1 hour to replace. Cheap part, common failure. OE Mopar part lasts longer than most aftermarket.
Estimated cost: $150-300
Owner tips
Check oil level every 500 miles on the 2.4L — consumption is inevitable, don't let it run low
Change transmission fluid every 40,000 miles with OEM ATF+4 spec fluid, not generic Dex/Merc
Inspect coolant level monthly on 3.6L engines — early detection of head or pump leaks prevents overheating damage
TIPM issues often misdiagnosed as bad fuel pump or starter — check power module first before throwing parts
Only consider if under $8,000, single-owner with full service records, and you have $3,000 reserve for inevitable transmission or engine work — otherwise walk away.
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: Standard engine compartment mounting
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Control Modules — 2014 Dodge Journey
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 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.
Consequence: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
EQUIPMENT · 17V824000
2017-12-21
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Consequence: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · 17V432000
2017-07-07
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.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · 14V711000
2014-11-07
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured October 25, 2013, to August 22, 2014. The affected vehicles may be equipped with tire placard labels which contain inaccurate seating capacity and occupant/cargo combined weight information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
Consequence: With inaccurate information on the tire placard, the operator may overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a correct tire placard label, free of charge. The recall began April 8, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P70.
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 2014 Dodge Journey 3.6L V6 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Built by master technician Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years.