The 2019 Journey is essentially a facelifted 2009 platform with decade-old mechanicals. The 62TE transmission and 3.6L Pentastar are your primary concerns, with early catastrophic failures appearing surprisingly often on what should be a nearly-new vehicle.
62TE Transmission Failure (3.6L V6 models)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Harsh 2-3 or 3-4 shifts with flaring RPM, Shuddering during light acceleration around 35-45 mph, Delayed engagement from Park to Drive (5+ seconds), Transmission overheating warning light with burnt fluid smell
Fix: Internal clutch pack failure, solenoid body issues, or valve body scoring. Transmission oil cooler frequently fails simultaneously, contaminating fluid. Rebuild requires 12-16 hours; most shops recommend reman unit. Replace cooler regardless or you'll be back in 6 months.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,200
Transmission Oil Cooler Leaks
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 30,000-70,000 mi
Symptoms: Pink or red coolant in overflow tank (classic trans fluid mixing), Transmission slipping or delayed shifts after warmup, Overheating transmission and engine simultaneously, Milky strawberry-milkshake colored transmission fluid on dipstick
Fix: Factory cooler integrated into radiator fails internally, cross-contaminating coolant and ATF. This destroys the transmission if not caught immediately. Requires 4-5 hours: drain both systems, flush transmission lines, new radiator, fresh fluids. If milkshake fluid is present, transmission damage is likely already done.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
3.6L Pentastar Left Cylinder Head Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Cylinder 1 or 5 misfire codes (P0301, P0305) that return after plug/coil replacement, Coolant loss with no visible external leaks, White smoke on cold start that clears up, Rough idle that worsens progressively
Fix: Left head (driver side) cracks between valve seats or develops valve seat recession, especially cylinder 1. Requires head removal, crack testing, and resurfacing or replacement. Parts alone run $1,200-1,800. Labor is 14-18 hours because of tight engine bay. Both heads often done preventively once one fails.
Estimated cost: $3,200-5,500
2.4L Tigershark Engine Oil Consumption
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 25,000-60,000 mi
Symptoms: Low oil warning light between 3,000-5,000 mile oil changes, Consuming 1+ quart per 1,000 miles, Blue smoke on deceleration or startup, Fouled spark plugs on cylinder 2 and 3
Fix: Piston ring design flaw causes excessive oil burning. Chrysler had extended warranty coverage through 2020 (now expired). Proper fix is new pistons and rings — 18-22 hours labor. Most owners just add oil every 1,000 miles and trade it in. Valve stem seals are secondary contributor.
Estimated cost: $3,800-5,200
EVAP System / Fuel Tank Filler Neck Issues
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: P0456 or P0457 codes (small/large EVAP leak), Fuel pump clicking but tank won't fill normally, Check engine light after refueling, Fuel smell near rear wheel well
Fix: Filler neck rubber hose cracks or EVAP canister purge valve sticks. Diagnosis takes 1-2 hours with smoke test. Filler neck replacement is 2-3 hours, purge valve is 0.8 hours. Charcoal canister itself occasionally saturates from overfilling — that's 2.5 hours and $400 in parts.
Estimated cost: $300-900
Lower Control Arm Bushing Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front suspension, Steering wheel off-center after hitting potholes, Inner tire edge wear on front tires, Wandering steering on highway
Fix: Front lower control arm bushings separate or tear. Chrysler doesn't sell bushings separately — full control arm assemblies required both sides. 2.5-3.5 hours labor plus alignment. Do both sides and both transmission mounts at same time if you're in there.
Estimated cost: $650-1,100
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) Faults
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Fuel pump not priming intermittently (crank/no-start), Wipers or windows operating on their own, Multiple warning lights with no stored codes, Horn honking randomly or headlights flashing while parked
Fix: Internal relay failures in the TIPM (fuse/relay box under hood). Chrysler updated part numbers multiple times but issues persist. Requires 1.5-2 hours for replacement and programming. Used units from salvage cause same problems — must be new or remanufactured with updated internals.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Owner tips
Change transmission fluid every 40,000 miles with Mopar ATF+4 only — do NOT go to 60k intervals despite manual saying 'lifetime fill'
Install external transmission cooler immediately if towing anything or living in hot climate — $250 investment prevents $4,000 transmission
Check transmission fluid for ANY pink tint in coolant monthly — catch cooler failure before it kills the trans
2.4L owners: check oil every fuel fill-up and keep 2 quarts in the cargo area at all times
Replace transmission and motor mounts together around 60k — they're cheap insurance and failed mounts accelerate driveline wear
Buy only if under $8,000 and you have $3,000 set aside for transmission work — this platform was outdated when new and the powertrain proves it.
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: Group 96R specified for 3.6L V6 engine; battery located in engine compartment
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Control Modules — 2019 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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 25V552000
2025-08-26 · PE24006
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Ram ProMaster and 2019-2020 Dodge Journey vehicles. Cracks in the microprocessor may cause the vehicle's rearview camera image not to display properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility.
Consequence: A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed beginning September 30, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated July 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 59C.
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 2019 Dodge Journey 3.6L V6 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Built by master technician Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years.