The 2020 Dodge Journey is essentially a 2009 design that Dodge kept alive far too long. It's plagued by transmission failures, oil consumption issues on the 2.4L, and a tendency toward catastrophic engine damage when maintenance lapses.
Automatic Transmission Failure (62TE)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Harsh 2-3 or 3-4 shifts, especially when cold, Slipping under acceleration or complete loss of forward gears, Whining noise from transmission area, Check engine light with P0732 (gear ratio incorrect) or P0871 codes
Fix: The 62TE transmission behind both engines has weak clutch packs and the solenoid block fails. Rebuilds run 12-16 hours labor, reman units about 8-10 hours to swap. Oil cooler replacement is mandatory during any trans work because they leak internally and contaminate fluid.
Estimated cost: $3,200-5,500
2.4L Tigershark Engine Oil Consumption and Bearing Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Burning 1+ quart per 1,000 miles even with no visible leaks, Knocking or ticking noise from bottom end, especially cold starts, Check engine light with low oil pressure codes, Catastrophic engine failure if oil level drops unnoticed
Fix: The 2.4L World Engine has porous cylinder walls and weak piston rings that let oil slip past. Once rod bearings start knocking from oil starvation, you're looking at short block replacement or full rebuild. 18-24 hours labor for engine R&R and rebuild.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,000
3.6L Pentastar Rocker Arm and Lifter Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Loud ticking or tapping from valve covers, left bank most common, Check engine light with multiple misfire codes, Metal shavings in oil during changes, Rough idle and loss of power
Fix: Rocker arms wear through and drop valves or damage cam lobes. Requires cylinder head removal to replace rockers, lifters, and often the camshaft. 14-18 hours per bank, both banks if metal contaminated the oil system. Sometimes need head resurfacing if valve damage occurred.
Estimated cost: $3,500-6,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Internal Leak
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid mixing with coolant (milky pink fluid in overflow), Engine overheating with no obvious coolant leak, Transmission overheating or erratic shifts, Loss of coolant with no visible external leak
Fix: The factory transmission cooler integrated into the radiator develops internal cracks. Coolant and ATF cross-contaminate, destroying the transmission if not caught early. Requires radiator replacement plus full transmission fluid flush. 3-4 hours labor if caught before trans damage.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
EVAP System and Fuel Tank Leaks
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Check engine light with P0442, P0456 (small EVAP leak), Strong fuel smell after filling tank, Difficulty filling tank (pump clicks off repeatedly), Fuel gauge reading erratically
Fix: Fuel tank vent valves stick and the filler neck develops cracks. Also see fuel pump module leaks at the tank seal. Tank drop required for diagnosis and repair, 2-3 hours labor. Sometimes need full tank replacement if plastic is cracked.
Estimated cost: $400-1,400
Engine and Transmission Mount Failures
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive engine movement visible during acceleration/deceleration, Clunking when shifting into drive or reverse, Vibration at idle that smooths out at higher RPM, Shudder during hard acceleration
Fix: Hydraulic mounts fail and cause drivetrain movement that stresses CV axles and transmission linkage. Front torque mount is most common, but right side and trans mount also fail. 2-3 hours to replace all three if done together.
Estimated cost: $500-900
Backup Camera Failure
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Blank screen or 'camera unavailable' message when in reverse, Intermittent camera operation, works when cold but fails when hot, Distorted or flickering image, Water condensation visible inside camera lens
Fix: The liftgate-mounted camera develops internal moisture issues and the wiring harness chafes at the hinge point. Subject to recall but failures continue post-recall. Camera replacement is 1 hour, but diagnosing intermittent wiring can add time.
Estimated cost: $300-600
Owner tips
Check transmission fluid color every oil change — any pink tint means cooler failure is starting
On the 2.4L, check oil level every fill-up; carrying a quart in the vehicle is mandatory
Use OEM Mopar ATF+4 only — aftermarket fluids accelerate 62TE clutch wear
Have transmission serviced (drain and fill, not flush) every 50,000 miles despite 'lifetime fluid' claims
Avoid this generation entirely if you want reliability past 100,000 miles
Hard pass unless under $5,000 with full service records — this platform was obsolete when new and the drivetrain reliability is abysmal compared to any competitor.
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 top post battery; located in front engine compartment
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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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 25V552000
2025-08-26
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 2020 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.