The surprisingly popular Dodge Journey was originally equipped with the A604 (41TE) transmission – the late model 2008+ Dodge Journey was equipped with the 6-speed 62TE transmission. But they aren’t without their problems though, so let’s look at some of the most common Dodge Journey transmission problems, look at cost estimates and figure out what you can do about them.
What Transmission Do I Have?
Dodge Journey Transmission Models
Up to 2008 Dodge Journey: A604 (41TE) Transmission
2008+ Dodge Journey: 62TE Transmission
Dodge Journey Transmission Replacement Cost Estimate
Pricing varies by model. To be 100% sure on pricing, have your VIN# handy and use our Get An Estimate feature to look up your transmission by VIN#.
Replacement Dodge Journey Transmission Prices:
| Transmission | Street Smart Transmission |
|---|---|
| 41TE (A604) | 1905 |
| 62TE | 2409 |
What are the DTC codes related to Dodge Journey transmission problems?
| Trouble Code | Description |
|---|---|
| P0716 | Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0721 | Output Speed Sensor Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0726 | Engine Speed Input Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0729 | Gear 6 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0731 | Gear 1 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0732 | Gear 2 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0733 | Gear 3 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0734 | Gear 4 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0735 | Gear 5 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0736 | Reverse Incorrect Ratio |
| P0740 | Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Malfunction |
| P0750 | Shift Solenoid 'A' |
| P0755 | Shift Solenoid 'B' |
| P0760 | Shift Solenoid 'C' |
| P0765 | Shift Solenoid 'D' |
| P0791 | Intermediate Shaft Speed Sensor Circuit |
| P0792 | Intermediate Shaft Speed Sensor Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0841 | Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch A Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0845 | Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch B Circuit |
| P0846 | Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch B Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0848 | Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch B Circuit High |
| P0850 | Park/Neutral Switch Input Circuit |
| P0868 | Transmission Fluid Pressure Low |
| P0869 | Transmission Fluid Pressure High |
| P0870 | Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch C Circuit |
Dodge Journey Transmission Recalls
None Found
Dodge Journey Technical Service Bulletins (TSB)
None Found
Common Dodge Journey Transmission Problems
Delayed forward and/or reverse engagement with a double ‘bump’ sensation – 41TE transmission
Problem – Drivers may notice a significant delay when they shift into Drive or Reverse. They may also experience a series of ‘bumps’ or ‘bucks’ when the selected gear does engage.
Solution – The retainer that separates the lockup control valve and the TCC accumulator valve may need to be replaced.
PRNDL lights malfunction – 41TE/42LE transmission (1996>)
Problem – The PRNDL lights in the driver information center (in the gauge cluster) may work properly when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, overdrive, drive and low. However, they may malfunction when the vehicle is shifted into Park or Neutral. There may be no diagnostic trouble codes or apparent transmission problems.
Solution – There may be an issue with the ignition switch, or a short in the related wiring.
Speedometer reading when the vehicle is not moving – 41TE transmission / 41TES transmission
Problem – Drivers may notice that the speedometer can jump to over 20 mph while the vehicle is stopped in gear. There may also be a jerking sensation that feels like a 1-2 shift. Gear changes may also feel unusually rough.
Solution – The most common cause of these 41TE transmission problems is a malfunctioning alternator. However there could also be a wiring problem related to the output shaft speed sensor OSS signal going back to the TCM.
Engine stalls while in Drive or during coast down – 62TE transmission
Problem – Drivers may experience an engine stall when they place the gear selector into Drive. They may also notice that the engine starts to run excessively rough or stalls when they are coasting to a stop.
Solution – These 62TE transmission problems may be caused by mechanical failure with the electronically modulated converter clutch variable force solenoid / EMCC VFS solenoid, which can cause the torque converter clutch to engage when it shouldn’t. To fix the problem, the EMCC solenoid will have to be replaced.
Transmission shifts into neutral on the 1-2 shift – 2007+ 62TE transmission
Problem – Drivers may notice that the vehicle shifts into neutral upon the 1-2 shift. This may cause the vehicle to go into limp mode, where the transmission becomes locked in 3rd gear. In some cases, the vehicle may not move and will require the engine to be shut off and restarted before limp mode can be activated.
Solution – These 62TE transmission problems are often caused by worn sealing ring lands on the low clutch housing. To correct this condition, place the housing and possibly the piston from the direct clutch.
Lack of Response
Leaking Fluid
Low Fluid
Burning Smell
Grinding or Shaking
Whining, Clunking or Humming
Refuses to Go Into Gear
Torque Converter Issues
Valve Body Issues
Transmission Noisy in Neutral
Gears Slipping
No 3rd or 4th Gear
No 1st or 2nd Gear
No Reverse
Dragging Clutch
Trouble Codes / Check Engine Light
Dodge Journey transmission slipping
If your truck has the 62TE automatic and was made before 2007, sooner or later you’re going to experience the dreaded Dodge Journey transmission slip. It could happen to you on the 1-2 shift, or on the 2-3 shift. What will happen is, instead of going into the next gear, the transmission will slip out of that gear and into neutral. If this happens on the 1-2 shift, the transmission will go into limp mode where the only gear available is 3rd. If it happens on the 2-3 shift, the transmission won’t allow you to move because 3rd gear isn’t available for limp mode. To restore drivability, you will need to cycle the ignition off and then on.
What causes the Dodge Journey transmission slip?
Well, there’s actually two different reasons that your Dodge Journey transmission could slip out of gear and into neutral. For the 1-2 slip, the cause could be damaged or worn low clutch housing sealing ring lands (i.e. the bit of metal that the seals sit on). If this occurs, the direct clutch will lose pressure and keep the transmission from shifting gears. In order to fix this problem, the entire low clutch housing will need to be replaced if there is any damage or wear in the areas that the seals sit. If you decide to upgrade to a reman Dodge Journey transmission from Street Smart Transmission, you’re going to be getting a much more reliable transmission with a pristine low clutch housing.
If your Dodge Journey has a recently rebuilt transmission, then the 2-3 slip could be caused by a 2-4 clutch feed pipe that was put in backwards by the rebuilder. This will cause the 2-4 clutch to lose pressure and keep 3rd gear from engaging. To fix it, the transmission will obviously have to be disassembled so that very important part can be reinstalled the right way.
How much is it going to cost to fix my Dodge Journey transmission?
Unfortunately, the problem described here will require the removal and disassembly/partial disassembly of your transmission. Given the labor time involved to remove the transmission from the vehicle (this is not a simple task), most repair shops will recommend that you go ahead and rebuild the entire transmission while it’s out. Since they already have to tear it down to replace the Dodge Journey, it sort of makes sense to spend the extra money to do that. After all, you should get a lot more mileage out of your transmission once it’s rebuilt. And since they’ve already got the transmission apart, might as well, right?
Can I drive with a transmission problem?
If your Dodge Journey can still make it up and down the road, you might say “It’s fine, I’ll just drive it until I can get it fixed”. But that is not always a good idea, depending on the symptoms. You see, there are a lot of (very expensive) moving parts inside of a transmission, and if something isn’t right, continuing to drive with a transmission problem could damage something else.
How often does a Dodge Journey transmission need to be replaced?
The overall lifespan of a Dodge Journey transmission largely depends on how well it was maintained. Factory design flaws also factor into this equation, along with how/how hard you drive. But on average, we’ve seen the Dodge Journey transmission last for between 130,000-180,000 miles. A high quality replacement transmission however, can last considerably longer if all of the factory design flaws have been addressed and the vehicle has been maintained.
How are Dodge Journey transmission issues diagnosed?
It is fairly easy to guesstimate what the root cause of your Dodge Journey transmission problems might be, but you won’t truly know unless you have the right tools and experience. A good mechanic or transmission repair center will be able to connect your truck to a computer and find out which diagnostic trouble codes (DTC’s) have been stored. Once they know what to look for, they can perform a visual inspection to verify the problem.
How is a Dodge Journey transmission replaced?
In order to replace your Dodge Journey transmission, the truck has to be lifted from the ground in order to gain access to all of the parts that will need to be unbolted. Then the transmission can be lowered to the ground (typically with a transmission jack), so the new transmission can be installed.
Recommendations for Dodge Journey transmission issues?
To save time and get back on the road faster, have your 17-digit VIN# handy and you can get an online quote for a reman Dodge Journey transmission here, then find a local shop using our Find a Shop guide to install it for you.
How to Solve Dodge Journey Transmission Problems
Solution A: Buy a Used Dodge Journey Transmission
The quickest way to fix your transmission problems is to simply buy a used transmission or used transmission. These can be found at most junk yards, and they often come with a 30-90 day warranty. However, there’s no way to determine the actual condition of the internal components, so you could be spending a bunch of money to have the exact same problems. Plus, that warranty only covers the transmission if it’s defective, not the labor costs that you’ll have to pay.
Solution B: Buy a Rebuilt Dodge Journey Transmission
Another option would be a rebuilt transmission or rebuilt transmission. A local repair shop will remove your transmission, then install a bunch of new parts during the rebuild. The problem here is, the skills and experience of each transmission rebuilder will vary widely from shop to shop, so you could have problems from something that wasn’t adjusted properly. And the 1-2 year warranty might only cover you at certain transmission repair shops, in a specific geographical area.
Things to consider with a transmission rebuild
You’re the test driver – Most transmission repair shops and mechanics will only put a few miles on your vehicle to make sure the transmission works. But it’s not uncommon to experience transmission problems during the break-in period.
Everything might not be fixed – Most mechanics and transmission repair centers don’t have the equipment necessary to perform a thorough inspection on hard parts like gear sets, clutch drums and valve bodies. This means that your rebuilt transmission could actually have small cracks in key parts that aren’t visible to the naked eye. As time and mileage progress, these cracks can grow and create an even larger problem. Similarly, a slight warp in the valve body can seriously impact shifting performance over time.
Warranty – Although most mechanic shops and transmission repair shops will warranty their work. That coverage is usually only good at the shop or franchise that did the work. If you travel out of town and suddenly experience transmission problems, you’ll be on the hook for any transmission repairs unless you pay to have your vehicle towed back to the shop that did the work.
Quality – Nearly every time you get a transmission rebuild, all of the work is performed by a single technician. This may or may not be a good thing, depending on your point of view. But the end result is dependent on that technician’s level of experience working with your specific type of transmission. In addition, there is usually no standardized quality control checks at a mechanic shop. So an improperly torqued bolt or gasket that isn’t fully seated, might be overlooked and cause you major problems in the future.
Solution C: Buy a Remanufactured Dodge Journey Transmission
Many owners depend on their vehicle to commute and get things done. Their gasoline engines are designed to go 100’s of thousands of miles, so it makes sense to invest in a remanufactured transmission.
Why a remanufactured transmission might be a good option
If you plan to keep your vehicle for as long as possible, then getting a transmission rebuild is certainly a viable option. However, a remanufactured transmission is a much better alternative. You’re getting as close to a brand-new transmission as it is possible. Companies like Street Smart Transmission also modify the transmission to correct all of the factory design flaws, allowing you to get a much longer service life from the transmission. You also get a 3-year/unlimited mile nationwide warranty, which allows you to get necessary repairs performed at any licensed repair shop of the country. So in terms of value for the money, a reman transmission might be the better way to go.
Remanufactured transmission companies like Street Smart Transmission put each of their reman transmissions through a rigorous build process that ensures a quality product every time. It starts with nearly 100 trained technicians that specialize in different aspects of the build process.
This remanufacturing process begins with the inspection team that test all of the critical components from the donor transmission to ensure that they meet the original equipment (OE) tolerances and specifications. The case, pumps, gears, shafts, valve body and torque converter are checked for hairline cracks, metal tensile strength, warping and other parameters. If any component fails to meet the required specifications, it’s discarded and replaced.
All the parts are then cleaned and sent to the appropriate stations on the assembly line for reassembly. Throughout the process, quality control managers inspect the build to ensure that it meets the desired specification. Any necessary modifications or upgrades that are needed to correct factory design flaws are also performed or added. The valve body is rebuilt and tested on a special dyno machine to ensure that it performs according to the specifications. All of the solenoids are also tested prior to installation.
Once the build is complete and passes its final quality control inspection, the newly remanufactured transmission is sent to the dyno room, where it’s tested on a special dyno machine using a proprietary software program called C.A.R.S. (Computer Aided Real-world Simulation). This cycles the transmission through a number of real-world driving situations, to ensure that it performs according to the factory specs. It also helps to break in all of the friction components, that way it’s completely tuned and ready to go once it’s installed.
Warranty – One of the benefits of buying a remanufactured transmission vs. a rebuilt transmission is the warranty. Street Smart Transmission for example, covers all of their reman transmissions with a 3 Year/Unlimited Mileage Nationwide Warranty (there is a mileage restriction for commercial vehicles). This covers parts and labor for transmission repairs performed by any licensed repair shop in the country. It’s also completely transferable if you ever decide to sell the vehicle. Compared to a mechanics warranty on a transmission rebuild, a remanufactured transmission warranty offers superior financial protection.
Is a remanufactured transmission worth it?
If you plan to keep your vehicle for as long as possible, then getting a transmission rebuild is certainly a viable option. However, a remanufactured transmission is a much better alternative. You’re getting as close to a brand-new transmission as it is possible. Companies like Street Smart Transmission also modify the transmission to correct all of the factory design flaws, allowing you to get a much longer service life from the transmission. So in terms of value for the money, a reman transmission might be the better way to go.
What Transmission Do I Have?
What Problem Does Your Dodge Journey Have?
Let us know the year, mileage and problem you’re having as well as any trouble (OBD) codes you’ve found. If you’ve been given a quote or paid for a repair, we’d like to hear about that too!
No acceleration, won’t go in reverse
When you switch gear from parking to drive, a kick occurs. If the car was parked for a couple of hours, then there is no kick, if it drove for 15 minutes and stopped and then start to change the speed there is always a kick. during the movement this is not present.
I’ve had the transmission replaced in my 2009 Dodge Journey r/t and it still gets I’m limp mode every other day while I’m driving. What is the problem? Is there a simple fix to this? I’ve paid enough money and don’t have any more money to spend.
Having our 2015 Journey transmission rebuilt as I write this; 88,254 miles on it. Quoted rebuild cost $2,400.00.
2017 dodge journey gt. Won’t shift into overdrive and no passing gear. It will shift with autostick.
2012 Dodge Journey 69,000 miles. Just found out the trans valve body is shot along with all 4 motor mounts. The bill is going to set me back 3200. This is ridiculous! It wouldn’t shift from 1st gear. The code was pulling 7050 Shift Silanoid A Malfunction. I cannot believe I’m putting this much into a car with such low mileage!
Shifting from reverse to drive, there is a slam like it hesitated and then went into gear.
Mostly before car is totally warmed up
2009 journey transfer seams noisy slight vibration while driving sometimes shifts rough just bought it 3 weeks ago they said they were told it was a presser switch but nothing comes up on my cheep scanner
Transmission flush with filter kit
2010 Dodge Journey awd I changed all 3 speed sensors and It drove fine for about a day and a half then all a sudden it started doin it again
It will shift fine then all off a sudden it will not shift at all
2017 Journey,,won’t go in reverse,, fine in drive ??
I’m having the same problem with my 2017
Won’t go into Reverse, ??
I have a 2010 dodge journey that wont shift into high gear ive replaced the shift solenoid pack n still the same thing it wont go over 40 mph. Engines revs at 3500 or 4000
I am having the same problem.. any luck?
This was our problem. Needed new trans fluid lines and valve body.
Bump evertime accelerate
Left front axle seal leaks, changed seal three times, last time was with new axle, still leaks .This is on a Mainstreet AWD with 105,000
My 2010 Dodge Journey won’t shift out of low gear I change the shift solenoid pack and it continue to do the same thing
Transmission goes forward but not in reverse
Transmission goes forward but not in reverse.
I worked at Kokomo transmisssion where they were made- Make sure your battery is good and all cables and grounds aren’t corroded. The powertrain computer needs a good signal. After starting, let the dash lights all go out, before shifting into gear. The 4speed regularly went 200,000 miles in the heavier minivans, so no reason it can’t do the same in a Journey. The first transmission service done at 50,000 miles is better than at 100,000.
Climate- if you live up north and don’t have a garage to put your car in, the transmission seals won’t last as long. Subzero is a killer- it would be best to let the car idle for 5 minutes before driving it in the cold winter after sitting overnight. Your transmission will thank you.
2015 dodge journey rt awd. When slowing to a stop sign(not quite stopping) then accelerating rite away get a huge bang. No codes on obd2. New ball joins. New cv axles.
Lots of chrysler trannys have that clunk when accelerating after a brake, I think it’s normal but nonetheless your transmission shifting and probably not the best.