DodgeJourney20183.6L/dodge/journey/2018/3-6l/
JC platform

2018 Dodge Journey — 3.6L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Journey 3.6L.

Body SUVEngine 3.6LTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2018 Dodge Journey is an SUV built on the JC platform, and in this 3.6-liter configuration it pairs a six-speed automatic transmission with EPA ratings of 17 city, 25 highway, and 19 combined mpg, while calling for 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 engine oil. Within the 2007-2020 model run, the 2018 model year logged 222 owner complaints and six recalls, with the electrical system ranking as the top complaint area. That complaint count sits well below the 2009 peak of 1,594, yet it still makes the 2018 Journey a model year worth scrutinizing in any research file.

Model year201920182017201620152014201320122011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/25/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 86 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04892339BE. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 86 · 525 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225/65R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04892339BE alt 68191349AC
Engine air filter04891916AA alt 68081249AD
Spark plugSP149125AF alt SP0ZFR5F11
BatteryBB86F101AA
Front wiper blades68235441AA
Thermostat68676480AA alt 68676481AA
Cabin air filter05058693AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length192.5 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height66.9 in
Wheelbase113.8 in
Curb weight4246 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 25 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

No 2018 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

7.1–7.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 2013 R/T V6
283 hpHorsepower (as tested)
260 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017GT 3.6L V67.90 sec16.10 sec283 hpAWD
2016Crossroad Plus 3.6L V67.80 sec16.10 sec283 hpAWD
2013R/T V6 3.6L V67.10 sec15.70 sec283 hpAWD
2011Crew V6 3.6L V67.50 sec15.90 sec283 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 engine oil, Synthetic · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.0-6.0
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSynthetic · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 qt
Engine CoolantMS-12106
Engine CoolantMS-12106
Engine Oil5W-20 · MS-6395

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.6 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs84.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)22.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)38.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)16.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub118.0 Do not re-use old hub nut ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub181.0 Do not re-use old hub nut ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub118.0 Do not re-use old hub nut ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.6-0.9 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance6,000-9,000 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerDodge
Spark Plug Gap.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number86
Standard BCI Cranking Performance525 cca
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance700 cca
Optional BCI Group Number86
Optional BCI Cranking Performance525 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum56.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum60.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)56.0-60.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum53.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum63.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)53.0-63.0 psi
Engine Compression100

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque26
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 129; Rear: 80
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: 1.040; Rear: .409
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
290.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 10530 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 9 stages

Prep If the threads of the old bolts are stretched or damaged, do not re-use old bolts. Do not apply additional oil to the bolt threads.

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
233.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
333.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
4Do not use a torque wrench for this step. Turn bolts 125 degrees125 degrees
5Loosen all bolts completely in reverse order.
622.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
733.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
833.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
9Do not use a torque wrench for this step. Turn bolts 130 degrees.130 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep M11 Inner bolts

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
290 degrees; M8 Outer bolts90 degrees
116.0 ft. lbs.16 ft. lbs
290.0 degrees; M8 Side bolts90 degrees
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 10,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 10,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBattery (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 30,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 100,000 miPCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miTransmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 Dodge Journey recorded 222 complaints, 6 recalls, 3 investigations and 139 TSBs, placing it above the 2017 figures (196 complaints, 2 recalls) but below the 2015 peak (548 complaints, 6 recalls). Complaints have generally fallen from the 2009 high of 1,594, with 2018 sitting in the middle‑to‑lower range of the post‑2009 period. Recalls in 2018 are notably higher than in the adjacent years (2017 = 2, 2019 = 1), while investigations remain steady at 3 per year from 2016 through 2019. TSBs continue a downward trend, decreasing from 157 in 2017 to 139 in 2018 and further to 119 in 2019. Overall, the 2018 model shows moderate complaint levels but a relative spike in recalls, suggesting average reliability for the generation. Consequently, it is an acceptable choice if priced well, though buyers should prioritize verifying recall completion.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
139
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
222
Owner complaints
7 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 222 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System24
Unknown Or Other22
Exterior Lighting13
Seats12
Service Brakes11
Back Over Prevention8
Engine8
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V396000Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/DevicesReported 14/06/2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Journey vehicles. When reverse gear has been selected, the rear camera view may not be fully visible within two seconds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview mirror, free of charge. The recall began August 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at…

18V398000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 14/06/2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Journey and RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The backup camera may experience a loss of image display while backing up. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview mirror, free of charge. The recall began August 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 139 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1084652025-12-03StructureCAMERA – REAR VIEW
S25090000092025-10-21EngineEngine Oil Leak
91006532025-08-15Unknown Or OtherVerify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders…
1062412025-07-28Electrical SystemLAMP - DOME
1049742025-06-12Electrical SystemLAMP - DOME

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Journey. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 Journey 3.6L take?

4.5 qt of 5W-20 Meeting Chrysler standard MS-6395 or equivalent., per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Journey have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.6L get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 25 highway / 19 combined mpg.