VERDICT · VERIFY PENTASTAR PRODUCTION DATE, STRAIGHTFORWARD OTHERWISE
Dodge Journey 3.6L Pentastar
is it a safe used buy?
A budget-friendly three-row crossover paired with the well-documented Pentastar V6 — production date matters more than which vehicle it's fitted to.
GENERATION2nd gen V6 (2011–2020)
ENGINE3.6L Pentastar
POWER283 hp
USED PRICE$7,500–13,500
How the engine fits this car
A budget-friendly three-row crossover paired with the well-documented Pentastar V6 — production date matters more than which vehicle it's fitted to.
A sensible, affordable family option once past the engine's early-production consideration.
Dodge Journey-specific pros and cons
This is about the car itself — for engine-specific failure points, see the dedicated engine page below.
WHAT HOLDS UP WELL
- Genuinely practical three-row-capable crossover at a budget price point
- Later production years carry meaningfully lower Pentastar risk
- Reasonable parts availability given shared Pentastar use across Stellantis's lineup
- Low purchase price reflects the model's budget positioning
WHAT TO WATCH
- Early production examples carry the Pentastar rocker arm risk detailed on the engine page
- Interior material quality and infotainment feel dated, especially on earlier examples
- This model had an unusually long production run without a full redesign
- Resale value is soft, reflecting the model's budget positioning
Pricing on the used market
Mileage band
Typical price
What to expect
Under 80,000 mi
$11,000–13,500
Later production within this generation preferred
80,000–130,000 mi
$9,000–11,000
Sweet spot, verify exact production date
130,000+ mi
$7,500–9,000
Inspect for rocker arm tapping before buying
Pre-purchase checklist for this generation
Check the exact production date, not just the model year.
Listen for a tapping noise at idle, especially from a cold start.
Ask for a complete service history.