Fiat Freemont JC
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The Fiat Freemont JC (2011–2016) is a rebadged Dodge Journey sold in Europe under a Fiat badge. Same platform, same engines, same interior — different grille. That matters because the Dodge Journey earned a poor reliability reputation in the US, and the Freemont inherits a share of those issues, particularly around the automatic transmission and AWD drivetrain.
Engine choice defines the ownership experience. The 2.0 MultiJet diesel (140 PS / 170 PS) is the sensible pick for European buyers — Fiat's own engine, well-known to independent workshops, reasonable fuel consumption. The 170 PS version with AWD is the most capable variant but pairs with a ZF automatic that needs ATF+4 fluid changes every 60,000 km — skip this and the gearbox deteriorates fast. The 3.6 V6 Pentastar (280 PS) is an American engine dropped into a European SUV: powerful, heavy on fuel (12–14 l/100 km), expensive to run, and the alternator fails reliably between 70,000 and 100,000 km. The 2.4 Tigershark (170 PS) is the worst pick — Chrysler's most troubled four-cylinder, with documented oil consumption issues and a gearbox that has failed completely at 67,000 km, costing owners €10,300 at the dealership. That is not a typo.
The seven documented vehicle weaknesses are spread across suspension, electrics, body, HVAC, steering, AWD drivetrain, and brakes. None is catastrophic on its own, but the battery drain from keyless entry / Bluetooth module is a persistent annoyance — the CAN bus fails to sleep, especially when water gets into door handle sensors. Software update Campaign 5665 fixed many early (2011–2012) cars; later builds had it pre-installed. The control arm rubber bushes cause severe steering wheel vibration at 90–130 km/h, worse in heat — Fiat fitted excessively soft bushings on some production runs. The tailgate wiring loom breaks from repeated opening cycles; Metzger repair kit (Art. 2320088, ~€60) is the standard fix, though it can recur. The AC compressor failure is documented at high mileage (260,000 km in one case) — aftermarket unit ~€400, but the system must be flushed to remove metal debris.
The AWD driveshaft and viscous coupling issue (grinding when cornering under load) is genuinely tricky — forum consensus found no reliable permanent fix short of differential replacement at ~€1,400, which sometimes didn't even resolve it. Multiple owners disconnected AWD entirely rather than continue throwing money at the rear drivetrain.
The Freemont is genuinely large for a European-market SUV — 7-seat capability, Dodge Journey interior, and reasonable pricing second-hand. The 2.0 MultiJet diesel (140 PS, manual, FWD) is the mechanically simplest configuration and the one to look for. Avoid the 2.4 Tigershark entirely.
Test-drive checklist: Steering wheel vibration at 90–130 km/h (control arm bushings). Grinding when turning sharply under power in AWD variants (viscous coupling / driveshaft). Heavy or jerky power steering (hydraulic fluid loss). Battery: does the car start after a week of sitting? Rear wiper and tailgate release working? AC blowing cold? On automatic variants: any shuddering, delayed shifts, or limp-mode symptoms?
2026 market: 2.0 MultiJet 140 PS manual FWD in decent condition: €5,500–9,500. AWD diesel 170 PS: €7,000–12,000 (but check ATF service history). 3.6 V6: €6,000–11,000 — cheap for a reason. 2.4 Tigershark: avoid unless the automatic transmission history is fully documented. Insider pick: 2014–2016 2.0 MultiJet 170 PS manual AWD, full service history including ATF change, below 130,000 km — the latest production cars had most early software issues resolved, and the diesel AWD is the most capable variant when maintained correctly.
280 PS
Freemont · Benzin
V6 Power in the American
Decent280 PS
3.6L V6 Pentastar Benzin
5 weaknesses
Stay Away!Engine Overview
The Fiat Freemont JC is available with 3 engine variants — from 136 to 280 hp.
The higher-output variant of the 2.0 MultiJet block, rated at 140 or 170 hp — in its top configuration one of the most powerful series engines in this platform generation. Mechanically identical to the lower-output versions: 1,956 cc, 16 valves, common-rail injection, belt-driven valvetrain (replacement interval 120,000–140,000 km). The additional power comes from tuned boost and injection pressure rather than fundamental engineering changes — the established weak points remain the same. EGR and intake swirl flaps accumulate soot in city use. Special attention is warranted for the turbocharger: the 170 hp version runs it near the limit of its series dimensioning, and irregular oil changes accelerate bearing wear noticeably. Injectors should be checked for leakage and return-flow values. A documented specimen with oil-change intervals under 15,000 km is the sound choice.
- !! Turbocharger failure from 80,000 km
The turbocharger can fail prematurely in short-trip operation or with insufficient maintenance. Documented failures at as little as 27,000 km. Interaction with DPF blockage accelerates wear.
Symptoms: Loud bang under load, grinding noise on acceleration, complete power loss, engine warning light - !! Timing belt — mandatory service from 120,000 km
The 939B5 uses a timing belt, not a chain — it is not interference-free. Per the manual, the belt must be replaced every 120,000 km or every 4–5 years. A snapped belt causes catastrophic piston-to-valve damage.
Symptoms: Loud metallic knock on startup, complete engine failure, metal debris in oil after belt failure. - !! Seized fuel injectors from 150,000 km
Common-rail injectors in the 939B5 corrode into their bores after long standing periods or when protective grease is omitted. Removal requires specialist tools and penetrating spray; forced extraction damages the cylinder head.
Symptoms: Black smoke under load, misfires, rough idle, injectors cannot be removed without specialist tools.
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The 2.4L World Engine is the larger petrol in the Freemont, a member of the Tigershark family. Used widely in the Jeep Compass and Dodge Journey, these engines are fundamentally solid — the balance shaft chain tensioner and cam/crank sensors are the weak spots, both causing noise or starting issues. Oil consumption rises beyond 100,000 km by design. The 6-speed automatic is more expensive to replace than the engine itself — when buying used, pay close attention to shift quality in stop-and-go traffic and demand the service history.
- !! Overheating Risk from Cooling System Weakness from 90,000 km
Like the 2.4L Tigershark, the ED3 cooling circuit can fail due to ageing thermostats or leaking connections, leading to overheating if unnoticed.
Symptoms: Coolant temperature gauge rising above normal, coolant level dropping - !! Automatic Transmission Failure (€10,300 Replacement Risk) from 70,000 km
The 6-speed automatic can fail completely — one documented case at 67,000 km, two months after warranty expired, required full transmission replacement. Dealer quote: €10,300. The gearbox control unit and temperature sensor are housed inside the unit and cannot be replaced separately. Regular ATF+4 fluid changes every 60,000 km are critical. Early symptoms include jerking on pull-away and sluggish cold shifts.
Symptoms: Jerking on pull-away, delayed gear changes in city traffic, shift jolt - !! Cam/crankshaft position sensor intermittent failure from 80,000 km
The 2.0L and 2.4L World Engine show intermittent cam and crank position sensor failures, causing sudden stalling or no-start. NHTSA investigated roughly 290,000 vehicles (2022).
Symptoms: Engine won't start, sudden shutdown while driving without warning, irregular idle fluctuations.
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The 3.6L Pentastar V6 is a capable, refined engine under normal conditions. Its main structural weakness is the left cylinder head: rocker arms, valve seats and VVT cam phasers wear prematurely from around 90,000 km — FCA later acknowledged the defect and extended the warranty to 10 years/150,000 miles. The plastic oil cooler housing in the engine valley is another known failure point (oil-coolant mixing). Oil consumption rises with mileage. Pre-purchase: check service history, listen for a cold-start tick from the left bank, inspect the expansion tank for oil traces.
- !! Head Gasket Leaking from 80,000 km
The 2.4L Tigershark seals the cylinder head poorly by design. Coolant loss and overheating result; repair requires specialist tools.
Symptoms: Coolant loss without visible leak, overheating gauge rising, white exhaust smoke - !! Cam phaser & left cylinder head tick (Pentastar tick) from 90,000 km
The Pentastar 3.6L is known for left cylinder head wear — rocker arms, valve seats and VVT cam phasers fail prematurely. FCA extended warranty to 10 years/150,000 miles for the left head. Documented repair costs up to $3,900.
Symptoms: Ticking from the left cylinder head especially on cold start, fault codes P0016/P0369, power loss. - !! Severe Oil Consumption from Piston Rings from 60,000 km
FCA used too-weak piston rings (low-tension rings) to reduce friction. Result: premature piston ring wear, oil burning and increased emissions across virtually all Tigershark engines.
Symptoms: Oil consumption over 1 l/1,000 km, blue smoke, oil level regularly low without visible leak
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Control Arm Rubber Bushes Too Soft (Steering Wheel Vibration) Fiat fitted some Freemont models with control arms using excessively soft rubber bushes. This causes severe steering wheel vibration at 90–130 km/h, which worsens at higher ambient temperatures. Symptoms: Severe steering wheel vibration between 90 and 130 km/h, independent of braking, worse in heat from 60,000 km | Low |
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 24 weaknesses have been documented for the Fiat Freemont JC (2011–2016) — 17 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. One problem engine: ERB (3.6L V6 Pentastar). Typical issues affect Suspension, Electronics, Body, HVAC.
Freemont (939B5, 2011–2016) — Be Careful: Turbocharger failure, Timing belt — mandatory service, Seized fuel injectors. Power: 136 PS.
Freemont (939B5, 2011–2016) — Be Careful: Turbocharger failure, Timing belt — mandatory service, Seized fuel injectors. Power: 163–170 PS.
Freemont (ERB, 2012–2016) — Stay Away!: Head Gasket Leaking, Cam phaser & left cylinder head tick (Pentastar tick), Severe Oil Consumption from Piston Rings. Power: 280 PS.
Freemont (ED3, 2014–2016) — Be Careful: Overheating Risk from Cooling System Weakness, Automatic Transmission Failure (€10,300 Replacement Risk), Cam/crankshaft position sensor intermittent failure. Power: 170 PS.
What to watch out for with the Fiat Freemont? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee