Dodge Journey Exhaust Sensor Woes Hit Performance

Being somewhat familiar with exhaust system repairs, I had a similar issue with my 2013 Dodge Durango diesel. The symptoms you describe match exactly what I experienced, reduced power, higher fuel consumption, and that annoying check engine light. My exhaust temperature sensor needed replacement, but during inspection they found a small leak in the exhaust system near the sensor connection. The leak was causing temperature fluctuation readings, triggering the safe mode. The total repair came to 265€, including the new sensor and sealing the leak. The workshop ran a complete diagnostic on the exhaust system components before and after the repair. This confirmed both the faulty sensor readings and ensured the fix was successful. The symptoms disappeared completely after the repair. Before suggesting specific tests though, could you share: Have you noticed any unusual exhaust sounds? Did the issues start suddenly or develop gradually? Are there any other warning lights besides the check engine light? Have you had any recent exhaust system work done? This information would help determine if your situation might need additional checks beyond just the sensor replacement.

Thanks for asking about my diesel Journey. After my last service at 146851 KM, the repair shop performed a heat sensor diagnostic test which showed everything was fine at that time. The exhaust sound has become louder over the past 2 weeks, especially when accelerating. No other warning lights besides the check engine light appeared. No previous exhaust system work has been done since I bought it. The power loss happened quite suddenly, during a regular morning drive. Based on your experience with the exhaust sensor replacement, I might get the entire exhaust system inspected while they are working on it. Did your workshop mention how long the repair typically takes? Also curious if they recommended any particular exhaust component maintenance to prevent future sensor issues.

Thanks for those details. Like on my Durango, the sudden power loss combined with the louder exhaust sound strongly suggests an exhaust system issue beyond just the sensor. My repair took about 3 hours total, most of that time was spent inspecting the entire exhaust system to find that sneaky leak. The workshop actually recommended periodic inspection of the exhaust components near the temperature sensor mounting points. Heat and vibration can gradually loosen these connections, leading to exhaust leaks that affect sensor readings. They also suggested replacing the gaskets whenever the sensor gets removed, even during diagnostics. Since your car has higher mileage, having them do a complete exhaust system inspection makes sense. In my case, catching that small leak while replacing the heat sensor saved me from bigger problems down the road. The exhaust temperature sensor itself is relatively inexpensive, usually under 100€, but labor costs vary depending on sensor location and any additional issues found. Monitor the exhaust sound after repair. If it stays louder than normal, there might be other exhaust components needing attention. My fuel consumption and power returned to normal immediately after the sensor replacement and leak repair.

Based on your confirmation, I suspect there could be multiple exhaust system problems given the sudden power loss and louder exhaust noise. I will schedule a full inspection and repair next week. Your repair timeline of 3 hours helps with planning. I will request they check all exhaust components and connection points while replacing the temperature sensor, especially since the exhaust sound changed recently. The 100€ parts cost plus labor seems reasonable for this type of repair. My main concern was avoiding multiple trips to the shop, so knowing they found and fixed related issues during your sensor replacement is reassuring. I will make sure they inspect the mounting points and replace the gaskets as recommended. Thanks for explaining your experience with the exhaust sensor replacement and related checks. I will update once the repair is completed to confirm if it resolves the power loss and fuel consumption issues like it did with your vehicle.