2012 Dodge Journey

● Typical for this model

2012 Dodge Journey
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2012: 375 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2007	4
2008	8
2009	1433
2010	986
2011	169
2012	375
2013	351
2014	408
2015	548
2016	383
2017	196
2018	219
2019	92
2020	61

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 30%

30% of complaints: electrical system — 113 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

The electrical is so messed up the battery drains within hours, I have shorts in all aspects of this car(Bluetooth, navigation, clicking relays nonstop, heat goes out intermittently, power switches on doors.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231106

ENGINE 26%

26% of complaints: engine — 97 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

SERVICE BRAKES 25%

25% of complaints: service brakes — 95 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 12%

12% of complaints: electronic stability control (esc) — 44 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 35 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

NHTSA ODI report, 20231106

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20111228 — engine and engine cooling

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHRYSLER VEHICLES, INCLUDING 200 AND TOWN AND COUNTRY MODELS, DODGE VEHICLES, INCLUDING CHARGER, DURANGO, GRAND CARAVAN AND JOURNEY MODELS AND JEEP GRAND

Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ENGINE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Campaign 11V487000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20120301 — service brakes, hydraulic

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 DODGE JOURNEY AND FIAT 500 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 24, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 26, 2011. SOME VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH CONTAMINATED BRAKE FL

Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE ALL BRAKE COMPONENTS THAT COME IN CONTACT WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 1, 2012.

Campaign 11V550000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20151015 — engine and engine cooling

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 19, 2010, to May 26, 2015 and equipped with 2.4L engines.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install an improved mounting system for the engine cover, free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Campaign 15V431000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20151221 — electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured April 21, 2012, to April 14, 2015.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will seal the ABS wiring harness to prevent water from entering and will replace the ABS module and repair the headlamp and dash wiring harness, as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge.

Campaign 15V675000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160524 — steering

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 31, 2007, to November 12, 2016.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return hoses, steel tubes, and power steering oil cooler, free of charge. The recall began on May 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Campaign 16V273000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170828 — air bags

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may unexpectedly deploy if the air bag wiring harness gets chafed within the steering wheel and short circuits.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag wiring within the steering wheel, replacing it if necessary. A protective cover will also be installed. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2017.

Campaign 17V432000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20190909 — PE (closed 20260225)

Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment

I 20240801 — EA (open)

Vehicle entrapment

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2012 Dodge Journey — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for electrical system issues (113 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine issues (97 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for service brakes issues (95 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 11V487000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
Verify recall 11V550000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Verify recall 15V431000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
Verify recall 15V675000 (electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Verify recall 16V273000 (steering) has been completed.
Verify recall 17V432000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2020 ▲ 2019 ▲ 2011

WORST YEARS

■ 2009 ■ 2010 ◆ 2015

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2012 Dodge Journey reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Dodge Journey is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Dodge Journey?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Journey have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.