2012 Dodge Journey
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.
- Complaints
- 376
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- Electrical system
Campaigns on file for 2012
Opened by NHTSA
31% of complaints
Complaints per year
2012: 376 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 1,433 |
| 2010 | 988 |
| 2011 | 169 |
| 2012 | 376 |
| 2013 | 352 |
| 2014 | 415 |
| 2015 | 553 |
| 2016 | 387 |
| 2017 | 199 |
| 2018 | 235 |
| 2019 | 102 |
| 2020 | 65 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Electrical system
31% · 116 reportsMost commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and instrument cluster/panel.
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, 2023-11-06
Also filed under Power train and suspension
The car says something like Vin number bot recognized. The windshield wipers start going crazy all the exterior and interior lights start going crazy the steering will locks the brakes lock and the car shuts off no…
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-08
Service brakes
29% · 108 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Engine
26% · 97 reportsElectronic stability control (esc)
12% · 44 reportsPower train
10% · 36 reportsMost commonly citing control module (tcm/pcm/tecm).
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
R
2011-12-28Engine and engine cooling11V487000 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…
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.
-
R
2012-03-01Service brakes, hydraulic11V550000 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…
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.
-
R
2015-10-15Engine and engine cooling15V431000 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.
-
R
2015-12-21Electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic15V675000 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.
-
R
2016-05-24Steering16V273000 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.
-
R
2017-08-28Air bags17V432000 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.
-
I
2019-09-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 2026-02-25 Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
-
I
2024-08-01Engineering analysisOpen Vehicle entrapment
Buy-smart checklist
2012 Dodge Journey — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 116 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 108 reports on file for this year.
- Engine: 97 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 11V487000 · Engine and engine cooling
- Recall 11V550000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 15V431000 · Engine and engine cooling
- Recall 15V675000 · Electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 16V273000 · Steering
- Recall 17V432000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
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 31% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Journey have?
- 6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.