2012 Dodge Journey Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Aug 8, 2026 · 376 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Journey years
More complaints than other years 6th of 14 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
4 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 376 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Journey. That ranks 6th out of 14 Journey model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (116 complaints, 31%), typically at around 85,000 miles. Complaints mention 21 crashes, 13 fires, 24 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.

Dodge Journey
Second generation Dodge Journey based on the second generation GAC GS5 (GAC GS4 Plus) in Playa del Carmen. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Cannonball walk, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2012 Dodge Journey problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System116 · ~85,000 mi
Engine97 · ~89,000 mi
Service Brakes95 · ~63,000 mi
Unknown or Other48 · ~93,000 mi
Electronic Stability Control (esc)44 · ~99,892 mi
Power Train36 · ~60,000 mi
Air Bags29 · ~74,306 mi
Steering23 · ~87,756 mi
Vehicle Speed Control20 · ~100,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion System14 · ~53,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System problems11631%85,000“chrysler jeep” (5%)—
Engine problems9726%89,000“engine cooling” (16%)—
Service Brakes problems9525%63,000“control service brakes” (15%)—
Unknown or Other4813%93,000——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)4412%99,892——
Power Train3610%60,000——
Air Bags298%74,306——
Steering236%87,756——
Vehicle Speed Control205%100,000——
Fuel/propulsion System144%53,000——
Wheels133%28,000——
Exterior Lighting123%80,295——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic113%85,600——
Seats103%68,750——
Suspension103%16,500——
Engine and Engine Cooling92%80,000——
Structure82%43,000——
Visibility/wiper82%70,148——
Seat Belts51%71,000——
Tires51%19,500——
Traction Control System41%106,000——
Equipment10%300——
Fuel System, Gasoline10%———
Interior Lighting10%65,000——
Visibility10%127,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2019, with 63 complaints
2012: 9201292013: 19192014: 322014322015: 48482016: 342016342017: 37372018: 442018442019: 63632020: 202020202021: 16162022: 122022122023: 15152024: 122024122025: 772026: 820268

n = 376 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2012 Dodge Journey recalls (6)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:frontalJul 7, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V432000 · 363,480 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: Unexpected deployment of the driver's frontal air bag increases the risk of a crash or driver injury.

Fix: 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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T47.

Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connectionsMay 6, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V273000 · 8,569 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 31, 2007, to November 12, 2016. After exposure to cold temperatures, the power steering return hose may rupture at engine start-up causing a loss of power steering assist.

Risk: A loss of power steering assist may require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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. Chrysler's number for this recall is S08.

Electronic stability control (esc); service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipOct 19, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V675000 · 275,187 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured April 21, 2012, to April 14, 2015. In the affected vehicles, water may enter the wiring harness for the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module and leak into the module, disabling the ABS and/or the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system.

Risk: If the ABS or ESC is disabled, a loss of vehicle stability could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R61.

Engine and engine cooling:engineJul 7, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V431000 · 145,379 vehicles

Problem: 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. In the affected vehicles, the engine cover may detach from the engine and contact the exhaust manifold.

Risk: If the displaced engine cover contacts the exhaust manifold, there would be an increased risk of a vehicle fire.

Fix: 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. Chrysler's number for this recall is R32.

Service brakes, hydraulic:fluidNov 10, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V550000 · 340 vehicles

Problem: 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 fluid and may experience a degradation of the sealing components within the brake system.

Risk: This could lead to loss of braking ability increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Engine and engine coolingSep 29, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V487000 · 667 vehicles

Problem: 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 cherokee vehicles manufactured from august 31, 2011, through september 13, 2011, that are equipped with 3.6l engines. These engines may experience connecting rod bearing failure due to debris inside the engine block.

Risk: Connecting rod failure may lead to engine seizure which may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Vehicle entrapment (EA24003) — opened Aug 1, 2024, still open.
  • Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment (PE19014) — opened Sep 9, 2019, closed Feb 25, 2026.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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 accident

Electrical System · received Aug 8, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11755599

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was white smoke coming from the vehicle, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH while driving. The vehicle was…

Engine and Engine Cooling · received Jul 1, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11747621

I need antilock breaking module part number 68194693AF. The manufacturer has put it on a back order with around 1000 orders waiting. Please check why they are not issuing a recall when so many people are waiting for the same issue.

Unknown or Other · received Mar 18, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11725149

My 2012 dodge journey suddenly and violently stalled in the middle of crossing a green light. no check engine lights prior to this only thing that happened a few days before was car wouldn’t start said to press clutch and start button I have an automatic engine, and kept saying keys lefts vehicle…

Electrical System · received Feb 15, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11718174

Error code B25AA-01 Front Passenger Door Handel- General Electrical failure is on in my car since you are investigating it thought you might know

Structure · received Feb 14, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11717999

Other Dodge Journey years

← 2011 Journey · 2013 Journey →

See all Dodge Journey problems by year, every Dodge model, or the Dodge VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Owners most often report electrical system, engine, service brakes problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 116 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2012 Dodge Journey?

Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2012 Dodge Journey a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Journey model years, the 2012 has more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.