2011 Dodge Journey problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (37) · Steering (22) · Engine (17)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Journey model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
136 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Air Bags:frontal 2017-07-07 · campaign 17V432000 · 363,480 vehicles
Defect: 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 Connections 2016-05-06 · campaign 16V273000 · 8,569 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2015-07-07 · campaign 15V431000 · 145,379 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Steering:column 2011-06-08 · campaign 11V315000 · 11,096 vehicles
Defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP WRANGLER, CHRYSLER 200, CHRYSLER 200 CONVERTIBLE, DODGE AVENGER, DODGE NITRO, JEEP LIBERTY, DODGE CALIBER, JEEP COMPASS, JEEP PATRIOT, DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED STEERING COLUMN PIVOT RIVET.
Risk: A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED RIVET COULD COMPROMISE THE ABILITY OF THE STEERING COLUMN TO SUPPORT THE OCCUPANT LOADS IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, DECREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FRONTAL IMPACT SAFETY SYSTEM. AS A RESULT, THE CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR RIVET PRESENCE AND ALIGNMENT AND REPAIR THE STEERING COLUMN PIVOT AS REQUIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Service bulletins (162)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-06-18 · U67 Combo Rev11 · Warranty Program/Extension
emissions recall u67 - catalytic converter efficiency - dealer notification (revision 11)
Electrical System 2025-07-28 · 106241 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lamp - dome
Electrical System 2025-06-12 · 104974 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lamp - dome
Electrical System 2025-05-01 · 103774 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lamp - dome
Unknown Or Other 2025-04-02 · 103954 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
actuator - a/c and heater
Unknown Or Other 2025-04-02 · 104087 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
actuator - a/c and heater
Showing the 6 most recent of 162 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-05-22 · Steering“power steering starts leaking in cold climates resulting in tightness and difficulty in steering wheel . recall code s08…”
2026-01-22 · Steering“stirring wheel fluid hose has burst during cold weather, and will lose control of wheel. my car wasn’t listed in the recall for that said issue for other dodge journey’s. i had it repair ones and now its doing it again. …”
2025-08-20 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 107,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 dodge journey. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard with the abs warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the abs brake module had failed and needed to be repla…”
2024-06-20 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump · 145,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 dodge journey. the contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. the vehicle was not able to restart after each failure. the vehicle was towed to the residence. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump needed to …”
2024-05-03 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 🔥 fire“the contact owned a 2011 dodge journey. the contact received notification of the nhtsa campaign number: 15v431000 (engine and engine cooling). the vehicle was repaired, however, the failure recurred while the vehicle was stopped at a stop sign, and the contact saw flames coming from the hood. the contact exited the vehicle. the fire department exti…”
2024-04-29 · Air Bags · 167,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owns a 2011 dodge journey. the contact stated that while his daughter was coming to a complete stop at a stop sign, the vehicle was rear-ended by a distracted driver. the air bags did not deploy, resulting in injury. no warning lights were illuminated. the vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact's insuranc…”
2022-12-20 · Visibility/Wiper“defrost doesn’t work due to no heat on passenger side. heater core replaced and has to be flushed out every year. research on the internet says this is a common issue but no recall.…”
2022-04-12 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 89,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 dodge journey. the contact stated that the transmission warning light would illuminate while attempted to change gears. the contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic and was informed that the torque converter failed and needed to be replaced. the vehicle had not been repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of th…”
2022-01-31 · Unknown Or Other“you can read online anywhere that the ecu is a major problem. my car battery dies everytime i shut it off. ive replace the battery 8 times, the alternator 4 times. had countless amout of diagnostic tests done on it. still nothing. come to find out its the ecu which i cant afford to replace as its over $800 to repair. look online and you'll see almo…”
2022-01-31 · Power Train · 138,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 dodge journey. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with head gasket failure. the vehicle was then taken to the dealer and diagnosed with powertrain control module (pcm) failure. the dealer updated the pcm …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.