2012 Dodge Journey problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (73) · Engine (49) · Electrical System (43)
🧭 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
269 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (6)
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.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2015-10-19 · campaign 15V675000 · 275,187 vehicles
Defect: 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: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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid 2011-11-10 · campaign 11V550000 · 340 vehicles
Defect: 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 Cooling 2011-09-29 · campaign 11V487000 · 667 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service bulletins (224)
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)
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-15 · 9100653 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
verify reman part number availability. order the "r" part number for all orders: warranty, mopar, customer pay and service contract. order "68" part number for new unsold units only.
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 224 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-25 · Service Brakes“code c2200-48 anti-loc brake module internal supervision failure is a recall for my 2012 dodge journey if the recall was completed it was not it was not a full recall fix so as of oct/25/26 this code shows recall …”
2026-08-08 · Electrical System“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…”
2026-07-01 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor · 175,589 mi“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 taken to the local dealer and was diagnosed with ca…”
2026-03-18 · Unknown Or Other“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. …”
2026-02-15 · Unknown Or Other“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 even though keys where in the car. this was very sca…”
2026-02-14 · Engine“no compression head gasket prob not running hot or water being used but cylinder test shows no compression and combustion leak detector test shows leak…”
2026-02-14 · Structure:body“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…”
2026-02-09 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 🔥 fire“the contact owned a 2012 dodge journey. the contact stated that upon her daughter starting the vehicle, an abnormal popping noise was emitted from the vehicle without warning. the vehicle caught fire as the contact's daughter exited the vehicle. the fire department was called to the scene of the incident, where they extinguished the fire. no injuri…”
2026-01-22 · Service Brakes“well i don't know i bought my car from extreme auto i don't know if he is paying the police off or what to exchange cars or vin numbers but my vehicle has a few of the recalls that are still rolling on the abs light is coming on the engine department a few other things that i could not get fixed and they said that it wasn't part of the recall that …”
2025-08-12 · Seats“headrest popped open and can't be closed. unable to remove headrest to try and fix it…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.