KnownCarProblems2012 Dodge Journey Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 376 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Journey, most often about the electrical (31% of complaints, typically around 85,000 miles). It is 6th of 14 Journey model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2012 Dodge Journey problems
Electrical
116 complaints · 31%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, instrument cluster/panel.
For the last four weeks my vehicle just stops in the middle of driving and shuts off the steering wheel locks and the car is not movable for well over a few minutes. Have taken the vehicle to be checked and it claims to be nothing but yet the same problem persist please advise me on what I should do, the vehicle is at…
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Journey. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. Prior to the failure, the headlamps failed to remain illuminated. While attempting to restart the vehicle, the "no key connection" warning indicator illuminated. The contact also stated that the hazard lights failed. The…
Brakes
106 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 70,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, fluid, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Journey. While driving approximately 25 MPH, a grinding noise was heard without warning when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to crown Dodge of fayetteville (436 n mcpherson church rd, fayetteville, nc 28303, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the brake pads were not…
First was the back brakes and right router have had to replace it 3 times since 2012 .. We where leaving a bp when we were hit on the side back passenger door and back panel so bad the door was stuck and the airbags did not deploy was so scared for my kids.
Engine
105 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine, exhaust system.
Twice now while driving my car it has completely shut down. The car goes from the speed I am doing to everything in my car shutting down with no warning. I had several problems with my radio not working(touch screen) and my car charger in the car doesn't work, ireally thing that the car has an electrical roblem
For the last four weeks my vehicle just stops in the middle of driving and shuts off the steering wheel locks and the car is not movable for well over a few minutes. Have taken the vehicle to be checked and it claims to be nothing but yet the same problem persist please advise me on what I should do, the vehicle is at…
Other or unspecified
48 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 93,000 miles.
I was driving my 2012 Dodge Journey and my car power just shut down and it won't start. The brake pedal was hard and stiff.my car is completely disabled had to get it tow to my house. I tried to start the car it's not starting at all no peer no lights nothing completely dead
Coolant was low so it was filled with coolant. The reservoir was low again the very same day and the car was overheating (as well as the AC not working properly and blew hot air even when using cold) on the highway, barely making it to destination. The first diagnosis was an air vacuum caused a leak. The problem keeps…
Stability control
44 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles.
The power in my vehicle went out and my breaks locked up, the car just dies. No hazards or anything. My car stopped while driving down a heavy traffic street. Two cars almost hit my kids and I. The car does come back on a few seconds later or several minutes later. The longest time period was when I got the car towed…
I was driving my car at approximately 50 miles per hour, when it seems like my steering or the wheels seemed "off.' I checked to make sure all of my tires were correctly pressured and they were, so I kept driving. Approximately 20 miles down the road, well going approximately 60 miles per hour the electronic stability…
Transmission
36 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
I was driving on the highway when my husband and I smelt a burning oil like smell which we thought was the car in front of US. Nothing on the dash indicated any issues. We arrived home and noticed it was our car that the smell was coming from. I parked the car and came out the next morning and noticed a small wet spot…
My vehicle started knocking after my second oil change. I asked the dealership to look at it and they told me everything was fine. I asked them more than once over the next few years when I got regular oil changes. They said everything was fine. Then in 2016 my vehicle started with a knocking and random misfires. I…
Air bags
29 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 74,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Journey. While driving various speeds, the driver's side air bag indicator illuminated without warning. The contact was concerned that the warning indicator could lead to a failure. The vehicle was taken to napleton's river oaks chrysler Dodge jeep ram (17225 torrence ave, lansing, il…
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the rear ended of the contact's vehicle and none of the air bags deployed. The contact sustained injuries to the shoulder and the passenger sustained cuts in the hands. Both required medical…
Steering
23 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles.
On multiple occasions over the past two or three months, my vehicle loses all power, and at same time the power steering goes out and brakes have to pushed extra hard to get them to work. This has happened when driving under 40 MPH in town. It has happened most often within the first 5 minutes of starting the car, but…
Twice now while driving my car it has completely shut down. The car goes from the speed I am doing to everything in my car shutting down with no warning. I had several problems with my radio not working(touch screen) and my car charger in the car doesn't work, ireally thing that the car has an electrical roblem
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Dodge Journey recalls
Air bags: frontal
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering: hose, piping, and connections
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Stability control: electronic stability control (esc)
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: fluid
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Vehicle entrapment
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe23-008 on may 1, 2023 to investigate an incident involving a 2009 dodge journey alleging occupant entrapment during a vehicle fire that resulted in a fatality. During the investigation, odi collected information from the manufacturer and involved parties to confirm or refute the defect allegation. Odi has determined that additional reports of vehicle entrapment exist for other model year dodge journey vehicles. Odi continues to explore the cause of the thermal event and its potential effect on the actuation of the door locks. Odi also continues to explore other potential causes for door lock malfunction. Odi has determined that an upgrade to
Active head rest inadvertent deployment
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe19014 on september 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the active head rest (ahr) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (my) 2014 jeep grand cherokee and dodge durango vehicles.when odi opened the investigation, odi was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.a small number of early warning reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat ahr inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.reported safety consequences resulting from the ahr deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of
Questions about the 2012 Dodge Journey
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Dodge Journey?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (116 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); brakes (106 complaints, typically around 70,500 miles); engine (105 complaints, typically around 89,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Journey have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 7, 2017 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Dodge Journey?
- It is 6th of 14 Journey model years by number of complaints, with 376 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.