The Used Car Index

2012 Dodge Journey problems

NHTSA lists 376 complaints for the 2012 Dodge Journey, 21 of them mention a crash and 13 mention a fire. 13 complaints mention an injury, with 24 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as DODGE JOURNEY.

At a glance

Complaints
376
With crash
21
With fire
13
With injury (complaints)
13
Injuries
24
Deaths
0
Recalls
6
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
363,480
Investigations
2
Open investigations
1
Manufacturer communications
224

Complaints per 100k sold: 438.172. Units sold: 85,811; sales year: 2012; basis: calendar_year_us_sales_proxy_for_model_year. goodcarbadcar.net.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11630.9%
ENGINE9725.8%
SERVICE BRAKES9525.3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4812.8%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)4411.7%
POWER TRAIN369.6%
AIR BAGS297.7%
STEERING236.1%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL205.3%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM143.7%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGCOOLING SYSTEM3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGENGINE2
AIR BAGSFRONTAL1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMINSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMWIRING1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGEXHAUST SYSTEM1
EQUIPMENTAPPLIANCE1
POWER TRAINAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
SEATSFRONT ASSEMBLY1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
loss of control9028.6%0.79
electrical electronic8928.3%0.87
mechanical failure4414.0%0.78
restraint or airbag247.6%0.86
unclear216.7%0.90
fire or overheating196.0%0.89
noise or comfort144.4%0.81
fluid or fuel leak72.2%0.74
structural or corrosion41.3%0.67
visibility or lighting31.0%0.78
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate19862.9%0.82
low8426.7%0.74
high319.8%0.86
critical20.6%0.69

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 315 tagged complaints of 376 complaints (83.8%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

6 recalls.

17V432000

Date: 2017-07-07. Systems: AIR BAGS.

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.

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

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

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V273000

Date: 2016-05-06. Systems: STEERING.

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.

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

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. Chrysler's number for this recall is S08.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

15V675000

Date: 2015-10-19. Systems: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

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.

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

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. 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

15V431000

Date: 2015-07-07. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

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.

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

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. Chrysler's number for this recall is R32.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

11V550000

Date: 2011-11-10. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

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.

Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

11V487000

Date: 2011-09-29. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

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 (excerpt)

Consequence: CONNECTING ROD FAILURE MAY LEAD TO ENGINE SEIZURE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

2 investigations; 1 open.

EA24003

Opened: 2024-08-01. Closed: Not listed.

Vehicle entrapment

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 vehi

Systems: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

PE19014

Opened: 2019-09-09. Closed: 2026-02-25.

Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment

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

Systems: SEATS.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

224 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM68
EQUIPMENT64
POWER TRAIN42
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING26
STRUCTURE21
SEATS14
ENGINE13
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE10

11034343

Date: 2026-06-18. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ENGINE.

Emissions Recall U67 - Catalytic Converter Efficiency - Dealer Notification (Revision 11)

11022027

Date: 2025-08-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

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.

11021585

Date: 2025-07-28. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

LAMP - DOME

11019776

Date: 2025-06-12. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

LAMP - DOME

11017451

Date: 2025-05-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

LAMP - DOME

11017435

Date: 2025-04-02. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

ACTUATOR - A/C AND HEATER

11017445

Date: 2025-04-02. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

ACTUATOR - A/C AND HEATER

11016138

Date: 2025-03-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

STARTER - ENGINE

10244356

Date: 2023-09-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SUSPENSION.

LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.

10248517

Date: 2023-09-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
JOURNEY376

Same model, other years

All model years | All Dodge models

Other Dodge models, 2012

Sources

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