2012 Dodge Journey problems and recalls

Owners have filed 376 complaints on the 2012 Dodge Journey, and NHTSA has issued 6 recalls. The most cited component is the Electrical System (116 complaints).

376
Complaints
6
Recalls
21
Crash reports
13
Fire reports
24
Injuries
87.2
Severity index

Severity index 87.2 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 87.2p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 29 of 130 by severity index among 2012 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 78% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2012 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Electrical SystemElectrical System: 116 complaints (30.9%)116 31%Service BrakesService Brakes: 106 complaints (28.2%)106 28%EngineEngine: 97 complaints (25.8%)97 26%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 48 complaints (12.8%)48 13%Electronic Stability Co…Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 44 complaints (11.7%)44 12%Power TrainPower Train: 36 complaints (9.6%)36 10%Air BagsAir Bags: 29 complaints (7.7%)29 8%SteeringSteering: 23 complaints (6.1%)23 6%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11630.9%
SERVICE BRAKES10628.2%
ENGINE9725.8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4812.8%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)4411.7%
POWER TRAIN369.6%
AIR BAGS297.7%
STEERING236.1%

Complaints filed per year

032632012: 92013: 192014: 322015: 482016: 342017: 372018: 442019: 632020: 202021: 162022: 122023: 152024: 122025: 72026: 8 (partial year)12131415161718196320212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20129
201319
201432
201548
201634
201737
201844
201963
202020
202116
202212
202315
202412
20257
2026 (year to date)8
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (34 against 48).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
17V43200007/07/2017AIR BAGS:FRONTALChrysler (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.
16V27300006/05/2016STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONSChrysler (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.
15V43100007/07/2015ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINEChrysler (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.
15V67500019/10/2015ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)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
11V55000010/11/2011SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUIDCHRYSLER 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
11V48700029/09/2011ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGCHRYSLER 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,

Other Dodge Journey model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 9 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-08-16. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.