2012 Dodge Journey problems, complaints & recalls

2012 Dodge Journey recalls (6)

• Recall 17V432000Jul 7, 2017363,480 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

  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.

  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.

• Recall 16V273000May 6, 20168,569 vehicles
  STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

  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.

  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.

• Recall 15V675000Oct 19, 2015275,187 vehicles
  ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

  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.

  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.

• Recall 15V431000Jul 7, 2015145,379 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

  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.

  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.

• Recall 11V550000Nov 10, 2011340 vehicles
  SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

  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.

  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.

• Recall 11V487000Sep 29, 2011667 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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.

  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.

NHTSA defect investigations

• EA24003Opened Aug 1, 2024Open

  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 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 continue…

• PE19014Opened Sep 9, 2019Closed Feb 25, 2026

  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 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 in…

Recent 2012 Dodge Journey complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Aug 8, 2026OHElectrical 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

   NHTSA complaint #11755599 · source
2. Filed Jul 1, 2026175,589 miWIEngine

   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 catalytic converter failure. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…

   NHTSA complaint #11747621 · source
3. Filed Mar 18, 2026MOOther / Unknown

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11725149 · source
4. Filed Feb 15, 2026CAElectrical SystemOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   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 scary because it gave me no problems before we could have been on the freeway when this happened thankfully not but this needs to be…

   NHTSA complaint #11718174 · source
5. Filed Feb 14, 2026ALEngine

   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

   NHTSA complaint #11718001 · source
6. Filed Feb 14, 2026ALBody & Structure

   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

   NHTSA complaint #11717999 · source
7. Filed Feb 9, 2026ILFireTowedEngine

   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 injuries were reported, and a police report was not filed. A corner of the contact's home caught fire, melting the home's siding. Two…

   NHTSA complaint #11716777 · source
8. Filed Jan 22, 2026KSAirbagsBrakesEngine

   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 airbag shelf which is works with the blinkers also because when I had an inspected they had informed me of that previously and…

   NHTSA complaint #11712588 · source

Compare the 2012 Dodge Journey with another vehicle →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology