2012 Dodge Journey engine problems

Related recalls

• 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 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.

What owners say

1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. Filed Mar 13, 2025COBrakesElectrical SystemEngine

   Component/System That Failed or Malfunctioned & Availability for Inspection I have experienced multiple safety-critical failures in my 2012 Dodge Journey, including transmission failure, catalytic converter defects, engine repairs, electrical malfunctions, and brake system issues. Pattern of Recalls Across Dodge Journey Models & Lack of Recall for My Vehicle There have been numerous recalls across multiple model years (2009-2020) for the exact same failures my vehicle is…

   NHTSA complaint #11648187 · source
6. Filed Aug 1, 2024AZEngineSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain

   We've owned this vehiclenot even 4 years. It had an engine recall that it was part of. It says it was repaired, however it never recieved a new engine. Now I just spent $9,000+ to replace the entire engine because of the exact issue of the recall: metal fragments in the engine. Why did I pay for this recall problem? Did dodge replace the engine during the recall? Paperwork says no, but shows it was "repaired". If it was replaced, why did I replace it again for the exact same…

   NHTSA complaint #11605949 · source
7. Filed Nov 12, 2023IAElectrical SystemEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The car shifts super hard into second gear. The inside smells like the car is over heating,driving down the interstate the car losses power,you can push your foot to the floor and nothing,the car will not excelerate at all.It's extremely dangerous. You have to pull over turn the car off and then on again to get it to go. This happens about every 20 minutes or so,the heat only works in the driver vent and the smell gives you a headache and makes you sick to your stomach. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11554706 · source
8. Filed Sep 24, 2023MIEngine

   On vehicles with the 3.6l Pentastar engine, the oil pump fails before 150,000 miles causing DTC P06DD to trip which instantly puts the vehicle into "Limp Mode". This immediately cuts down the power to the engine which slows everything down potentially causing you to be hit by other traffic. It also causes a hefty repair bill. This is a very common issue known to the repair shops and dealers. My family has a 2012 Dodge Journey with this engine. A local and well known mechanic…

   NHTSA complaint #11546258 · source
9. Filed Apr 21, 2023TXAirbagsEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The crankshaft position sensor as well as a oil leak from the motor and has intermittent start delays these failures I found on this sight that affects my vehicle make & model year my engine 3.6 when I accelerate the overdrive doesn't engage and i took it to Nyle Maxwell in San Antonio where it's at now I also have the diagnosis that matches what is posted here on this site & 3 open recalls that suggest other years may be affected.

   NHTSA complaint #11518190 · source
10. Filed Mar 22, 202380,000 miFLBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechEngine

    The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light and the traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the driver's side wheel sensor, the passenger's side wheel sensor, and the crank position sensor were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V675000 (Electronic Stability Control, Service…

    NHTSA complaint #11513184 · source
11. Filed Nov 14, 2022MOElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    The clvehicke will stall at slow motion and on highway dash lights will flicker and eventually shut off … only thing that helps is to wiggle the wiring harness until dash comes back on

    NHTSA complaint #11493479 · source
12. Filed Oct 27, 2022VAElectrical SystemEngineVisibility & Wipers

    What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The check engine light came on a few days ago and now the battery light came on. The right headlight has condensation in it and the heat slowly has gone out across the front panel. The touch screen sometimes works but sometimes malfunctions. I have to get my car changed from Michigan to Virginia and it will require an inspection How was your safety or the safety of others put…

    NHTSA complaint #11491082 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. 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