Reliable Auto DB

2012 Dodge Journey reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2012 Dodge Journey has 376 complaints with NHTSA after 15 years, or 20 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Journey years here — under the median of the other years, which is 22. NHTSA has 6 recalls on file, including Frontal, Hoses and connections, and Electronic stability control (ESC).

2012 Dodge Journey
Photo by Noah Wulf, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

376

Per year

20

Recalls

6

Years on the road

15

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (116 of 376), then Engine (97) and Service brakes (95). Those filings include 21 that report a crash, 13 that report a fire, and 13 that report an injury.

Next to 2013

The 2013 Journey has 353 complaints, 22 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Dodge Journey. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (6)

Recall air bags, frontal 2017-07-07 · NHTSA campaign 17V432000
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.
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 steering, hydraulic power assist, hoses and connections 2016-05-06 · NHTSA campaign 16V273000
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.
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 Electronic stability control (ESC) 2015-10-19 · NHTSA campaign 15V675000
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.
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 Engine 2015-07-07 · NHTSA campaign 15V431000
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.
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 hydraulic brakes, fluid 2011-11-10 · NHTSA campaign 11V550000
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.
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 Engine and engine cooling 2011-09-29 · NHTSA campaign 11V487000
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.
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.

Complaints by component (376 total)

Electrical system
116
Engine
97
Service brakes
95
Electronic stability control (ESC)
44
Powertrain
36
Air bags
29
Steering
23
Speed control
20
Fuel and propulsion system
14
Wheels
13
Exterior lighting
12
Hydraulic brakes
11
Seats
10
Suspension
10
Engine and engine cooling
9
Structure
8
Visibility and wipers
8
Seat belts
5
Tires
5
Traction control
4
Equipment
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Interior lighting
1
Visibility
1
Show 16 more Show less
Crash-flagged

21

Fire-flagged

13

Injury reports

13

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

920121920133220144820153420163720174420186320192020201620211220221520231220247202582026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-08-08
  • "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…"
    Engine and engine cooling · filed 2026-07-01
  • "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…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-03-18
  • "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…"
    Powertrain, Electrical system, Unknown or other · filed 2026-02-15
  • "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"
    Structure · filed 2026-02-14

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Journey all-wheel drive 3.6L, 6-cyl Automatic 6-speed All-wheel drive 16 24 19 MPG $3400
Journey front-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 4-speed Front-wheel drive 19 26 22 MPG $2950
Journey front-wheel drive 3.6L, 6-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 17 25 20 MPG $3250

Specs and fitment

JC generation, 2012–2020
Body styles Crossover
Oil 5W-20 (2.4L four-cylinder; 3.6L V6 uses 5W-20 in US service) , 4.5 qt capacity
Tire size 225/65R17 (most trims)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 18V-396 covers certain 2018 Dodge Journey vehicles: when reverse gear is selected, the rear camera view may not be fully visible within two seconds, so the vehicles fail to meet FMVSS 111 rear visibility timing. Dealers update the radio software. Recall 18V-332 covers certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger, and Durango vehicles and other FCA products: wiring may chafe and cause a short, increasing fire risk; dealers inspect and repair wiring and add protective covering.

Compare

Next year 2013 Dodge Journey See every Dodge Journey model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Dodge Journey reliable?

The 2012 Dodge Journey has 376 complaints with NHTSA after 15 years, or 20 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Journey years here — under the median of the other years, which is 22. NHTSA has 6 recalls on file, including Frontal, Hoses and connections, and Electronic stability control (ESC).

What are common problems with a 2012 Dodge Journey?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (116 of 376), then Engine (97) and Service brakes (95). Those filings include 21 that report a crash, 13 that report a fire, and 13 that report an injury.

Is the 2012 Dodge Journey more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 Journey has 353 complaints, 22 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 Dodge Journey been recalled?

The 2012 Dodge Journey has 6 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Dodge Journey?

Owners have filed 376 complaints about the 2012 Dodge Journey with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Dodge Journey get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Dodge Journey is 20.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What year did Dodge stop selling the Journey in the US?

US sales ended after the 2020 model year.

What engine oil does a Dodge Journey use?

5W-20 (2.4L four-cylinder; 3.6L V6 uses 5W-20 in US service)

What does NHTSA recall 18V-396 cover on the Dodge Journey?

Recall 18V-396 covers certain 2018 Dodge Journey vehicles: when reverse gear is selected, the rear camera view may not be fully visible within two seconds, so the vehicles fail to meet FMVSS 111 rear visibility timing.