What 375 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Journey

Headrest on drivers and passenger seats came apart when seat was layed forward to clean the floors.

NHTSA ODI 11564640

Without warning or physical contact, front passenger headrest deployed. Had someone been in the seat at the time, an injury would have occurred as parts came flying out of it when it deployed.

NHTSA ODI 11560786

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 vehicle is not safe at all. The catalytic converter gives gas off into the cabin.

NHTSA ODI 11554706

The electrical is so messed up the battery drains within hours, I have shorts in all aspects of this car(Bluetooth, navigation, clicking relays nonstop, heat goes out intermittently, power switches on doors. I saw my headlights surging in power in the middle of nowhere, they would get bright, then go dim, then a battery icon illuminated on my dashboard before my car downshifted so hard I almost lost control of the car. The dealer replaced my motor mounts and my alternator, after calling to say my battery is bad and then turned around and said it wasn’t. Not to mention my brakes locked up in a little rain and I couldn’t stop crashing through a wall. Replaced my rear light turning bulb and it exploded with fire when I went to change it. The suspension is horrible and I am pretty sure my cv axles are all broken. Everything keeps breaking. Lifter Taps intermittently, rough idling and hard shifting. Key fob doesn’t start car or is recognized with fresh batteries in it. When I jump start it sometimes the horn goes off for a minute. The reverse camera goes out for days and randomly comes on again. Under the hood feels so extremely hot and for some reason it doesn’t register as overheating. Even when I check fluids and for the coolant levels are low for some reason. There is an actuator That constantly is going off under the dash. Airbags didn’t deploy when i hit the wall at all. The limp mode has come on and gone off a few times. Only codes I have is for tps and an outdoor ambient temperature sensor that says it’s either negative 40 degrees or 122 degrees. Which won’t let me clear nor allow me to remote start. Warranty is gone and when you take the fuse box cover off under the hood(just the cover) it goes haywire shaking and lights all over the dash and I have to shut the car off. Yes somebody please inspect this vehicle. The absolute worst vehicle I owe 12k on and I can’t afford to fix all of this that’s shutting down at the same time

NHTSA ODI 11553890

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 shop performed extensive diagnostics and confirmed this issue. The repair took hours to complete. The repair shop did replace other parts that could potentially cause this problem, however, it did not resolve the issue. There were/are no warning signs; simply the engine light comes on and the vehicle goes straight into limp mode with immediate decline in power.

NHTSA ODI 11546258

Oil filter housing broken internally

NHTSA ODI 11526469

So I the wiring harness in the hatch needed replaced. So we replaced it and a year later the interior light would come on randomly, then my rear wiper stopped working, all my rear light are messed up sometimes they work sometimes they don't. And not the computer says don't ajar so I can't lock my 2012 journey and the alarm goes of randomly... I'm afraid it's gonna catch fire like I have been reading online.

NHTSA ODI 11525194

Abs light and show it and I have proof cost back up cam don't work and going cost me more 1500.00 on the repair check and recall

NHTSA ODI 11519914

The ABS light was on in the car. Took to a repair shop and they replaced the ABS Module. Said it fell under R61. But then my re-imbursment was declined because they said my vin did not have the problem. But putting in a new ABS module and reprogramming fixed the issue. How do I get refunded for the failure of a break system that should never have happened? Please call me 979.216.8043

NHTSA ODI 11519268

MY FAMILY AND I ,WAS GOING THROUGH ANINTERSECTION WHEN SOMEONE RAN RED LIGTH WE PERFORMED AN EMERGENCY STOP APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL WHERE ABS KICKED IN ,NO COLLISON ACCURED BUT THE ABS AND BRAKE PEDAL SYSTEM "DID NOT'' RECOVER WITH THE PEDAL CONTINUE TO FADE TO FLOOR AFTERWARDS ..... THERE ARE NO CURRENTLY NO VISIABLE LEAKS ON BRAKING SYSTEM AND BRAKE PADS BOTH FRONT AND REAR ARE 8-10 MM IN THICKNESS

NHTSA ODI 11519289

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 ODI 11518190

Engine shut off and wouldn’t start up again

NHTSA ODI 11517485

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power. The contact stated that numerous warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle stalled and the contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that she had experienced the failure with unknown warning lights illuminated prior to the failure however, the contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the failure and found that water had entered the ABS module and caused the failure. The mechanic had advised that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V675000 (Electronic Stability Control, Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

NHTSA ODI 11513436

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 Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Darcars Orange Park Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (7233 Blanding Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32244) for recall repair; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11513184

As I was braking to enter the on-ramp of Hwy 1923 from Asheville, I noticed for the second time, my brakes were not slowing me down as usual, instead, they acted as if they were slowly grabbing. As I speed up to the correct speed limit, It seemed as though my brakes started to grab again without me depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle made a throbbing, and vibrating sound. All this after just having taken the vehicle to my mechanic for the same problem two days prior. The back brakes were replaced, the front brakes looked fine, and everything was checked out. Two days later brakes started acting up again, not working normally and acting as if thay are grabbing and vibrating the vehicle! No warning lights were shown. Next step is the Dodge Dealer. Another very aggravating glitch that the Dodge Dealer said that didn see, is the fact that every time I park the vehicle, I have to turn the sterring wheel a certain way before the battery will shut off, if not the battery will be drained!

NHTSA ODI 11508174

Battery drain when car turned off

NHTSA ODI 11503447

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 ODI 11493479

The battery and traction control lights went on. A smell like nail polish remover followed by white smoke came from under the hood. After pulling over, the hood was opened and white smoke came from the passenger side, not the drivers side where the batter is located. After cooling down for about 45 minutes, the car had now power. The fob, power locks, lights, everything was dead. Unknown cause, need to have the car towed for an estimate and cause.

NHTSA ODI 11491421

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 at risk? The car slows down or electrical goes wired while I’m the car and I have 2 children under the age of 2. So if it catches fire due to an electrical problem or the engine fails while driving because of the check engine light or battery light it could cause a serious problem Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No they just started a few days ago the check engine light came on and now the battery light came on. It’s been a great car but I’m not sure what’s happening now because it’s nothing I did.

NHTSA ODI 11491082

Anti lock system engage comes on while driving , causing vehicle to shut down was informed by dealership ( where diagnostic was done )to take vehicle to manufacturer this has been ongoing issue for months. I have paid money on serveral tow bills (stuck on roads )and numerous out of pocket expenses. I am paying car notes but “ walk “ or pay for alternative transportation for safety for “ myself “ and children

NHTSA ODI 11485781

Electrical - the vehicle while driving just shut off. No power, no lights, the engine died. The vehicle was brought to a stop, placed in park and then restarted without issue. The ABS system - the brakes failed to work. While at a stop light, brakes depressed, the vehicle began rolling backwards.

NHTSA ODI 11483040

Having to jump vehicle every morning something draining battery Ive replaced battery 3 times

NHTSA ODI 11475204

Total loss of power while driving. Clock resets to noon. Gas Guage shows over filled once vehicle gets put in park and gets turned back on. No codes on the dash. Touchscreen normally red. Turns to blue for duration of vehicle trip. Then back to red next trips. Can't be duplicated by mechanic. Wierd fuel odor coming from vehicle. Steering locks up after total loss of power. No problems with not starting so far. But driving with 3 yr old on busy streets is dangerous now

NHTSA ODI 11472483

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle started to jerk. In addition, when the brake pedal was depressed it traveled to the floorboard. There was also a failure with the electric stability control failure; in addition to the headlights, visibility was dim. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76, 200

NHTSA ODI 11471214

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 20 MPH. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was purchased to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the head gasket and throttle body had failed. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and it was determined that the throttle body had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer towed the vehicle to an unknown authorized Dodge dealer who repaired the vehicle however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

NHTSA ODI 11465100