Home · 2012 Dodge Journey · Complaints

What 375 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Journey

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (375)Crash / fire / injury (34)Electrical system (115)Brakes (106)Engine (97)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (44)Transmission & drivetrain (36)Airbags (29)Steering (23)Speed control (20)Fuel system (15)Wheels (13)

106 of 375 complaints match · Brakes · clear filters · page 2 of 5

Jan 14, 2021Transmission & drivetrainBrakesEngineCrash3 injuries

ENGINE LIGHT MULTIPLE TIMES- EMISSIONS CONTROL - FOUND ONLINE BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL: IN AFFECTED CARS, FCA WILL REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND UPDATE SOFTWARE FOR THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE — THAT IS, YOUR CAR’S PRIMARY DRIVETRAIN COMPUTER. FCA WILL RECYCLE THE OLD CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO REMOVE THE PRECIOUS METALS COMMON IN SUCH DEVICES, A USUAL PRACTICE. “OBVIOUSLY THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THAT’S THE BIGGEST PART OF THIS,” CHERNOBY SAID. THE REPLACEMENT CONVERTER HAS A “DIFFERENT MIXTURE OF PRECIOUS METALS … TO BE LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO SULFUR IN THE FUEL,” HE ADDED. DUE TO THE NUMBER OF REPLACEMENT CATALYTIC CONVERTERS NEEDED, THE AUTOMAKER IS RECALLING CARS IN WAVES. MODEL-YEAR 2011 CARS: FIRST QUARTER OF 2019 MODEL-YEAR 2012 CARS CHRYSLER'S NUMBER FOR THIS RECALL IS T47 CHRYSLER'S NUMBER FOR THIS RECALL IS S08 CHRYSLER'S NUMBER FOR THIS RECALL IS R61 CHRYSLER'S NUMBER FOR THIS RECALL IS R32

NHTSA ODI 11388246

Jan 5, 2021BrakesEngine

MY CAR IS THROWING OFF A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AN IT INDICATES IT'S MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER, MY ENGINE HAS AN KNOCKING SOUND ALSO, AND WHEN I APPLY PRESSURE ON MY BRAKES THERE'S A DELAY OF STOPPING. WHILE I'M DRIVING CITY/HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI 11386563

Nov 5, 2020Electrical systemBrakesEngine

NHTSA ID NUMBER:11258769 ENGINE LIGHT MULTIPLE TIMES- EMISSIONS CONTROL - FOUND ONLINE BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL: IN AFFECTED CARS, FCA WILL REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND UPDATE SOFTWARE FOR THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE — THAT IS, YOUR CAR’S PRIMARY DRIVETRAIN COMPUTER. FCA WILL RECYCLE THE OLD CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO REMOVE THE PRECIOUS METALS COMMON IN SUCH DEVICES, A USUAL PRACTICE. “OBVIOUSLY THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THAT’S THE BIGGEST PART OF THIS,” CHERNOBY SAID. THE REPLACEMENT CONVERTER HAS A “DIFFERENT MIXTURE OF PRECIOUS METALS … TO BE LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO SULFUR IN THE FUEL,” HE ADDED. DUE TO THE NUMBER OF REPLACEMENT CATALYTIC CONVERTERS NEEDED, THE AUTOMAKER IS RECALLING CARS IN WAVES. MODEL-YEAR 2011 CARS: FIRST QUARTER OF 2019 MODEL-YEAR 2012 CARS: SECOND QUARTER OF 2019 MODEL-YEAR 2013-14 CARS: THIRD QUARTER OF 2019 MODEL-YEAR 2015-16 CARS: FOURTH QUARTER OF 2019

NHTSA ODI 11373223

Oct 22, 2020Brakes

EVERY 15K MILES OR SO THE RIGHT REAR CALIPER STICKS AND DESTROYS THE PADS AND ASSOCIATED ROTOR. I HAVE REPLACED THAT SPECIFIC CALIPER AND BOTH ROTORS THREE TWICE ALREADY. AFTER AROUND 25K TO 30K MILES I CAN NO LONGER GET THE CALIPER TO UNFREEZE. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 93K MILES ON IT AND I AM ABOUT TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. ONCE THE OUTSIDE PAD GETS TO LESS THAN 30% THE WHEEL TRIES TO LOCK UP. ONCE WHILE DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY MY WIFE NEARLY CAUGHT THE CAR ON FIRE BECAUSE OF OVERHEATING BRAKES. THIS FORM ONLY ALLOWS FOR ONE ENTRY, BUT AS STATED THIS HAS HAPPENED A MULTITUDE OF TIMES. THE WORST BEING WHEN THE ROTOR WAS GLOWING RED BEFORE IT WAS NOTICED BY ANOTHER PERSON AT A GAS STATION. THAT HAPPENED IN 2015.

NHTSA ODI 11365804

Jun 12, 2020Brakes

ABS, ETC AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH BOARD AFTER I PARKED ON A SLOPE AND DROVE FOR COUPLE OF MILES. TAKE IT TO THE DIAGNOSTIC TECHNICIAN AND A FAILURE IS DETECTED IN THE ABS MODULE. I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS AN ALERT REGARDING THIS, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION. COULD YOU ADVICE ME WHAT TO DO IN RESPECT TO THIS MATTER AND IF IT WAS A RECALL SINCE 2015 WHY I NEVER RECEIVED THE LETTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11328492

Jan 16, 2020BrakesFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SMOKE ODOR COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TIRES PLUS DEALER (610-616-5256, LOCATED AT 820 BALTIMORE PIKE, SPRINGFIELD, PA 19064) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE CALIPERS AND ROTORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PREVIOUSLY THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE JEFF D'AMBROSIO DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP DEALER (484-364-3777, LOCATED AT 1221 E LANCASTER AVE, DOWNINGTOWN, PA 19335) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE ROTORS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

NHTSA ODI 11299778

Dec 6, 2019Body & structureBrakes

BREAKS AREN'T WORKING SHOP TOLD ME ABOUT THE RECALL AND SAID THERE'S NO AIR IN THE LINES AND NO LEAKING LINES TESTED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND NO ISSUES BUT MY BREAKS ARE STILL NOT FULLY ENGAGING. TRUNK DOESN'T OPEN I'VE BROUGHT IT TO 4 SHOPS AS WELL AS A DODGE DEALERSHIP AND NON HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THE LATCH TO DISINGAGE.

NHTSA ODI 11287442

Dec 3, 2019Brakes

THE ABS LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE WITH SLIDING MARKS LIGHT HAVE SHOWN UP ON MY DASH WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN AT LOW SPEED. THIS HAS ACCUSED TWO OR THREE TIMES AND NOW IS STAYING ON ALL THE TIME. I SAW AN ARTICLE ON LINE THAT THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS IN 2015. MY CAR ONLY HAS 48278 MILES ON IT. COULD YOU LET ME KNOW IF THERE WAS OR WHAT I NEED TO DO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM?

NHTSA ODI 11286585

Nov 12, 2019Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 2012 DODGE JOURNEY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GREENWAY DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (9051 E COLONIAL DR, ORLANDO, FL 32817, (407) 347-4929) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V675000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AWAITING REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11279603

Sep 8, 2019BrakesEngine

I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 DODGE JOURNEY AND MY CAR POWER JUST SHUT DOWN AND IT WON'T START. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD AND STIFF.MY CAR IS COMPLETELY DISABLED HAD TO GET IT TOW TO MY HOUSE. I TRIED TO START THE CAR IT'S NOT STARTING AT ALL NO PEER NO LIGHTS NOTHING COMPLETELY DEAD

NHTSA ODI 11253986

Sep 5, 2019SteeringTraction Control SystemBrakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE JOURNEY. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ABS FAILED AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. ONCE RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ODI 11253360

Aug 7, 2019Electrical systemBrakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. ON ONE OCCASION, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND THEN RESET; HOWEVER, THE TWO INITIAL WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED LIT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ARRIGO DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM WEST PALM BEACH (6500 OKEECHOBEE BLVD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33411, (561) 282-1545) WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED PER TWO UNKNOWN RECALLS; HOWEVER, THE ABS DEFECT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11242303

Aug 7, 2019Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS, BRAKE LIGHTS, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ABS. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH GREENBRIER DODGE OF CHESAPEAKE (1717 S MILITARY HWY, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23320, (757) 383-9734) AND WAS PROVIDED A REPAIR COST ESTIMATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11242388

Jun 28, 2019Brakes

I'VE SEEN THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE ABS UNFORTUNATELY MY VEHICLE WAS MADE A MONTH LATER. MY ABS LIGHT, BREAK LIGHT, AIR BAG LIGHT AND THE CAR SLIPPERY LIGHT IS ON.

NHTSA ODI 11228286

Jun 14, 2019Electrical systemBrakesEngine

YESTERDAY, WHILE WAITING AT A STOP SIGN MY 2012 JOURNEY SHUT OFF. I HAD NO IDEA IT HAD EVEN SHUT OFF! I PRESSED THE GAS TO GO AND THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. I WAS A LITTLE BAFFLED BECAUSE THE RADIO WAS STILL PLAYING. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND PRESSED THE IGNITION AND THE CAR STARTED AGAIN. THIS IS LATEST AND MOST UNSAFE ISSUE THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THIS CAR. THE RADIO RANDOMLY CHANGES STATIONS AND IT DOESN'T SHUT OFF WHEN THE CAR IS SHUT OFF. I HAVE TO TURN THE RADIO OFF BEFORE I TURN THE CAR OFF BECAUSE IT WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY. THIS STARTED ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO. THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND THE DRIVERS DOOR WAS OPENED, BUT THE RADIO KEPT PLAYING. IF I FORGET TO TURN IT OFF BEFORE THE IGNITION, I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR AND LET THE RADIO PLAY FOR A MIN OR SO BEFORE I CAN TURN IT OFF. ALSO, THE REAR AIR SUDDENLY COMES ON. WHEN I TURN IT OFF IT COMES BACK ON. IF IT'S SYNCED WITH THE FRONT AIR, IT WILL RANDOMLY GO TO THE HIGH SETTING. THE JOURNEY ALSO DOES A JERKING MOTION WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY OR NEIGHBORHOOD ROADS TOO. WE THOUGHT THAT MAYBE IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION, BUT WE HAD IT CHECKED AND IT'S FINE! AFTER YESTERDAY'S SUDDEN SHUTOFF, I'M WONDERING IF ALL THAT JERKING WAS A SIGN OF WHAT WAS TO COME. THE BRAKE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON FOR A FEW WEEKS AS WELL. I COULD BE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY AND THE BREAK LIGHT COMES ON. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT, ACCELERATION OR DRIVING AT A CONSTANT SPEED. IT HAPPENS SO FREQUENTLY THAT MY KIDS ARE LIKE, HERE WE GO AGAIN BECAUSE WE, OUR BODIES, START JERKING WITH THE CAR. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AT THE END OF 2011. I LOVED IT AT FIRST, BUT NOW I'M AFRAID TO PUT MY KIDS IN IT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. THERE ARE ISSUES WITH DIFF. MODEL YEARS, SO IF THE PROBLEMS ARE BEING FIXED ON SOME, IT SHOULD BE FIXED ON ALL. AFTER ALL, THE COMPANY MADE $ ON ALL OF THEM & OUR LIVES ARE VALUABLE

NHTSA ODI 11219988

May 13, 2019Brakes

ALL THESE VEHICLES HAVE SERIOUS BRAKE PROBLEMS , THEY HAVE TO BE REPLACE VERY OFTEN IF NOT YOU END UP IN AN ACCIDENT , I HAVE BEEN VERY CLOSE , IT'S THE COMPLETE BREAKING SYSTEM THAT'S BAD , JUST CHECK THE SERVICE RECORDS FOR THESE VEHICLES I AM SURE THERE HAVE BEEN MANY ACCIDENTS RELATED TO BRAKE ISSUES .

NHTSA ODI 11207293

May 7, 2019Electronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE, JERKED, BUCKED, AND THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY AND TRACTION CONTROL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS ALSO A DRASTIC REDUCTION OF SPEED TO THE POINT THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED MOISTURE, AND THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER (MAGUIRE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM OF SYRACUSE, 959 HIAWATHA BLVD W, SYRACUSE, NY 13204, (315) 487-6211) WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V675000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE AS THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA ODI 11206024

Apr 9, 2019AirbagsWheelsBrakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. AUTONATION CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM SPRING (21027 I-45, SPRING, TX 77388, (281) 715-6927) DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

NHTSA ODI 11194939

Mar 4, 2019Electronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE JOURNEY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V675000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

NHTSA ODI 11183870

Feb 7, 2019Transmission & drivetrainElectronic Stability Control (esc)BrakesCrash

I HAD A ABS LIGHT AND ESC LIGHT APPEAR, PULLED INTO GAS STATION. APPROACHED THE FUEL PUMPS AND PRESSED THE BRAKES AND SLID ON THE ICY PAVEMENT (SNOWY MICHIGAN) INTO THE GAS PUMP PROTECTORS MADE OF CONCRETE. COULDN'T CONTROL THE VEHICLE @~8MPH SLIGHTLY TURNED APPROACHING A GAS PUMP ON WET/ICY CONCRETE.

NHTSA ODI 11174999

Jan 11, 2019Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED OCCASIONALLY WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

NHTSA ODI 11166444

Jan 5, 2019Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY HAD TO PULL OVER. PUT HAZARD LIGHTS ON GRASS WAS WET. WHEN DONE WE GOT STUCK SO I OUT THE ABS BUTTON ON AND THE TRACTION AND ABS LIGHTS STAYED ON THE DASH FOR 20 MILES, THEN THEY TURNED OFF FOR A BRIEF MOMENT AND THEY'VE BEEN ON EVER SINCE. COMPUTER MODULE AT OUR LOCAL STORE IS NOT GIVING A PROBLEM WHEN PLUGGED INTO THE FUSE BOX WITH THEIR HANDHELD COMPUTER.

NHTSA ODI 11165326

Dec 26, 2018Electronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BRAKES CONTINUED TO WORK AND AT FIRST THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WENT ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA ODI 11163468

Dec 6, 2018WheelsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS SOME PROBLEM TOO.

NHTSA ODI 11156666

Oct 3, 2018Brakes

BRAKE PEDAL GOES COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WHEN BRAKING. HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, BRAKES WORK PERFECTLY FINE FOR 2 TO 3 WEEKS THEN OCCURS AGAIN. HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES. COMPLETELY REPLACED BRAKE FLUID, CHECKED BRAKE PUMP AND BRAKE LINE FOR LEAKS, NO LEAKAGE VISIBLE. CAN IT BE BRAKE MODULE OR ABS MODULE THAT IS DEFECTIVE? VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION EVERYTIME SITUATION OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI 11133224

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Working with the data? Download all 375 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 20, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Dodge Journey verdict →