What 375 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Journey

This complaint concerns the failure of the front rubber brake lines on my 2012 Dodge Journey. I discovered that, during manufacture, the original brake lines were severely crushed while the retaining brackets were attached to them. This reduced the I.D. of the hoses to about 20% of their intended size. Over time, with normal hose deterioration, this restricted back flow of brake fluid to the master cylinder. As a result the brakes calipers did not retract completely which caused excessive overheating of the front brakes. This could have caused a fire or the vehicle to swerve into other traffic. My concern is other vehicles of similar age could begin experiencing the same issue. Please note the front left brake was malfunction before and after new rotors, pads and calipers were installed.

NHTSA ODI 11457573

Over the last 2 years I have been to the dealership and numerous other mechanics in an attempt to diagnose the problem. Here is the problem..... if the vehicle is not started daily the battery is drained and the vehicle does not start. I have had an occurrence of the vehicle not starting after a few hours. I have replaced the battery 3 times in the past 2 years and had the dealership tell me they could not find a problem. There are plenty of complaints online about this same issue and after calling dodge itself have received no valid info other than to report here. Here is one website with a lot of complaints just to start. https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-t36017_ds846706 This issue should have been recalled and fixed a long time ago evidently. There are currently under 150000 miles on my vehicle. One of the people reported that the dealership told them to use a trickle charger on a new car..... this is a unacceptable resolution. I will be posting this website for others to contact you in hopes that it is realized this is a true recall issue.

NHTSA ODI 11456784

Rear differential viscous coupler. The internal drum to hold the clutch packs together cracked and separated could have caused the rear differential to lock up and is a known issue with these vehicles and there is no parts available to repair other than to replace whole unit from dodge

NHTSA ODI 11450067

Rear camera image is turned upside down. Concerned about backing up and hitting someone.

NHTSA ODI 11442705

The blind spot is horrible. I have to check my mirrors 3 times because even if I look on my side, especially on the driver’s side whenever I have to switch lanes, I can’t see if there is a car on my blind spots. The mirrors don’t help because it may appear that the car beside me is far but it may also be near. So that of the major issue with this car. Next, when the vehicle in front of me did a sudden stop and I hit my brakes too hard to stop, the car made a throttling sound then it stopped. When it was safe to go, it wouldn’t go even though my gear is on Drive and I am pressing on the gas pedal. It just makes a rubbing noise as like it is on Park mode and you are hitting the gas pedal. So I had to shut my car off and turn it back on. Lastly, cruise control doesn’t work very well. Sometimes it works, but most of the times I had to pull over and restart my car or hit the brakes and press the on/off switch for cruise control.

NHTSA ODI 11439601

My safety was at risk and I put others at risk when my vehicle lost power in the middle of a busy highway and almost caused an accident with my 2 young children in the car. It would not accelerate and we got stuck in the middle of the rode. The ABS light came on when it happened. I took it to my local dealer to diagnose and was told there was water in the ABS module connector which caused the wires to corrode. Chrysler had a recall on this specific issue for my model but because my vehicle didn't come out of a specific batch, they won't cover it. This is a safety issue and if other vehicles of this make and model were recalled for this specific issue, they should fix mine. I have attached the R61 recall from Chrysler for this issue

NHTSA ODI 11434076

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the brakes locked up. The brakes, traction control, and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

NHTSA ODI 11430978

WHILE PARKING CAR AND ENGAGING "THE PARKING BRAKE,} THE BRAKE POPPED AND A ROUND SILVER LOOKING ITEM POPPED OUT FROM UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL AND LANDED ON THE FLOOR BOARD. TRYING TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE BECAME USELESS AS THE PETAL JUST STATED ENGAGED AND WHEN TOUGHED IT CAME UP TO THE PARKING BRAKE RELEASE PLACE, IF THE PETAL WAS TOUCHED IT WOULD FALL BACK TO THE ENGAGED LOOKING. WHEN DRIVING I DID NOT NOTICE ANY BURNING SMELL WHICH TOLD ME THAT THE EMERGENCY WAS NOT ENGAGED EVEN TOUGH THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON. AT HOME I CHECKED UNDER THE CAR AND FOUND THAT BACK AND FORTH. THE BRAKE CABLE WAS LOOSE AND MOVEABLE. LOOKING AT THE ROUND PIECE THAT FELL OFF IT APPEARS TO BE WHERE THE CABLE WAS TETHERED TO AND THIS WOULD BE PLACED IN THE BRAKE PETAL. THE CABLE APPEARS TO HAVE SEVERED AT THE ROUND PIECE(CONNECTOR) MAKING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE INOPERABLE. THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE ANY RUST BUT JUST SEVERED

NHTSA ODI 11428905

I messaged you the other day about my car losing it's brakes when it rains. I was wondering if you had any information for me about this problem. complaint # 11422687

NHTSA ODI 11423643

I have a 2012 Dodge Journey when it rains and I have to go through water on the roads my car will loose it's brakes, which is causing me to almost hit the person in front of me. I see that my car doesn't have a recall on it for this problem but it's to the point that I'm afraid to drive it in the rain. This is my only vehicle to drive back and forth to work. Please let me know what I should do. Thanks

NHTSA ODI 11422687

As I am drive my car will slow down almost as if it’s gonna shut off then began to rev up and feel as if it’s jumps back into gear. I been looking through issues with this car and I see the transmission solenoid has been a problem. Seems as if this is the issue with my vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11419831

Vehicle stalls intermittently, when coming to a stop at a light or Stop Sign.This has occurred on multiple occasions and could result in serious injury or Death. The latest date was yesterday May 31,2021.

NHTSA ODI 11419156

VEHICLE TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING, EVEN AT FULL SPEED. THIS HAPPENS WHILE I AM DRVING ANYWHERE INCLUDING THE HIGHWAY

NHTSA ODI 11413075

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ACTIVATED, THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD LOSE FUNCTIONALITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE, AIR BAGS, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER MAX CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM BELTON (7820 E. 171ST ST, BELTON, MO 64012, (816)331-4300) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE CLOCKSPRING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 173,000.

NHTSA ODI 11408035

THE RADIO/THERMOSTAT WINDOW POWER LOCKS AND USB SLOWLY STARTED TO MALFUNCTION. NOW THE SCREEN TO THE RADIO AND THERMOSTAT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. THE WIRING HARNESSES LOCATED AT THE REAR HATCH WHICH HAS NO VISIBLE OUTSIDE DAMAGE, YES ALL THE WIRING INSIDE IS PINCHED AND EXPOSED. THE ONLY WAY WE DISCOVERED IT WAS BECAUSE THE BACK WIPER BLADE WENT OUT.

NHTSA ODI 11397023

I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH HEAT EVERY WINTER FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS. I HAVE PAID THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON THIS EVERY WINTER AND WILL WORK FOR THAT SEASON ONLY.

NHTSA ODI 11394637

ON THE FREEWAY, CAR HYDROPLANED AND HIT CONCRETE TEMPORARY DIVIDER TWICE. ONCE IN THE BACK AND THEN THE FRONT AND SIDE OF THE CAR. CAR CROSSED THREE LANES AND FORCIBLY LANDED ON EDGE OF FREEWAY.

NHTSA ODI 11390608

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

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

MY AWD LIGHT IS ON AND WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY SUV REAR WHEELS SPIN MY SUV AROUND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND I ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. ON HIGHWAY 84 GOING TOWARD MISSISSIPPI.

NHTSA ODI 11383991

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

THE 2012 DODGE JOURNEY SUV WIRING HARNESS IN THE REAR HATCH IF USED REGULARLY THE WIRES WILL BRAKE AND CAUSE NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES. RANGING FROM NO REAR LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPER, THE REAR LOCK BUTTON WILL ALSO MALFUNCTION. SOMETIMES AS IN MY CASE IT HAS CAUSE ALTERNATOR ISSUES. I AM NOW BROKE DOWN DUE TO WHAT WILL NOW BE MY 3RD ALTERNATOR IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. I FEEL THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI 11372379

OVER HEATING AND RUNNING HOTTER THAN USUAL. UNUSUAL SMELL FROM ENGINE WHEN ACCELERATING QUICKLY. POPPING WHEN MAKING SHARP TURNS. AIR CONDITIONER TURNING ON AND OFF OR UP AND DOWN RANDONLY

NHTSA ODI 11366914

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY OR STREET, CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES AND POWER STEERING. WILL RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BUT IS DANGEROUS ON THE INTERSTATE OR WHILE PASSING OR DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. MECHANIC CODE PULLS DEAD BATTERY BUT BATTERY CHANGED AND STILL SHUTS OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11366204

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