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2012 Dodge Journey: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker Journey years.
376 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 6 recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Journey?The 2012 Dodge Journey has 376 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and service brakes.
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Dodge Journey vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Journey years only. How we score it
Is 2012 a good year for the Journey?
Across the 13 Journey model years we track, complaint volume runs from 8 (2008) to 1,594 (2009). With 376 complaints, the 2012 Journey sits about the same as the model's median of 353.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2012 Journey
air bags:frontal
Campaign 17V432000Chrysler (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.
steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections
Campaign 16V273000Chrysler (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.
engine and engine cooling:engine
Campaign 15V431000Chrysler (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.
electronic stability control (esc)
Campaign 15V675000Chrysler (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.
Show 2 more recalls
service brakes, hydraulic:fluid
Campaign 11V550000CHRYSLER 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.
engine and engine cooling
Campaign 11V487000CHRYSLER 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.
What owners say across generations
Overwhelmingly negative sentiment based on long-term owner reports. The vehicle is characterized by pervasive and severe reliability issues, particularly with electrical systems, transmissions, and engine management, leading to repeated, expensive repairs.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Journey. See the full Journey owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Journey listings typically run $7,366–$11,775 across 2010 to 2020 model years.
Other Journey model years
Compare every Journey year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
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