NHTSA has 376 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Dodge Journey[1]. Electrical, brake and engine reports lead the list, so those are the places to look first.
Most reported problems
Owners filed complaints across several parts of the Journey, and these groups are the biggest.
- Electrical System. 116 complaints[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe a car that dies while driving or will not start, a dead battery that needs a jump again and again, and small faults like a rear wiper or a tail light acting up. The median mileage at failure is 85,000[5].
- Brakes. 106 complaints[6]. Owners describe squealing, grinding, a shudder when stopping and a pedal that feels like it slips. Some say a shop replaced parts and the noise came back. The median mileage at failure is 66,000[6].
- Engine. 105 complaints[7]. Owners describe the engine stalling on the road, a check engine light with lost power, and repairs that took more than one visit. This group also has the most fire reports in the list, at 8[7].
- Unknown or other. 48 complaints[8] did not fit a clear component group.
- Electronic stability control. 44 complaints[9]. In the stories we read, owners describe waiting a long time for a repair part after a notice arrived.
- Power train. 36 complaints[10], with a median mileage at failure of 60,000[10].
- Air bags. 29 complaints[11]. This group has 14 crashes and 15 injuries attached to it[11].
- Steering. 23 complaints[12], with a median mileage at failure of 87,756[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Journey is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Frontal (17V432), July 2017. About 363,480 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, And Connections (16V273), May 2016. About 8,569 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, steering problems, loss of power. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Electronic Stability Control (Esc) (15V675), October 2015. About 275,187 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine (15V431), July 2015. About 145,379 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Fluid (11V550), November 2011. About 340 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[17]
- Engine And Engine Cooling (11V487), September 2011. About 667 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[18]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Journey FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[3] | 19 / 26 / 22 | $3,050 |
| Journey FWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive[19] | 17 / 25 / 20 | $3,350 |
| Journey AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive[20] | 16 / 24 / 19 | $3,550 |
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2012 Dodge Journey with 2.4L 4-cylinder[22] | 283 hp |
| 2012 Dodge Journey with 3.6L 6-cylinder[23] | 283 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOURNEY 4DR SUV AWD SXT/CREW/R/T[24] | 193 in | 72 in | 67 in | 114 in | 4,228 lb |
| JOURNEY 4DR SUV FWD CANADA VALUE PACKAGE/SE P[25] | 193 in | 72 in | 67 in | 114 in | 3,796 lb |
| JOURNEY 4DR SUV FWD R/T[26] | 193 in | 72 in | 67 in | 114 in | 4,063 lb |
| JOURNEY 4DR SUV FWD SXT/CREW[27] | 193 in | 72 in | 67 in | 114 in | 3,907 lb |
How 2012 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1,594 | 8 |
| 2010 | 1,085 | 4 |
| 2011 | 169 | 4 |
| 2012 | 376 | 6 |
| 2013 | 353 | 4 |
| 2014 | 416 | 7 |
| 2015 | 554 | 6 |
| 2016 | 389 | 4 |
| 2017 | 201 | 2 |
| 2018 | 237 | 6 |
| 2019 | 102 | 1 |
| 2020 | 66 | 1 |
NHTSA's counts for the Journey show 376 complaints and 6 recalls for 2012[2]. Among the 12 model years listed, 6 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 5 have more[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2020 (66) and the most are for 2009 (1,594)[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2012 Journey?
The 2012 Dodge Journey has a long complaint file, with 376 reports[1]. Electrical, brake and engine problems are the biggest groups, at 116, 106 and 105 complaints[5][6][7]. The air bag group is smaller at 29[11], but it carries 14 crashes and 15 injuries[11]. These are unverified owner reports, and they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. If you are shopping for one, check the recall section on this page and ask a mechanic to look closely at the electrical system and brakes.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Dodge Journey?
- Electrical System leads with 116 complaints, then Brakes with 106 and Engine with 105[5][6][7].
- Does the 2012 Dodge Journey have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year data shows 6 recalls for 2012[2]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
- How many complaints does the 2012 Dodge Journey have?
- NHTSA has 376 owner complaints on file, including 21 that mention a crash and 13 that mention a fire[1].
- How many miles does a 2012 Dodge Journey last before problems show up?
- Median mileage at failure is 66,000 for brakes, 85,000 for the electrical system and 89,000 for the engine[6][5][7]. These are owner reports, not a promise for any one car.
- What gas mileage does the 2012 Dodge Journey get, and how does it do in crash tests?
- See the fuel economy and safety sections on this page. They are built from EPA and NHTSA data.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Dodge Journey
Compare all model years of the Dodge Journey
Other Dodge models from 2012
Similar cars from 2012: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 376 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Dodge Journey (21 mention a crash, 13 a fire, 24 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Journey model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Journey FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4WD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 116 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 106 complaints name the brakes component group (6 crashes, 2 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 105 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 8 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 89,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 48 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 93,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 44 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 99,892). NHTSA vehicle records
- 36 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 29 complaints name the air bags component group (14 crashes, 0 fires, 15 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,305). NHTSA vehicle records
- 23 complaints name the steering component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 87,756). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 17V432, filed July 7, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V273, filed May 6, 2016: Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, And Connections. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V675, filed October 19, 2015: Electronic Stability Control (Esc). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V431, filed July 7, 2015: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 11V550, filed November 10, 2011: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Fluid. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 11V487, filed September 29, 2011: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Journey FWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Journey AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2012 Dodge Journey with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 283 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2012 Dodge Journey with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 283 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, JOURNEY 4DR SUV AWD SXT/CREW/R/T: length 193 in, width 72 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 4,228 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, JOURNEY 4DR SUV FWD CANADA VALUE PACKAGE/SE P: length 193 in, width 72 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 3,796 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, JOURNEY 4DR SUV FWD R/T: length 193 in, width 72 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 4,063 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, JOURNEY 4DR SUV FWD SXT/CREW: length 193 in, width 72 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 3,907 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov