Recalls
6campaigns
2 brake · 2 engine · 1 air bag
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
376filed
Owner reports, 2008–2017 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Crash tests
4★overall
★★★★☆ Frontal 4★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 4★
Source: NHTSA NCAP
Fuel economy
22mpg combined
$2,969/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
2.4 L 4-cyl· 4-speed automatic
3 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (6)
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2012 Dodge Journey. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 2012 Dodge Journey. Not checked against your VIN.
Inadvertent Air Bag Deployment due to Chafed Wire
Air bags · frontal
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Chrysler (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.
- Consequence
- Unexpected deployment of the driver's frontal air bag increases the risk of a crash or driver injury.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag wiring within the steering wheel, replacing it if necessary. A protective cover will also be installed. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T47.
58.9% repairedof 363,480 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 17V432000
Listed for 2012 Dodge Journey. Not checked against your VIN.
Power Steering Return Hose may Rupture
Steering · hydraulic power assist · hose, piping, and connections
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Chrysler (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.
- Consequence
- A loss of power steering assist may require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return hoses, steel tubes, and power steering oil cooler, free of charge. The recall began on May 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S08.
64.3% repairedof 8,569 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V273000
Listed for 2012 Dodge Journey. Not checked against your VIN.
Water May Enter the ABS Module
Electronic stability control (esc)
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Chrysler (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.
- Consequence
- If the ABS or ESC is disabled, a loss of vehicle stability could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will seal the ABS wiring harness to prevent water from entering and will replace the ABS module and repair the headlamp and dash wiring harness, as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R61.
71% repairedof 275,187 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V675000
Listed for 2012 Dodge Journey. Not checked against your VIN.
Engine Cover may Contact Exhaust Manifold
Engine and engine cooling · engine
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Chrysler (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.
- Consequence
- If the displaced engine cover contacts the exhaust manifold, there would be an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install an improved mounting system for the engine cover, free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R32.
68.7% repairedof 145,379 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V431000
Listed for 2012 Dodge Journey. Not checked against your VIN.
BRAKE FLUID
Service brakes, hydraulic · fluid
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- CHRYSLER 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.
- Consequence
- THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE ALL BRAKE COMPONENTS THAT COME IN CONTACT WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 1, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Repair progress not yet reported340 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 11V550000
Listed for 2012 Dodge Journey. Not checked against your VIN.
ROD BEARING FAILURE
Engine and engine cooling
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- CHRYSLER 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.
- Consequence
- CONNECTING ROD FAILURE MAY LEAD TO ENGINE SEIZURE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ENGINE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Repair progress not yet reported667 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 11V487000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (376)
376 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
21involved a crash
13involved a fire
24injuries reported
0deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 376 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 116 | 30.9% |
| Service brakes | 106 | 28.2% |
| Engine | 97 | 25.8% |
| Unknown or other | 48 | 12.8% |
| Electronic stability control | 44 | 11.7% |
| Power train | 36 | 9.6% |
| Air bags | 29 | 7.7% |
| Steering | 23 | 6.1% |
| Vehicle speed control | 20 | 5.3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 14 | 3.7% |
How 2012 compares with other Journey years
Best and worst Journey years →20088
20091,594
20101,085
2011169
2012376
2013353
2014416
2015553
2016388
2017198
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 8 | 0 |
| 2009 | 1,594 | 8 |
| 2010 | 1,085 | 4 |
| 2011 | 169 | 4 |
| 2012 | 376 | 6 |
| 2013 | 353 | 4 |
| 2014 | 416 | 7 |
| 2015 | 553 | 6 |
| 2016 | 388 | 4 |
| 2017 | 198 | 2 |
This year (2012)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 4 stars overall
Overall★★★★☆
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 4★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 4★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★☆
RolloverRollover risk 18.5%★★★★☆
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2012 Dodge Journey suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 22 mpg combined
22
mpg combined
19
city
26
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,050
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 404 g/mi
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle -
What it costs you to run
$2,969per year
$247per month
682gallons a year
Miles ÷ 22 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 24 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2012 Journey for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2012 Dodge Journey FAQ
How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Journey have?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns: 17V432000 (air bag), 16V273000 (steering), 15V675000 (brake), 15V431000 (engine), 11V550000 (brake), 11V487000 (engine). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2012 Dodge Journey problems?
Owners filed 376 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (116), Service brakes (106), Engine (97) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2012 Dodge Journey get?
EPA rates the 2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 19 city, 26 highway and 22 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2012 Dodge Journey get?
NHTSA rated the 2012 Dodge Journey suv fwd 4 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (18.5% rollover risk).
How does the 2012 Journey compare with other years?
Among the 2008–2017 Dodge Journey model years at least five years old, the 2008 drew the fewest complaints (8) and the 2009 the most (1,594). The 2012 drew 376. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
Was this report useful?Report a data error