The Lemon Index2011 Dodge Journey.
The 2011 Dodge Journey is about average by owner complaints: 59 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 92, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 19 to 22 mpg combined. The best Dodge Journey year is 2020.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 169 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Dodge Journey year. 2011 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 18K to 98K miles on the car (136 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- brakes complaints mostly came at 8K–66K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 59K–113K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 66K–124K miles
Recalls 4
- airbags 2017
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 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 2015
In the affected vehicles, the engine cover may detach from the engine and contact the exhaust manifold.
Show all 4 recalls
- steering 2011
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP WRANGLER, CHRYSLER 200, CHRYSLER 200 CONVERTIBLE, DODGE AVENGER, DODGE NITRO, JEEP LIBERTY, DODGE CALIBER, JEEP COMPASS, JEEP PATRIOT, DODGE GRAND CARAVAN …
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 162 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Clutch pedal is inoperative
- Fuel gauge fails to register full after fuel tank has been filled
- Remanufactured Transmission Assembly 1
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenVehicle entrapment2024
- ClosedActive head rest inadvertent deployment2019–2026
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Journey SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Dodge Journey SUV FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900–3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Metal scraping sound when driving below 20mph and stops when brakes are pushed. Sounds very similar to many online complaints I've read. Recalls issued for similar models with the same year, but not mine. Very frustrating.
2011 Dodge Journey owner · NHTSA complaint 10614996
More owner reports
Horrible parts the brakes and rotors needed to be replaced after only 2 years. I have asked many people who own the same car about it and they all have the same problem.
NHTSA complaint 10620865
The vehicle was purchased new approximately 1 year ago and now, after only 13,385 miles, the front brake rotors needed to be replaced due to warping.
NHTSA complaint 10467740
Quick answers
Is the 2011 Dodge Journey reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 92; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Dodge Journey year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2011 Dodge Journey problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (42%), transmission & drivetrain (12%) and electrical (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Dodge Journey have?
4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Dodge Journey get?
19 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2011 Dodge Journey problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 18,000 and 98,400 miles. The middle report was at 64,800 miles, from 136 complaints.
Does the 2011 Dodge Journey have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 Dodge Journey cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Dodge Journey have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Dodge Journey year is better than the 2011?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2020, 2019 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works