The Lemon Index

All cars · Dodge Journey · 2012

2012 Dodge Journey. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index125100 = average car
Complaints108NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold79,563U.S. model year
Per 100K sold136complaints
Year rank#7 of 12#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 3

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.4L 4-cylAuto 4-spdFWD19 / 26 / 22Regular$2,850
3.6L 6-cylAuto 6-spdFWD17 / 25 / 20Regular$3,100
3.6L 6-cylAuto 6-spdAWD16 / 24 / 19Regular$3,300

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 32,500 and 110,000 miles. Median 78,000, from 269 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Electrical85,00048,200–110,00080
Engine89,00050,300–116,00063
Brakes63,00025,300–107,00055
Stability control99,90085,500–126,50036
Transmission & drivetrain60,00012,000–93,90027

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Brakes25%
Engine25%
Electrical23%
Transmission & drivetrain11%
Airbags7%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
376211313019

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 6

  • 17V432000 Jul 2017 Air Bags / Frontal

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 16V273000 May 2016 Steering / Hydraulic Power Assist / Hose, Piping, And Connections

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 15V675000 Oct 2015 Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 15V431000 Jul 2015 Engine And Engine Cooling / Engine

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 11V550000 Nov 2011 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Fluid

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 11V487000 Sep 2011 Engine And Engine Cooling

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenVehicle entrapment2024–
ClosedActive head rest inadvertent deployment20192026

Manufacturer communications 224

Dodge filed 224 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Fuel gauge fails to register full after fuel tank has been filled
  • Hard Contact Knocking Noise In Engine Compartment Primarily While Turning Left This bulletin…
  • MIL Illumination: P0300, P0302, P0304 or P0306 (X56 Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Dodge Journey SUV 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Dodge Journey SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2009561453100,923Brakes
201030417648,577Electrical
2011925955,155Brakes
201212510879,563Brakes
201310811183,933Brakes
201417117593,572Engine
2015193203108,085Engine

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data