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#BS-2012-DODJOU-64172012 Dodge Journey
Based on reports from 620 owners and 6 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 620 complaints, 34 crashes, 17 fires, and 6 recalls. Complaint rate is 2.0x the class average.
Top reported problems
premature brake wear
23 complaints • Severity 8.2/10
engine wont turn over wont start
12 complaints • Severity 7.8/10
engine stalls dies while driving
9 complaints • Severity 9.3/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
113 owners reported electrical issues — failures commonly reported around 85K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 90–120K miles (103 reports) • Median: 85K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Electrical (113 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2012 Dodge Journey: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 18% of all reports filed for the 2012 Dodge Journey, with 113 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 85,060 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 85K-mile mark.
Brakes Issues
Brakes complaints account for 17% of all reports filed for the 2012 Dodge Journey, with 104 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to brakes-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 16% of all reports filed for the 2012 Dodge Journey, with 100 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Stability Control Issues
Stability Control complaints account for 7% of all reports filed for the 2012 Dodge Journey, with 44 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to stability control-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2012 Dodge Journey. Recent trend: stable.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (6 recalls)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
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.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
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.
+ 1 more recall in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Dodge Journey is the 2009 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is brakes.
2012 Dodge Journey vs. Class Average (Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD)
This vehicle
620
Class avg
313
2.0x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical sport utility vehicle - 2wd vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 620 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 6 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Dodge Journey Model Years
View all Dodge Journey years →2012 Dodge Journey: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Dodge Journey?
Is the 2012 Dodge Journey reliable?
How much does it cost to fix 2012 Dodge Journey problems?
Does the 2012 Dodge Journey have any recalls?
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What’s in the full report?
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
How is this different from Carfax?
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Get the Full 2012 Dodge Journey Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 620 owner reports. Know before you buy.