2011 Dodge Journey Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2011 Dodge Journey most often describe brake problems — shaking steering wheels, grinding, and rotors that needed attention at low mileage — usually well before 30,000 miles. Electrical complaints are just as common but appear later in life, centering on batteries that would not hold a charge, no-start conditions, and warning lights; engine stalling and transmission/torque converter issues round out the most-reported areas, mostly from 50,000 miles upward.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Brake vibration, grinding and early rotor wear

   • 36 complaints (21%)
   • median 14,000 mi at 2.0 yrs old (33 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $400 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2011–2020

   Complaints describe the steering wheel shaking or the whole vehicle vibrating when braking, often at highway speeds, along with a grinding or metal-on-metal noise at low speed. Several owners say the dealer turned or replaced rotors and pads, sometimes more than once, and a number report the same vibration returning within a few thousand miles. Some were told the behavior was normal ABS operation or that brake coverage had already expired. Mostly reported under 30,000 miles, with several complaints filed in the first 15,000 miles and a few as low as 4,000-5,000 miles.

   What to check: Drive the vehicle at 50-60 mph and brake firmly, then brake from low speed with the windows down — listen for grinding and watch for steering-wheel shake. Ask for rotor and pad service records and when they were last replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “21,000 miles and just replaced the rear brakes and front rotors on my vehicle. Called dealership to find out warranty information and it is only 12,000 miles/12 months. It cost me $300.00 to have them replaced and am not happy about it. In all my years of leasing my vehicle, I have never had to replace brakes on my vehicles at 21,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10621312, filed 2014-08, 21,000 miles

   “My 2011 Dodge Journey steering wheel shakes quite hard when braking and pulls to the right. Took car to dealer and was told that the brake rotors were warped. The car only has 14,000 miles and dealers said brakes were like new. This would appear to be premature to me as well as a safety issue. This is not covered by warranty.”

   NHTSA complaint #10521025, filed 2013-06, 14,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Battery drain and intermittent no-start

   • 19 complaints (11%)
   • median 88,000 mi at 8.1 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2022

   Complaints describe batteries that would not hold a charge even after replacement, with the battery indicator lighting and the vehicle sometimes entering a battery-saver mode that shut down the radio, air conditioning and lighting. Multiple owners report no-start conditions, including a key fob that was not detected, and some say dealers pointed to the power module (TIPM) or security system without a lasting fix. Mostly between about 47,000 and 184,000 miles, with repeat battery replacements over a period of months to years.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask how many batteries the vehicle has had and whether any parasitic draw was ever diagnosed. Check that the remote starts reliably several times over a test drive, and note whether accessories stay powered with the key off.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There are many many as in huge multiple complaints of this Journey vehicle not starting because keeping a charge. We have had to buy and have dealer install three batteries in the last four years. Found one problem, leaving a cd in the player causes the battery to drain. Cannot find any other. Please help.”

   NHTSA complaint #11383066, filed 2020-12, 47,000 miles

   “Randomly wont start vehicle goes into some type of anti theft mode told bad tipm by 3 different dealers. And told to remove battery to reset the system. This is only a temporary fix. This happens at least twice a week”

   NHTSA complaint #11340827, filed 2020-07, 124,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine stalling while driving

   • 16 complaints (9%)
   • median 94,500 mi at 5.0 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • filed 2012–2024

   Owners report the engine shutting off without warning at various speeds, including highway speeds, with power steering and brakes becoming hard to use. Afterward the vehicle either restarted or would not, and in some cases interior electronics kept working. Complaints mention repeated dealer visits with no confirmed cause, and diagnostics ranging from alternator replacement to software updates that did not resolve the stalling. Spread from roughly 16,000 to 145,000 miles in the sample, with several reports above 75,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the vehicle has ever stalled and what was diagnosed; have a scan tool check for stored codes and confirm whether the PCM or alternator has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Today 8-24-15 my 2011 Dodge Journey shut off as I was driving down a road. There was no prior indication the car all of the sudden would not steer , brake or do anything . The electric was still on but the car completely shut off . I had to use all my strength to maneuver it off the road and wait for it to slow down . My child was in the car . This is the second incident this has happened - 1st being in march 2015. Both have been reported to chrysler . …”

   NHTSA complaint #10759013, filed 2015-08, 119,174 miles

   “Recurring safety issue with no concrete resolution. While driving at 55mph on a parkway vehicle engine stalled. I could not accelerate and the brakes and steering wheel locked. Radio, power windows, etc. All worked and I couldn't shut off the vehicle via the push button start/stop. When I pressed it to try and turn it off it made a noise like it was trying to start but couldn't. While waiting for the tow truck all of the check engine lights started flashing. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10854830, filed 2016-04, 75,800 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   ABS module failure with brake/traction lights

   • 8 complaints (5%)
   • median 76,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2025

   Owners describe the ABS, brake and traction control warning lights coming on together, sometimes with the brake pedal sinking toward the floor and longer stopping distances. In other cases the brakes felt like they were dragging. Complaints state that diagnosis pointed to a failed ABS module, and some owners were told the part was no longer being manufactured. Reported from roughly 41,000 to 107,000 miles in the sample.

   What to check: With the ignition on, confirm the ABS and traction-control lamps go out after start-up. Ask whether the ABS module has ever been replaced and whether the part is still obtainable.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that the brakes failed to work properly and the brake pedal sank to the floor. The contact mentioned that the stopping distance was extended and the brake light and traction control light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the technician determined that nothing was wrong with the brakes. The vehicle had not been diagnosed by the dealer. The failure mileage was 41,000. ..updated 05-26-15 updated 10/4/2017”

   NHTSA complaint #10703847, filed 2015-04, 41,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard with the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS brake module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the ABS brake module part had been discontinued. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11681909, filed 2025-08, 107,000 miles
5. 5
   Steering

   Power steering hose leak and loss of assist

   • 21 complaints (12%)
   • median 30,500 mi at 4.1 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2026

   Complaints describe the steering suddenly becoming very stiff or heavy, sometimes with an empty power steering fluid reservoir and fluid dripping underneath near the passenger side. Owners report towing, hose and pump replacement, and being told that a power steering hose recall did not apply to their vehicle. Reported from about 8,000 to 70,000 miles, with several complaints specifically tied to cold weather start-ups.

   Recall 16V273000

   What to check: Check the power steering fluid level and look for fluid residue on the return hose and under the passenger side. Ask whether the steering hose recall work was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I start my Journey, the power steering goes out and there is a huge puddle of fluid under my car. I've looked on line and the exact same problem is happening and being recalled, yet my car hasn't been. I don't understand that if the leaking is a safety problem, why my car is not included. The leaking occurs in extreme cold weather, which is what wisconsin has been having. I haven't been able to use my car for a month, or more, unless I fill it up with power steering fluid every time! …”

   NHTSA complaint #11071570, filed 2018-02, 70,000 miles

   “My wife was driving our 2011 Dodge Journey to work on city streets the steering suddenly became very stiff. Hard to turn. Looking at the power steering fluid reservoir it was empty and fluid still dripping out from under the car near the passenger side door. After towing the car to dealership and a $1000 repair bill problem fixed. I was told the power steering hose had ruptured and had to replace the pump as it had run dry. Dodge says recall s08 does not apply as this model does not have a block heater. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10959609, filed 2017-03, 35,000 miles

Buying note. Have the brakes and ABS inspected closely, since front-end vibration and rotor wear show up early on this model year, and check the battery and starting behavior over several cold starts. Also confirm which open recalls — air bag wiring, power steering hose, engine cover, steering column rivet — have actually been completed on the specific vehicle.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.