2012 Dodge Journey Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2012 Dodge Journey most often describe electrical problems (dead batteries, no-start conditions, lighting faults) and brake trouble, especially ABS/ESC warning lights, calipers that stick, and fast rear pad wear. Engine stalling or shutting off while driving, coolant loss and overheating, and a hard-to-turn steering wheel also recur in complaints. Many reports arrive well past 70,000 miles, though brake and electrical complaints appear at lower mileage too.

1. 1
   Electronic stability control

   ABS/ESC warning lights and brake module faults

   • 70 complaints (19%)
   • median 97,000 mi at 7.2 yrs old (43 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2026

   Complaints describe ABS, traction control and brake warning lights coming on together, sometimes with the speedometer dropping to zero, cruise control quitting, or the brake pedal going soft or to the floor. Several owners say a dealer diagnosed the ABS module as failing and that the part was on back order; others were told their vehicle was not covered by the ABS-related campaign. Some report the warning lights appear after rain or wet weather. Reported from roughly 11,000 to 150,000 miles, with many cases in the 60,000-110,000 mile range and some following rain or wet roads.

   Recall 15V675000

   What to check: Ask whether the ABS/ESC wiring harness campaign (15V675000) was completed and whether the ABS module has ever been replaced. Before buying, drive in the wet if possible and watch for ABS, traction or brake lights.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving on highway had to pull over. Put hazard lights on grass was wet. When done we got stuck so I out the ABS button on and the traction and ABS lights stayed on the dash for 20 miles, then they turned off for a brief moment and they've been on ever since. Computer module at our local store is not giving a problem when plugged into the fuse box with their handheld computer.”

   NHTSA complaint #11165326, filed 2019-01, 90,180 miles

   “Abs, etc and brake lights came on the dash board after I parked on a slope and drove for couple of miles. Take it to the diagnostic technician and a failure is detected in the ABS module. I understand there was an alert regarding this, but I never received any notification. Could you advice me what to do in respect to this matter and if it was a recall since 2015 why I never received the letter.”

   NHTSA complaint #11328492, filed 2020-06, 112,895 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Electrical faults: no-start, lighting and wiper problems

   • 94 complaints (25%)
   • median 80,295 mi at 6.0 yrs old (65 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2012–2026

   Owners report intermittent no-start conditions where the vehicle does not recognize the key, alarms sounding on their own, tail or license plate lights out with no bad bulb, wipers that will not shut off, and turn signals failing. Some describe alternator replacement more than once and wiring damage where the harness passes into the rear hatch. Reported from about 11,000 to 173,000 miles, including several vehicles under 60,000 miles.

   6 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check all exterior lights, the rear wiper and turn signals with the engine running, and confirm the vehicle starts repeatedly from cold. Ask about alternator and battery history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The 2012 Dodge Journey SUV wiring harness in the rear hatch if used regularly the wires will brake and cause numerous electrical issues. Ranging from no rear lights, windshield wiper, the rear lock button will also malfunction. Sometimes as in my case it has cause alternator issues. I am now broke down due to what will now be my 3rd alternator in the last 6 months. I feel this vehicle needs to recalled.”

   NHTSA complaint #11372379, filed 2020-10, 120,000 miles

   “I was driving on expressway, charging system light came on, engine power was erratic, vehicle slowed and rpms went to 4000, radio stopped, air bag light came on, ABS light came on. I exited expressway, parked vehicle and shut it off. Vehicle would not restart until battery was recharged. Mechanic determined that the alternator had failed. Auto repair shop installed a new mopar alternator and recharged the battery.”

   NHTSA complaint #10680830, filed 2015-02, 26,291 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine shuts off or stalls while driving

   • 96 complaints (25%)
   • median 88,878 mi at 5.6 yrs old (78 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2012–2026

   Complaints describe the engine cutting out without warning at speed or at stops, with loss of power steering and brake assist until it restarts. Some owners report a crank sensor code and repeated sensor replacements, others a throttle body or head gasket diagnosis; several say the dealer could not reproduce or identify the cause. Reported across a wide range, from about 21,000 to 149,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the crankshaft position sensor, throttle body or battery/charging system has been serviced, and request any stored diagnostic codes be read before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “For the last four weeks my vehicle just stops in the middle of driving and shuts off the steering wheel locks and the car is not movable for well over a few minutes. Have taken the vehicle to be checked and it claims to be nothing but yet the same problem persist please advise me on what I should do, the vehicle is at 90,000 miles and I want to figure out the problem please and ty in advance.”

   NHTSA complaint #10928500, filed 2016-11, 90,000 miles

   “The power in my vehicle went out and my breaks locked up, the car just dies. No hazards or anything. My car stopped while driving down a heavy traffic street. Two cars almost hit my kids and I. The car does come back on a few seconds later or several minutes later. The longest time period was when I got the car towed to a shop saturday. Once, we arrived at the shop it had come back on. This is not the first time and I fear even after we get it from the shop it will not be the last.”

   NHTSA complaint #11045554, filed 2017-11, 100,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Coolant loss, overheating and weak cabin heat

   • 37 complaints (10%)
   • median 83,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,300 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Complaints describe coolant reservoirs running low within a day, overheating on the highway, and the air conditioning blowing warm or switching between hot and cold. Owners report heater cores clogging repeatedly, thermostat housing replacements, and oil pan gasket leaks noticed at routine oil changes. Mostly reported between about 50,000 and 150,000 miles, with some heater complaints recurring each winter.

   Recall 15V4310004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the coolant level and look for residue around the thermostat housing and oil pan. Run the heater and A/C on both sides and confirm consistent temperature.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was informed about an oil leak from the oil pan gasket during a routine oil change. The tech informed me that this is a common issue with newer Dodge vehicles. I attempted to contact the dealer and corporate office with no satisfaction of my concerns.”

   NHTSA complaint #10595973, filed 2014-06, 49,500 miles

   “I'm experiencing an odor that is coming through my vents, it smells like antifreeze but then the odor changed and it smelled like anesthesia and had an effect like it as well. I was driving on my way home from work and had the air-conditioner running (summer 2016) my eyes started to get blurry and the smell was taking over me, I said to myself I think I'm about to pass out ( it was a feeling like I was going under to prepare for surgery) I quickly let the windows down to air out the car. And then I was fine. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10966579, filed 2017-03, 50,000 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Sticking rear calipers and fast rear brake wear

   • 87 complaints (23%)
   • median 76,200 mi at 5.9 yrs old (55 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2012–2026

   Owners describe rear pads wearing out unusually early and unevenly, warped rotors causing vibration, and rear calipers that seize and overheat, in some cases producing smoke or a burning smell from the wheel area. Complaints mention repeated caliper and rotor replacements and dealers attributing the wear to normal use rather than covering it. Reported from around 25,000 miles upward, with several owners seeing repeat failures every 15,000-30,000 miles.

   Recall 11V550000

   What to check: Have the rear brakes inspected for uneven pad wear, seized calipers and rotor scoring, and ask for service records showing how often rear brakes were replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Every 15k miles or so the right rear caliper sticks and destroys the pads and associated rotor. I have replaced that specific caliper and both rotors three twice already. After around 25k to 30k miles I can no longer get the caliper to unfreeze. The vehicle now has 93k miles on it and I am about to replace it again. Once the outside pad gets to less than 30% the wheel tries to lock up. Once while driving in the country my wife nearly caught the car on fire because of overheating brakes. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11365804, filed 2020-10, 92,000 miles

   “32000 miles and brakes and rotors need to be replaced. Rear pads wore uneven, drives side down to metal while passengers are still meaty. Front pads still meaty but rotors are warped? Dealer claims wear & tear, no warranty”

   NHTSA complaint #10846105, filed 2016-03, 32,000 miles

Buying note. Budget for a pre-purchase inspection that covers the ABS/ESC system, rear brakes and cooling system, and confirm which open campaigns have been completed for the specific VIN. Service records showing brake, battery and alternator work help gauge how much of this vehicle's electrical and brake history has already been addressed.

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.