Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 169 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Dodge Journey, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 31 | 18% |
| Engine | 17 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 14 | 8% |
| Steering | 12 | 7% |
| Power train | 8 | 5% |
| Air bags | 6 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Power steering starts leaking in cold climates resulting in tightness and difficulty in steering wheel . recall code s08
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Stirring wheel fluid hose has burst during cold weather, and will lose control of wheel. My car wasn’t listed in the recall for that said issue for other dodge journey’s. I had it repair ones and now its doing it again.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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 t
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not able to restart after each failure. The vehicle was towed to t
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
The contact owned a 2011 Dodge Journey. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V431000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was repaired, however, the failure recurred while the vehicle was
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while his daughter was coming to a complete stop at a stop sign, the vehicle was rear-ended by a distracted driver. The air bags did not deploy, resulting in
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Defrost doesn’t work due to no heat on passenger side. Heater core replaced and has to be flushed out every year. Research on the internet says this is a common issue but no recall.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that the transmission warning light would illuminate while attempted to change gears. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic and was informed that t
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2011 Dodge Journey. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Fix: 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 f
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.
Fix: 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 contac
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.
Fix: 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 serv
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 AND CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUIL
Risk: A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED RIVET COULD COMPROMISE THE ABILITY OF THE STEERING COLUMN TO SUPPORT THE OCCUPANT LOADS IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, DECREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FRONTAL
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR RIVET PRESENCE AND ALIGNMENT AND REPAIR THE STEERING COLUMN PIVOT AS REQUIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-
| Reliability raw | 57 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 66 | good |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 91 | excellent |
| Performance | 68 | good |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 169 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 31 of them (18%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 57/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 66/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2011 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.