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 376 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Journey, and it carries 6 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 | 43 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 40 | 11% |
| Engine | 37 | 10% |
| Unknown or other | 19 | 5% |
| Air bags | 13 | 3% |
| Power train | 11 | 3% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 9 | 2% |
| Seats | 8 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 2% |
| Steering | 7 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The car says something like Vin number bot recognized. The windshield wipers start going crazy all the exterior and interior lights start going crazy the steering will locks the brakes lock and the car shuts off no a
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was white smoke coming from the vehicle, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated tha
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
I need antilock breaking module part number 68194693AF. The manufacturer has put it on a back order with around 1000 orders waiting. Please check why they are not issuing a recall when so many people are waiting for the
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
My 2012 dodge journey suddenly and violently stalled in the middle of crossing a green light. no check engine lights prior to this only thing that happened a few days before was car wouldn’t start said to press clutch an
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Error code B25AA-01 Front Passenger Door Handel- General Electrical failure is on in my car since you are investigating it thought you might know
NHTSA complaint: Structure
No compression head gasket prob not running hot or water being used but cylinder test shows no compression and combustion leak detector test shows leak
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The contact owned a 2012 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that upon her daughter starting the vehicle, an abnormal popping noise was emitted from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle caught fire as the contact's dau
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
Well I don't know I bought my car from extreme Auto I don't know if he is paying the police off or what to exchange cars or vin numbers but my vehicle has a few of the recalls that are still rolling on the ABS light is c
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2012 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 (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 Elec
Risk: If the ABS or ESC is disabled, a loss of vehicle stability could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
| Reliability raw | 49 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 63 | average |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 91 | excellent |
| Performance | 68 | good |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
| Safety | 80 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 376 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 43 of them (11%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 49/100 (below 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 63/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2012 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 66/100. 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.