Is the 2012 Dodge Journey a bad year?
377 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 104, 3.2× a quiet Journey year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 57k–115k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2012 Journey owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 89,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 116 (31%) | 50k–110k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 107 (28%) | 29k–107k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 102 (27%) | 52k–116k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Stability controlSTANDS OUT | 44 (12%) | 88k–126k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 36 (10%) | 18k–93k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Air bags | 29 (8%) | 47k–107k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 23 (6%) | 33k–121k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Speed control | 20 (5%) | 43k–102k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 15 (4%) | 47k–127k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Seats | 10 (3%) | 62k–113k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Wheels | 13 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 12 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 10 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 9 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 89,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 377 complaints: 21 mention a crash · 13 mention a fire · 13 report an injury · 19 say the car was towed.
9 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The 4 cylinder engine on my 2012 Dodge journey developed an engine coolant leak. Trouble shooting found the leak to be related to deterioration of a plastic part inside the engine...dodge part# 68003582...ADAPTER c.
Yesterday, while waiting at a stop sign my 2012 journey shut off. I had no idea it had even shut off! I pressed the gas to go and the car wouldn't move.
The 2012 journey was being used to jumpstart a 1997 f 350 Ford truck. The f 350 was not running while the journey was.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 89,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2012 Dodge Journey: 6
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. Unexpected deployment of the driver's frontal air bag increases the risk of a crash or driver injury.
After exposure to cold temperatures, the power steering return hose may rupture at engine start-up causing a loss of power steering assist. A loss of power steering assist may require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. If the ABS or ESC is disabled, a loss of vehicle stability could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
In the affected vehicles, the engine cover may detach from the engine and contact the exhaust manifold. If the displaced engine cover contacts the exhaust manifold, there would be an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
Some vehicles were assembled with contaminated brake fluid and may experience a degradation of the sealing components within the brake system. This could lead to loss of braking ability increasing the risk of a crash.
These engines may experience connecting rod bearing failure due to debris inside the engine block. Connecting rod failure may lead to engine seizure which may increase the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 105
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2012 Dodge Journey. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
WiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA)
Some vehicles may exceed NOx (Oxides of Nitrogen) emission level standards due to loss of catalytic converter efficiency
Gear Ratio DTC's, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Vehicle entrapment
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Neighbouring years
2011 Journey: 169 complaints, keep it · 2013 Journey: 352 complaints, keep it.
Every Dodge Journey year
2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · All Journey years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2012 Dodge Journey a bad year?
377 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 104, 3.2× a quiet Journey year. At 89,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 57k–115k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Dodge Journey?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (116), brakes (107), engine (102), stability control (44), transmission and drivetrain (36). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 57k–115k miles.
How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Journey have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 17V-432), Steering (NHTSA 16V-273), Brakes (NHTSA 15V-675), Engine (NHTSA 15V-431) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.