Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Dodge Journey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 20 MPH. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was purchased to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the head gasket and throttle body had failed. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and it was determined that the throttle body had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer towed the vehicle to an unknown authorized Dodge dealer who repaired the vehicle however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
The blind spot is horrible. I have to check my mirrors 3 times because even if I look on my side, especially on the driver's side whenever I have to switch lanes, I can't see if there is a car on my blind spots. The mirrors don't help because it may appear that the car beside me is far but it may also be near. So that of the major issue with this car. Next, when the vehicle in front of me did a sudden stop and I hit my brakes too hard to stop, the car made a throttling sound then it stopped. When it was safe to go, it wouldn't go even though my gear is on Drive and I am pressing on the gas pedal. It just makes a rubbing noise as like it is on Park mode and you are hitting the gas pedal. So I had to shut my car off and turn it back on. Lastly, cruise control doesn't work very well. …
My safety was at risk and I put others at risk when my vehicle lost power in the middle of a busy highway and almost caused an accident with my 2 young children in the car. It would not accelerate and we got stuck in the middle of the rode. The ABS light came on when it happened. I took it to my local dealer to diagnose and was told there was water in the ABS module connector which caused the wires to corrode. Chrysler had a recall on this specific issue for my model but because my vehicle didn't come out of a specific batch, they won't cover it. This is a safety issue and if other vehicles of this make and model were recalled for this specific issue, they should fix mine. I have attached the R61 recall from Chrysler for this issue
The car shifts super hard into second gear. The inside smells like the car is over heating,driving down the interstate the car losses power,you can push your foot to the floor and nothing,the car will not excelerate at all.It's extremely dangerous. You have to pull over turn the car off and then on again to get it to go. This happens about every 20 minutes or so,the heat only works in the driver vent and the smell gives you a headache and makes you sick to your stomach. The vehicle is not safe at all. The catalytic converter gives gas off into the cabin.
I was driving my car at approximately 50 miles per hour, when it seems like my steering or the wheels seemed "off.' I checked to make sure all of my tires were correctly pressured and they were, so I kept driving. Approximately 20 miles down the road, well going approximately 60 miles per hour the electronic stability control light came on post flashing and with an off symbol underneath it in two separate locations. Also the red lightning bolt symbol came on as well. At the same time that the lights came on my car decelerated at a rapid pace, which was not at all safe on the highway. I immediately turned on my flashers and pulled to the side of the road. After getting on my phone to see what it could be, I decided that I would limp home with the car so I could research a little further what was going on at home. …
I have been reading about my issue all too often online and have yet to see any resolution at all. I have a 2012 Dodge Journey and honestly it is scary driving it! The car actually shuts off in the middle of the road without warning. The issue it keeps showing is a crank sensor code. The sensor has been replaced 3 times now! It is also not an easy job since on an all wheel drive model, there are many hours involved to replace it. But if you're on the highway and driving normally the car will die at any moments notice and give no warning. Seems like there are many many others having the same issue. If you do a quick search and type Dodge Journey dies while driving you will easily find many people with same issue. Many people spending their hard earned money on repairs that get them nowhere! …
Takata recall I was driving home while at a stop light I smelt a burn odor. I was just a 1/4 of a mile from home so I drove it home. Upon parking I noticed there was a small spot under my car forming. About the size of a quarter. Check all my fluids and and nothing was low. The next day it started and ran OK until it was ran for about 15 then once again the smell and now a low growling. I pulled off the road and parked at a gas station. I had a local shop look at my car and they determined my transfer case is broken. I have been having issues with my car when accelerating it would pull sharply to the right when it shifted gears. Was told there was nothing wrong with my car. It shouldn't try and change lanes when you accelerate. I have almost hit the car next to me just by accelerating. I have also been driving along and have my car turn off. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Journey. While driving 30 MPH with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle stopped moving and the stability and traction warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to 5 corners Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (1292 washington ave, cedarburg, wi 53012, [phone]), but the failure could not be duplicated. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred at least three different times. The contact found NHTSA campaign number: 15V675000 (electronic stability control, service brakes, hydraulic), but the VIN was not included because the vehicle was manufactured in February of 2012 versus April 12, 2012 to April 14, 2015, as the recall stated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.
My vehicle has been constantly stalling out while in motion and it is unsafe to drive. My vehicle also picks up speed randomly without excelling the gas pedal. I have a family of five and due to this issue we are having to borrow other vehicles. Its sad that Dodge has not done anything about this issue as I see 100's of people have been making the same online reports. I have one year left on this vehicle and was so happy until this issue arose. I do not want to start over with a vehicle & due to so many complaints I feel like Dodge should at least waive down payment deposits to get these vehicles off the road before a huge lawsuit is done against them.
I was driving onto the entrance to the expressway and my car would not pick up speed. It started hesitating and would not pick up speed, the ESC light came on and started blinking as well as the etc light came on. I immediately got off the expressway at the next exit when I came to a stop , the car stalled and cut off I could have been rear ended I put my flashers on and started the car it started but it was still hesitating I pulled over in a car parking lot and turned it off I turned it back on again and drove home slowly and made an appointment to the car dealership the lights did not come back on I feel very very unsafe driving this car.
Acceleration complaints in other Journey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2012 Dodge Journey?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2012 Dodge Journey, 5% of the model year's 376 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Journey acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2012 Dodge Journey, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Journey acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.