Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 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 daughter exited the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene of the incident, where they extinguished the fire. No injuries were reported, and a police report was not filed. A corner of the contact's home caught fire, melting the home's siding. Two other vehicles also caught fire, which melted the front ends of those vehicles. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard, where the vehicle was destroyed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had yet been notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that there was a recall on the vehicle for NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V431000(Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was unknown.
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 contact owns a 2012 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light and the traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the driver's side wheel sensor, the passenger's side wheel sensor, and the crank position sensor were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V675000 (Electronic Stability Control, Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Darcars Orange Park Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (7233 Blanding Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32244) for recall repair; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
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 that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH while driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was diagnosed with catalytic converter failure. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 175,589.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle started to jerk. In addition, when the brake pedal was depressed it traveled to the floorboard. There was also a failure with the electric stability control failure; in addition to the headlights, visibility was dim. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76, 200
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The check engine light came on a few days ago and now the battery light came on. The right headlight has condensation in it and the heat slowly has gone out across the front panel. The touch screen sometimes works but sometimes malfunctions. I have to get my car changed from Michigan to Virginia and it will require an inspection How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The car slows down or electrical goes wired while I'm the car and I have 2 children under the age of 2. So if it catches fire due to an electrical problem or the engine fails while driving because of the check engine light or battery light it could cause a serious problem Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? …
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 coming on the engine Department a few other things that I could not get fixed and they said that it wasn't part of the recall that airbag shelf which is works with the blinkers also because when I had an inspected they had informed me of that previously and there wanting us to get into accident and say that I was driving crazy and basically get away with it and that's what the police does undercover cops use it vehicle similar to mine and I seen it at Johnson County Police Department and I think they lied I had an inspection done and Merriam Auto and it's on file and I would need to go pick that one up that was the first one that I had got done and it should still be in …
On vehicles with the 3.6l Pentastar engine, the oil pump fails before 150,000 miles causing DTC P06DD to trip which instantly puts the vehicle into "Limp Mode". This immediately cuts down the power to the engine which slows everything down potentially causing you to be hit by other traffic. It also causes a hefty repair bill. This is a very common issue known to the repair shops and dealers. My family has a 2012 Dodge Journey with this engine. A local and well known mechanic shop performed extensive diagnostics and confirmed this issue. The repair took hours to complete. The repair shop did replace other parts that could potentially cause this problem, however, it did not resolve the issue. There were/are no warning signs; simply the engine light comes on and the vehicle goes straight into limp mode with immediate decline in power.
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.
The crankshaft position sensor as well as a oil leak from the motor and has intermittent start delays these failures I found on this sight that affects my vehicle make & model year my engine 3.6 when I accelerate the overdrive doesn't engage and i took it to Nyle Maxwell in San Antonio where it's at now I also have the diagnosis that matches what is posted here on this site & 3 open recalls that suggest other years may be affected.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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.
Remedy: 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.
Engine and engine cooling
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 Chrysler vehicles, including 200 and town and country models, Dodge vehicles, including charger, durango, grand caravan and journey models and Jeep grand cherokee vehicles manufactured from August 31, 2011, through September 13, 2011, that are equipped with 3.6l engines.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and replace the engine free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about November 18, 2011. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Engine complaints in other Journey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2012 Dodge Journey?
NHTSA has 105 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2012 Dodge Journey, 28% of the model year's 376 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system › fan (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Journey engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-431 (engine, Jul 7, 2015); NHTSA recall 11V-487 (engine and engine cooling, Sep 29, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Journey engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 8 fires and 3 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.