Is the 2012 Dodge JOURNEY reliable?

The 2012 Dodge JOURNEY has 621 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Dodge JOURNEY?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (115 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (108 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (105 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Dodge JOURNEY?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Contact any Dodge dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Dodge JOURNEY?

The 2012 Dodge JOURNEY gets 19 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2526. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Dodge JOURNEY?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Dodge JOURNEY is approximately $1,585/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2012 Dodge JOURNEY

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Dodge JOURNEY has 621 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 503. The most common issue is electrical problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge journey sxt, equipped with a park sense mopar backing system (part number 82212465). the contact was in reverse when the backing system alerted that there was another vehicle approaching. the contact heard the alert chime but stated that the alarm needed to be ampli. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 16 fire reports filed.

16 fire reports 30 crash reports 33 injuries

621

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

115 complaints

19%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE JOURNEY SXT, EQUIPPED WITH A PARK SENSE MOPAR BACKING SYSTEM (PART NUMBER 82212465). THE CONTACT WAS IN REVERSE WHEN THE BACKING SYSTEM ALERTED THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE APPROACHING. THE CONTACT HEARD THE ALERT CHIME BUT STATED THAT THE ALARM NEEDED TO BE AMPLI
• WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON A BUSY ROAD IT SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND DIED WHILE DRIVING IT, HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FUSE HAD BLOWN, THE CAR IS ONLY 1YR OLD. THE SECOND TIME WE WERE DRIVING DOWN A BUSY HIGH WAY AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED THIS TIME IT WAS DET
• THE CAR DISABLES WHILE DRIVING AND DOES NOT START PROPERLY. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED IT AND EACH TIME THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE CAR. I BELIEVE THE CAR IS A LEMON AND WANT TO SPARE SOMEONE THE NIGHTMARE THAT I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING. *TR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 4 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE JOURNEY SXT, EQUIPPED WITH A PARK SENSE MOPAR BACKING SYSTEM (PART NUMBER 82212465). THE CONTACT WAS IN REVERSE WHEN THE BACKING SYSTEM ALERTED THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE APPROACHING. THE CONTACT HEARD THE ALERT CHIME BUT STATED THAT THE ALARM NEEDED TO BE AMPLI”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Dodge JOURNEY

Based on 442 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 85K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 100-150K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

123

100-150K

129

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

Earlier than typicalmedian 66K mi · 67 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Earlier than typicalmedian 60K mi · 27 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Earlier than typicalmedian 53K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

Earlier than typicalmedian 71K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

Earlier than typicalmedian 17K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

WHEELS

Earlier than typicalmedian 28K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (6)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL07/07/2017

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 free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T47.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Dodge JOURNEY

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,527

Per month

$211

Per mile

21.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,001/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Dodge JOURNEY

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,585

Full coverage / month

$132

Liability only / year

$626

vs US avg

-5%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1585

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Dodge New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Dodge. If you're buying a used 2012 JOURNEY, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Dodge dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 621 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE JOURNEY SXT, EQUIPPED WITH A PARK SENSE MOPAR BACKING SYSTEM (PART NUMBER 82212465). THE CONTACT WAS IN REVERSE WHEN THE BACKING SYSTEM ALERTED THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE APPROACHING. THE CONTACT HEARD THE ALERT CHIME BUT STATED THAT THE ALARM NEEDED TO BE AMPLI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: BRAKES ON THE 2012 DODGE JOURNEY SQUEAKED AND APPEARED TO NOT WANT TO STOP PROPERLY. I TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS BREAK DUST THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE SQUEAKING GOT WORST, I TOOK IT BACK IN WAS TOLD THAT THEY REPLACED MY BRAKE PADS. HERE I AM 2 MONTHS LATER WITH TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. AFTER TWO TIME TO THE SAME DEALER, SAME PROBLEM. TOOK CAR TO ANOTHER DEALER, FINALLY THE CORRECT REPAIR. DEFECTIVE CYLINDER HEAD. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THE ABS LIGHT LIT UP AND NEVER TURNED OFF. THEN THE ADD SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR BARELY STOPS LIKE THE BRAKES ARE JUST GIVEN OUT. MIND YOU THERE IS LESS THAN 30K MILES ON IT.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Dodge dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)