Dodge · Known Issues
2012 Dodge Journey Problems: 15 Known Issues
2012 model year · 3,760+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2012 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2012 model year · 3,760+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2012 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 3,760+ owner reports, the 2012 Dodge Journey has 15 documented known issues, with 8 rated critical. The most serious are Premature Brake and Rotor Wear ($300-$600 repair), TIPM Electrical System Failure ($200-$1,200 repair), 62TE Transmission Slipping and Solenoid Failure ($300-$4,500 repair), Fuel Pump/Relay Failure (TIPM-Related) ($50-$1,200 repair), Pentastar 3.6L Rocker Arm Failure ($800-$3,500 repair), Power Steering Hose Rupture - Recall ($0-$800 repair), TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) Failure Causing Widespread Electrical Faults ($600-$1,500 repair) and 3.6L Pentastar V6 Left Cylinder Head Failure (Misfire on Cylinders 2/4/6) ($1,200-$3,000 repair). The most commonly reported issue is Premature Brake and Rotor Wear with 850 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $50 to $4,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Journey vehicles. When reverse gear has been selected, the rear camera view may not be fully visible within two seconds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Journey and RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The backup camera may experience a loss of image display while backing up. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 3,760+ owner reports, the 2012 Dodge Journey has 15 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Premature Brake and Rotor Wear, TIPM Electrical System Failure, 62TE Transmission Slipping and Solenoid Failure. Of these, 8 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2012 Dodge Journey has 15 known issues documented across 3,760+ owner reports. 8 issues are rated critical: Premature Brake and Rotor Wear and TIPM Electrical System Failure and 62TE Transmission Slipping and Solenoid Failure and Fuel Pump/Relay Failure (TIPM-Related) and Pentastar 3.6L Rocker Arm Failure and Power Steering Hose Rupture - Recall and TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) Failure Causing Widespread Electrical Faults and 3.6L Pentastar V6 Left Cylinder Head Failure (Misfire on Cylinders 2/4/6). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Dodge Journey issues range from $0 to $4,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Premature Brake and Rotor Wear, typically costs $300-$600 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Dodge installed undersized braking components on 2-ton Journey, resulting in severe premature wear. Owners report needing brake replacement at 12,000-32,000 miles instead of typical 50,000+ miles. Class-action lawsuit filed. Repairs typically run $300-$600. Severity: high.
The TIPM experiences catastrophic failures affecting multiple systems. Fuel pump relay most common failure, causing vehicle to stall while driving. Other failures include power windows, locks, wipers, cruise control. Can drain battery or cause fires. Repairs typically run $200-$1,200. Severity: high.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan and Jeep Compass, 2018 Dodge Journey, and 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
+ 5 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
The 62TE 6-speed automatic experiences solenoid pack failures and worn sealing rings. Slips during 1-2 or 2-3 shift, delayed engagement, unexpectedly shifts to neutral. Enters "limp mode" locking in 3rd gear. Repairs typically run $300-$4,500. Severity: high.
Fuel pump relay integrated into TIPM fails, preventing fuel pump activation or causing it to run continuously. Engine stalls due to loss of fuel pressure while driving. Most common TIPM failure mode, can strand drivers unexpectedly. Repairs typically run $50-$1,200. Severity: high.
The 3.6L Pentastar V6 suffers from rocker arm failures producing ticking/tapping noises. If not addressed, failed rocker arms damage camshafts. Manufacturing defect in rocker arm assembly. Extended warranty for 2011-2013 models. Repairs typically run $800-$3,500. Severity: high.
Power steering return hose ruptures upon engine start-up in extremely cold temperatures. Affects vehicles with engine block heaters in cold climates. Causes rapid fluid loss and heavy steering creating crash risk. Repairs typically run $0-$800. Severity: high.
The under-hood TIPM (a fuse/relay/computer combo) is a known failure point on early Journeys, causing a wide array of erratic electrical behavior. Owners report random horn honking, no-start or hard-start conditions, windows and door locks operating on their own, premature batter… Repairs typically run $600-$1,500. Severity: high.
Early 3.6L Pentastar V6 engines suffer a left-bank cylinder head defect (valve guides/seats) that causes loss of compression and misfires on cylinders 2, 4, or 6. The problem was widespread enough that Chrysler issued TSB 09-002-14 and extended the left cylinder head warranty to… Repairs typically run $1,200-$3,000. Severity: high.
AC compressor fails due to inadequate lubrication, leaky seals, and internal mechanical failure. Evaporator develops leaks from age and moisture. Condenser prone to damage from road debris. Lack of lubrication from leaks causes compressor seizure. Repairs typically run $500-$1,800. Severity: medium.
Alternators fail prematurely due to bearing wear, voltage regulator failure, and internal diode damage. Stops charging battery properly causing electrical system problems and eventually dead battery. Sometimes overcharges, damaging electrical components. Repairs typically run $375-$1,100. Severity: medium.
Debris accumulates in cylinder head coolant port at primary thermostat housing, blocking coolant flow and causing overheating. Typically occurs around 78,000 miles. Can cause head gasket failure or engine damage if not addressed. Repairs typically run $350-$650. Severity: medium.
Plastic oil filter housing on 3.6L Pentastar warps, cracks, and leaks due to heat exposure. Housing located under intake manifold, making leaks difficult to detect until severe. Heat degradation causes plastic to become brittle and crack. Repairs typically run $400-$1,200. Severity: medium.
Dodge fitted undersized front brakes to the relatively heavy 2009-2010 Journey, leading to abnormally fast pad and rotor wear. Owners commonly report needing new pads and rotors at 12,000-32,000 miles, far earlier than expected, often accompanied by noise, pulsation, and warping. Repairs typically run $250-$600. Severity: medium.
The wiring harness running through the rear liftgate hinge area can chafe and break from repeated opening and closing, exposing and severing wires. This causes intermittent rear-light, rear-wiper, and other electrical faults, and owners report it occasionally cascading into charg… Repairs typically run $100-$500. Severity: medium.
The plastic gears inside the HVAC blend door actuator strip out, a very common failure across 2009-2018 Journeys. This produces a repetitive clicking or ticking noise behind the dash and causes air to blow only hot or only cold, or different temperatures on the driver vs. passeng… Repairs typically run $150-$450. Severity: low.