2012 Dodge Journey
Common problems & what to know before you buy
Before you message the seller, know the documented failure patterns, repair cost exposure, and risk level for the 2012 Dodge Journey.
What to watch for on the 2012 Dodge Journey
Rocker Arm and Lifter Tick
Roller rocker arms can wear their bearings and cause a tick, misfire and a damaged camshaft lobe.
Oil Filter Housing and Oil Cooler Leak
The plastic oil filter housing and oil cooler that sit in the valley of the engine crack or leak.
1 more known problem on the 2012 Journey
Your guide shows all of them and which apply to the exact car, and what to ask the seller.
Recalls on the 2012 Dodge Journey
Air bags: frontal
In the affected vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may unexpectedly deploy if the air bag wiring harness gets chafed within the…
Steering: hose
After exposure to cold temperatures, the power steering return hose may rupture at engine start-up causing a loss of power steering assist.
Engine and engine cooling: engine
4L engines.
3 more in the guide, with whether each one was done on the car you're looking at.
Source: NHTSA
What 376 owners reported
Source: NHTSA
2012 Dodge Journey at a glance
- Trims
- R/TSESXT
- Engine
- 3.6L 6-Cylinder, 2.4L 4-Cylinder
- Transmission
- Automatic 6-spd, Automatic 4-spd
- Drivetrain
- FWD, AWD
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Body style
- SUV
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Frequently asked questions
What are the common problems with the 2012 Dodge Journey?
Owners have filed 376 complaints about the 2012 Dodge Journey with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. There are 6 recall campaigns covering this model year. Known problems on its engines include rocker arm and lifter tick, oil filter housing and oil cooler leak and water pump leak. Squeezed's free research-backed buyer guide cross-references these against documented failure patterns and mileage-stage risks, sorted by severity, in about a minute.
Is the 2012 Dodge Journey reliable?
Reliability depends heavily on the specific configuration and how the car was maintained. Start with the 6 open recall campaigns on this model year and confirm the work was completed. Generate a Squeezed buyer guide for this exact vehicle to see a reliability snapshot, repair-cost exposure, and the questions to ask the seller before you buy.
Should I still get a pre-purchase inspection on a 2012 Dodge Journey?
Always. A Squeezed buyer guide is the triage step before the inspection: it shows you the documented failure patterns and what to check so you can decide which 2012 Dodge Journey listings are even worth a mechanic's time, then walk into the PPI knowing exactly what to look for.
Squeezed is a buyer guide based on public data and industry patterns, not a mechanical inspection. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.