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2011 Dodge Journey problems

What owners reported to NHTSA, at what mileage, and every safety recall for this model year.

169owner complaints
4safety recalls
7involved a crash

Also reported: 4 fires, 10 people injured, 0 deaths. Each complaint is counted once even if it lists several components.

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Most reported problems

Complaints by component. One complaint can name more than one component, so these add up to more than 169.

Service brakes47
Usually 11,000–66,630 miles (middle half of 41 reports with mileage)
Electrical system43
Usually 60,000–108,000 miles (middle half of 33 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Wiring (2)
Engine29
Usually 70,822–121,587 miles (middle half of 23 reports with mileage)
Steering23
Usually 35,000–92,462 miles (middle half of 21 reports with mileage)
Power train20
Usually 14,285–98,246 miles (middle half of 17 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Automatic transmission (3); Automatic transmission › control module (tcm/PCM/tecm) (1)
Air bags14
Usually 78,731–108,000 miles (middle half of 11 reports with mileage)
Unknown or other14
Usually 54,000–85,750 miles (middle half of 8 reports with mileage)
Exterior lighting8
Usually 71,250–145,650 miles (middle half of 6 reports with mileage)
Service brakes, hydraulic8
Usually 5,475–31,000 miles (middle half of 8 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › ABS warning light (1); Foundation components › disc › rotor (1)
Electronic stability control (ESC)7
Usually 31,828–99,750 miles (middle half of 6 reports with mileage)

When problems show up

Reports by odometer reading at the time of the problem, top components. Each bar is a 25,000-mile band, labeled by where it starts (0 = 0–25k miles). Reports without mileage are left out.

Service brakes

41 reports with mileage · median 26,500 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Electrical system

33 reports with mileage · median 80,000 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Engine

23 reports with mileage · median 89,000 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Safety recalls (4)

Recalls that cover the 2011 Dodge Journey. Some apply only to certain trims or build dates. This page cannot tell whether a specific car's recall work was done.

Check a specific VIN's open recalls on nhtsa.gov

Air bags › frontal

Campaign 17V432000 · 2017-07-07 · 363,480 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: 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.

Consequence: Unexpected deployment of the driver's frontal air bag increases the risk of a crash or driver injury.

Remedy: 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.

Steering › hydraulic power assist › hose, piping, and connections

Campaign 16V273000 · 2016-05-06 · 8,569 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 31, 2007, to November 12, 2016. After exposure to cold…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 31, 2007, to November 12, 2016. After exposure to cold temperatures, the power steering return hose may rupture at engine start-up causing a loss of power steering assist.

Consequence: A loss of power steering assist may require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return hoses, steel tubes, and power steering oil cooler, free of charge. The recall began on May 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S08.

Engine and engine cooling › engine

Campaign 15V431000 · 2015-07-07 · 145,379 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: 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.

Consequence: If the displaced engine cover contacts the exhaust manifold, there would be an increased risk of a vehicle fire.

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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R32.

Steering › column

Campaign 11V315000 · 2011-06-08 · 11,096 vehicles

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP WRANGLER, CHRYSLER 200, CHRYSLER 200 CONVERTIBLE, DODGE AVENGER, DODGE NITRO, JEEP LIBERTY, DODGE…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP WRANGLER, CHRYSLER 200, CHRYSLER 200 CONVERTIBLE, DODGE AVENGER, DODGE NITRO, JEEP LIBERTY, DODGE CALIBER, JEEP COMPASS, JEEP PATRIOT, DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED STEERING COLUMN PIVOT RIVET.

Consequence: A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED RIVET COULD COMPROMISE THE ABILITY OF THE STEERING COLUMN TO SUPPORT THE OCCUPANT LOADS IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, DECREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FRONTAL IMPACT SAFETY SYSTEM. AS A RESULT, THE CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR RIVET PRESENCE AND ALIGNMENT AND REPAIR THE STEERING COLUMN PIVOT AS REQUIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Questions to ask the seller

When were the brakes last serviced? On the test drive, check for pulsing, grinding, a soft pedal, or ABS warnings.

47 owner complaints mention the brakes, half of the reports with mileage are between 11,000 and 66,630 miles.

Any battery drain, dashboard warning lights, or electrical repairs? Test every switch, screen, and power accessory before buying.

43 owner complaints mention the electrical system, half of the reports with mileage are between 60,000 and 108,000 miles.

Has the engine had any repairs, oil leaks, or check-engine lights? Ask for the invoices and listen for knocking or ticking on a cold start.

29 owner complaints mention the engine, half of the reports with mileage are between 70,822 and 121,587 miles.

Any steering noises, pulling, stiffness, or loss of power assist? Turn lock to lock while parked and listen.

23 owner complaints mention the steering, half of the reports with mileage are between 35,000 and 92,462 miles.

Has the transmission been serviced or repaired? On the test drive, watch for slipping, delayed engagement, or harsh shifts.

20 owner complaints mention the transmission or drivetrain, half of the reports with mileage are between 14,285 and 98,246 miles.

Has the open recall work been done? Ask for dealer service records, and check the VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year.

Other Dodge Journey years

Owner complaints per model year (2010–2022). Older cars have had more time to collect reports.

Compare all years on one chart

Source: NHTSA complaints file (FLAT_CMPL, updated 2026-10-21) and NHTSA recalls file. Page generated 2026-10-22.

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