NHTSA vehicle safety data

2011 Dodge Journey Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2011 Dodge Journey has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 169 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Dodge dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2011 Dodge Journey, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2011 Dodge Journey owner complaints

Owners have filed 169 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Dodge Journey, describing incidents dated January 7, 2010 to December 5, 2025.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 55 complaints
Electrical System 43 complaints
Engine 34 complaints
Steering 23 complaints
Power Train 20 complaints
Air Bags 14 complaints

Of the 169 complaints on file, 7 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 169 complaints, owners report 10 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11739493 · Filed May 22, 2026
Power steering starts leaking in cold climates resulting in tightness and difficulty in steering wheel . recall code s08
ODI #11712828 · Filed January 22, 2026
Stirring wheel fluid hose has burst during cold weather, and will lose control of wheel. My car wasn’t listed in the recall for that said issue for other dodge journey’s. I had it repair ones and now its doing it again.
ODI #11681909 · Filed August 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard with the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the…

Read all 169 complaints

Owner-reported

2011 Dodge Journey mileage at failure

135 of the 169 complaints on file for the 2011 Dodge Journey give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Service Brakes	Median 20,000 miles	Middle half 6,000–65,000 miles	Based on 47 complaints
Electrical System	Median 80,000 miles	Middle half 60,000–110,000 miles	Based on 32 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2011 Dodge Journey in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA24-003: Vehicle entrapment
Open since August 1, 2024
Preliminary Evaluation PE19-014: Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Closed February 25, 2026

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Inadvertent Air Bag Deployment due to Chafed Wire

NHTSA #17V432000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported July 7, 2017 · Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Potentially affected: 363,480 vehicles

Repair completion: 58.9% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign T47 · Owners notified August 28, 2017 · Vehicles built October 14, 2010 – April 20, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Power Steering Return Hose may Rupture

NHTSA #16V273000 · Steering — Hydraulic Power Assist — Hose, Piping, and Connections · NHTSA notice

Reported May 6, 2016 · Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Potentially affected: 8,569 vehicles

Repair completion: 64.34% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign S08 · Owners notified May 24, 2016 · Vehicles built July 31, 2007 – November 12, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Engine Cover may Contact Exhaust Manifold

NHTSA #15V431000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported July 7, 2015 · Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Potentially affected: 145,379 vehicles

Repair completion: 68.74% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign R32 · Owners notified October 15, 2015 · Vehicles built July 19, 2010 – May 26, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

STEERING COLUMN

NHTSA #11V315000 · Steering — Column · NHTSA notice

Reported June 8, 2011 · CHRYSLER GROUP LLC

Potentially affected: 11,096 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign L23 · Owners notified July 4, 2011 · Vehicles built May 13, 2011 – May 14, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CHRYSLER'S SAFETY RECALL NO. L23.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

2011 Dodge Journey SUV FWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

19% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

2 investigations

2011 Dodge Journey SUV 4WD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

18% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

2 investigations

169 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Dodge Journey.

Steering

ODI #11739493

Incident: December 5, 2025 · Filed: May 22, 2026

Power steering starts leaking in cold climates resulting in tightness and difficulty in steering wheel . recall code s08

Steering

ODI #11712828

Incident: May 30, 2025 · Filed: January 22, 2026

Stirring wheel fluid hose has burst during cold weather, and will lose control of wheel. My car wasn’t listed in the recall for that said issue for other dodge journey’s. I had it repair ones and now its doing it again.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #11681909

Incident: August 20, 2025 · Filed: August 20, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard with the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS brake module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the ABS brake module part had been discontinued. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #11595467

Incident: December 1, 2023 · Filed: June 20, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not able to restart after each failure. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The contact stated that his friend replaced the fuel pump an additional four times. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump or TIPM sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #11586886

Fire

Incident: April 27, 2024 · Filed: May 3, 2024

The contact owned a 2011 Dodge Journey. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V431000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was repaired, however, the failure recurred while the vehicle was stopped at a stop sign, and the contact saw flames coming from the hood. The contact exited the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. A fire report was filed. There were no other occupants in the vehicle. No injuries were sustained. The contact was informed that the fire started in the manifold. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Air Bags

ODI #11585825

Crash 1 injury

Incident: October 30, 2023 · Filed: April 29, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while his daughter was coming to a complete stop at a stop sign, the vehicle was rear-ended by a distracted driver. The air bags did not deploy, resulting in injury. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. Although examined at the scene by EMS, the contact's daughter later transported herself to an area hospital, where she was treated for a concussion and a nondescript injury to her left knee requiring surgery. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 167,000.

Unknown or Other; Visibility/Wiper

ODI #11498209

Incident: December 1, 2022 · Filed: December 20, 2022

Defrost doesn’t work due to no heat on passenger side. Heater core replaced and has to be flushed out every year. Research on the internet says this is a common issue but no recall.

Power Train

ODI #11460484

Incident: January 12, 2022 · Filed: April 12, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that the transmission warning light would illuminate while attempted to change gears. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic and was informed that the torque converter failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11449606

Incident: January 12, 2022 · Filed: January 31, 2022

You can read online anywhere that the ECU is a MAJOR problem. My car battery dies everytime i shut it off. Ive replace the battery 8 times, the alternator 4 times. Had countless amout of diagnostic tests done on it. Still nothing. Come to find out its the ECU which i cant afford to replace as its over $800 to repair. Look online and you'll see almost everyone with a journey has this problem. When it causes my car to shut off while driving, it becomes a serious safety issue as i always have 4 small children with me. 3 three year olds and a 6 year old. Nobody wants a dodge because of the problems associated with it. Please fix this. Please.

Power Train

ODI #11449597

Incident: July 1, 2020 · Filed: January 31, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with head gasket failure. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer and diagnosed with powertrain control module (PCM) failure. The dealer updated the PCM software; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

Other Dodge Journey model years

Check your 2011 Dodge Journey VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Dodge Journey at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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