2012 Dodge Journey: engine overheating

Filed Mar 13, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · CO

Component/System That Failed or Malfunctioned & Availability for Inspection I have experienced multiple safety-critical failures in my 2012 Dodge Journey, including transmission failure, catalytic converter defects, engine repairs, electrical malfunctions, and brake system issues. Pattern of Recalls Across Dodge Journey Models & Lack of Recall for My Vehicle There have been numerous recalls across multiple model years (2009-2020) for the exact same failures my vehicle is experiencing, including: Transmission failures and defects Engine problems requiring major repairs Catalytic converter and exhaust failures Brake system failures and premature caliper wear Electrical malfunctions affecting windows, wiring, and power systems Despite this clear pattern of defects in Dodge Journey models, my specific vehicle has not been recalled for these issues. Dodge/Stellantis needs to explain why these defects are not being covered under existing recalls when the same problems have been recognized in other model years. How My Safety & Others’ Safety Was Put at Risk 1. Transmission Failure & Unsafe Driving Conditions My transmission failed completely, causing high RPM revving, and loss of acceleration. My vehicle essentially stalled out on the highway. Now, the transmission requires a full rebuild costing over $5,238.64. Dodge has issued recalls for transmission defects in other Journey model years, but mine is excluded despite experiencing identical failures. 2. Engine Repairs & Performance Failures My vehicle has required major engine repairs, including: Camshaft and rocker arm replacements Ignition coil replacements Thermostat and cooling system repairs Dodge has issued engine-related recalls for other Journey models, including crankshaft/camshaft sensor failures, engine stalling, and overheating risks. My vehicle suffers from the same defects but has not been recalled. These engine issues pose a major safety hazard by increasing the risk of engine stalling, loss of power, and

Filed Nov 6, 2023 · Electrical, Suspension · SC · crash

The electrical is so messed up the battery drains within hours, I have shorts in all aspects of this car(Bluetooth, navigation, clicking relays nonstop, heat goes out intermittently, power switches on doors. I saw my headlights surging in power in the middle of nowhere, they would get bright, then go dim, then a battery icon illuminated on my dashboard before my car downshifted so hard I almost lost control of the car. The dealer replaced my motor mounts and my alternator, after calling to say my battery is bad and then turned around and said it wasn’t. Not to mention my brakes locked up in a little rain and I couldn’t stop crashing through a wall. Replaced my rear light turning bulb and it exploded with fire when I went to change it. The suspension is horrible and I am pretty sure my cv axles are all broken. Everything keeps breaking. Lifter Taps intermittently, rough idling and hard shifting. Key fob doesn’t start car or is recognized with fresh batteries in it. When I jump start it sometimes the horn goes off for a minute. The reverse camera goes out for days and randomly comes on again. Under the hood feels so extremely hot and for some reason it doesn’t register as overheating. Even when I check fluids and for the coolant levels are low for some reason. There is an actuator That constantly is going off under the dash. Airbags didn’t deploy when i hit the wall at all. The limp mode has come on and gone off a few times. Only codes I have is for tps and an outdoor ambient temperature sensor that says it’s either negative 40 degrees or 122 degrees. Which won’t let me clear nor allow me to remote start. Warranty is gone and when you take the fuse box cover off under the hood(just the cover) it goes haywire shaking and lights all over the dash and I have to shut the car off. Yes somebody please inspect this vehicle. The absolute worst vehicle I owe 12k on and I can’t afford to fix all of this that’s shutting down at the same time

Filed Mar 21, 2022 · Brakes · PA

This complaint concerns the failure of the front rubber brake lines on my 2012 Dodge Journey. I discovered that, during manufacture, the original brake lines were severely crushed while the retaining brackets were attached to them. This reduced the I.D. of the hoses to about 20% of their intended size. Over time, with normal hose deterioration, this restricted back flow of brake fluid to the master cylinder. As a result the brakes calipers did not retract completely which caused excessive overheating of the front brakes. This could have caused a fire or the vehicle to swerve into other traffic. My concern is other vehicles of similar age could begin experiencing the same issue. Please note the front left brake was malfunction before and after new rotors, pads and calipers were installed.

Filed Oct 22, 2020 · Brakes · 92,000 miles · OH

Every 15k miles or so the right rear caliper sticks and destroys the pads and associated rotor. I have replaced that specific caliper and both rotors three twice already. After around 25k to 30k miles I can no longer get the caliper to unfreeze. The vehicle now has 93k miles on it and I am about to replace it again. Once the outside pad gets to less than 30% the wheel tries to lock up. Once while driving in the country my wife nearly caught the car on fire because of overheating brakes. This form only allows for one entry, but as stated this has happened a multitude of times. The worst being when the rotor was glowing red before it was noticed by another person at a gas station. That happened in 2015.

Filed Jan 13, 2020 · Engine · 96,500 miles · PA

Coolant was low so it was filled with coolant. The reservoir was low again the very same day and the car was overheating (as well as the AC not working properly and blew hot air even when using cold) on the highway, barely making it to destination. The first diagnosis was an air vacuum caused a leak. The problem keeps reoccurring after the supposed fix.

Filed Jul 24, 2019 · 1 miles · GA

Coolant leak under intake.. Repair shop said he had same identical vehicle come in less than a month ago same concern.. Vehicle overheated and could smell something burning after hours of labor service manager sealed and replaced the hose. But says to check see if there was a recall since he had another vehicle come in.

Filed Mar 19, 2019 · 111,621 miles · TX

Motor burned up cause of a pin hole leak from the radiator that went into the motor, mixed with the oil, being overheated

Filed Dec 24, 2018 · Engine · 89,000 miles · MD

The 4 cylinder engine on my 2012 dodge journey developed an engine coolant leak. Trouble shooting found the leak to be related to deterioration of a plastic part inside the engine...dodge part# 68003582...adapter c. The car was standing when the problem was diagnosed. If I had not had the part replaced a catastrophic engine coolant leak could have occurred while the car was being driven, leading to a full loss of coolant, overheating of the engine and seizing of the engine. I talked with dodge customer service and they acknowledged awareness of the problem.the car has 89,000 miles. I consider this to be a serious safety problem.

Filed Aug 10, 2016 · Engine · 111,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge journey. While the vehicle was undergoing a routine oil change at an independent mechanic, the technician noticed that there was sludge in the radiator. The failure caused the radiator to overheat and the engine leaked oil into the radiator. In turn, the radiator was leaking fluid into the engine. The technician stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.

Filed Aug 7, 2015 · Electrical · 50,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge journey. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited electrical failures with the air conditioner, heater, door locks, lights operating independently and an overheating steering column. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v082000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Aug 29, 2014 · Brakes · 22,000 miles · MD

While driving at approximately 30mph and slowing down the right rear brake would not release which resulted in smoke, overheating of the wheel area and smell of burning brakes. The vehicle was reviewed by a dodge dealer who indicated they could not find any problems with the brakes. This happen two more times with the same outcome from dodge. Chrysler supports the dealer and will not take any actions. A complaint was filed with the states attorneys office because it represents a safety issue. Meantime, I am taking the car to another chrysler dealer for a second opinion which seems to be my only option.

Filed Jul 3, 2014 · Engine · 39,546 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge journey. The contact stated while the vehicle was stopped, the vehicle overheated and there was smoke seen from under the hood. The temperature gauge indicated that the vehicle was overheating. The vehicle was driven to the emergency lane for twenty five minutes. The vehicle was restarted and the temperature gauge was in the proper position. Fifteen minutes later, the temperature gauge indicated that the vehicle was hot and smoke again emitted under the hood. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer who diagnosed that the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer who diagnosed that the radiator fan needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred and the vehicle taken back to the dealer. The failure mileage was 39,546. The current mileage was 41,000.