2011 Dodge Journey problems
The 2011 Dodge Journey has 169 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2011 Dodge Journey has 169 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is brakes at 37 complaints, typically surfacing around 35,844 miles (~$450 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 Journey | 1,594 | 4 |
| 2010 Journey | 1,084 | 1 |
| 2011 Journey (this page) | 169 | 0 |
| 2012 Journey | 375 | 1 |
| 2013 Journey | 351 | 0 |
| 2014 Journey | 408 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Electrical system: 33 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 60,000–119,174 mi
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2011 Dodge Journey SUV 4WD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2011 Dodge Journey? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- brakes — 37 owner reports · tends to show around 35,844 mi · ~$450 to fix
- electrical — 33 owner reports · tends to show around 84,123 mi · ~$850 to fix
- steering — 23 owner reports · tends to show around 68,008 mi · ~$700 to fix
- engine — 22 owner reports · tends to show around 81,892 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 84,123 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2011 Dodge Journey
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2011 Dodge Journey
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~20,000 mibrakes~$450
- ~70,500 misteering~$700
- ~80,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~85,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~90,000 miengine~$3,100
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Visibility obstruction: the heater has slowly been losing heat and is only blowing cold air. Visibility is severely obstructed due to the defrost system not working properly. The defrost system is blowing cold air not clearing the windshield and seriously obstructing…
Power steering hose ruptured while vehicle was parked and running in very cold temp
No heat on passenger side of vehicle dealer states heater core plugged needs replacing at over $1000.
2011 Dodge journey when the weather is cool the fobs will no unlock the doors. Cw the consumer also stated he had difficulty starting the vehicle. *jb
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA24003 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2011 Dodge Journey reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 169 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Dodge Journey is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2011 Dodge Journey?
The 2011 Dodge Journey is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 33 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 60,000–119,174 mi; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2011 Dodge Journey?
Inspect the brakes first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 37 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 35,844 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2011 Dodge Journey a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 169 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is brakes. Typical failure occurs around 35,844 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2011 Dodge Journey?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 37 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 35,844 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 35,844 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Dodge Journey has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Dodge Journey?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 169 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.