Cruise Control Slow Or No Response This bulletin involves upgrading the software on the Steering Column Control Module (SCCM). A customer may experience, no response or slow response to cruise control switch activations. Issues will be experienced by the customers that activate/press the switches in a very fast manner.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Dodge Journey steering problems
severe Owners of the 2011 Dodge Journey have filed 23 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 70,500 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Journey | 79 |
| 2010 Journey | 83 |
| 2011 Journey (this page) | 23 |
| 2012 Journey | 23 |
| 2013 Journey | 20 |
| 2014 Journey | 28 |
| 2015 Journey | 39 |
1crash
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 23 steering complaints filed for the 2011 Dodge Journey, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report two dominant steering failure patterns: sudden loss of both steering and engine power while driving, and power steering hose ruptures in cold weather. The first type—complete stalling with frozen steering and locked brakes—happened to multiple owners on highways and bridges, forcing them to coast helpless into traffic. Dodge replaced main computer chips after initial diagnostics turned up nothing, but the problem came back. The second failure mode is power steering hose rupture, most common in cold climates. Owners cite the factory crimped connection failing, dumping fluid, and costing $750–$1,000 to repair. Some saw the exact failure covered under NHTSA Campaign 16V273000 for other Journeys but were told their VIN wasn't included.
Additional complaints include steering wheel lock-up mid-drive (fixed by power cycling), violent shaking during braking at highway speeds paired with grinding noises, and premature rotor wear at 12,000–14,000 miles. Dealers often blamed ABS behavior or claimed no known issues. One owner's Takata airbag recall inspection uncovered a non-functional airbag, but the dealer refused to cover replacement. Water intrusion triggered ABS and traction control lights on another unit.
Same Dodge Journey steering reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Complete loss of power steering and vehicle shutdown
Engine stalls while driving without warning, rendering steering non-functional and brakes unresponsive. Vehicle loses power and cannot restart immediately, leaving driver unable to control direction or stop. Multiple warning lights (check engine, traction control, tire pressure, ABS) illuminate during events.
When: While driving on freeway and bridge at 70 mph and 35 mph; intermittent recurrence
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off without warning; Steering becomes immovable; Brakes lock up or become unresponsive; Vehicle will not restart; Multiple warning lights illuminate; Occurs again after initial repair; Engine sluggish and vehicle shakes when attempting acceleration
Codes mentioned: Check engine light, Traction control light, Tire pressure light, ABS/brake light
Repairs/costs cited: Dodge replaced main computer chip after initial diagnostics failed to find issues; problem recurred
Power steering hose rupture in cold weather
Power steering return hoses and cooler lines fail, typically at factory crimped connections, causing sudden loss of power steering function and fluid leakage. Failures occur predominantly in extreme cold temperatures. Problem recurs on same vehicle after repair.
When: In extreme cold weather conditions; failure mileage 74,327 to 139,000; 17 occurrences over two months in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes very stiff or immovable; Large puddles of power steering fluid under vehicle; Power steering capability lost; Hose ruptures or cracks at factory crimped connection; Burning smell; Popping sound when starting vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering return hoses and steering oil cooler replaced; costs cited $750–$1,000 plus labor ($814.22 total in one case); repairs needed multiple times on same vehicle
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V273000 (steering); some owners' vehicles not included in recall despite identical failures; manufacturer acknowledged failure was known but VIN not included in recall
Steering wheel lock-up while driving
Steering wheel locks or becomes immovable without warning during normal driving, preventing left or right turns. Turning vehicle off and back on temporarily restores function. Failures occur at both highway and city speeds.
When: While turning right and approaching stop light at unspecified speeds; 30 mph; 70 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel fails to turn left or right; Wheel locked in place; Temporary restoration after power cycling; Occurs without warning
Repairs/costs cited: Owner took vehicle to mechanic for repair but did not specify parts replaced; one case involved power steering return hoses and oil cooler replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V273000; some vehicles excluded from recall despite same failure
Steering wheel vibration and shaking during braking
Steering wheel shakes violently when brakes are applied, especially at highway speeds. Grinding noise comes from front wheel area. Dealers attribute vibration to normal ABS action despite owner concerns about safety. Warped brake rotors found at low mileage.
When: Within few months of purchase; 12,000–14,000 miles; progressive worsening over time
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel shakes violently when braking; Loud grinding noise from front wheel area; Poor stopping performance; Vehicle pulls to the right; Abnormal shaking at 60+ mph; Issue present early in vehicle's life
Repairs/costs cited: Rear rotors replaced initially without resolving issue; front rotors subsequently replaced; dealer claimed no warranty coverage after 12,000 miles despite issue present from early ownership
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers stated no recalls exist; advised issue is normal ABS behavior; refused to investigate further
Steering wheel airbag electrical failure (post-recall inspection)
After Takata airbag recall parts were replaced, dealership diagnosed non-functional steering wheel airbag as electrical connector issue. Dealer refused to repair or replace airbag under recall, demanding owner pay for replacement despite safety-critical nature.
When: Discovered during Takata recall inspection
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel airbag not functioning; Electrical connector failure diagnosed
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer demanded payment for new airbag replacement; repair not completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated airbag not covered under recall despite being safety-critical system
Loss of power steering during cold-weather starts
Power steering system fails immediately or shortly after starting vehicle in cold temperatures, with no warning lights. Power steering cooler and return line assembly fail under freezing conditions.
When: Cold weather starts; one instance at –30°F; failure mileage 74,327
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering lost during or immediately after cold start; No warning indicators illuminated; Steering becomes extremely difficult to control
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering cooler and return line hose assembly replaced; cost $814.22 parts and labor
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V273000; owner believes repair should be covered under recall but was denied
Vehicle pulls out of lane during low-speed acceleration
Vehicle veers out of lane when accelerating at low speeds. Dealer able to duplicate failure but claimed normal vehicle performance.
When: At 8,000–14,000 miles; during 30 mph or lower speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle veers out of lane; Failure triggered by acceleration increase; Occurs only during low-speed driving
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; dealer advised performance normal
Brake and ABS warning lights with water damage
After starting vehicle, ABS, brake, and traction control lights illuminate intermittently. Vehicle appears to drive and stop normally, but absence of ABS and traction control decreases stopping performance.
When: After starting vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: ABS light illuminates; Brake light illuminates; Traction control light illuminates; Lights illuminate intermittently; Decreased stopping performance without ABS
Codes mentioned: R61, NHTSA 15V-675
Repairs/costs cited: Certified mechanic diagnosed water damage consistent with recall for 2012–2015 models
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Water damage consistent with R61 / NHTSA 15V-675 recall (for 2012–2015 models, not 2011)
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Power steering hose ruptured while vehicle was parked and running in very cold temp
The car has been shaking for a few months now, worse when braking. Twice now, we have had to stop abruptly and the front brakes did not work correctly. Once it did cause a minor accident. There is a loud grinding sound from the front wheel area and poor stopping and the steering wheel shakes. It has been to the dealer four times now for the same complaints. They replaced the rear rotors for some…
Had steering trouble with your 2011 Dodge Journey?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2011 Dodge Journey?
It's a meaningful issue. 23 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 35,000 and 92,462 miles, with the median around 70,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 35,000; a quarter make it past 92,462. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Dodge/Journey.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.