Should I buy a 2012 Dodge Journey with documented airbags problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented airbags issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2012 Dodge Journey airbags problems

severe Owners of the 2012 Dodge Journey have filed 22 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 78,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →

Failure mileage

Complaints

Recalls

Avg fix

$1,100

airbags complaints on the Dodge Journey, by model year
Model year	airbags complaints
2009 Journey	90
2010 Journey	25
2011 Journey	8
2012 Journey (this page)	22
2013 Journey	38
2014 Journey	35
2015 Journey	57
2016 Journey	25

13crashes

14injuries

When does it fail?

Of the 22 airbags complaints filed for the 2012 Dodge Journey, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.

0-25k

0 (0%)

25-50k

0 (0%)

50-75k

1 (50%)

75-100k

1 (50%)

100-125k

0 (0%)

125-150k

0 (0%)

150k+

0 (0%)

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 airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 17V432000 July 7, 2017

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles

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

Fix: 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.

The failure pattern owners describe

The 2012 Dodge Journey airbag complaints cluster around two main issues: non-deployment during collisions and warning light problems.

Owners describe multiple crash scenarios where airbags simply did not deploy—head-on impacts at 45 mph, side impacts with the vehicle rolling, rear-end hits at highway speeds, and a rollover event. In several incidents, occupants sustained injuries: lacerations, shoulder damage, back injuries, and head trauma. One owner even ended up in an inground pool after brake failure and airbag non-deployment combined in a crash; another was rear-ended on a divided highway at 60 mph with no deployment.

For warning lights, owners report the airbag indicator coming on intermittently or continuously while driving. When checked, one dealership found corroded wiring between the sensor and airbag system—the owner believes a prior heater core failure (which sprayed boiling coolant) caused that corrosion, though Dodge refused to cover it. Others took vehicles to dealers only to be told the car wasn't in a recall or that service couldn't be completed. One owner noted the seatbelt light also stayed on constantly.

A few complaints reference earlier recalls for wiring covers and a brake-related campaign, but the core concern is whether the airbag module itself is functioning properly—a diagnosis many dealers haven't completed.

Same Dodge Journey airbags reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015

Failure modes owners describe

Airbag Non-Deployment in Crashes

Airbags failed to deploy during multiple collision scenarios including head-on crashes, side impacts, rear-end collisions, and rollover accidents. Owners reported sustained injuries ranging from lacerations and bruises to shoulder, back, and head injuries when bags did not inflate.

When: During accidents at various speeds (15 mph to 70 mph); failure mileages ranged from 2,000 to 207,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy in head-on collision; Side curtain airbags did not deploy during side impact and rollover; No airbag deployment in rear-end collision; Airbags failed to deploy when vehicle struck head-on into tree after brake failure

Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles towed to dealers or independent mechanics; airbag systems not inspected or diagnosed in several cases; one crash investigation pending insurance company inspection

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 17V432000 (airbags) applied to at least one vehicle; one owner reported manufacturer directed them to file NHTSA complaint rather than address issue

Airbag Warning Indicator Light Illumination

Airbag warning indicator light illuminated on dashboard, either continuously or intermittently. Owners expressed concern that the warning could indicate an underlying system failure or deployment issue. Some dealers refused service or claimed vehicle not included in recall.

When: Mileages 70,611 to 170,000 miles; one instance at 129,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Driver's side airbag indicator illuminated without warning while driving; Airbag warning light illuminated intermittently; Airbag warning indicator illuminated when brake pedal depressed; Airbag light comes on intermittently at startup then stays on

Repairs/costs cited: Dealership examination revealed corroded wiring between sensor and airbag; repair cost estimated at $1,500; wheel wiring repair needed per one dealership diagnosis; most vehicles not diagnosed or repaired

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 17V432000 applied; one dealer claimed vehicle not included in airbag recall; one owner mentioned earlier recall for lack of wiring covers

Corroded Airbag Sensor Wiring

Airbag sensor wiring corroded, preventing proper sensor-to-airbag communication. Owner attributed corrosion to previous heater core failure that sprayed boiling coolant into engine bay, though manufacturer refused to acknowledge connection.

When: Sensor light appeared 6 weeks prior to report; heater core failure September 26, 2017; approximately 1+ month without vehicle repair

Symptoms owners cite: Airbag sensor light appeared; Corrosion visible on wiring between sensor and airbag

Repairs/costs cited: LaFontaine Chrysler Dodge (Lansing, MI) diagnosed corroded wiring; repair cost $1,500; vehicle out of service over one month waiting for response from Dodge corporate, BBB, or Washington State Attorney General

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge refused to address corrosion issue or acknowledge connection to heater core failure; case escalated to BBB and state attorney general

Synthesized from 22 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.

What owners are reporting 2 most recent

airbags · 50,000 mi · filed 12/28/2015

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge journey. The contact stated that while coming to a stop, the brakes failed to respond when the brake pedal was depressed. As a result, an on coming vehicle crashed into the passenger side. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed but…

airbags · 89,000 mi · filed 12/08/2018

My car was in an accident on the highway going 60mph rear ended another vehicle and the air bags did not deploy.

Had airbags trouble with your 2012 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 airbags problem on the 2012 Dodge Journey?

It's a meaningful issue. 22 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.

At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?

Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 50,000 and 110,000 miles, with the median around 78,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 110,000. 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 $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?

Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.

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/2012/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.