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 ↗2012 Dodge Journey steering problems
severe 23 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
4crashes
4injuries
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
The 2012 Dodge Journey steering system failures fall into several hard categories. Most dramatic are loss-of-control incidents where the vehicle veers or spins without warning at highway speeds and crashes into guardrails (narratives #1, #3, #13, #19)—some occurring as early as 3,000 miles. Manufacturers investigated these crashes but denied claims or withheld investigation reports.
Power-steering function itself fails in two ways: chronic hardness and grinding (narratives #2, #4, #9, #12, #16, #17) where steering becomes stiff to turn, especially during left turns or cold starts; and complete steering lock-up when the engine stalls (narratives #5, #6, #10, #18, #23). The latter occurs unpredictably—owners describe losing all electrical power mid-drive, steering freezing, and brakes becoming hard to press. Shops cannot reproduce the faults; battery and alternator test normal. One narrative (#7) documents a BCM replacement that failed to fix recurring throttle and steering seizures.
Front-end alignment and tire wear defects (narrative #2) appeared at 12,000 miles despite new-car status. One owner paid $600 out-of-pocket for repairs the dealer refused to warranty.
Recall work for steering (Campaign 16V273000) has introduced problems: one owner's vehicle would not start after service, with steering locked and warning lights cycling (narrative #11). Notably, some 2012 Journeys were excluded from the recall based on manufacturing location or lack of a block heater—a coverage gap that left identical vehicles unprotected.
Same Dodge Journey steering reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Loss of Steering Control/Sudden Veering
Vehicle loses steering control or veers abruptly during normal driving without driver input, forcing rapid emergency maneuvers or collision with guardrails or obstacles. Occurs at highway and surface-street speeds.
When: Various speeds (15–75 mph); narratives #1, #3, #13, #19 occur early in ownership (3,000–33,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle loses control and veers without warning; Repeated slamming into guardrails during braking or lane-change attempts; Steering becomes firm and difficult to maneuver; Vehicle spins out at low speeds during normal turns
Codes mentioned: P0335 (crankshaft position sensor, mentioned in #18)
Repairs/costs cited: Narratives #1, #3, #13 describe manufacturer investigations that found no defect or remained inconclusive; vehicle retained by manufacturer pending investigation. No repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V273000 (steering); some vehicles not covered due to manufacturing location or lack of block heater; dealers refusing repairs citing eligibility gaps.
Complete Power Loss with Steering Lock-Up
Engine stalls or loses all electrical power while driving, rendering power steering inoperable and brakes difficult to engage. Engine may or may not restart; when it does, normal operation typically resumes until next failure.
When: Narratives #5, #6, #10, #18, #22, #23 report repeated incidents over weeks/months; #10 at 75 mph on highway; #6 ongoing since entertainment system failure
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of engine power; Steering locks up or becomes immobile; All electrical systems shut down (lights, wipers, hazard lights); Brakes require excessive force; Vehicle may or may not restart; requires pushing, rocking, or neutral-restart maneuver; Battery and alternator test normal
Codes mentioned: P0335 (narrative #18)
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #6 mentions dealership unable to duplicate problem; repair shops unable to find cause after computer diagnostics. Vehicle may require BCM replacement per narratives #7 (repaired but failure recurred).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #7 documents BCM replacement and reprogramming at dealer; failure recurred after repair.
Hard/Difficult Power Steering—Resistance and Whining
Power steering becomes stiff or resistant to turn, accompanied by groaning or whining noises from the front end. May occur intermittently or persist. Often follows by power-steering fluid loss.
When: Narratives #2 (12,500–13,000 miles); #4 (starting Sept 2012, recurring through May 2015); #9 (late June, ongoing); #12 (cold-start failure at 0°F); #16 (69,000 miles); #17 (107,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel stiff or hard to turn, especially left turns; Loud groaning or whining noise from front end during steering; Power steering fluid loss (narrative #9); Steering wheel seizure during city driving (narrative #12)
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #2: $600 for two new front tires, alignment, and two front camber repairs (possibly defective from factory). Narrative #4: $499 for front-end alignment and brake/front-end repairs (work repeated 8 times total). Narrative #9: $1000+ for power steering cooler and pump replacement; Goodyear cleaned rack and pinion; later smoking and squeaking noted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #12 references NHTSA Campaign 16V273000 but notes complaining vehicle not covered; campaign intended for vehicles with block heater.
Abnormal Front-End Wear and Alignment Drift
Front tires wear unevenly or rapidly, vehicle pulls to one side, suggesting suspension or alignment defects. Occurs early in ownership.
When: Narrative #2 at 12,500–13,000 miles (purchased March 2012)
Symptoms owners cite: Front tires bald at 13,000 miles; Abnormal tire wear pattern; Vehicle pulls to the right; Front camber defective from factory (suspected)
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #2: Mechanic replaced two front tires, performed alignment, and replaced two front cambers (suspected factory defect); total cost $600.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #2: Dealer (service manager 'John') claimed Chrysler does not stand behind tires or alignment; refused to address under warranty.
BCM Malfunction with Recurrent Failure
Body Control Module (BCM) failure causing throttle, traction control, and steering issues. Dealer replaced and reprogrammed BCM, but failure recurred within weeks.
When: Narrative #7 at approximately 33,000 miles; updated May 3, 2016
Symptoms owners cite: Throttle and traction control warning indicators illuminate; Vehicle shakes violently at 55 mph; Engine stalls at low speeds without warning; Check engine, throttle, and traction control indicators illuminate; Steering wheel seizes at 15 mph
Codes mentioned: BCM fault (body control module)
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #7: BCM replaced and reprogrammed at dealer; failure recurred. Second replacement and reprogramming performed; failure recurred again.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; no resolution documented.
Post-Recall Electronics Failure
After steering recall service (Campaign 16V273000), vehicle experiences sudden electrical system malfunction, with steering wheel locked, inability to start, and warning lights cycling erratically.
When: Narrative #11 within 24–48 hours after recall service on April 12, 2018
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start after recall service; Steering wheel locked; All computer and electrical systems non-responsive; Brakes locked; Wipers and other accessories cycling erratically; Warning lights activating without cause
Codes mentioned: Electrical stability control fault, Electrical system fault
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented; narrative indicates dealership performed steering and engine cover recall work on April 12, 2018; failures began immediately after.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall Campaign 16V273000 (steering); narrative #15 documents dealer refusing to repair due to manufacturing origin.
Power Steering Return Line Burst (Cold-Start Failure)
Power steering return line ruptures during cold-start conditions, rendering steering extremely difficult or inoperable at intersections. Related to lack of block heater exclusion from recall coverage.
When: Narrative #12 on January 17, 2018 at approximately 0°F in Moorhead, Minnesota
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering return line bursts on cold start; Steering extremely hard to turn at intersection; Affects new driver; near-miss accident during left turn with oncoming traffic
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #12 does not specify repair; vehicle escaped accident.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #12 notes vehicle not covered by NHTSA Campaign 16V273000 despite same model/engine being covered if equipped with block heater; indicates coverage gap.
Multiple Electrical and Drivetrain Warning Lights with Grinding Noise
Combination of electrical failures, warning lights illuminating simultaneously, and intermittent grinding noises from beneath vehicle. Traction control, ABS, and service AWD lights cycle on and off; vehicle hesitates on acceleration.
When: Narrative #8 starting August 17, 2017 (vehicle purchased August 3, 2017 with 32,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Traction control light illuminates; ABS light and service AWD light come on together; Grinding noise from underneath vehicle (intermittent); Vehicle hesitates to accelerate; Tire pressure warning light; Change oil light despite no service need; Warning lights cycling on and off intermittently
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented in narrative.
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2012 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 20 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 33,000 and 125,000 miles, with the median around 90,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 33,000; a quarter make it past 125,000. 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 $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/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.