DodgeJourney20123.6L/dodge/journey/2012/3-6l/
JC platform

2012 Dodge Journey — 3.6L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Journey 3.6L.

Body SUVEngine 3.6LTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2012 Dodge Journey 3.6L is a JC-platform SUV that pairs its 3.6L V6 with a six-speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA fuel economy of 16 city, 24 highway, and 19 combined mpg, with routine maintenance requiring six quarts of 5W-30 API-spec oil including the filter. Across the Journey's full 2007–2020 model run, owner complaints peaked dramatically at 1,594 for the 2009 model year before tapering off, placing the 2012 in a moderate middle tier with 375 total complaints and six recalls. Service brakes stand out as the top complaint area for this model year, and while it represents a meaningful improvement over the worst years, prospective buyers should still weigh brake-system issues and the recall count when evaluating long-term ownership prospects.

Model year201920182017201620152014201320122011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/24/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 86 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04892339BE. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 86 · 525 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-70R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04892339BE alt 68079744AD
Engine air filter68081249AD alt 04891916AA
Spark plugSP0ZFR5F11 alt SP149125AF
BatteryBB86F101AA alt BB34A901AA
Front wiper blades68103974AA alt 68103975AA
Thermostat68676480AA alt 55111017AB
Cabin air filter05058693AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length192.5 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height66.9 in
Wheelbase113.8 in
Curb weight4228 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 24 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

No 2012 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

7.1–7.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 2013 R/T V6
283 hpHorsepower (as tested)
260 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2011Crew V6 3.6L V67.50 sec15.90 sec283 hpAWD
2013R/T V6 3.6L V67.10 sec15.70 sec283 hpAWD
2016Crossroad Plus 3.6L V67.80 sec16.10 sec283 hpAWD
2017GT 3.6L V67.90 sec16.10 sec283 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 21.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API · MS-6395
Engine Oil Capacity6 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil5W-20 · API · MS-6395
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug21.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugPTU: 26.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugPTU: 26.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub118 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub118 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.6-0.9 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance6,000-9,000 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number86
Standard BCI Cranking Performance525 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100
Engine Oil Pressure5 psi @ Idle, 30-139 @ 3000 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.097 in / 0.463 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.107 in / 0.482 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.04 in / 0.409 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Torque to Knuckle — tightening sequence 1 stages
140
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., step 2: 10530 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 9 stages
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
233.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
375 degrees CAUTION: Do not use a torque wrench for this step.75 degrees
450 degrees CAUTION: Do not use a torque wrench for this step.50 degrees
5Loosen bolts in reverse sequence
622.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
733.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
870 degrees CAUTION: Do not use a torque wrench for this step.70 degrees
970 degrees CAUTION: Do not use a torque wrench for this step.; Bolts should be checked for stretching using a straight edge. Ay bolts that show stretching should be replaced.70 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 8,000 mi; spark plugs every 96,000 mi; coolant at 104,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 104,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 8,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 16,000 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 16,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Steering System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 24,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 32,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Parking Brake System (adjust)
At 48,000 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 64,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 96,000 miPCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 104,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Dodge Journey sits in a generation characterized by extreme volatility, following a dramatic drop in federal complaints from a peak of 1,594 in 2009 to just 169 in 2011, before bouncing back up in 2012. Specifically, the 2012 model year saw complaints more than double to 375, accompanied by 6 recalls and a steep increase to 224 technical service bulletins. For this target year, the primary complaint areas are Service Brakes (43), Electrical System (39), and Engine (37), which include 21 crash and 13 fire complaints; the data does not specify the root causes for these failures. Rather than continuing the 2011 model's positive trajectory, 2012 represents a regression that initiates a multi-year plateau of elevated complaint volumes lasting through 2016. Consequently, the 2012 Journey is not a recommended year to buy, as it fails to sustain prior reliability improvements and reintroduces a higher volume of documented safety and mechanical concerns.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
224
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
375
Owner complaints
21 involved a crash · 13 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 375 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes43
Electrical System39
Engine37
Unknown Or Other19
Air Bags13
Power Train11
Electronic Stability Control (Esc),Service Brakes9
Seats8

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

17V432000Air Bags:FrontalReported 07/07/2017

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may unexpectedly deploy if the air bag wiring harness gets chafed within the steering… Remedy: 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…

16V273000Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And ConnectionsReported 06/05/2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 31, 2007, to November 12, 2016. After exposure to cold temperatures, the power steering return hose may rupture at… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return hoses, steel tubes, and power steering oil cooler, free of charge. The recall began on May 24…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 224 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
U67 Combo Rev112026-06-18EngineEmissions Recall U67 - Catalytic Converter Efficiency - Dealer Notification (Revision 11)
91006532025-08-15Unknown Or OtherVerify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders…
1062412025-07-28Electrical SystemLAMP - DOME
1049742025-06-12Electrical SystemLAMP - DOME
1037742025-05-01Electrical SystemLAMP - DOME

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Journey. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Journey 3.6L take?

6 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-6395, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Journey have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.6L get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.