Recall 11V487 covers 667 select 2012 Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep vehicles for connecting-rod-bearing debris that can seize the engine. Engine replacement is free.
Dodge recall 11V487 covers 667 2012 Journey, Charger, Durango, Grand Caravan, Town And Country, 200, and Grand Cherokee vehicles with 3.6L engines built with debris inside the engine block. The debris can cause connecting rod bearing failure, engine seizure, and higher crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
This recall involves the 3.6L engine used in 2012 Journey, Town And Country, 200, Charger, Durango, Grand Caravan, and Grand Cherokee vehicles. Inside that engine, each connecting rod links a piston to the crankshaft. The connecting rod bearing lets that rod move smoothly while the engine turns at high speed.
On affected vehicles, debris inside the engine block can damage the connecting rod bearing. Once the bearing surface is damaged, the rod no longer moves as designed. That failure can lead to serious internal engine damage and a loss of normal engine operation.
There is no warning sign before failure. The filing does not identify a dashboard light, sound, smell, or change in engine feel that reliably appears before the bearing fails.
Who's affected?
Covers seven models under the same engine and cooling component.
| 2012 Dodge Journey | Engine and engine cooling |
|---|---|
| 2012 Chrysler Town And Country | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2012 Chrysler 200 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2012 Dodge Charger | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2012 Dodge Durango | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee | Engine and engine cooling |
| Units affected | 667 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Connecting rod failure can seize the engine and increase the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair and treat sudden engine trouble as a reason to pull over safely and call the dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Dodge dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Dodge Journey, Chrysler Town And Country, Chrysler 200, Dodge Charger, Dodge Durango, Dodge Grand Caravan, or Jeep Grand Cherokee is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Dodge dealer and ask whether the free engine replacement is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 11V487 when you call so the service desk can find the campaign.
- Schedule the engine replacement that fixes the connecting-rod-bearing debris issue linked to engine seizure risk.
- Avoid long trips or hard driving until the dealer confirms the repair status for your VIN.
What happens at the repair
The remedy describes a complete engine replacement for vehicles with the recalled 3.6L engine. Once the dealer repair is available, a Dodge technician replaces the engine at no charge under the recall. The failure concern is debris inside the engine block that can lead to connecting rod bearing failure, so the repair addresses the engine assembly rather than a small external part. Ask the dealer to confirm the VIN is included in campaign 11V487 and to explain how the engine replacement appointment will be handled.
Timeline
| September 29, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 28, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V487?
Recall 11V487 covers 667 2012 vehicles, including Journey, Town And Country, 200, Charger, Durango, Grand Caravan, and Grand Cherokee models with 3.6L engines. Debris inside the engine block can cause connecting rod bearing failure, engine seizure, and higher crash risk. Dodge will replace the engine for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Dodge Journey is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 11V487. If it is, contact a franchised Dodge dealer and ask for the free engine replacement. Reference recall number 11V487 when you call, and ask whether the dealer needs to inspect the engine before ordering parts.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost. For recall 11V487, Dodge will replace the affected engine free of charge at a franchised dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is engine seizure. The recall filing says connecting rod failure can lead to the engine seizing, which increases crash risk. If your vehicle stalls, loses power, or makes severe engine noise, pull over safely and contact a Dodge dealer before driving farther.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included, then call a franchised Dodge dealer with recall number 11V487 and your current contact information.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V487000 |
|---|---|
| Dodge customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V487 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V487000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →