8.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$400
Average Mileage:
31,800 miles
Total Complaints:
353 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace pads & rotors (169 reports)
  2. all brakes and rotors had to be replaced (41 reports)
  3. not sure (34 reports)
  4. replaced pads & machined rotors (31 reports)
  5. replaced brakes (22 reports)
  6. replace rotors (16 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Dodge dealer.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #153

Apr 292011

Journey 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,333 miles

Had to replace all rotors and brakes at 25000 miles. Dodge only admits a problem with the front brakes, even though they admit premature failure of front brakes would put a lot or wear on the rear brakes. After lots of complaints, Dodge made an extended warranty for the brakes and rotors but charged a $100 deductible to fix their error, this does not make sense. Also, there is nothing being said about the long term effects because if you read the reviews and forums lots of people have had to get their brakes fixed multiple times. How do I know if the new brakes and rotors will go bad again and I have to pay to fix them again.

- jsteele97, Goose Creek, SC, US

problem #152

Apr 012011

Journey EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles

I purchased this veh certified pre-owned (now I wonder what that really means) I had a minor pulsation in my steering wheel and was told "one of the rotors was uneven so when the pad hits it, it is uneven which makes me feel the vibration" I was told although my brakes and rotors are fine. It did this when I would slow down to an exit from a high speed. I have had the vehicle in for a NEW transmission after 3 months. A defective tire stem only after 1 week. A recall in Feb and my oil changes. Each time my vehicle went in I told them the pulsation was getting worse. In April they finally write it on my slip. I got a notice recently from Chrysler it is covered but get this I am now @ 45,257 mileage and it is over the mileage for coverage. I am told $495 to fix. lol although the dealer was very nice and offered to pay 1/2 of the parts and give me @ a discounted price total $320. our of my pocket. This is such bull, I should have stayed with my Isuzu it never gave me a problem. And the witch @ Chrysler service tells me well you bought a used vehicle. Look lady I know that, I also pd for the extended warranty and if I could reach through this phone. I'm glad the dealer tried to make nice but he shouldn't have to. Chrysler should cover it with my $50 deductible and suck up the rest. I am not looking for a hand out but I have never heard of anything so messed up.

- Kerri H., Somerset, MA, US

problem #151

May 082011

Journey 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles

I bought my Dodge Journey 4 cylinders from the Dodge dealer Clear Lake Dodge in September 2009. Well I drive very little as I am a house wife and we have two cars available at all times. I only have 21,000 miles today on it, and last week when it started making a noise I told my husband about it and he took it to have the tires checked. The NTB people told him the front tires needed to be replaced; we paid for new tires left the cars for them to be installed and when we came to pick it up the mechanic that had worked on it told us the Journey needed new brakes all of them needed to be replaced. He told us to call the dealer and tell them there was something wrong with the car because at 20,000 miles the brakes shouldn't look as used as they did. The calibers and rotors were so bad he insisted on them being replaced. I called Clear Lake Dodge still there at NTB and spoke to their service department and told them exactly what the mechanic in front of me had just told me, I even told him that he said that in order for the brakes and rooters to be that bad I would have had to be racing the car. The person on the phone told me the NTB guy didn't know what he was saying, that at 20,000 miles that was normal to have to replace them. The service person of Clear Lake Dodge also told me that the breaks were NOT covered under warranty but to bring it in on Monday and he would see what he could do.

Well I googled problems with the breaks on Journey and found out that the problem is well known of and the person I spoke to on the phone should have told me of it instead of just telling me I would have to pay for the repair. Well I am now looking for a lawyer to sue Dodge Clear Lake and Dodge for selling a car with this problem.

I am not sure if I will get my breaks replaced for free or not, but the point is the car will continue having this issue and the breaks will need to be replaced constantly from what I am reading. I want Texas to also launch a class action law suit for this problem. Please let others know of this problem and if any lawyer is interested contact me so we can sue Dodge and show them this is not right, if they know there is a problem fix it for free and fix it for good!. It is not OK to have to be changing breaks every so many miles, we shouldn't have to do it or to live thinking let's hope today is the day my breaks don't die on me and me and my family get killed.

- ac7, Webster/ Houston, TX, US

problem #150

Sep 022010

Journey 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,292 miles

I am now on my forth set of brakes and rotors. Just after i got them redone i got a letter saying that they would cover before 40,000 KM. Piece of crap!/

- journeysucks, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

problem #149

Mar 092011

Journey SXT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,000 miles

I need a warranty that will cover my brake after 36k miles

- Perry W., Clinton, MD, US

problem #148

Apr 022011

Journey SXT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

This was the 4th time we had brakes and or rotors replaced. Rotors have also been cut a time or two. Just had them done a month ago and at 55 miles an hr coming down hill, that vibration and shimmy is back again. We had the best brakes and rotors put on. Car guy said 'I would be surprised if they dont last a yr and a half." I said "FAT CHANCE!" Guess i was right!

This is absolutely the worst vehicle I have ever owned. On a separate note, we filed a lemon lawsuit against Dodge for this piece of crap. After many months, Dodge so graciously agreed to pay us $1500. Are you kidding me? We have already spent that much on brakes, rotors, and tires. Atty asked for $10,000. I was figuring maybe half of that, but $1500. They might as well throw me 15 cents. We owe so much on this vehicle, that wouldnt even make a dent on our loan. I would like the CEO at Dodge to take my vehicle for a week and put his family in it. Bet you he wouldnt think of putting his most precious cargo in this hunk of crap.

- Lori H., Westover, PA, US

problem #147

Jun 152010

Journey V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,000 miles

yes im very up set that iv only had this piece of junk not evening 2 yrs and have had all brakes done in june of 2010.and here we are march 24,2011.and need rear brakes replaced ,all four rotors replaced.its cost me toady 400$ to get all 4 rotors and rear brakes omg.....this pisses me off .thats why i bought a new car so i wouldnt have to deal with high repair cost .jus got a recall noticed in mail today saying i need to take the journey in for electical defect.at no cost to me please .i wish i could jus give the journey back.its not worth the payment i pay. i know how sad that sounds .dodge should jus recall the whole dam car..iv heard complaint after complaint.what is it gonna take ....im telling all my friends about my prblems and not to buy a dodge.

- Christine L., Victoria, TX, US

problem #146

Oct 162009

Journey SXT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

Ummm...shouldn't brakes on a new car last longer than 15,000 miles?

- sctjourney, San Diego, CA, US

problem #145

Apr 012011

Journey SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,001 miles

Like other people here was told the problem was found during an oil change and that we needed a brake job. It must have been the way we drove the car and rode the brakes. Clear Lake Dodge refused to fix the problem but did tell us the car was not safe to drive. If we refused to have them fix the brakes then they could not be held responsible if something happened. They did give us an 800 number to call. Upon getting a call back from Chrysler corp. they would fix the brakes for $50 dollars. Taking the car back, Clear Lake again refused to fix the brakes saying the pads did not exhibit enough wear. Again taking the car home, 2 days later all the lights came on(ABS,anti-skid) and when they were called told us to drive the car in under these conditions. After getting there, they told us it would be $100 dollars to fix the brakes. Who were they kidding! Refusing to pay, they again told us they would not be responsible if we took the car home. Finally after calling the 800 hotline, they took the car in and fixed the brakes for $50.

- Jay K., League City, TX, US

problem #144

Jul 012010

Journey SXT 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,800 miles

My wife called me in July of 2010 that she is hearing a funny sound coming from the front of the vehicle. When I arrived home I checked it out and found out that the drivers side front brake pads were metal to metal with only 180000 miles on the vehicle. I called my local Dodge dealer (Frahm Dodge in Norco,CA) and they told me that the brake pads and rotors are only covered under the standard 12,000 mile warranty. I asked them if metal to metal was common on Dodge vehicles? They said no way, must be an underlying problem. WTF. It's either bad pads, rotor or caliper. They said they could take a look at it for $69.99 but can't be sure if it's a caliper problem. I went ahead and did the front brake job myself. The drivers side pad had dug into the rotor and pretty much ruined it. The passenger pad had 50% life still left. HMMMMMM. 6-months later I had to again replace the drivers side brake pad. After contacting my lovely local Dodge dealer again, they said brakes are not covered under standard warranty. I can check it out for $69.99. F-U. I took my Dodge Journey to Pep Boys and they replaced the front rotors, pads and told me that the calipers were not right. Once again, I called my local Dodge dealer and they said bring it in so they can check the calipers. What do you know, the calipers were bad. They told me that the brakes and rotors were under warranty and they can replace them with new rotors and pads for only the $100.00 deductible under the warranty item. WTF. Now they are under warranty. I will never buy another Dodge vehicle if my life depended on it. Don't ever buy a Dodge vehicle and DO NOT EVER GO TO FRAHM DODGE IN NORCO,CA. And since Browning Dodge now owns FRAHM Dodge, don't ever go them either

- Michael B., Corona, CA, US

problem #143

May 012010

Journey V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,000 miles

My car started making awful scraping noises at about 13,000 miles. The noise was occurring when I braked, however whenever I took it into my shop (not the dealer), the noise wouldn't replicate. Finally, my mechanic decided to check the brakes and at 14,000 miles my front brakes needed replacing and the rotors turned.

A few months later, similar noises started....at 19,000 miles I had to replace the rear brakes and machine the rotors...my mechanic razzed me about my "heavy braking" until I showed him numerous complaints about brakes being changed as early as 9,000 miles. Unfortunately, I'm over 30,000 miles and about due for brakes again....ugh!!!

- Melissa M., Farmington, NM, US

problem #142

Mar 032010

Journey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,000 miles

50,000 miles and going on my 5th set of brakes...seriously!

- Susan S., Mays Landing, NJ, US

problem #141

Aug 012010

Journey SXT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,427 miles

First brakes had to be replaced at 20,000km, brakes have had to be replaced again before 40,000km - they are obviously inadequate for the size/weight of the vehicle.

- Paul L., Oakville, ON, Canada

problem #140

Jan 132011

Journey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles

I had to have new brake pads AND rotors at 24,000 miles on my Dodge Journey SXT. The dealer tried to tell me it was the way my wife drives but believe me, she is a very conservative driver, considering she carts our kids around for a living.

If that wasn't bad enough, I was back at the dealer this morning, 8,000 measly miles later, to have new brake pads AND new rotors AGAIN! The rotors were so bad after 8,000 miles they couldn't even be ground down. These were under the warranty of the brake job at 24,000 miles, but this is ridiculous! Am I expected to get new brakes every 8,000 miles?

Where is Dodge? I have read several lawsuits and they all claim that the brakes are not adequate for the weight of the vehicle. This needs to be fixed!!

- Jason J., Rockford, MI, US

problem #139

Apr 112011

Journey V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

Replacing brakes again at 48,000 miles. I've seen that a class action suit has been brought against Dodge for this issue (currently in NJ and CA). Contacting the law offices to see if we can be included as we are in CO.

- chefselite, Lafayette, CO, US

problem #138

Mar 122010

Journey V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles

Brakes went out at 24,000 miles. Dodge told us that it wasn't covered by warranty. Just Brakes told us the Calipers had to be replaced. Instead we just replaced the brake pads.

- chefselite, Lafayette, CO, US

problem #137

Feb 162011

Journey LS 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,415 miles

The brakes had been rumbling for a few days and I had determined to take it to Dodge to check it out. I had the same problem last time and the brakes had been fixed, including new rotors for the back brakes. While driving, the car started to make a loud noise similar to to metal plates rubbing. It was a constant noise while driving, and it got louder when I hit the brakes. I took it to the dealership on 2/16/2011 to get it checked out. I had called Chrysler while I was waiting for the service dept to tell me what was wrong with my car. They explained that all repairs were guaranteed for 12000 miles or 12 months so I should not have to pay. Well... the service department didn't think so and they determined that I needed to have the back brakes fixed (new pads and resurface rotors (the new ones they had just put in during the last visit in September). The repair was going to cost $215, IF I did it then. If I waited, it would cost $385 cause the pads would wear out and the rotors would be eaten up. I asked for the estimate and left without getting the repair done (no money). I called Chrysler back and they would have a Case Manager return my call. The next day... no call back, so I called them. Spoke to a Case Manager assigned to my "problem". She told me the same thing about the guarantee, and called the Service Manager at the dealership. When she called me back, I was instructed to take the car to have it repaired "No Charge" by the dealer.

My car's brakes have been fixed/replaced for the 3rd time in 11.5 months. All this plus all the other stuff that they have had to do to the car.

Did I mention that the Front Dash melted in the Sun and they had to replace it?. I am sooooo not Happy.

- ibzoomin, Valrico, FL, US

problem #136

Apr 152011

Journey SXT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,400 miles

I had them check this the last time I went in for an oil change, nothing, then had some warranty work done and had them check the noise again, told me not covered but would repair for $100.00 and they would order the parts. Checked three weeks later, no record of parts order and now car is to the point were they have to be repaired. Brakes sound as if they are metal on metal, at 21000 that's totally unacceptable.

- Dan N., Hernando, MS, US

problem #135

Feb 112011

Journey LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,500 miles

Rediculous. I have NEVER had a car that needs brakes replaced after only 15k miles. I took it to the dealer and got what I expected. They just told me that the car was 2 years old and that it was too bad. BS.

- widnere1, Dallas, GA, US

problem #134

Dec 162009

Journey 6 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

If I could afford to trade my piece of s--t Dodge Journey in I would have traded it only 6 months after I purchased it. It is not even two years old and I have already changed the breaks and rotors twice...the first time at ONLY 15,000 miles and the second at 30,000 miles....Not to mention, I drive ALL highway miles EVERY day! I was told that this is normal wear and tear for Dodge Journeys...WHAT EVER!!!! If that is the case, then there should be something done about this immediately!!!! I had a Kia for god's sakes for 5 + years and only had to replace my breaks one time! I have also already needed tires at $400 a piece after only 30,000 miiles and a new freakin' battery at 40,000 miles and it isn't even two years old. I was told that the battery died because it is cold outside...AGAIN,WHATEVER! I live in Maryland not Alaska...there are millions of cars that are driving around in the same temperature as me. All this and not one bit of help from Dodge. I sold my Kia that was at 100,000 miles because I didn't want to have to worry about it starting to need a whole bunch of repairs...I SHOULD HAVE KEPT THE KIA! AND AS SOON AS I CAN, I WILL TRADE THIS PIECE OF JUNK IN FOR ANOTHER KIA!!!!! I will NEVER buy another DODGE!!!!

- Ashley A., Frederick, MD, US

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