10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 4 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 22,263 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Brake pads failed prematurely at 19529 miles (20% remaining). Rotors needed machined. Brakes should have a minimum wear warranty requirement. Also the front struts, tie rods and waterpump needed replaced.
- Amherst, OH, USA
My brand new 2009 Journey needed front brakes and rotors replaced at 22,000mi!! this seems to be a very common problem as I can go on the internet and find numerous complaint forums regarding the same issue. The dealership said this was normal wear and tear. Not covered under warranty. I had to pay for new brakes, rotors out of pocket.
- Forest Grove, OR, USA
Driving the vehicle from my house to a destination approx 100 miles away. During the drive, all of a sudden the brakes started grinding without warning. Brought the vehicle into dealership where they told me that the brakes were shot and had to be replaced. This was a cost of $370. The vehicle had only 19000 miles on it and the brakes were worn down to the rivets. I have been investigating this problem and "everybody" who owns a 2009 Dodge Journey has the same problem and Dodge is not doing anything about it. They are telling the customers that this is normal.
- Vineland, NJ, USA
I have a 2009 Dodge Journey and the front brakes failed after 29,686 miles. The dealer claims it is normal, this is not true. I am very conscious about braking, I keep my distance and do not make hard brakes unless needed. Based on posted reports, many are having the same problem. I have never owned an automobile with a brake failure with less than 70,000 miles on it, never. Brake failure is a safety concern of mine, it could harm the people in the car as well as some one else. Dodge is not taking any responsibility for this design or material defect, what ever the case is, but they don't have any problem taking your money to keep repairing the problem. I am sure Dodge will do nothing until a couple of people are killed due to brake problems with this type vehicle.
- Richmond, TX, USA
Front brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced at 12K miles on our 2009 Dodge Journey. Now we just had all brake lights go out. We took it to our mechanic and they found only 1 bulb bad. After the 1 bulb was replaced, all lights started working again. Why would they put these bulbs in series rather than parallel so that only the bad bulb would be out rather than all? that is a big a safety problem in my opinion. Also one tire now has a bulge in the sidewall and needs replaced. The vehicle has about 15K miles.
- Rio Rancho, NM, USA
At 21,500 miles I was informed that my 2009 Dodge Journey R/T V6 needed new pads and rotors. I was further informed that this is normal. Upon researching the issue, I have learned that this appears to be common and likely a design flaw that may put myself and others at risk on the road.
- Radford, VA, USA
I owned a Dodge Journey 2009 and all of the sudden my brakes started to grind. It felt like I had no brake power and sounded like it was metal to metal. I took it immediately to our authorized Chrysler dealer and I was told I needed to replace front rotors and brake pads. I had purchased with this vehicle an extended warranty but was told rotors and pads were not covered even in case of premature wear : my car has only 22,000 miles. What is frustrating is that the brakes never squealed. How could I anticipated this ? the dealership is asking over $400 dollars to have the car repaired and based on what I am reading in this database, my brake problems might happen again very soon.
- North East, MD, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. While driving approximately between 50 and 55 mph on a mountain road, the brake pedal was applied and the vehicle began to vibrate severely with a squealing noise. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the front brake pads and rotors were replaced. The identical failures occurred on a separate occasion which involved the rear brake pads and rotors. The contact expressed concern of the premature brake wear at such low mileage. The vehicle was being taken to an authorized dealer for repair. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000. Updated 11/16/10.
- Advance, NC, USA
Brakes and rotors are bad at only 15,000 miles..car has vibrating problem and was told I needed new brakes and rotors.
- Vacaville, CA, USA
When I apply brake in high speed (50-75 mph) the wheel vibrates (Dodge Journey 2009 and Chrysler cirrus 2007).
- Mexico, 00, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact was driving approximately between 45-50 mph. The brakes were engaged followed by a squealing noise and vibration. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the front brakes and rotors were replaced. The problem persisted after the vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for the replacement of the rear brakes and rear rotors. The failure mileage was 31,000. The VIN was unavailable.
- Curtice, OH, USA
I own a 2009 Dodge Journey and started hearing squeaky brakes for about 2 days when coming to a stop and then all of a sudden I could hear and feel a loud grinding noise. I could then begin to accelerate and noticed that there was a dragging noise as if the brakes had not let go. You could even see metal shavings on the left front rotor! I took the vehicle in and was told that the vehicle needed new rotors and brake pads. I asked why the premature problems and they said sorry this is a problem with new vehicles but that there was nothing they could do for me. I had to buy new rotors and brake pads out of pocket.
- Alvarado, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that the front passenger side caliper locked while driving 30 mph. When the calipers lock the vehicle began to vibrate and became difficult to steer. The vehicle was in the dealers possession for a month. The dealer stated that the reason the repair took so long was due to the lack of parts in the U.S. the contact does not know why the manufacturer does not have parts. The failure mileage was 35,800.
- Kewaunee, WI, USA
Brakes are bad on my 2009 Dodge Journey. All of a sudden the brakes started grinding. Took it to the dealership to find out that the front brakes mainly the left front was completely worn metal to metal. The car doesn't even have 20K miles on it. I haven't even had it a year. This should be under warranty but dealership says it is normal. Normal is 40-50K before brakes go bad or show signs of a needed replacement. The wear indicators on the pads didn't even sound, just one day metal to metal. There needs to be a recall, this is very dangerous for everyone who owns a Journey.
- Olive Branch, MS, USA
I bought my 2009 Dodge Journey SXT V6 brand new 12 miles on it and we love the car, and after numerous electrical issues such as power to radio, ac, lights ( not working while driving) and after many returns to Dodge dealer for repairs, so far that problem fixed. My doors fill up with water every time it rains, dealership says that's normal, I've never heard water slouching round inside a door before, which I believe lead to the power windows failing. Dealership fixed electrical window issue but get water in doors. The most important issue is at 9000 miles I had to take the car in, brakes were grinding, dealership replaced the brakes. Now at 21000 miles it needs a complete new brake job done and they want to charge me about $500. The signs that the brakes were going brakes they started squeaking and then a week later my brakes are metal to metal. I believe this is a huge safety issue this is our family car.
- Chicopee, MA, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. The contact stated that the front brakes and rotors were wearing prematurely. The dealer advised the wear of the brakes and rotors was normal. The contact disagreed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 24,500. Updated 11/05/10 the consumer stated after reporting the issue to Dodge corporate, the problem was fixed and she paid a $100 deductible. The consumer stated, she has only put 1500 more miles on the vehicle since the original case and the rotors are warping again. Updated 11/05/10
- Evansville, IN, USA
Grinding noise when driving slow, tapping the gas would make it go away, called to have it services, and two days before I was scheduled the brake pads slipped off and I had to drive home metal on metal, then had to replace brakes and rotors under 27,000 miles. Rubbing noise coming from the front when you turn corners, and a whining noise coming from the back, and Chrysler mechanics stated they have received a lot of complaints but not to worry, because they cannot find anything serious going on.
- Suamico, WI, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Journey. While driving 25 mph, approaching a stop light, the contact applied her foot on the brakes and heard a loud grinding noise. The contact then engaged the accelerator pedal and noticed that there was a dragging noise as if the brakes had not released. A diagnostic test was performed which indicated that the vehicle needed new rotors and brake pads. The rotors and brake pads were replaced under the warranty. The failure mileage was 11,100. The current mileage was 11,180.
- Solsom, PA, USA
Brakes, tires and electrical system. I have to get new tires already and I only have 36,000 miles on the car. I have had to change the brakes front and back 3 times already. I am about to have to change the rotor on all 4 wheels. When I turn the windshield wipers off the head lights flash off and back on. Then while driving the dash lights will flash off and on again.
- League City, TX, USA
- Grand Terrace, CA, USA