NEWER DODGE JOURNEYS

Since I'm semi-retired now, been thinking of looking for a traveling vehicle. Not necessarily new, but 2-3 yrs old or less. Looking at something besides a van. Love our '07, but it's getting miles on it. I don't like the Pacifica as much as the last Caravan/T&C.

Since I can't convince my wife on a Pink Chally on the local lot, lately Journeys have caught my eye.

What's the honest scoop on these?

I don't know how honest this is but I tried to talk my wife into a Journey when we bought our 2012 Subaru. Now I think I am glad we went that way. In talking to Journey owners, there are two happy times owning Journeys, when you buy it and when you get rid of it. The complaints seem to center around electrical problems. One guy I talked to had been in the dealership 20 times for electrical problems. Yes, warranty covered it all but here in ND when you can be up to 100 miles away from a dealership, warranty is not really a comfort.

You might look at this recent thread...

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbt...tml#Post2627129

So, I am on my 3rd Journey . . . all have been pretty much loaded RT AWD models. First was a 2010, put about 70k miles on it in 3years . . . any the early 2010 and most 2009 had seal issues with the power takeoff unit (think transfer case) - at that time, mopar changed the complete unit under warranty, due to the fact they could not get/change the seals . . . next was 2013 RT AWD, with the newer 3.6 V6 . . . much nicer engine than the 3.5 V6, no real issues with this one, mopar upsized the front brakes, so those were not issue like previous units. Interior WAYYYY better than 09/10 units. Put about 70k miles on it too . . . mpg was betterthan the 2010 3.5 V6. Now have a 2017 GT AWD, about 30k miles on it . . no real issues with this one. On all of the ones I had, no electrical issues. Love the oil filter location on the 3.6 V6, easiest oil changes EVER !! Just watch, that the oil filter housing (lower down by engine) is not cracking/leaking . . . I have not had that happen, but apparently it is a known issue on the 3.6 V6. These have all been fully loaded, 5passenger units, that I have had for a company car. Worst issue is the way tranny is programmed for MPG, floor it, and count as you wait for downshift . . . I have rented a 300 with the 3.6 V6 and 8 speed auto - WOW!!! Makes the 3.6 feel like it is wayyy bigger engine !!! . . .

Overall, as a daily driver, I would not complain about a fully loaded Journey . . . just my 2cents . . .

Cheers, happy hunting !

Mark

My son owned two,1 used and 1 new.He was constantly having various problems. He kept each one 2 years or less. He now owns a so far trouble free VW.
It's your choice but beware.
I myself have a Dodge Durango I really like it but I had problems with the navigation,but it's a lot larger and I only get about 13-15 miles per gallon in the city.

Took a cab ride in Vegas in one. I was actually pretty impressed and commented to my buddy on the size of the interior.

JUNK!

I personally know 3 people that own them, all 3 would not recommend buying one. First one had continual electrical problems that after a half dozen fruitless trips into the dealer was finally solved by an outside mechanic as bad OEM grounds for the engine computer.

Second one continual coolant leaks. Owner (a mechanic) finally got fed up and got rid of it when it left his wife and small children stranded on the side of the road in the middle of winter.

Third one was transmission problems and oil leaks at <100k miles on the clock.

I had a Dodge Journey as a rental for a couple weeks at the beginning of 2017 and loved it. If it was the kind of vehicle I was going to spend money on I wouldn't have had any problem buying one.

I work with two people who have older ones and someone who has a newer one and none of them have had any problems or complaints.

It's my wife's daily but I must admit, I like driving it more than I thought I would.

We have a 12 AWD.Bought it 2 years ago.Clock spring went bad and thats pretty much been it.has over 100K and runs great.Ill replace struts soon as one rear makes some noise but it still rides great.here i see them everywhere.Anyone that thinks electric problems are one vehicle or MFG are simple.At the shop we saw more elec problems with GMs and Fords than any other.Foreign cars are usually pricey to fix as parts are typically 2X US cars.Rocky

As I said in that link posted ..

I bought a used one , its a 2016 .. I have put about 28,000 on it in a year .. Has 73,000 on it now

Everything so far is ok ..it will do 23-24 mpg in summer running 65-68

Anything over that and the fuel mileage drops .

right now, its doing about 18-19 --its an AWD ..mine is a R/T

The heated steering wheel is awesome

Had the 12 to Wva last year Got almost 31 mpg.That was the best. Average is about 25 or so.Rocky

Had a 2013,SXT 3.6 engine, 3 seater. Totaled at 140,000 miles. Wife got the check and went and bought a 2018 GT same engine and seats. On the 2013 the only complaint was battery life. I put a new one in at 2.3 years and then at the 4.7 year mark. Other than that it was scheduled maintence and tires. 26 MPG at 75 MPH all with the 2013. The 2018 is a little worse. Maybe the 19 in tires is the difference? Happy wife, happy life! Its a mini van in disguse... Yep, I would get another in a heart beat...

Wife drives a 15 R/T 50k so far. Backup camera quit working, dome light issues, it was a short in the tailgate. Now the GPS quit working, 2 trips to the dealer, they can't figure it out. Other than that its great in the snow. On the fence if I would buy another.

Had problems with the rear wiper.Found wires broken by roof and tailgate.Not an uncommon problem with newer cars no matter who makes them.Just spliced them together and done.Only problem I see is rear strut replace.have to pull rear seat and all the plastic.Thats dumb design.Another feature not uncommon to new rides.Im thinking about cutting plastic above mount bolts and then just putting it back in place.Wont be perfect but lots easier.Rocky