Roger-Dodger

I expect to take some heat for this on this forum, however I have to base my opinion on my own experiences.

Do yourself a huge favor and put your money on a Toyota or Honda.  As Scotty would say "Chryslers are endless money pits" and based on my experience I have to agree.
Three of my Honda's have cost me a fraction of the maintenance that my Dodge as cost me, and I bought the thing brand new and it came direct from the factory with my name on the window sticker, no other drivers or even test drivers beyond the 12 km used in transporting the thing on/off the truck/train.
 
I've learned my lesson and rather spend more upfront on a reliable Toyota or Honda and have a solid vehicle for 10+ years than save on the purchase only to be spending through the nose on constant repairs.

To put it in context I have a 2003 CRV with 381000+ km, 2004 CRV with 235000+ km and 2006 civic with 130000+ km.  All only ever needing regular maintenance such as brakes and oil changes. (Thats approx. 746000 km without much worry or hassle)

My 2012 DJ R/T , on top of brakes and tires and other scheduled maintenance has needed a new cam shaft, lifters, viscous coupler, wheel hub, thermostat, blend door actuator, blue tooth unit, battery, rad fan, replacement of lock lug nuts because the lock key split in half due to dealer putting them on with their impact power tools and the factory tire wrench warpping because the lug nuts were put on so tight from dealer, and two lug nuts (so far) that have stripped their cheap chrome caps even after I put them on myself according to torque spec.  This DJ has now 206000+ km but problems started as early as 80,000 km.

I'm honestly at the point where I am giving this thing away to a family member that is in desperate need of a vehicle and I am washing my hands of it.  They have full disclosure of the history and are ok with it considering the vehicle is free for them    I suspect I'll still be pulled into working on it for them, but at least the worry and cost won't be mine and I'll keep driving my old Honda's worry free.

Bottom line: I feel betrayed by Fiat/Dodge and can't recommend them based on my experience.  If you do get one, keep it under warranty and dump it as soon as warranty is over.  Thats my honest opinion. 

Avoid the Dodge Journey....even if it's given to you...!!!!
I've been a faithful Chrysler owner for decades.  Always had good luck with them....until now.
It's poorly designed and will cost you big bucks to repair their mistakes.
Poor design number 1 - First, look for the battery.   It's in a nearly impossible location to remove and replace.  HINT: It's hidden next the front wheel..!!
Poor design number 2 - Then, there's the wiring harness between the rear hatch and the main body.  Wires are fed through a flexible 'hose' located in a spot that gets a lot of flexing from frequent opening and closing the hatch.  This eventually causes the wires inside to break and you lose your hatch lights.  Get familiar with how to use a soldering iron to fix the broken wires.  I never had this problem with any of my Chrysler mini-vans.
And I saved the best for last.....
Poor design number 3 - Changing from the old, familiar canister oil filter to a cartridge type which is mounted ABOVE the engine in an 'Oil Filter/Oil Cooler' assembly.
Both coolant and oil pass through this thing and it eventually leaks from the O-rings and can only be repaired by removing the entire top of the engine to get to it.
It cost me over $800 last week to have it replaced with a new one.  Do a search on YouTube for several videos showing what's involved.
Naturally both the Factory and Extended Warranty had expired.  So with only 77K on it, it's time for a Honda or Toyota.  No more Chrysler products...!!!
 

 

Avoid the Dodge Journey....even if it's given to you...!!!!
I've been a faithful Chrysler owner for decades.  Always had good luck with them....until now.
It's poorly designed and will cost you big bucks to repair their mistakes.
Poor design number 1 - First, look for the battery.   It's in a nearly impossible location to remove and replace.  HINT: It's hidden next the front wheel..!!
Poor design number 2 - Then, there's the wiring harness between the rear hatch and the main body.  Wires are fed through a flexible 'hose' located in a spot that gets a lot of flexing from frequent opening and closing the hatch.  This eventually causes the wires inside to break and you lose your hatch lights.  Get familiar with how to use a soldering iron to fix the broken wires.  I never had this problem with any of my Chrysler mini-vans.
And I saved the best for last.....
Poor design number 3 - Changing from the old, familiar canister oil filter to a cartridge type which is mounted ABOVE the engine in an 'Oil Filter/Oil Cooler' assembly.
Both coolant and oil pass through this thing and it eventually leaks from the O-rings and can only be repaired by removing the entire top of the engine to get to it.
It cost me over $800 last week to have it replaced with a new one.  Do a search on YouTube for several videos showing what's involved.
Naturally both the Factory and Extended Warranty had expired.  So with only 77K on it, it's time for a Honda or Toyota.  No more Chrysler products...!!!
 

 

LED Update.....
After extensive testing today, I determined that the problem is NOT the passenger side inner LED tail light assembly.
Instead, I discovered that there's no power to the inner LED assembly plug.
Power to the DRIVER'S side inner LED assembly works fine.
Note that this is the INNER lamp assembly which only holds the filament-type backup lamp and an LED lamp assembly which is only on when the headlight switch is on.
It is NOT a brake light or a turn signal.
Other than a break in the wiring harness, is there a fuse which controls only this passenger side inner LED lamp...??
Thanks....!!!

Thanks to 'jkeaton' and '2late4u' for your prompt replies.
I had an idea that's what those knockouts were for.
Thanks for confirming it.
Cheers....'Roger'.

yes they are for the tow trucks to use special bolts to pull the journey onto the flatbed at least that's what i was told.

Tie down points  for transporting on ships, trains, trucks, etc. 

Greetings...
Does a PRINTED service manual for the 2014 Journey exist...???
I've been driving for over 50 years and have owned many vehicles in that time.
I do most of my own maintenance and the first thing I purchase is the Service Manual for the car.
I've had manuals from Chilton, Haynes, Chrysler etc.
Recently, I acquired a 2014 Journey SVT with the 3.6 engine and started searching for a service manual.
So far, no luck.  I've seen some info available on a CD or DVD, but I want a printed manual.
I have the usual Owner's Manuals that came with the car.  Now, I need the service manual.
 
Have they stopped printing manuals? Or is the car too new for the aftermarket printers to make one?
I'd appreciate any help If you can lead me to a source.
 
Thanks...!!  Roger >>