lmoore1436

If it is the water pump you want to get it fixed as soon as possible. Overheating is dangerous because it could cause a crack in the engine, at that point you'll be shelling out thousands. Either way make sure you get a proper diagnosis, there's only so much that we can troubleshoot on the forums.

I may be mistaken but electronically controlled transmissions won't actually engage reverse when driving over a certain speed to protect itself. What you may have heard was the sensor, if it did go into reverse I think you would have definitely noticed at the speed you were going. Also, why would you try that again? I'd be upset if I had transmission issues because I accidentally hit the shifter, but I'd be even more upset if I did it on purpose. 

Let it heat up to normal temp and check/listen for any steam/smoke and narrow it down to that location (assuming it was smoking from the engine compartment, not the exhaust). My best guess is going to be a failing water pump just because you described an exact situation I went through. The water pump has the safety plug that starts failing intermittently and eventually all the way.
Hopefully it's just a hose that needs replacing. You also want to make sure the clamps on the house ends are nice and tight and have not cut into the hose causing a leak at high pressure.
FYI...if the smoking was from the exhaust, there is a much bigger issue going on.

It may be a leak in a pressurized line... Since you say it was empty when driving, but didn't leak once you weren't. Could also be your thermometer, radiator, etc. How did you know it was overheating? Was it smoking, or did you just look at the temperature gauge?

Sorry to hear about what happened to your journey, but this is a completely unrelated problem. No automaker is going to take the hit for a something that occurs only once, especially something where they aren't able to confirm what happened. Every automaker comes across issues like these. 2005 Ford Explorers caught on fire when cruise control was turned on, 2014 GM cars would switch off on the highway while driving, Toyotas and Lexus cars accelerated on their own in 2009 are just a few instances. did you take it to the dealership to get it looked at and see if they could find a defect? Below is what the recall for RAM trucks is about. 
 
"Fiat Chrysler said the issue applies to shifters mounted to steering columns, not rotary-dial shifters or floor-mounted shifters. The issue arises when the brake pedal is pressed for a long stretch while the driver is idling in park mode, disabling the brake-transmission shift interlock and then allowing the shifter to move out of park mode."

Agree, no difference at all in regular driving. However, on FWD models they do still have the traction and anti-skid defenses. In the scenario you mentioned the car would apply the brakes to try and regain traction on any wheel that is sliding or skidding, so regardless of how you are holding the wheel the braking system will more than likely end up slowing you down or could even lock the wheels while trying to pass. In AWD models it will do the same thing, but it is able to regulate power to the rear wheels and detect if there is slippage on either of the rear wheels and determine how much power to send to each wheel. Not to say FWD isn't good in snow, but an AWD system won't make you lose control because the front wheels are slipping. In FWD if you were to pass a car on the highway with slush your only wheels with power are where all the weight is as well as steering so if there is a loss in traction for both front wheels hopefully you hit a dry patch of road really quick. The rear tires on FWD could also slide out on even though they don't have power, but without the AWD system they have to rely on hitting that dry patch of pavement. 

I think the Tahoe may also be overkill, the gas mileage along with the higher price tag would probably be a bigger financial blow than all of the other vehicles. The pilot is nice, and a great size but if you're used to the Journey and enjoy how it drives then you may not like the pilot. I had 2 Hondas before the Journey and they drive very VERY differently, there's nothing bad about how they drive at all it's just an overall different driving experience. The explorers are nice, they can also get kind of pricey but for one that doesn't have all the bells and whistles you'll be able to find one in your price range (just make sure it wasn't a rental). The Durangos are actually a pretty great size, I drove one just for kicks and they don't feel very large when you're driving and compared to the DJ they have a lot more space. Dealers are also offering quite a few incentives on them. The DJ of course is the most narrow of the options which is probably why you are having a space issue in the first place so I'd probably scratch that off the list. It is the cheapest option, but the kids are only going to get bigger, which means the DJ will only get smaller!

I've tested the AWD out, and I is pretty grippy but you never really notice much happening when it kicks in. There's no light letting you know it's come on, no loud clunk or mechanical noises. It just feels like a normal drive to me. 

Depending on what trim level you have, if it has automatic climate control it should be regulating the moisture by itself. If not, make sure the A/C is always on when the heat is running. When it is cold outside relying strictly on the heat itself causes the air to get dry and the moisture from breathing to fog up the windows. 

I completely missed that as well! 43k in one year is quite a bit of use though, I think it's kind of important to keep in mind that the suspension has been put to use quite a bit over a short period of time. Taking it to the dealer would still probably be the wisest choice. Also, it sucks that you guys don't have the extended warranty option. 

You are still within the warranty period, and you seem really stressed out about something that could just be as simple as greasing/lubricating a part of the suspension. Take it to the dealer and let them figure it out and fix it. Also, most of the times when you get something repaired during the warranty period that issue is covered for an extended period. I had the front suspension creak/clunk noise and they fixed it no problem, now it's covered until 60k miles instead of the standard 36k. All cars have issues at some point, it's no fun but a single problem shouldn't make you think the car is a piece of junk. 

You are still within the warranty period, and you seem really stressed out about something that could just be as simple as greasing/lubricating a part of the suspension. Take it to the dealer and let them figure it out and fix it. Also, most of the times when you get something repaired during the warranty period that issue is covered for an extended period. I had the front suspension creak/clunk noise and they fixed it no problem, now it's covered until 60k miles instead of the standard 36k. All cars have issues at some point, it's no fun but a single problem shouldn't make you think the car is a piece of junk. 

Honestly with the price of Calibers these days you'd be better off selling your DJ, buying the Caliber you want and not worrying about anything else. The journey isn't made for people who want something with a manual transmission, or someone who likes to tune their engines. 

Hopefully this fix works for everyone else, it's definitely worked for me. Haven't had the flickering at all since the update. 

Hopefully this fix works for everyone else, it's definitely worked for me. Haven't had the flickering at all since the update. 

Hopefully this fix works for everyone else, it's definitely worked for me. Haven't had the flickering at all since the update. 

I'm heading over in about an hour to pick it up... They said ti was the lower control arms but I'm going to have to drive it first. Last time they said it was fixed and it made the noise as I was pulling out of the parking lot. I'll let you know if that fixed the issue. 

So I've now had my Journey for a year and have put 23k on it. Things have been pretty stable since I've bought it, but there are a few gripes... Definitely nothing major but they are definitely worth mentioning, and I'll be going in soon for my 4th oil change soon so I'm going to mention them to the dealer as well. 
 
Exterior: Everything has held up great. I mostly credit this to how far away I park in parking lots (Here in the northern virginia/DC area people are careless with their doors). No scuffed rims, no rock chips either which is surprising because I mostly drive on highways where the speed limit is 70. Trim is still where it should be, nothing loose or needs adjusting. Looks just as good as the day I bought it (when it's washed which isn't as often as I'd like it to be. 
 
Interior: Interior is holding up, I own a business and regularly transport cardboard boxes full of materials a few times a month. That being said the plastic in the back does get a little banged up but that is part of the reason why I bought it, so no surprise there and it would happen to any other SUV as well. I have noticed a few more noises/creaks when going over bumps. It is getting colder though so I can imagine the compression of cold air plays a role in that. The major interior gripe I have at this point is the passenger seat, the center console and the door trim. The passenger seat issue is more of a design issue than something that needs to be fixed. I sat in the passenger seat for the first time two weeks ago and it is not very comfortable. I'm not entirely sure how to describe it but the seating position is not height adjustable, and unless I put the passenger seat all they way back my knees come into contact with the dash. I'm sure it's a mixture of my height and the design (the dash slopes towards the passenger as it descends). The center console creaks, which wouldn't bother normal people, and honestly it doesn't bother me until someone else gets in the car and puts their elbows all over it and it makes noise. Also the passenger door trim makes noise when it's being closed. It creaks (much like the console) when someone is closing the door. These are very VERY minor things that shouldn't really bother people but I'm a bit of an oddball and have sonar dishes for ears. 
 
Performance: Engine is great still... Starts up right away, though the whine/hum noise it makes for a few seconds is kind of loud, but nothing is wrong at all, it's done that since the day I bought it and other FCA products make the same noise. My main issue is with the transmission. It doesn't do anything that shows signs of wearing, but it does act like a 5 year old who's been at the mall too long. It's always either tired or overactive and ready to go. Occasionally when I set the cruise control it likes to stay in 5th gear, but it shifts to 6th when I hit the + button on the steering wheel. Then, sometimes when I am braking it will shift into a gear lower than it should a bit too quickly and I can feel a jolt. It also hasn't learned my driving habits... at all really. At my next oil change I may ask if they can reset the transmission or something to see if that will fix some of these annoyances. Also, when driving it likes to shift into 3rd gear way before the engine is ready, there is a significant amount of power loss at this point. Honestly I feel like this transmission is the worst aspect of the vehicle, but again these are not issues with the vehicle, but annoyances. Every vehicle has aspects that don't exactly perform flawlessly and the DJ is no exception, but for the price I am not in the least bit upset. 
 
Comfort: It is very comfortable... and quiet. Especially compared to the Honda that I used to own this sounds like a Lexus inside. You can have a full conversation with someone in the back seat without yelling. The sound system is great as well, going 70mph I usually only have it on the 12 sound level... I am not too sure how high it goes (maybe 40?) but that is plenty high for me to hear. With plenty of 12 hour drives under my belt I can also say that the drivers seat is the most comfortable sea I have ever sat in for the long haul. There are tons of adjustments and if you feel a slight ache in your back the heated seat works it right out. I have a crossroad and the sport mesh inserts are also holding up really well considering how much use they've gotten already. The ride is still smooth, though the bigger wheels on the crossroad aren't as smooth and quiet as the SXT, they do help with handling in corners and emergency maneuvers. 
 
Problems: THE DEALERS SUCK. They broke a lug nut off on my first oil change visit and tried to blame it on me. I'm sure I have vented about it somewhere on here but it still was a definite pain. They came out, and I thought they were going to tell me my car was ready so I packed up to leave (after a 2 hour wait). He asked when I changed the tire on my car and I said "never, the car is only 3 months old, it has the factory tires". He proceeded to say it looked like someone had broken off the lug (the long windy thing that holds the tire on), but I found out when I left the service log says that they broke it off when removing the tires to check the brakes. Maybe they updated it before I left, or found out that it was their fault and corrected the log but I'll never know. They had one machined back on though, so other than another 45 minutes or so no damage was done. The front suspension creaks over speed bumps, and is becoming more present during regular driving. It used to only creak over speed bumps, but now uneven pavement, expansions joints, etc. make it creak as well. This will be addressed at my next visit as well. 
 
Positives: It's just a great car. I know I mentioned a few annoyances but I have never owned a car without one. It's a pleasure to drive and for the money I think this is the best deal anyone can find. It may not have all that fancy-schmancy driving tech like ACC or blind spot monitoring but I know how to drive, set my mirrors and check my blind spots before changing lanes. It looks great, and all the small features like storage compartments (the backseat floor coolers are great for stashing beers for tailgating at concerts) and the bright LED interior lights make everything so much easier for day to day use. The price was awesome, and the lifetime warranty coverage was the biggest reason I chose this over any other car. I hope I never have to use it but knowing that I can take it in at any dealer and get everything fixed keeps me at ease. 
 
Hopefully y'all don't think I sounded like I was complaining too much. Re-reading I noticed there are a few complaints, but they aren't really complaints as much as small things I notice once in a while. They are just drops in a bucket compared to how much I actually enjoy my DJ. 

What is happening when you get to 40? Are the revs staying high (over 3000) and not lowering? If so, that could mean it is the transmission. If it just won't allow you to accelerate past 40mph then something else is the issue. Cars have a "limp" mode when something is wrong which limits your speed, and they are typically set to around 40mph. Limp mode is usually turned on when there is something potentially damaging wrong with the engine. This is usually accompanied by a check engine light or a different warning light 

So I've now had my Journey for a year and have put 23k on it. Things have been pretty stable since I've bought it, but there are a few gripes... Definitely nothing major but they are definitely worth mentioning, and I'll be going in soon for my 4th oil change soon so I'm going to mention them to the dealer as well. 
 
Exterior: Everything has held up great. I mostly credit this to how far away I park in parking lots (Here in the northern virginia/DC area people are careless with their doors). No scuffed rims, no rock chips either which is surprising because I mostly drive on highways where the speed limit is 70. Trim is still where it should be, nothing loose or needs adjusting. Looks just as good as the day I bought it (when it's washed which isn't as often as I'd like it to be. 
 
Interior: Interior is holding up, I own a business and regularly transport cardboard boxes full of materials a few times a month. That being said the plastic in the back does get a little banged up but that is part of the reason why I bought it, so no surprise there and it would happen to any other SUV as well. I have noticed a few more noises/creaks when going over bumps. It is getting colder though so I can imagine the compression of cold air plays a role in that. The major interior gripe I have at this point is the passenger seat, the center console and the door trim. The passenger seat issue is more of a design issue than something that needs to be fixed. I sat in the passenger seat for the first time two weeks ago and it is not very comfortable. I'm not entirely sure how to describe it but the seating position is not height adjustable, and unless I put the passenger seat all they way back my knees come into contact with the dash. I'm sure it's a mixture of my height and the design (the dash slopes towards the passenger as it descends). The center console creaks, which wouldn't bother normal people, and honestly it doesn't bother me until someone else gets in the car and puts their elbows all over it and it makes noise. Also the passenger door trim makes noise when it's being closed. It creaks (much like the console) when someone is closing the door. These are very VERY minor things that shouldn't really bother people but I'm a bit of an oddball and have sonar dishes for ears. 
 
Performance: Engine is great still... Starts up right away, though the whine/hum noise it makes for a few seconds is kind of loud, but nothing is wrong at all, it's done that since the day I bought it and other FCA products make the same noise. My main issue is with the transmission. It doesn't do anything that shows signs of wearing, but it does act like a 5 year old who's been at the mall too long. It's always either tired or overactive and ready to go. Occasionally when I set the cruise control it likes to stay in 5th gear, but it shifts to 6th when I hit the + button on the steering wheel. Then, sometimes when I am braking it will shift into a gear lower than it should a bit too quickly and I can feel a jolt. It also hasn't learned my driving habits... at all really. At my next oil change I may ask if they can reset the transmission or something to see if that will fix some of these annoyances. Also, when driving it likes to shift into 3rd gear way before the engine is ready, there is a significant amount of power loss at this point. Honestly I feel like this transmission is the worst aspect of the vehicle, but again these are not issues with the vehicle, but annoyances. Every vehicle has aspects that don't exactly perform flawlessly and the DJ is no exception, but for the price I am not in the least bit upset. 
 
Comfort: It is very comfortable... and quiet. Especially compared to the Honda that I used to own this sounds like a Lexus inside. You can have a full conversation with someone in the back seat without yelling. The sound system is great as well, going 70mph I usually only have it on the 12 sound level... I am not too sure how high it goes (maybe 40?) but that is plenty high for me to hear. With plenty of 12 hour drives under my belt I can also say that the drivers seat is the most comfortable sea I have ever sat in for the long haul. There are tons of adjustments and if you feel a slight ache in your back the heated seat works it right out. I have a crossroad and the sport mesh inserts are also holding up really well considering how much use they've gotten already. The ride is still smooth, though the bigger wheels on the crossroad aren't as smooth and quiet as the SXT, they do help with handling in corners and emergency maneuvers. 
 
Problems: THE DEALERS SUCK. They broke a lug nut off on my first oil change visit and tried to blame it on me. I'm sure I have vented about it somewhere on here but it still was a definite pain. They came out, and I thought they were going to tell me my car was ready so I packed up to leave (after a 2 hour wait). He asked when I changed the tire on my car and I said "never, the car is only 3 months old, it has the factory tires". He proceeded to say it looked like someone had broken off the lug (the long windy thing that holds the tire on), but I found out when I left the service log says that they broke it off when removing the tires to check the brakes. Maybe they updated it before I left, or found out that it was their fault and corrected the log but I'll never know. They had one machined back on though, so other than another 45 minutes or so no damage was done. The front suspension creaks over speed bumps, and is becoming more present during regular driving. It used to only creak over speed bumps, but now uneven pavement, expansions joints, etc. make it creak as well. This will be addressed at my next visit as well. 
 
Positives: It's just a great car. I know I mentioned a few annoyances but I have never owned a car without one. It's a pleasure to drive and for the money I think this is the best deal anyone can find. It may not have all that fancy-schmancy driving tech like ACC or blind spot monitoring but I know how to drive, set my mirrors and check my blind spots before changing lanes. It looks great, and all the small features like storage compartments (the backseat floor coolers are great for stashing beers for tailgating at concerts) and the bright LED interior lights make everything so much easier for day to day use. The price was awesome, and the lifetime warranty coverage was the biggest reason I chose this over any other car. I hope I never have to use it but knowing that I can take it in at any dealer and get everything fixed keeps me at ease. 
 
Hopefully y'all don't think I sounded like I was complaining too much. Re-reading I noticed there are a few complaints, but they aren't really complaints as much as small things I notice once in a while. They are just drops in a bucket compared to how much I actually enjoy my DJ. 

Yeah I know, that's why I didn't purchase there. Same story with Honda, they try to charge an arm and a leg at the dealer then when you get home you find you can buy it for 1/3 of what they tried to charge! I've learned my lesson in regards to that haha

The DJ was designed pre-pentastar engine, and that was the best place to place the battery with the new engine. However, if your DJ is a 2011, in the last 6 years of maintenance (especially is you went to a Dodge dealership), if it was a true risk to anyones life they would have let you know. One of the steps that they have to take when performing regular maintenance is an inspection of the battery and the housing. You should also be inspecting this area yourself occasionally. 

The DJ was designed pre-pentastar engine, and that was the best place to place the battery with the new engine. However, if your DJ is a 2011, in the last 6 years of maintenance (especially is you went to a Dodge dealership), if it was a true risk to anyones life they would have let you know. One of the steps that they have to take when performing regular maintenance is an inspection of the battery and the housing. You should also be inspecting this area yourself occasionally. 

I have a 2017 crossroad too, and I haven't had the Connect issue (knock on wood), but I know when/if I do have an issue my dealership is going to be the main problem... Seems to be a common thing with dodge/chrysler dealers. I definitely think it would help them out if they did something to change their poor service to current owners. 
 

Sorry to hear that you're having problems... for an 8 year old vehicle to have 140,000 miles on it, it had to be driven WAY over the normal 12,000 average miles per year. My guess is that it was a rental car, which almost definitely means it was put through some tough drivers. You didn't mention what problems you were having, or where you bought it from.