FiremanFrach

I've had a 2009 DJ SXT since 20010 and have had no problems, but I attribute that to decent tires (although there not recommended for deep snow), good plowing in my neighborhood (I have hills on my street) and going into work the night before if we are supposed to get a ton of snow (yes, even in Northern Virginia). I miss my 4x4 but I love my Journey.

Has anyone heard of putting cables on the front tires? Just wondering if that's recommended or totally off the radar.

I have a 2009 DJ and I am very happy with it. I have not had any major issues and would buy another one.

Same here. My next one will be AWD though. I may even look at the 4 door Jeeps also.

I need to replace my PCV valve and have my throttle body cleaned which got me wondering if or what parts would be a safe bet to have fixed/replaced other than going to the dealership to get raked over the coals because the service department (as with all dealerships) is expensive and recommends only Mopar $$$ parts. Any thoughts?

Here's a news flash. ALL models of ALL cars have their problems. Saying the Journey "sucks" is broad brushing it. If you went to a Mercedes forum I'm sure you'd get just as much negative feedback on all aspects. If you don't like it, fine, but don't expect to get the "perfect" ride no matter what you buy. That being said, if you have consistent problems with the car, like an earlier poster said, you bought a lemon and there are lemon laws to protect you. Good luck.

I think a lot of the price differences have to do with locations. Northern VA tends to be expensive. They must think we're all big-time DC exects.

mins

your dealership is price gouging you. the dealer i go to his reg. price is 179.00 and they are running a special till the end of the month for 169. not much off but at least it is being done by a dodge dealer. and that is for a fuild and filter change not a flush with no filter change

I agree about the gouging. I looked at the estimate again and it says, "transmission service, $230.00", so I'm guessing that includes the filter. I'll have to ask. These guys never seem to have a special. Only oil change coupons. I think I'll check another dealer.

Whoever you get to do the service make sure to use Mopar tranny fluid they seem to like the oem fluid best

That was what I really wondering; if the type of fluid mattered.

Thanks to everybody. NTB wants $145.00 to do it but it may cost more if they have to drop the pan. Dodge wants $225.00 to do it and I'd rather use Mopar fluid. I have 83K+ miles on it so I doubt if I have a manufacturer warranty on it.

Let's try this again.

My manual says to exchange my automatic transaxle fluid every 120,000 miles but the dealer was recommending it at 90,000 miles. I looked at the fluid and it is getting brownish (or dirty). I was wondering if it's ok to get it changed at a place like NTB or do I have to have the dealer do it. I ask because I know the dealers like to keep you coming to them and they are more expensive. Thanks in advance.

LOL. Relax. The Zerex G-05 was another one of those hard-to-find items. Walmart (here) doesn't carry it and it looks like nobody else sells it. So I bought the Mopar coolant. $23.00+. Highway robery.

If you go to Walmart they have the Zerex HOAT coolant by Valvoline....good stuff! You can read more here: http://www.valvoline...x/antifreeze/42

I've heard Zerex G-05 HOAT is the equivalent. I'll look into it.

Fireman,

You really should be getting the Mopar HOAT as it is designed for our engines and Mopar parts are priced competitively.

That being said, if you are going to purchase from an auto store, just make you get the equivalent to MS-9769G.

Hope that helps.

Thanks. I'll probably go with the Mopar. I contacted Dodge service via email with the same question. Let's see if they reply. If not I'll call.

I own a 2009 Dodge Journey SXT. I need to top off my coolant and the owner's manual recommends Mopar Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year HOAT (red [or pink] in color). I was wondering if there is an equivalent coolant I can purchase at an auto store. I'm going on a road trip and I only need to top the recovery tank off. Plus, I really don't want to pay $20.00 for a gollon of coolant at a dealership. Thank you.

I actually got a letter from Chrysler (last year) about the brakes and that they would replace them with better made brakes. I had already replaced them with thicker pads, though. At least the manufacturer contacted me without my prompting. Maybe you should bring this to the dealer's attention?

Still own my 2009 Journey SXT and I still love it. Last winter it handled the snow very well (it's a FWD). But every winter I wonder how it will handle in deeper snow. Just call me paranoid. I haven't had a FWD car in a long time. Always had 4WD. I'm thinking my next car will also be a Journey (maybe AWD), but no time soon.

I find this thread interesting. We had our '09 Journey SXT (17" rims) for 47K miles before trading and never had a problem with the TPMS stems cracking or splitting. I'm guessing it's because we live a moderately temperate climate - the Mid-Atlantic region. Not like we don't see snow, just not much of it on a yearly basis - maybe 20" if we're lucky.

Those of you who have experienced this problem - are you in a cold, snowy climate?

Northern Virginia. My Journey was originally from Florida before I bought it.

Also, does anyone know if replacing the TPMS stems with rubber stems will be a problem during inspection, since the warning light will be on?

I have a rubber stem in one of my tires and the warning light is on. I got it inspected with no problem.

47 year old Fireman in a Washington DC area (Northern Virginia). Married 23 years with a 19 year old daughter. I own a 2009 SXT FWD. Love it. Keeping my fingers crossed it handles well in the snow.

Worked FANTASTIC in the snow so far. Like with any car, you just need to adjust for the conditions. Too many Wastingtonians drive like it's the summertime and wind up off the road (SUVs included). Anyway, sorry for going off topic.

I posted this in another thread of a similar title:

I think Dodge is addressing this (or so I hope). I just had my tires changed and you guessed it, one of the valve stems was corroded. The tire guy said he couldn't order a new one from Dodge because they are all off the shelves for the time being. My guess is that they are trying to rethink the metal they use. Either way I hope they fix the problem. When I bought the car(certified used) it had a bad valve stem so they replaced it. Then another one went. Then a third. Hopefully this is the last one for a long time.

I also called the Chrysler hot line to ask them if there was a recall of the TPMS. They said it might be under the manufacturer's warrenty.

Welcome! Nice looking Journey! B)

All is not lost. Read this thread:

Call the Chrysler number for more information. Apparently the press did a knee jerk reaction (according to them). Call anyway. I did and my Journey has no recalls (built in Oct. '08). Have your VIN handy.

Happy New Year. :D

Up first, the Journey -- specifically, 2009 Dodge Journeys manufactured between November 1, 2007 and September 7, 2008. According to a bulletin from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, those models may have been built with inferior wiring, which is prone to "fatigue and break". If that happens, it can cause a malfunction of the side-impact sensors; as a result, drivers may see an airbag warning light, and the Journey may also lose the ability to detect a side-impact crash. While the former is merely annoying, the second is potentially very dangerous, since it would prevent the deployment of side airbags in the event of an accident.

This recall currently affects 65,180 vehicles. Chrysler expects to begin fixes in Feburary 2011, at which time dealers will replace the units' wiring harnesses free of charge. If you have questions in the meantime, we encourage you to call your dealer, or give Chrysler a ring at 800-853-1403 and reference recall #K07. Alternately, you can call the NHTSA at 888-327-4236 and refer to campaign #10V658000.

2011 Dodge Journey Review: Motor Trend

Dodge Journey Forum - While memorable driving experiences and technological wizardry aren't exactly the Journey's strong suits, John and Jane could care less. What's more important is getting little Doe to their play date safely and easily, and the Journey is a viable option if they find the minivan too lame and larger SUVs too intimidating.

The Journey has been criticized for a lack of refinement in the past, and Dodge has made a solid effort to address the crossover's shortcomings with the 2011 model. Not much has changed on the outside, with the Journey retaining much of its original shape while infusing subtle, modern revisions to the front and rear ends for the new decade.

The 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 has been a welcome addition to the Chrysler/Dodge lineup, and not surprisingly, it finds its way under the Journey's hood as well.

READ MORE HERE

:D

I was visiting in NY when the blizzard hit. worked like a charm!