Summer Solstice

I can't give an opinion on the AWD because I have never owned one. I do think that, with the right tires, the front wheel drive DJ is a decent vehicle for normal driving, including average snow conditions. As bramfrank said above, it is more the driver than anything.
 
Before I bought my current 2016 DJ, I was renting a Crossroad. I had plenty of opportunity to experience traction issues in all weather conditions besides snow. I was particular impressed with the wet traction. The front tires were Pirelli. My current DJ has the stock Kumho tires and they definitely underwhelm traction wise in the snow, as they have a reputation of doing. Traction control, as mentioned above, is worthless on the DJ as well as other vehicles for moments such as climbing a difficult hill. Otherwise, even with the Kumho tires, the DJ holds the road very well.
 
I did consider a Subaru Forester and took one for a test drive. It was not the vehicle for me but I can say that the thing was absolutely planted to the pavement. The grip was impressive, so much so, that I did not care for the feel for everyday driving. As I told the dealer, if I lived in the Great White North, it would have been a no-brainer. I also watched the promo video the dealer had on hill climbing comparisons between the Forester and other brands. Hyperbole or not, the DJ and the Forester are two different segments. Front wheel or AWD will never compare to 4-wheel drive either. The only roll-over accident I have had was a 4-wheel drive was on black ice on the freeway.
 
Before buying, rent or borrow. Compare the vehicles on your time. Many dealers will allow you to take a vehicle for the day. Try it under your conditions before you sign the paperwork.

A vacuum leak could cause that problem. A leak around the intake manifold would do it. The installation of the new manifold may have developed a problem or a vacuum hose, related to he previous work or not, may have a leak.

A vacuum leak could cause that problem. A leak around the intake manifold would do it. The installation of the new manifold may have developed a problem or a vacuum hose, related to he previous work or not, may have a leak.

This would tend to back up a theory that I have.
 
I bought my 2016 R/T used in October 2017. Going in, I was aware of concerns from others about Full readings and "gallons per fill-up". Usually, when filling, I would get a needle just below full and it would drop a bit fairly quick. I also would get the "low fuel" light and rarely be able to put more than 15-16 gallon in on fill-up. I have drove well over 100 miles on the light a couple of times before putting in just about 17 gallons in a 20.5 gallon tank.
 
Here is what I do now. I still get the low-fuel light and can only put 16-16.5 gallons in. I can live with that. I also slow the input nozzle down considerably for the first few gallons. It seems that my fuel gauge will read fuller, and for a longer period, if I take more time to fill. It also seems to read better if I fill before the tank reads under 1/8 - 1/4. I put almost as much in at this point as if I let it drop to the red line (with-in a gallon). My thought is there is an air bubble in the tank that needs to be slowly worked out. Can I prove it? No, that would require crawling under the vehicle and studying the shape and layout of the tank to see if that is possible. I don't find the issue to be of any concern anymore. My gauge works fine following this practice, my mileage is good, and I know that I have spare fuel in the tank if needed.
 
If you are so inclined, and curious, try it. It would be interesting to hear feed back from others.

Guess I should have clarified that better. A transmission shudder is not a common complaint on my own personal vehicle. Yes, there are numerous threads from others that do have that problem.

Late last summer, I drove a 2017 Crossroad for a month while shopping for a vehicle.
 
I ultimately decided on a 2016 R/T and have been driving that since October 2017.
 
Both of these vehicles had the flickering headlight issue. I recently made my first service visit to the dealer for an oil change. I dropped it off in the morning and left it there requesting that they look into the above mentioned Service Bulletin. When I picked it up that afternoon, I was told they installed the software update. That was 3 weeks ago and I have not had the flickering lights since. It is likely my imagination, but it seems a few other operation items have improved as well. That impression is likely due to driving half asleep on the way to work in morning.

All of the directions are decently laid out in the owners manual. The pictures, however, leave a lot to be desired.
 
I have driven a lot of donuts in my time (and eaten even more). I have pushed them far harder than the recommendations written on the side. Though I am no fan of the stock Kumho tires (for the same reasons that others have addressed before) they sound and ride far better than the spare. I kept my speed at 65 on the highway all the way home and on to Discount Tire. Shameless plug here....Discount treated me very well, as always. The tire was fixed for free and installed back on the vehicle. The tire sensor reset within a couple of miles and all is well again. The smooth, quiet ride that was the selling point of the Journey is back.
 
 

Hello,
 
I have been lurking for about 2 months.
 
After catastrophic engine failure on the vehicle I had been driving for 5 years, I decided to rent a vehicle to afford myself some time to shop. The rental was an upgrade from the rental company and was a 2016 Crossroad. During my shopping, I dutifully investigated any and all SUV's that would fit my interest. I put 2000 miles on this Crossroad during the time that I had it. Having never heard of a Dodge Journey before, I found that, pros and cons weighed, the Journey was more to my liking and requirements than anything else I tested. As luck would have it, when time was running out, a 2016 R/T came up from a dealer just 3 miles from home. It was a color I could live with, had the options I could accept, was over the original top price I had set, and had had the keys in it for the 2 weeks it was on the lot before it was put on the market, unknown to the dealer who could not find them. 
 
End result, I now own a 2016 Dodge Journey R/T. Billet / Blacktop version with all the options sans AWD and Sunroof. 18,000 miles at time of purchase. It has the 8.4 with Nav., 3.6, heated seats and steering wheel, leather, 3rd row, and rides and drives very nice. It also has the flickering lights noted in other threads, as did the 2017 Crossroad prior. It is enjoyable to get on the freeway for the daily commute, set the cruise, fire up the SD card, and sit back and watch the traffic pass.
 
This forum provided me with a lot of information and knowledge of  the common problems, what to look out for, and general knowledge to go in a bit better informed than stone cold. I hope that the decision proves to be a positive one but I am also realistic. I would like to thank everyone  that contributes to the discussions because the knowledge you provide is viewed by those you may never know of. That said, let the good times roll and happy motoring.