Doug D

We were the first to have a Journey in our area (King George County) when we bought our '09 SXT in March of 2008. It took some time, but eventually we did see others in the area. We now have a Black '10 SXT (the '09 went "Christine" on us....) and I see more and more Journey's in our county. There's at least one other Journey in our neighborhood/subdivision. I see quite a few these days. People are realizing what a deal Journey's are.

Local dealer has a oil change package - 4 oil changes (5 qts & filter) for $69.95 and you get the 5th one free so it's really 5 or $69.95. Unless Advance Auto has a good sale, I can't even do it that cheap. Plus with the express lane service I'm usually in and out in about 30 minutes and I can get to keep my hands clean.

Yeah, I received the same letter about two weeks ago. Dealer said to wait about 30 days as the parts are not available yet. He commented that Chrysler often sends the letters out to owners before notifying the dealers.

The following link has good information for those interested in towing RV's, etc: http://changingears.com/rv-sec-calc-trailer-weight-tt.shtml

We are on our 2nd Journey. The first was a 2009 SXT with the 3.5L V6 and while I didn't keep a fuel log like I do with my '06 Ram, we usually averaged 19-20 mpg (US gallon) in combined driving and nearly 26 mpg on the highway (long trips cruising at 70 mph w/AC on). We had the '09 for 47K miles until the dash lights went crazy (wife says Christine invaded her......LOL!). On long trips I was easily getting 350 miles per tank (filled up when it got down to a 1/4 tank) We ended up trading it for a '10 Journey SXT 3.5L V6 and it seems to average about the same. The '10 has a roof rack while the '09 did not - doesn't seem to be a factor. Will find out when we use a car top carrier. Regarding the Pentastar 3.6L, yes, its suppose to get better fuel mileage, but it definitely has more hp (test drove a '11 Mainstreet not long ago) - 283 hp which is 48 more ponies than the 3.5L. The Pentastar will really shine in terms of hp when direct injection and multi air (Fiat technology) makes its way into the engine. Overall, we've been happy with our Journey(s) as they have averaged better fuel mileage than the '00 T&C Ltd AWD they replaced. The T&C only averaged 15-16 mpg in local driving which was worse than my Hemi-powered Ram (averages 17.5 mpg). At any rate, the biggest factor in individual fuel economy is your right foot. Drive like there is an egg under the accelerator, cruise at reasonable speeds and ease up to lights when you have to stop (helps keep brake wear to a minimum).

+1! The solution is to open one of the front windows a crack to relieve the pressure. My Ram can do this as well if the conditions are right but it's not usually as noticeable. At any rate I rarely just have one window open - usually all of them or none.

Check the build date on the door placard (driver's side). If it falls in the build date of the window, it more than likely will be recalled. Chrysler just hasn't identified or released the VIN #'s yet. We had a recall for our '09 Journey (K07 - front door wiring harnesses) and in January the recall was announced in the media. It was February before we received a letter stating our Journey was eligible for the recall. That's why the dealer is saying the recall isn't listed for your vehicle (yet). Contact Chrysler's customer service number. It should be in the owner's manual.

If you need to tow that much (5,000 lbs), you really need a Ram or a Dakota at a minimum. Just my opinion. Personally, I wouldn't tow more than 2,000 lbs with a Journey. Haven't added a hitch to ours yet, but if we do it will only be for a small trailer or bike rack. If I need to tow or haul a major load, I have my Ram.

By all means, get the V6 if you can. The 4 cylinder only gets slightly better fuel mileage and the Journey is a somewhat heavy vehicle. According to the EPA (US) the 4 cylinder is rated 19/25 and the V6 (3.5L) 16/23. On our '09 we averaged 19-20 mpg and nearly 26 mpg hwy. Now have a '10 (the '09 had issues) and it's about the same so far.

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?

We are now on our 2nd Journey (a 2010 SXT 3.5L). Our first Journey*, a 2009 SXT w/3.5L, averaged 19-20 mpg in local driving, but on the highway it has gotten close to 26 mpg on trips to SC and NY. So far the 2010 seems to be about the same (so far only local driving). *The 2009 was traded in due to a CAN C bus issue - all the "idiot" warning lights on the dash kept cycling on. Last check, the dealer still hadn't figured out what was wrong.

Nice and welcome. Any pics?

We previously had a '09 SXT we bought new in March 2008. By the summer of 2009 with 22K miles I had to replace the front pads (rotors were fine). Heard about the '09-'10 Caravans getting warranty brake replacements due to premature brake wear (same brake/rotors as Journeys) and called Chrysler Customer Assistance). Opened a case # and faxed in the required information (copy of service repair order and copy of method of payment - credit card receipt or check or cash receipt). Within a week I received a check for the full amount of the brake repair. The good news was the new pads had far less brake dust than the originals. It was a manufacture issue with the original OEM supplier - the pad material was not compressed correctly during manufacture.

Not sure what year you have but Dodge lists the following for the 2010 models: 2.4L engine - 1,000 lbs max 3.5L SXT/RT - 1,000 lbs standard, 3500 lbs max* 3.5L SXT/RT AWD - 1,000 lbs standard, 3,000 lbs max* *I'm guessing the max loads are with the towing package installed. However, that doesn't factor in allowing for the tonque weight and safety margin (10%-20%). Though this link pertains to travel trailers, it has a lot of good information and you can plug in the needed values (GVWR, etc) to help determine what you can tow. Taking into account your trailer weight, estimated load in the vehicle, tongue weight and safety margin, it would not surprise me to see you are at or over the CGVWR (Combined Gross Vehicle Weight Rating).

We now have a '10 Journey SXT, but before that we had a '09 Journey SXT we bought new in March 2008. Summer of 2009 I had to replace the front brakes at the 22K mile mark. Though I never received a letter, I had heard the Caravans were having the same issues (premature brake wear) and it basically had the same brake components as the Journeys. Called Chrysler's Customer Service, got a case #, and submitted the required paperwork (service repair order and method of payment receipt) and within a week I received full reimbursement. I had noticed the original brake pads had a lot of brake dust while the new ones were significantly less. I learned there was an issue with the original supplier who was not compressing the pad material properly during manufacture.

I never received the letter for my '09 (previous Journey) but I did get reimbursed for the front pads ($225 USD) once I called Chrysler, got a case number and submitted the necessary paperwork (service repair order and method of payment).

I think it's worse than 25%. Edmunds has a good writeup on E85 vs E10 using a Chevrolet Tahoe as the test vehicle. They made the same trip - once with E10 and once with E85. With that particular vehicle, it actually cost more to use E85 even though it was much cheaper - $3/gallon for E10 vs $2/gallon for E85. You don't really gain an economical advantage unless E85 is priced below 2/3 the price of E10. Otherwise, you're breaking even at best.

Our previous Journey (an '09) needed the front brake pads replaced at 22K in July of 2009 (we bought it in March 2008). Just this past January (2011) I called Chrysler Customer Assistance, obtained a case number and submitted the required paper work (service repair order and method of payment receipt). Within a week I received a check from Chrysler for what I spent on the brake service.

Our "old" '09 SXT FWD w/3.5L averaged 19-20 mpg (US) in local driving and nearly 26 mpg (25.8) on long trips (4 people + luggage with cruise set at 70 mph and AC on). Traded in the '09 for a lightly used '10 SXT FWD w/3.5L but we haven't had it long (not even a week) so mileage hasn't been determined yet. The display is right around what we were averaging with the '09.

I suggest getting the recall done ASAP. We had an '09 SXT and received the recall notice about two weeks ago. Our '09 had had an issue with the airbag light illuminating when the ambient temp would be 50*F or lower. As the cabin warmed up the light would eventually go out. Last Sunday it finally went bonkers. Wife called from work and said all the dash warning lights were cycling on, wipers were wiping every 5 seconds event though they were off, power locks wouldn't work and the turn signals were intermittent. Took it to the dealer and they surmised the door harness was shorting out causing the CAN bus (cabin area network) to go crazy. Long story short, we ended up trading it on for a lightly used '10 Journey SXT. FYI - the dealer should be able to get the parts now. Before we traded the dealer told us they would have to order the parts and would get them in a day.

King George, Virginia Old 2009 SXT: New 2010 SXT:

Yes, there was a brake wear issue with the Journey's. I had to replace the front pads on our '09 SXT at 22K miles, but Chrysler eventually reimbursed me for the repair. The original brake pad supplier did not compress the pad material correctly resulting in premature wear. The replacement pads were wearing well and had much less brake dust than the originals.