llw2234

Has anyone had any problems starting their Journey? I got in my Journey one day and it just wouldn't start....nothing when I would turn the key. Took it in to the dealer and they say it is the wireless control module which needs to be replaced. They still have my journey and are waiting on the part to come in. Anyone else ever have a problem like this???

Where do I start? I had a problem with the Journey decelerating. So I had my computer flashed. And then again. So I've had my computer flashed twice. Right now I need to bring it in because when I have my heater/ac off and the temp controls set to the coldest on both driver and passenger I get a lot of heat under the dash on the driver side. I have to turn on my A/C for a minute then it goes away. I've also had a delay in the car starting a couple of times. Lately the radio is turning the channel by itself. At first i thought my wife was doing something wrong but then I checked it myself and the radio does turn on it's own. And how the heck do you clean them seats. Even if water gets on them they stain. I had snow drop in from the window and now there's a water stain. Big mistake getting the 4 cylinder because I feel that's it's sluggish at times. It doesn't accelerate real good and sometimes it's ok. One last thing if anyone knows if this is normal, when you push your turning signal on, but not allow it to click in, like you're changing lanes and then let go, does the blinker stay on for a few seconds after you let go?

Nice to know if there is anyone else with these issues? thanks

Hi, sorry to hear about the issues you are having. I have many with my Journey as well, but just to let you know.....my blinker does the same thing. I have an SXT. To me it is a nuisance, but one that I can live with I guess.

I had the same engine in my RT which I bought May 08. The car ran fine until Nov when it stated to get colder and at the same time I received a notice from my dealer to have the power steering res. changed. Once the local dealer started touching the car in November 08 it was in and out of the dealer weekly and at some points it was at the dealer for a week or more at a time. I had lifters, exhaust lifeters, engine, lifters again, O2 sensor, win module, back seat lights, fog lights, intake all replaced before 10,000 miles. I finally had it with the car and the aggrevation with the dealer and did a buy back with Chrysler. the were very understanding, very helpful and within a 3 week time frame they purchased my vehicle back. I still supported chrysler as I love Jeeps and bought a 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. I suggest if you have problems to contact Chrylser directly and see what can be done. Good Luck.

Wow. Thank you so much for responding to my post. I really appreciate any input from you. I too bought my Journey SXT in May 08. In Feb. it started making a horrible sound. Didn't run well at all cold. Since then my dealer has replaced the power steering pump twice, replaced rack and set toe, and performed several TSBs on it....each time not fixing the problem and wasting my time at the dealer. I have missed a lot of work from this. I have sent Lemon Law letters to Chrysler and my dealer and have an attorney. I just want to make sure we don't get taken advantage of as I have never dealt with anything like this before. So right now my Journey is in the shop for one last attempt. They are now saying the problem is coming from the engine. First they want to try and replace the intake. They think this will fix it. If not they want to take apart my engine to find the problem! I am very upset about this! I don't understand this. My car is new and this engine has been around in Dodge vehicles since 2001. Why is it having problems and from reading posts on here I am not the only one. So I am stuck. If replacing the intake works my car is fixed.....good. But if it doesn't work, wich I won't be surprised and am tired of getting my hopes up, should I let them work on the engine? I am very very displeased. I have lost a lot of confidence in Chrysler products.

Has anyone had work on the 3.5 liter V6 engine in their Journey and been happy with the repairs?

Has anyone who has the 3.5-liter V-6 engine in their Journey had work on done it and been happy with the repairs???

Thanks for info. If you dont mind how is your journey optioned?

I bought my Journey in May 08 and it was a great vehicle up untill 17,000 miles. It now has a problem that my dealer cannot fix. 7th attempt next week. I too used to own a caliber and miss that car so much....my boys were getting bigger that is why we upgrade in size. I don't mean to deter you away from buying a Journey....I love Dodge. It is all my husband and I have owned. He has a GREAT Dodge truck, but this vehicle has been nothing but trouble for us. My advice to you would be to do your homework before you purchase this vehicle. They look awesome on the outside, but mine is not so great on the inside. Sometimes I just wish I had my Caliber back. If your caliber is such a great car why get rid of it. You never know what you are going to end up with.

I have always been told not to buy a car in the first year due to problems and bugs that need to be worked out. That being said that really is the only way to make a more reliable auto is to have reall world issues address when they arise. Unfortunately we are the test subjects. I suggest an extended warrenty. We all have the life time power train atleast the US versions do. You can also get a life time max care warrenty (bumper to bumper) at a cost of course. Unlimited miles and time just like the power train, but in the max care coverage.

Hello again JourneyMan71! I totally agree with you about buying a brand new car in its first year. Its probably something I will never do again (I just fell in love with the Journey)....I am learning the hard way. I now realize it is a risk that I took.....but at the same time it is a risk for a car company to put a brand new vehicle out on the market.....In my opinion Chrysler needs to be more "careful" in putting a vehicle out like this and treat their customers that are having problems in the correct manner. I never thought owning my Dodge Journey would be so troublesome. It really makes me sad :-(

Hello All! I've had my Journey since May 2008 and couldn't be happier. It has 20,000 Km and the only problem I had was the radio craped out on me which the dealer changed with a new one. They also changed out the power steering reservoir and the brake switch because others had problems but not mine.

I don't understand why some are having problems with the 3.5 L engine because this engine has been around since the mid nineties and has proved to be very reliable in other vehicles such as the Chrysler Concord, etc. It is a variant of the 3.3 L engine which came out in 89 I believe. The 3.5 L engine has a timing belt instead of chain to make the engine quietier but just remember it should be changed at abour 150,000 Km (115,000 Mi). I have had several vehicles with the 3.3 L engine and never had a problem with any of them. My 92 Caravan had 300,000 Km and the valve cover was never removed. My 02 Grand Caravan has 105000 Km and no Engine problems or any other problems for that matter.

The 3.8 L engine is also a variant of the 3.3 L but both those engines have timing chains. A lot of information is available on various sites on the net concerning those engines.

After almost a year I still love this vehicle. I like the toys, I like the handling, I like the gas miliege, I like the winter driving with AWD, I like the looks and I like the complements I receive from others. No wonder it's the # 2 Selling Cross-over in Canada.

Good Luck to Everyone! Mine goes in for its 20,000 Oil Change today.

Keith

Thank you for sharing! I have to admit I am surprised! You are the lucky on I guess!

Have you tried a different dealer? Have you contacted Chrysler about the problems? I do not know, but it may be the dealer you have been too. I know that they should be, but not all the dealers are the same. It maybe that the techs do not see these very much and do not know that much about them. If you have not, I'd look for a different dealer, if you have, then I would call Chrysler until they help you. What kinds of problems do you have?

No I have not tried a different dealer. You are right my dealer may not be an experienced dealer with the Journey, but it is the dealer that sold me the car so that is why I am sticking with them. I am a firm believer in taking my car to one place and one place only.....that way you only have one place to blame if anything goes wrong and they have a record of everything that has been done to my car. I don't feel that it is a good time to go to a different dealer in this case. Actually, that is one of the first questions they asked me: "Have you taken your car anywhere else?" and I said "Nope just you!"

Yes we are in contact with Chrysler. Actually after two attempts to fix the problem my dealer was in contact with Chrysler. Everything that was done to my car after the second attempt was recommended by Chrysler. That is why I am somewhat disgusted with them. Like I said they just want to replace everything without diagnosing the problem first. The problem my car has is crazy sounding noise (you would have to hear it) when my car is cold. It does not sound/feel good when it is cold. It is somewhat of a crackling/grinding noise.

And I have also sent Lemon Law letters to Chrysler and my dealer. We have an attorney as well to make sure we don't get taken advantage of.....I have never dealt with anything like this and I don't have time to be taking my car to the dealer everyday.

I am not defending Chrysler, but it is an all new auto. It will have issues and bugs that will need to be worked out. Unfortunately some people like yourself will get the ones that need alot of attention. I only have had mine for just over 1 month and have a little less than 1100 miles on it, so I can not be a good reference to go by. I am sorry you are having alot of problems with your Journey. It really sucks to pay so much for something and hear from others how they have had no issues, or problems with their Journey while you are POed due to yours. With your help on here we can all benefit from your experience and know what to watch out for. Good luck and keep us updated to your issues and their resolutions if any.

Yes, this was the first and will be the last time I ever buy a brand new car in its first year. That is obviously a mistake, but my car has had 6 attempts to fix it and next week will be the 7th. I don't consider this to be just a "bug". 6 attempts! And each time I have brought it in to the dealer they replace something with "hope" that it will fix the problem.....not ever understanding the problem. I think a lot of dearlers are like this. I think that if they would have taken the time to understand the problem a little more it would be fixed by now. What a waste of money.....really. I am disgusted with Chrysler.

Anyway, I wish you luck with your Journey and hope that you don't have problems with it. Also keep in mind....my car started it's issue at 17,000 miles.

I am just wondering if there is anyone out there who has had their journey for a while now ~ maybe a year or close to it ~ and has had NO problems with it. Please let me know. I have had many problems with mine. I have to say I have never owned a car like this one......and I have owned several cars in the past 10 years. I just don't understand how a new car can have so many problems.....really.

Hello All, Let me tell you about the hell I've been though with my Journey with only 8 thousand miles on it. We had to have the car towed into the dealer. As I was taking my kids to school the car over heated severely. To the point the coolant soaked the rug and steam came in the car. The heater core had to be replaced,this took 45 day! Second time was a ticking sound, they replaced the lifters after I insisted they bring another RT over and compare. Also at this time power steering had to be replaced. That took a week. Today I'm headed back in with the same ticking sound. I wonder what wonderful lies Dodge has for me today.

I too have been in and out of the dealer 6 times (7th try will be next week) for a horrible sounding noise with my new Journey. It sounds to me like your car can fall under the lemon law....I would totally check this out. You need to be protected and not "pushed around" by Chrysler. There is no reason anyone should have to have a BRAND NEW car in the shop for this long. Lemon Laws differ from state to state. In my state a lemon comes into affect if:

1. The dealer has had 4 or more chances to fix one problem

or

2. The vehicle has been in the shop for the same reason for 30 cumulative days (Not consecutive).

Hope this may help you.

O.K., first of all this is a great site! I have been able to do some of my own research, so thanks to all who are making their issues with the journey public!!! I have several issues with mine. I am VERY frustrated and will probably NEVER buy a dodge/chrysler again....WHAT A PAIN THIS HAS BEEN FOR ME!!! Here is my major issue:

I have an SXT with about 18000 miles on it (I do a lot of driving). Bought it in May 08. A couple weeks ago it started making a horrible noise out of the blue. When I start my car it sounds like a diesel, the steering wheel is shaking a little, when I start off driving there is a horrible crackling noise, not a tick, but a crackling noise in the front area of the car....weird. It is not a quiet noise either. So I took it in. Here is what they did.

1. Replace the power steering pump, didn't work

2. Do some flash TSB to it, didn't work

3. Replace the power steering pumg again, didn't work (what a surprise!)

4. Now they want to replace the rack and pinion - I don't have much confidence this will work because I can sometimes hear the noise when the car is in park, but hope I am wrong. Actually the technician didn't sound all that confident, but this is what Chrysler suggested.

I guess we will have to wait and see what happens. Taking it in on the 26th. If it doesn't work.....I am going straight to Chrysler. This is absolutely rediculous. There are other issues I have, but by far this one is the major one.