Window sticker and factory equipment list do not match?

[danny21]

Hey all, brand new here. Just bought a 2015 crossroads. Window sticker said it has the premium sound system with 368 watt amp, 6 premium speakers and sub woofer. I was pretty sure after listening to it that It did not have a sub woofer. After some research I found this forum and a post about entering your vin # to a dodge site to get the factory equipment list. Sure enough it says " 6 speakers" that is it! So, the dealership said this has never happened before and are talking to Chrysler. I've given them a few days to figure this out. They first said they would knock the $400 off the journey which I declined instantly. I said " I paid u for car with a premium audio system, basically you lied to me to sell me this car". My questions are, 1. What components are different in the premium audio ( just a sub, or everything) 2. Has anyone ever had to deal with a window sticker not matching the actual equipment on the car? Thanks all.

Edited April 3, 2015 by danny21

[bramfrank]

Well, the simplest solution is a cash settlement - you will not miss the subwoofer once you acclimate to the vehicle and when it comes time to sell it you won't get the money for the sound system back. That, of course assumes that the window sticker clearly says that the vehicle has the premium sound package and it actually doesn't.

It would be a difficult matter to retrofit the system and unlikely that the manufacturer or dealer would take the unit back . . . but you can always try.

I suspect that if you decided to go to court you'd be told to take the money and run.

Keep in mind that you are expected to inspect your vehicle and to assure yourself that you are getting everything you expected and that it is in proper condition to get before signing for delivery on the dotted line.

Edited April 3, 2015 by bramfrank

[danny21]

Well, the simplest solution is a cash settlement - you will not miss the subwoofer once you acclimate to the vehicle and when it comes time to sell it you won't get the money for the sound system back. That, of course assumes that the window sticker clearly says that the vehicle has the premium sound package and it actually doesn't.

It would be a difficult matter to retrofit the system and unlikely that the manufacturer or dealer would take the unit back . . . but you can always try.

I suspect that if you decided to go to court you'd be told to take the money and run.

Keep in mind that you are expected to inspect your vehicle and to assure yourself that you are getting everything you expected and that it is in proper condition to get before signing for delivery on the dotted line.

The premium audio system was a deal breaker for me and I made that clear to my salesman. I also explained to the salesman while inspecting the journey that I didn't hear a sub woofer and did not see any ALPINE badges like I expected to see. He assured me the vehicle matched the vin on the window sticker so it did have the premium audio. I have always put aftermarket audio systems in my cars, but as many of you know in these new cars it's a huge pain in the butt to mess with the stock system. I'm very curious to know if the factory amp and 6 speakers are exactly the same in the standard audio system vs. the premium audio system. Does anyone know which components are different? Thanks again.

[onecrazyfoo4u]

Well, you will find that the "premium sound" is pretty pathetic as many have complained in the audio forum. Most go to aftermarket speakers, underseat subwoofer, and amplifier. Just search around...very simple install for everything. And it will be much better sounding than any "premium sound" that dodge offered in the DJ.

You can get really good speakers for all 4 doors, tweeters for the dash, and an underseat powered subwoofer for $500 easy I would imagine. I would just take the money the give me for screwing up and put it towards quality parts instead. Really easy to install yourself.

Did you ever listen to a premium sound DJ? They aren't that great at all IMO.

[dhh3]

All DJs come with 6 crap paper speakers. The sub is mounted in the left rear interior panel. Hold your ear to it and see if any sound is coming out of there. The only difference between the 2 systems is the external amp, and the sub and 6 upgraded crap paper speakers.

BTW, I do not believe that the Dealer lied to you, because he told you that he had never seen anything like this this before. I took delivery of mine way too fast, before checking it out. The salesman pointed out the leather door panels; I figured that with leather seats it would have heated seats! Wrong. So, I added a seat heater to the driver side. There is some sort of sensor on the passenger side that prevents a heater to be installed.

Take the $. Install 4 6x9 Alpine 2-way speakers; one in each door. Install 2 Alpine tweeters with inline crossovers in the dash. Install one 8", 150w Kicker underseat sub. Finally, add the Alpine "brick" amp. Done.

The 6x9 Alpines improved the sound 100%. I can turn the volume all the way up: no clipping or distortion. The Kicker sub is unbelievable for what it is. The enclosure must be ported like the Bose radios. This unit improved bass 1,000%! Even the tech at Best Buy was in awe. I can vibrate all of the mirrors and my pants legs if they are baggy enough. The sub has a remote gain dial mounted at the top of the center bin, so I can adjust the gain between songs if I have to. Also, the sub runs on a 15a source, just like the radio. The amp is the same way: so, no monster cables to the battery. Those little Alpine tweeters are amazing. The tech swivel mounted them facing the interior of the car, rather than up towards the windshield. There is just enough room for them, under the defroster panel. He could not believe how the highs were being distributed around the interior of the car. All this, and I have not lost any interior space at all. This was my primary goal as I have a 7 seater. My driver's seat is powered; the sub is under there with no fitment issues at all. Kicker makes these for single cab pick ups, but it is awesome in a DJ.

The amp gets installed on April 16th. Take the $ and run.

I have a couple of threads in the audio section of the forum. I think that I listed the price for each, as I went along.

BTW, I have never heard the Premium System in a DJ. My goal is to go to my Dealer and see if he will let me listen to one. Hopefully, he will have 2 DJs side by side, one with and one without the Premium system. It is a good way for me to judge; but I can't really use mine for comparison unless I'm just comparing mine to the Premium System.

Edited April 9, 2015 by dhh3

[bramfrank]

While you may have expressed concern to the salesman, unless you noted a potential discrepancy in writing, you are likely going to get into a game of 'he said, she said'.

Unless I'm mistaken, the dealers can print the window stickers - are you certain that your sticker is for your vehicle's VIN? In any case, it can be edited.

Now, one very interesting item is that according to the www.dodge.com web site the premium sound package isn't even an option for either of the Crossroad (note, no 's' at the end) models in the US . . . . It is also interesting that Dodge has, in my opinion done the market a huge disservice by not providing enough hard delimiters between the models, the way they have in Canada, where, for example the base version of the Crossroad comes with the 6 cylinder engine, leather seats and so on - in the US it is essentially an SE Plus with black wheels onto which you can add things.

Here are screen shots of the model comparisons (both FWD and AWD) which show that premium sound is not an option for the trim level:

[dhh3]

Odd that it is not optional on the Crossroad. If I go to the Mopar site, the Mopar hitch will not fit my Crossroad. But from Mopar Dealers on ebay, the Mopar hitch will fit my Crossroad. Go figure!

[danny21]

Thanks dhh3. I did see your post on your aftermarket system. I'm going to look into prices now. All my wife really needs is a hidden sub and amp. I saw Kicker makes a hideaway combo 8" sub and 150W amp which would be perfect. If I can get that plus installation for the $ the dealership offers me, I'll take it. I know the factory Premium audio systems can't hold a candle to a decent aftermarket system, but this is more about principle. I'll keep you guys posted for sure, but if I can afford the hideaway Kicker combo plus install for the money they offer me i'll gladly swallow my pride and except the offer. Aftermarket vs factory...... I'll take aftermarket every time.

[dhh3]

I bought the Kicker sub from 1/2 Price Audio on ebay. List price: $250. I offered $200 and they took it. The smaller one did not allow an offer; only the stated price.

[Antdog24]

I have a 2015 Crossroad and to be honest the system isn't that bad. It's the 6 speaker without the sub.

I do have MB Quart Tweeters and 3 1/2" mid range speakers with a crossover that I can put in the dash. I also have two MB Quart 6 1/2" mid bass with Tweeters and crossovers I can mount in the rear doors but I would need a pretty decent amp to power them. I would need the hideaway sub though, my 12" Rockford Fosgate dual coil sub would need a box and would take up too much room in the cargo area.

[jkeaton]

Sound system sounds great just the way it is in ours. I dont need license plate rattling bass.

[Journeyman425]

Hey all, brand new here. Just bought a 2015 crossroads. Window sticker said it has the premium sound system with 368 watt amp, 6 premium speakers and sub woofer. I was pretty sure after listening to it that It did not have a sub woofer. After some research I found this forum and a post about entering your vin # to a dodge site to get the factory equipment list. Sure enough it says " 6 speakers" that is it! So, the dealership said this has never happened before and are talking to Chrysler. I've given them a few days to figure this out. They first said they would knock the $400 off the journey which I declined instantly. I said " I paid u for car with a premium audio system, basically you lied to me to sell me this car". My questions are, 1. What components are different in the premium audio ( just a sub, or everything) 2. Has anyone ever had to deal with a window sticker not matching the actual equipment on the car? Thanks all.

. After some research I found this forum and a post about entering your vin # to a dodge site to get the factory equipment list. Sure enough it says " 6 speakers" that is it! So, the dealership said this has never happened before and are talking to Chrysler.

I work for a dealer. Post the last eight digits of your VIN and I will look at a detailed equipment list. I have seen rare instances where the window sticker and a piece of equipment do not match.

[danny21]

Thanks journeyman425 for the help, but I've seen the actual equipment list and for some reason I'm a little weary of posting any numbers from my actual vin(i'm sure it's fine but haven't looked into it). As of today my dealer is going to go to Chrysler with the issue. I have to say I'm a little upset at the fact that when I talked to my salesman TODAY he was still waiting to go to Chrysler with this issue. I did mention to him the option of running the Kicker hideaway under the seat instead of pulling all the panels out of my wife's journey to replace the speakers and add a sub. Plus, I still haven't gotten a straight answer about the factory amp....Is the 368 watt amp from the premium system the same amp as the standard system????? Just wanted to keep everyone posted. I hope my dealer steps it up and makes something happen soon or that survey they seem to be SO SO worried about getting a 10 on is going to have a much much lower number on it when I send it back! Rant over. Thanks all.

[jkeaton]

Someone loves their memes.

[Journeyman425]

Thanks journeyman425 for the help, but I've seen the actual equipment list and for some reason I'm a little weary of posting any numbers from my actual vin(i'm sure it's fine but haven't looked into it).

....Is the 368 watt amp from the premium system the same amp as the standard system?????

No problem...you can PM the VIN to me if you change your mind.

The 368 watt amp and the subwoofer come with the premium audio system only. Otherwise, the standard speakers are driven by the amp in the radio.

Edited April 8, 2015 by Journeyman425

[dhh3]

I have a 2015 Crossroad and to be honest the system isn't that bad. It's the 6 speaker without the sub.

I do have MB Quart Tweeters and 3 1/2" mid range speakers with a crossover that I can put in the dash. I also have two MB Quart 6 1/2" mid bass with Tweeters and crossovers I can mount in the rear doors but I would need a pretty decent amp to power them. I would need the hideaway sub though, my 12" Rockford Fosgate dual coil sub would need a box and would take up too much room in the cargo area.

I do not believe that there is enough room in the dash for what you are attempting to do. My Alpine Tweeters barely fit, according to the tech. There is slightly more room on the passenger side, than on the drivers side. It is because of the ducts going to the vents at the outside edges of the dash.

[danny21]

Little update..... Dodge has agreed to pay for the Kicker Hideaway along with installation from Best Buy (roughly $450). I'm having it put in on Thursday, then I'll bring Dodge the bill for them to reimburse me. I feel much better about this solution compared to them tearing the whole car apart to retro fit the premium system. Plus, I'm pretty confident I'll like this small hidden Kicker amp and sub better than what they would have installed from the factory. I'll post up a review for the Kicker Hideaway after it's installed. Should be a great option for anyone looking for a well balanced system, oppose to rattling mirrors and pissing off the guy next to you at a stop light with your bass! LOL.

[onecrazyfoo4u]

Little update..... Dodge has agreed to pay for the Kicker Hideaway along with installation from Best Buy (roughly $450). I'm having it put in on Thursday, then I'll bring Dodge the bill for them to reimburse me. I feel much better about this solution compared to them tearing the whole car apart to retro fit the premium system. Plus, I'm pretty confident I'll like this small hidden Kicker amp and sub better than what they would have installed from the factory. I'll post up a review for the Kicker Hideaway after it's installed. Should be a great option for anyone looking for a well balanced system, oppose to rattling mirrors and pissing off the guy next to you at a stop light with your bass! LOL.

Nice, way to be! Way to stick to your guns; that's great that they'll be covering it. Gauranteed it'll sound much better than the pathetic stock subwoofer in the back.

[dhh3]

Little update..... Dodge has agreed to pay for the Kicker Hideaway along with installation from Best Buy (roughly $450). I'm having it put in on Thursday, then I'll bring Dodge the bill for them to reimburse me. I feel much better about this solution compared to them tearing the whole car apart to retro fit the premium system. Plus, I'm pretty confident I'll like this small hidden Kicker amp and sub better than what they would have installed from the factory. I'll post up a review for the Kicker Hideaway after it's installed. Should be a great option for anyone looking for a well balanced system, oppose to rattling mirrors and pissing off the guy next to you at a stop light with your bass! LOL.

You will love it! It comes with a remote gain control, so you can change the output at will. I did find out that the Factory sub is a 1-way 6x9, so it can not be putting out much bass.

[Journeyman425]

. I did find out that the Factory sub is a 1-way 6x9, so it can not be putting out much bass.

The sub is actually an 8" dual voice coil driver in its own enclosure. It is capable of high bass output, but my personal belief is that the crossover network in the amp is only directing the lowest frequencies to it. In a good home audio setup where the primary speaker system usually has woofers of 10" diameter or greater, that scenario is ideal. But in a moving car where other, ambient low frequency road sounds can cancel out certain frequencies from the audio system, and where the primary speaker system is a 6x9 driver, the sub should have a broader range of the low frequency spectrum assigned to it. Here's a link to the setup which was issued by Alpine when the system debuted in 2011:

http://www.experiencealpine.com/dodge/

[dhh3]

I believe the the enclosure is similar to to a Bose radio, in that the enclosure is ported. There is plenty of base, with a wide spectrum of gain. Mine is wired between the radio and the external amp. The Sub does have a built in crossover. It is best to turn down the bass on the equalizer to let the sub do its job on its own.

List price is $299. I offered $250 from Half Price Car Audio on ebay and they accepted my offer; installation was $90 @ Best Buy.

Edited April 23, 2015 by dhh3

[danny21]

Kicker Hideaway review! Mine will read just like dhh3's previous review of this product in a Journey (thanks dhh3!!). Sounds great for what it is!!!! My wife couldn't be happier once I got it dialed in. This is the standard journey audio system with the Kicker Hideaway added. Nothing else was changed and I have to say her system sounds very well rounded now. I actually have the bass boost at almost zero! We listen to more of rock type music so we aren't trying to set off car alarms. This little all in one system has more power than we are using! Now, I have all six speakers in my chevy malibu swapped out for upper end JL's, a high quality JL 5 channel amp and one square solo baric Kicker sub. Every component was paired perfectly to the rest of the system.Plus I put a nice head unit in and ran all new kicker wiring through out the system with sound deadening material. One time I started to add up all the money I spent on my system and I thought I was going to puke and pass out!!! lol. That being said, when I'm driving, even on the highway it feels like i'm sitting on stage with the band i'm listening to. I only mentioned that so people who read this know I have listened to a really nice and well balanced system to compare this too. For one small sub and amp combo under the drivers seat (we have kids and couldn't afford to lose the space even a small box takes up) this unit has exceeded my expectations. I would recommend this to anyone who doesn't want to deal with spending tons on their radio but would like something WAY better than their factory one. Little side note.... this thing is easy to install, even if you pay someone to do it they won't have to tear your whole car apart. I left out a few of the horror stories I have from when my JL system was installed.... I love my system, but I would never spend the time and money to do it again.

[dhh3]

Amen to this, brother. I, too, listen to Rock type music: The Spectrum on Sirius, and my own music. You obviously have read my other threads on what else I have added to my DJ: all Alpine.

In my Nitro, I added a complete Kicker system: speakers, 2 amps and an 8" sub. But what I have added to my DJ sounds better balanced, and I, too, am completely surprised with the clarity of the sound, and how well a song sounds compared to when I purchased the DJ. I can hear every sound; sounds that I never heard before. Unbelievable! Since I have the third row, my only options were the Kicker unit, or trying to fit a sub behind the left rear panel, where the factory sub resides. There is not a whole lot of room in that space, to move the air within the enclosure. Besides, the factory sub is a 6x9, not the ideal shape and size for a sub. I believe that I made the right choice with this little Kicker unit. It was actually designed for single cab pickups, where space is a premium.

[Lobitz68]

While I'm sure it helps quite a bit, the stock speakers are still very muddy and missing the crisp clean highs and powerful mids... Even a minor upgrade to the stock speakers (along with the sub you added) should make this a MUCH better stereo system.

[danny21]

While I'm sure it helps quite a bit, the stock speakers are still very muddy and missing the crisp clean highs and powerful mids... Even a minor upgrade to the stock speakers (along with the sub you added) should make this a MUCH better stereo system.

You are absolutely correct. First rule in car audio is "If you want a good system, tear out EVERYTHING that came from the factory" The extra bass from the Kicker sub made my wife totally happy. I'm checking out options for new interior speakers now because I'm used to a much higher quality of sound, but since my wife is very happy now I may just leave well enough alone and let her enjoy her new car. My review of her system was more for people looking for a simple, easy way to improve the sound in a Journey without tearing apart all the door panels to swap out speakers.