Dodge Journey Review From A Mechanic's Point of View | Common Dodge Journey Problems  

I have a 2016 same engine as your at 140k miles mines still drives perfect!

Just bought my gf a 2017 journey SE 2.4l with 80k miles

Got a 14 over here with 203k on it has a lifter tik but other than that It's running very well still!

@@stevenstolfi544how is it??

@@hismercedess550 it’s okay not bad

Sorry for your lost, I’m glad I’m able to help reach out to me anytime on Instagram message for any questions or concerns.I’m here for you

​@@AlexTheCarDoctor please help

Taking the tire off to get to the batter is the dumbest idea ever. Engineer should be fired.

I really appreciate your kind words thank you

I believe it. I live in NW Pennsylvania where rust is a constant problem due to winter salt. My 12 Journey has zero rust anywhere. It’s at 200k now. I’ve had some repairs that affected early 3.6 v6. Transmission has been flawless. Still rides smooth and quiet, even the A/C still works.

3.6 is a great motor with some bad press.

Yes! The 4 cylinder should treat you right! Just keep up on your maintenance 🔑

It’s designed. So that you can remove the driver side wheel so you can. Apply 12 volts to the car if your battery goes dead to unlock it

how is it holding up now? thanks!

For sure! I’ll definitely try to cover more items!

My pleasure thanks for the support

Glad it was helpful!

Just saw a used 2017 Journey today for $13,800. You paid a little over 15k out the door. 😮😮😮 The prices for used cars are crazy.

Absolutely! Happy to hear you are still hear with us 🙏🏽

@@AlexTheCarDoctor it could have been worse; but was able to walk away from an accident, that completely destroyed my vehicle due to the safety system Dodge employed in making of the Journey. Three surgeries later my jaw is functioning with the aid of a cadaver bone, screws, and some dental implants.

you're a survivor. i thank God for your life @@JessicaSimonson1976

I truly believe I also survived a wreck because I drove a Journey. Broken sternum and a concussion. My car was a total loss after I rear- ended a very large wood chipper. If the engine had not gone down into the pavement I'm convinced I would not be here today. I miss my old car😢

I appreciate the love thanks buddy

You like that power lol

I’m glad you enjoyed my video thanks for watching

That’s my point! I appreciate your feedback brother 💪🏽

Did you buy one? Im looking at getting one now

Glad I could help

Thanks, me too.. except 2015 4 CYL/2.4, FRT W DRIVE: occasionally wish FOR 4WD:: however Do NOKIAN STUDS in Winter: braking, turning, track , black ice feel superlative.. at 94,000 miles;; did get STEALERSHIP LUFETIME OIL CHANGES(* conventional 5w-20,& PERFORMAX/ PENZZOIL 167 Oil filters used)…Interestingly the MOPAR OIL FILTERS @$15.00 now Dealer, Air still at $43.00((* AMAZON FLIPS to wrong Size AIR sometimes)..still.orig Battery

Ps:: help & check around:: I been considering:: switch to FULL SYN ( VALVOLINE/ & VALVOLINE filters,$70, twice a year approx; at my Preferred Shop)….from the no issues, MOPAR CONVENTIONAL,ETC… ( have Lifetime Oil program with Journey)… etc.. getting thoughts?

I’m glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching

You should be alright! Just keep up with the maintenance and have your emergency fund ready when you need to make repairs.

Before you buy Google dodge journey randomly honking...its a real pain

Thanks bro! 🙏🏽 it means a lot. It really does!

My pleasure thanks for watching

My pleasure I’m glad you enjoyed it

Congratulations on the third girl or boy. I have 3 boys and 2 girls.what do you do

Yep, the styling got old fast. But they did do some mechanical changes especially in the brakes which helped reliability. I have about 70,000 miles on my 2017 and except replacing the starter battery I haven't had any problems. I do my own maintenance.

Interestingly, thanks,,,abiut same mine 2015/4 CYL:: @95,000 miles…***Though considering using my Garage VALVOLINE SYN/ Filters oil Changes @$70, maybe twice year…BUT,***, I got Lifetime ProgrAm ,Oil Change /3000 mile(* Stealership , Got me for $460.00 Replace four plugs, supposedly 90,000 mile ++ now)…..

You’re welcome bro! I’m a Ford Truck man myself.

Update!!!! I think my torque converter is going. When it’s cold, it drives fine. But after it starts warming up, I get up and down RPM on my gauge. About 250-500rpm fluctuation. Very noticeable, feels like a surge. I was thinking fuel pump/filter, but not now. Possible TPS sensors as I do get the red lightning bolt sometimes, only on mountainous drives (going up and down the mountain). But now, it I go into overdrive (6th gear) I hear and feel shuddering. Same thing after I climb a steep hill (live in Vancouver BC), I will start once I let off the gas after climbing, or it will happen during the climb…if i let off the gas a little and then step on it to again. It all goes away after I stop and turn vehicle off, until I get going fast again. If I keep it under 75-80, or if engine/transmission is cold, don’t happen. I thought it was an air leak at first with the surging at idle (1 month), but then the noises/roughness started recently, possibly tied together. Like some videos said, it feels like driving on a gravel road!!! I put transmission slip stop crap in there. Which has helped i think. Because, it’s a little better now, I can get around now, but if it’s a hill, I gotta hit it hard, and then let off the gas and coast, then keep a steady pedal, if I let off it grinds, if i stay on it a little, she’s somewhat smoother. I can’t get a new vehicle, don’t want payments. Better off fixing whatever problems arise. Even if the engine goes! A new engine is cheaper than a new vehicle!! I live the journey, it’s practical. Anything can be fixed or replaced. Don’t understand the concept of why out more $$ into it. Well, because I fucking own it!!! Are you just gonna sell your house because the toilet doesn’t flush??? Oh ya, after it happens, if I’m reverse and foot on the break, its rough, same with neutral. But if it’s in park or drive and foot on break, It’s not, and it’s Just the idle going up and down a bit.

Lies... biggest piece of shit ever made

Dodge Journey is based on the Mitsubishi GS chassis, so it's a semi-Japanese vehicle, actually.

Hey there buddy and thanks for the sub. My followers will never bug me ask any car question you, if my memory serves me good yes it has the rack steering. I have not done a review because they are never in the shop that being said they are amazing cars.

You're welcome!

That’s the truth

There are other vehicles that put batteries under the back seats.

@@JessicaSimonson1976 Never really heard of that. The 12V lead acid battery is usually placed under the hood, or 2nd place would be in the trunk. Or in the case of the Dodge Journey, behind the bumper on the front left. I'm sure there are other crazy battery placements out there, wouldn't be surprised if there's one under a seat.

@@justacinnamonbun8658 some Chevy hybrids as well as Toyota hybrids. Put them under the seats.

@@justacinnamonbun8658 Porsche puts them under passenger seat, Buick, GM, Chevy under rear seat, and trunk. Toyota too has used these locations.

My pleasure

They are very nice crossover/suv but I’m not a fan of Chrysler products except the SRTs. Today in the shop was 3 Chrysler Vehicle 1 was a 2018 Jeep grand Cherokee that’s getting a engine the other 14 Dodge Charger that needs a starter and a Dodge Ram with the 5.7 hemi that needed a cam and all lifters and 1 more dodge Avenger that’s waiting to come in the shop that needs a engine, Chrysler vehicles literally keep me in business

I feel there are more bad owners than bad cars. So the gamble is prior history of service. I have had mine since new and have 100,000 miles and no issues at all.

@@derickwilliams5099 you said a mouth full right there,we are quick to blame vehicles but never look into the maintenance

I have a 14 journey limited FWD 3.6L DOHC VVT V6. There enough room to have put the AC recharge toward the front, and the batter in the engine bay.

What brand of brake rotor do you use?

I am assuming they were Mopar the first two times as they were replaced by the dealer. Not sure of the brand from the local repair shop. I have had this problem with a 2008 Grand Caravan as well, but not with a 2013 Grand Caravan or 2019 Pacifica. Do you have a brand or brakes and rotors you recommend?

Also, do you think it matters which battery group size 26 vs. 86 is used? I would guess the smaller 26 would fit in either situation. Both sizes show up when searching.

@@aprasad8864 i’m really not a parts expert but with the brakes I normally shop from my local parts store and get the mid grade or higher brake pads and never have an issue or go to the dealership if it’s an ultra luxury car

That’s the truth man.I know I wish I had Toyota money

Did your engine have higher mileage.my assumptions are bad cam phasers or stretched timing chain

What Toyota did you get

It’s not that common. I don’t see that too often in my shop. It could have an internal worn out component. How’s the oil pressure? In the meantime, I have a buddy that works for the Dodge dealership, let me check with him and I’ll get back to you.

@@AlexTheCarDoctor I don't know about the oil pressure, but it seems to be OK. No oil light is on.

You're welcome!

Glad it helped

You already got the right idea buddy. Clean it all up really well underneath. Let the vehicle run and observe. Those 2.4’s normally leak oil from the valve cover, oil pressure switch or VVT solenoids. It may be leaking from the top and making it’s way to the bottom.

Thanks for the respond my brother, currently looking at utube vids on areas of possible leakage. up top looks pretty dry but under may be really bad, checked my oil level and I have none so in the morning going to pick up some oil and see where it's lealing from.

Yeah, didn't realize you left a message...I will check for any oil running down from the valve cover. Can that oil pressue swicth throw a lot of oil, just checking.@@AlexTheCarDoctor

Well, I got under the car with my ramps today, and cleaned up basically 2 major oil spills one from when I replaced my transmission solinoid pack, and the other was from a oil pan gasket job, so the mechanic didn't clean up the blow by from that event, it's looking pretty clean, used a pack of shop towels and a bottle of Spray Nine to break up that grease so that basically took most of the day, didn't check the valve cover for leaks but will check that out soon enough, I DID find one leak though it's my rear seal between the engine and the transmission, there is fresh oil rolling off at the seam. The oil pressure switch appears dry as well the area around it. Was hoping that would 've been the problem. Much easier fix for sure. Too bad you are not here in Phoenix, I would've brought my Journey to your shop for that rear seal. Any insights on that repair would be great, I am a bit nervous taking my car in for this job, really cannot aford to get ripped off. At any rate, thanks for the motivation. Richard @@AlexTheCarDoctor

Hey Alex, how are you, I checked the VVT Solinoids and the one in the back is leaking at the base and the one up front is probably leaking as well, I have 2 questions.....1. could the one leaking in the back cause a major drop in engine oil level and travel across my oil pan and into that window box of my transmission housing ? and number 2. Any advise on pulling out those VVT Solinoids ?, my car has over 300,000 miles on it, so they may be well stuck in there. Should I use some kind of product to help lube em up in case they are stuck in there, Thanks Richard@@AlexTheCarDoctor