My 2009 Dodge Journey is only 16 months old and needed the break pads and rotors fixed. We were told it is a "normal wear and tear" problem, but since trolling the web, have found NUMEROUS complaints from other Journey owners about this problem. I guess we should feel blessed that we got 29000 miles on it before they needed to be replaced - as we found some owner complaints that they had to be fixed in as low as 5000 miles. Maybe Dodge needs to realize that people purchase NEW cars because they do NOT want to deal with the cost and hassles related to repairs like this... brakes and rotors replacement on a car less than a year and half old... seriously, that is the quality they expect us to accept! I don't know how to do it, but I sure hope someone reading this, knows how to pursue getting this car recalled!

My front brakes needed to be replaced at 12,600 miles. This is only covered up to 12,000 miles under the warranty, but the dealership honored the warranty after I had a very loud discussion with the service manager. Then the noises started. Grinding under the front passenger wheel every time I had to make a tight turn. Then the high pitched sqealling of a loose belt on the passenger side. Somehow the mechanics never seem to hear it, even though it squeals every 10 seconds or so. The rear brakes needed to be replaced at 19,000 miles. The passenger seatbelt just broke. I will only take my car to the dodge dealership for warrantied items. The company should recall the faulty brakes and reimburse those of us who where stupid enough to trust dodge to make a quality product. I have never had to replace brakes on any of my cars before 40,000 miles. I feel like this car will nickle and dime me for the entire time I own it. What a huge disappointment since I spent over 30K for a new maintenance-free, fully warrantied car. Dodge - you suck.

these brakes and rotor are ridiculous - i am now on my 3rd maybe 4th time changing either the brakes or rotors or both - i just had new rotors and pads put on in june and now i know i need one or both again , i currently have 50k miles and on my 3rd set if not 4th set of pads/rotors - it is absolutely fkn ridiculous and there is nothing we can do but fix it - there has to be something dodge has to do maybe if all owners of these cars write letters or call with complaints we can get some sort of money back or get them to warranty the repairs or at least the brake pads for a year ? i dont know anymore im at the point i hope my car gets totaled in an accident to get rid of it

I recently traded in my Volvo S60 for a 2009 Dodge Journey because I was impressed by the vehicle's features and it was better suited for my family's needs (mainly, more room). After less than 10 months, my brakes began grinding. The car had only 3 miles when I drove it off the lot, and now it has just shy of 18,000 miles. Something was clearly not right. I owned my Volvo for four years and only replaced the brakes once.

Unfortunately, I could not bring the Journey to the same dealership where I had made the purchase to present this issue, as I have recently moved from Massachusetts to Florida. New vehicle warranties are honored nationwide, so I found a local dealership to bring the car to. Their brake inspection revealed that my front brake pads were 80% worn and should be replaced very soon, and that my rear brakes needed new brake pads AND rotors immediately. Of course, since I had more than 12,000 miles on the vehicle none of this expense was covered by warranty. When I raised my concern that this could not possibly be "normal wear" considering how new the vehicle was, they told me that it was extremely common in the Dodge mini-vans and that apparently it was going to be the same with the Journey. This was not very comforting to hear, since the I, the consumer, was placed with the burden of paying for this expensive repair. If this is a "common" problem, wouldn't you think that they would recall the brake parts, or at least discount the price of your first repair? Something should be done to show that Dodge/Mopar is making a good faith effort to rectify this situation. But I was informed that would not be likely.

The service manager also told me that since I came from the North, my rotors were very rusted and weather damage is also not covered under warranty. Now, I cannot fault this Southern-native for his thinking, however I have lived in Massachusetts my entire life, and it is impossible for rust this extensive to form after only one winter. Typically it would take years for auto parts to corrode the way my brand new rotors have. He also mentioned that short distance driving must have worn my brakes down more quickly than usual. The only reason why I already have 18,000 miles on the vehicle is because I commuted 80 miles per day (all highway) for work, and then traveled 1,200 miles (clearly, all highway) to relocate to Florida. These excuses are an obvious avoidance of taking accountability and responsibility for an extremely low quality product.

Needless to say, I left the dealership very disappointed and feeling rather vengeful. I obviously needed to have the repair work done right away, since it was a safety hazard to drive with the brakes in that condition. I decided, however, that I would not give my business to Dodge since in my opinion they were clearly responsible for this defective product. So, I brought the vehicle to several other brake repair shops, and all of them told me the same thing - since the vehicle was so new, none of the auto-parts dealers even carried the rotors to complete the repairs. The parts would need to be placed on order from a factory, and would likely take at least a week to receive. Ironically, Mopar is the only retailer that has the rotors available for immediate delivery, and they only distribute their parts to Dodge Service Departments. Talk about a conspiracy...

I have never used an online forum to complain about a service or product in my life, but I really felt strongly that my voice needed to be heard regarding this issue. Dodge should not be manufacturing a product that is so poor in quality, especially considering the price of this vehicle. I did not purchase a used Kia for $4,000 - I purchased a brand new $26,000 American vehicle and NEVER expected to be sinking this much money into it within the first year. This is simply unacceptable, and I will absolutely be trading this vehicle in as soon as possible and will NEVER buy another vehicle from Dodge or its affiliated companies (Chrysler, Jeep, etc.). My business will go back to Volvo, which although is more expensive, is worth every penny because of the quality and customer service they offer to their consumers.

For reference, the cost of this repair was $359 for the back brakes, and $195 for the front. If I have to replace the brakes every 10 months for the term of my auto-loan, I will be paying an additional $3,850 for this vehicle. That is absolutely disgusting.

After a computer failure within two weeks of the purchase, and 4 days without use, the vehicle now has worn out front brakes at 22,000 miles. The rear brakes are fine! (how can that be?) I am suspicious of the computer that controls ESP, Anti-lock, etc....Dodge's web site says (in three different paragraphs) that "the computer" will apply brakes to control the vehicle....so isn't the computer the problem now? Dodge would not honor thier warranty, as brakes are "consumable" and only covered in the first 12,000 miles (Great "bumper to bumper" warranty there) The rotors and pads are soft...great safety there...and what about the Federeal Motor Carrier standards and ANSI?...a direct violation of motor vehicle safety. I will not allow the Dodge dealership to make the repair...I'll find an ASC certified mechanic to make the repairs. I can get a 60,000 mile warranted brake pad set from CarQuest, but, of course, the rotors are "dealer only"...I smell a big fat rat. Dodge would not offer a warranty on their "brake repair"....so no go there. Iwill fix this hunk of crap and sell it as fast as I can. I will never buy another Dodge again, or any American auto for that fact...to many cafe' standards and not anything Americans want to buy.