CarComplaints.com Notes: A prime example of why you should never buy the first model year of a new vehicle.

8.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$400
Average Mileage:
31,800 miles
Total Complaints:
353 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace pads & rotors (169 reports)
  2. all brakes and rotors had to be replaced (41 reports)
  3. not sure (34 reports)
  4. replaced pads & machined rotors (31 reports)
  5. replaced brakes (22 reports)
  6. replace rotors (16 reports)
2009 Dodge Journey brakes problems

brakes problem

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2009 Dodge Journey Owner Comments (Page 1 of 18)

problem #353

Oct 012015

Journey 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,976 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have on multiple occasions replaced the front brake pads, front disc brake rotors and the front hub wheel bearing assembly over the 3 years that we drove it.

Update from Feb 22, 2023: Mechanics told me the OEM brakes for this car are undersized and should be changed to the correct size.

- Madeleine H., Kanata, ON, Canada

problem #352

Dec 202014

Journey SXK V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles

I have had to have brakes on my dodge journey 6 times in 9 years

- judyrohr, Beloit, US

problem #351

Sep 202017

Journey SXT 3.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 155,000 miles

The dodge journey is a nice vehicle but need to change pads every year, only drive 20 miles a day to work. Around every 5,000 need to change pads and rotors. Wears very bad in this vehicle. This vehicle should have recalls. Huge safety problem.

- Barbara S., Webster, US

problem #350

Sep 162016

Journey SXT 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I HAVE PUT 3 SETS OF ROTOR/PADS ON THE FRONT IN A 20,000 MILE,1 1/2 YEAR TIME SPAN....

I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER,BUT I SHOULD GET SOME KIND OF COMPENSATION CONSIDERING THE CONTROVERSY AND POSSIBLE RECALL FOR THIS VERY REASON....SUPPOSEDLY THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS INSUFFICIENT FOR THE SIZE OF THIS VEHICLE. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED/CORRECTED BY THE DEALER A LONG TIME AGO. IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE A BAD ACCIDENT.

- gerrybee, Royal Oak, US

problem #349

Jul 312012

Journey RT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,880 miles

Round two replacing brakes and rotors. This car is too heavy for these pads and rotors. This car is driven with care and not beat on. Pads and rotors should last longer.

- Joan F., Dover Plains, US

problem #348

May 122015

Journey RT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,269 miles

9 months and only 5000 miles since last pad and rotor change. This time Chrysler cuts check. They know this is a real problem - how about a real FIX

- Joan F., Dover Plains, US

problem #347

Apr 202010

Journey RT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,449 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This was just the beginning. Chrysler knows they have a problem, the brakes for the Journey are not sufficient for the size and weight of this vehicle.

- Joan F., Dover Plains, US

problem #346

Jul 142015

Journey RT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,248 miles

2 months and 1000 miles since pad and rotor change. Dealer puts on new pads for free because of excessive wear. Remember I said 2 MONTHS.

- Joan F., Dover Plains, US

problem #345

Aug 272014

Journey RT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,418 miles

Third time for pads and rotors on this car, pads are wearing faster each time they get replaced.

- Joan F., Dover Plains, US

problem #344

Jun 132017

Journey RT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles

Brake job number 6 on car with 79,000 miles on it. This Dodge Journey is a very nice vehicle but Chrysler needs to recall it and put an adequate braking system on this model. Come on Chrysler, step up to the plate. Help your loyal customers.

- Joan F., Dover Plains, US

problem #343

Nov 162016

Journey SXT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have had this car for two years and have had to replace the brakes AND rotors twice already. I don't brake hard or ride the brakes. I am very gentle on my vehicles. Not only do the brakes and rotors wear waaaay too quickly, but the stopping power isn't sufficient for the size of the vehicle. I have almost rear-ended people at LEAST 10 times now because my brakes do not grab as they should in the event of needing to stop quickly. This car is a death trap. I don't feel safe driving my children around in this car, but unfortunately, i don't have any other options as i can't afford a new car right now. When i can, however, i will NOT be buying a dodge.

- Sarah B., Dallas, TX, US

problem #342

Feb 152012

Journey STX 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,850 miles

i'm having the same problems as everyone else and when i call the recall center my car is never listed how do they determined what vehicle has been recalled, problems with brake and rotors, problems with my power train automatictransmission control module pcm, problems driver side door wire harness windows wont go down,problem with wiper blades going by themselves lights flashing,this is the worst vehicle i have every purchased problem after problem

- Lisa L., Detroit, MI, US

problem #341

Aug 012016

Journey ES V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

Brakes went bad 2012 had them replaced . Lithuania wanted over $500 those brakes would have been for life of car. Told the lady you put cheap brakes on them and then ask $500 for the better brakes. She said yes. I took the car back to place put them and he said rotors $500 so I come home and for family to do do. Turns out it wasn't rotors, one of the front brakes was broken in half. Went back there again and it was brake dust causing them to squeak. Now squeak Muskie pedal, asked family to please look at rotors before I go back again.

- Brigid F., Portland, TX, US

problem #340

Nov 122008

Journey SXT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles

We are on the 7th set of brake pads on the front and 5th set for the rear...replaced the front pads the 7th time on July 27, 2016 at 148,600 miles. We are on the 4th set of front rotors and 3rd set of rear rotors. We have needed to turn the front rotors in between pad changes three times to correct warp issues. We turn rotors each time the pads are changed to correct warp issues (only taking off what is absolutely necessary.) I do my own brakes, but, this is a great annoyance and should be addressed by Chrysler by providing a permanent fix to the problem (install re-designed rotors and pads/calipers.) If I were to make a mistake in designing something I sell to the public, I would fix the problem!

- Charles T., Sibley, MO, US

problem #339

Apr 082010

Journey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,049 miles

The brakes failed after only 21000 KMs, and I had them fixed at an independent garage, at lower cost than the dealer was quoting me.

I have since returned the vehicle, (it was leased) and taken a second Dodge Journey, only to have the same problem exist on the 2010 model.

So I am pretty upset to hear that that I have paid out a total of $2000.00 CDN on both cares to have the brakes fixed, and Chrysler knew about this all along.

- debramp, Pincourt, QC, Canada

problem #338

Feb 252016

Journey SE 2.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,333 miles

This is the second time I've had to have the rear pads and rotors replaced in two years and I had only driven 14,333 miles. The front pads and rotors were replaced on 04/23/2015 when the total mileage on this vehicle was 39, 800 miles. This is my third complaint regarding premature pad and rotor wear on this 2009 Dodge Journey

- Kristine L., Algonac, MI, US

problem #337

Apr 232014

Journey SE 2.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,800 miles

Front pads and rotors replaced with the mileage of 39,800 total miles on this vehicle.

- Kristine L., Algonac, MI, US

problem #336

Jul 092014

Journey SE 2.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles

I purchased the Dodge Journey in 2011. There was only 28,000 miles on the vehicle when I had to have the rear brakes and rotors replaced. I have three complaints including this one about the premature wear on pads and rotors for this vehicle. Service dates are 07/09/2014 (rear pads and rotors); 04/23/2015 (front pads and rotors); 02/25/2016 (rear pads and rotors).

- Kristine L., Algonac, MI, US

problem #335

Jan 122015

Journey SXT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

Steering wheel shook so much when braking. My fault that I didn't initially fix it causing my steering box (or whatever it's called) to need to be replaced ($1800). Steering wheel still shook so I replaced that I paid to replaced both the front brake pads and front rotors ($300). All was good until about 7 months down the road the steering wheel started to shake again while braking. It's not super severe like the first time but is very noticeable and annoying. I'm afraid it'll end up with me fixing the whole steering mechanism again so I really don't have a choice but to replace the rotors and brakes again. I'm done with dodge. Only reason I keep it is because it's the first car I ever paid off.

- thoo7400, Mililani, HI, US

problem #334

Aug 012015

Journey SXT 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

This is the most terrible vehicle I have ever bought. I will never own another Dodge. Week 2 of having it the car would not drive, transfer case went out. Brakes and rotors wear out too soon and tires lose air all the time. Vehicle shakes so badly it feels like the wheels are going to fall off going down the road. I hate Dodge and I hate this vehicle.

- Michelle S., Westover, WV, US

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