CarComplaints.com Notes: The Dodge Journey got a major overhaul in 2011. Let's hope it's better than the first generation (2009-2010) -- it couldn't be much worse.

7.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$470
Average Mileage:
29,950 miles
Total Complaints:
21 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. new rotors (12 reports)
  2. not sure (4 reports)
  3. machined rotors to remove warpage (3 reports)
  4. replace pads, rotor, caliper and brake line (2 reports)
2011 Dodge Journey brakes problems

brakes problem

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2011 Dodge Journey Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Mar 272015

Journey SE 2.4L I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,855 miles

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

Low quality braking system. Anemic transmission and engine. Last Journey or Dodge car I would have.

- Campo X., Vancouver, BC, Canada

problem #20

Sep 092015

Journey Main Street 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,600 miles

The brakes were replaced in April 2012 then in August 2013 now I am having the same problem, but because I am out of warranty on my brakes, but I do have the life time warranty that I purchased, the brake pads and rotors are not covered, just the calipers. The dealership even said that my brakes would not have gone bad if it were not for the calipers seizing up, calipers are covered. This is the second time the rear calipers have seized on this vehicle. Chrysler said they won't cover the cost, a supervisor is supposed to call back and I am sure they'll tell me no also. Tempted to not fix the damn car and just trade it in for a different make, maybe a Ford! Seems pretty crappy since FCA knows about this problem and they have known since 2009 at least!! Unfortunately someone will have to get seriously hurt or killed before someone looks into this problem and corrects it.

- Lisa K., China Township, MI, US

problem #19

Jul 012015

Journey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles

Brakes sound awful!!!! Grinding and squealing....took it to the mechanic - he said it looked like the brakes had never been changes (although they had) - brake pads were gone - rotors shot, caliper shot. So, now rotors, brakes and calipers on the rear of this car.....we THOUGHT the problem was fixed (although we are still puzzled at why the brakes/rotors/calipers were so bad. You will see, in the two additional complaints I am filing - that we have had the SAME problem (brakes/rotors/calipers SHOT) 3 TIMES in a four month period. Our mechanic researched the problem and said Chrysler put the wrong brake system on the Dodge Journeys (years 2009-2013 I believe) and corrected it in 2014. The current brake system is not adequate for the weight of the vehicle and is going through brake pads like crazy. He said there is a class action lawsuit right now - but no recalls as of yet...can anyone tell me how be a part of this class action lawsuit? He said it would be $400 for a new break system - Chrysler should be paying for this! I am very upset with Chrysler right now. Our mechanic said we would have to keep paying for new brake pads, etc. every couple months for as long as we own the car, unless Chrysler "does right" by its' customers and replaces this brake system. Our mechanic also said Auto Zone will not longer keep replacing our brake pads for free (they did this 3 times as we thought it was faulty brake pads/calipers at first) as there is nothing wrong with their product - the problem is with the brake system in the Dodge Journey. Please help! How do we get Chrysler to replace this brake system?????

- Becky B., Alliance, OH, US

problem #18

Sep 012015

Journey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,500 miles

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

This is the second complaint in a series of 3 (3 brake/rotor/caliper issues in a 4 month period) Brakes sound awful!!!! Grinding and squealing....took it to the mechanic for the second time in 2 MONTHS - In July, our mechanic said - brake pads were gone - rotors shot, caliper shot, so we paid over $400 to have all of that repaired. So, new rotors, brakes and calipers on the rear of this car.....we THOUGHT the problem was fixed (although we are still puzzled at why the brakes/rotors/calipers were so bad).

2 months later the problem was back and worse this time. The rear driver side brake was insanely hot, you could hear it ticking with heat and could feel the heat from a foot or two away - the squealing sound was back and even worse - people were looking at me on the road because it was so loud. You will see, in 1 additional complaint I am filing - that we have had the SAME problem (brakes/rotors/calipers SHOT) 3 TIMES in a four month period. This second time (September) it was so bad, our mechanic was not comfortable with me driving it so he told me to leave it there until it was fixed (which I did). Again, needed new brakes, calipers and it even ruined the brake line with the heat!!! The caliper "broke" the brake pads were worn down again - in ONLY 2 months!!!

Our mechanic researched the problem and said Chrysler put the wrong brake system on the Dodge Journeys (years 2009-2013 I believe) and corrected it in 2014. The current brake system is not adequate for the weight of the vehicle and is going through brake pads like crazy. He said there is a class action lawsuit right now - but no recalls as of yet...can anyone tell me how be a part of this class action lawsuit? He said it would be $400 for a new break system - Chrysler should be paying for this! I am very upset with Chrysler right now.

Our mechanic said we would have to keep paying for new brake pads, etc. every couple months for as long as we own the car, unless Chrysler "does right" by its' customers and replaces this brake system. Our mechanic also said Auto Zone will not longer keep replacing our brake pads for free (they did this 3 times as we thought it was faulty brake pads/calipers at first) as there is nothing wrong with their product - the problem is with the brake system in the Dodge Journey. Please help! How do we get Chrysler to replace this brake system?????

- Becky B., Alliance, OH, US

problem #17

Dec 312014

Journey SXT 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,855 miles

BRAKES AND ROTOR WERE NOT EVEN A YEAR OLD SINCE THE LAST TIME THEY'VE GOT REPLACED, BUT NOW THEY SEEMS TO BE DOING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. MAKES NOISE WHEN STOPPING AND MAKES THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATE......IT'S A WASTE OF MONEY

- George Q., Toronto, ON, Canada

problem #16

Jun 012015

Journey LUX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,600 miles

Dodge knows the front brakes cannot take the loading. But they continue to use the same design. STUPID.

- Benny V., King George, VA, US

problem #15

Jan 052015

Journey LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

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

Steering wheel shaking while driving my 2011 Dodge Journey. One has 10 miles on when I bought it. There should be something done with so many complaints about the same problems. Why are we having to endure the cost and no recall has been done when there are so many complaints for the same issue. I am told there is no recall, no repair order, no warranty on this problem. I am having to pay the Dodge Dealership approx. $200.00 today (in the shop being repaired now).

There is undoubtedly a problem with this vehicle from the start since it is a recurring issue from so many locations. Who can we contact for help?

- Pat T., Memphis, TN, US

problem #14

Aug 082012

Journey RT 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,214 miles

Car had a significant shudder when brakes were applied at high speeds.

- Albun A., Windhoek, Khomas, Namibia

problem #13

Sep 032012

Journey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,000 miles

Brakes replaced at 12,000 miles

We bought the car at 15,000 miles

Brakes shaking the car at 25,000 miles and replaced at 27,000

Brakes started to shake at 40,000 miles and I called the dealership and they said the only file that the brakes were replaced were at the 12,000 mile point which means they kept the 27,000 miles off the book.

Brakes have been shaking for some time now and we are replacing again at 50,000.

- Clint W., Louisville, KY, US

problem #12

Aug 292014

Journey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,000 miles

I HAVE REPLACED MY BRAKES AND ROTORS ONCE ALREADY AND I HAVEN'T HAD MY 2011 DODGE JOURNEY A FULL YEAR YET. NOW THEY ARE SQUEAKING ONCE AGAIN AND ITS RIDICULOUS! I AM READY TO GET RID OF THIS VEHICLE AS OF TODAY...

- Eunice W., Dallas, TX, US

problem #11

Dec 302011

Journey Mainstreet 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,781 miles

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

This car is a junk. Runs like crap. Is 3 years old now and has a lots of problems, transmission shifts hard and hesitates. bad brake rotors again, needs new rotors in every month, front suspension noise, remote control sometimes working sometimes not, cruise control also not working. got brand new tires all around and car bouncing on the road at speed 50-60 mph. I left my brain home when I went to buy this car. I wish I could get back my 1996 Jaguar xj. was a much better car with 200.XXX miles. I am screwed.

- krisztian, Windermere, FL, US

problem #10

Nov 012012

Journey MainStreet 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

After owning the Journey for a few months we noticed that the brakes were grinding and the steering wheel would shake excessively when braking at around 50mph. Took to local dealer and was told that there are no problems with the brakes and the steering wheel shaking could not be replicated. To this day, 33000 miles, both issues are still happening with the added annoyance of the brakes squeaking now.

- Loren P., Billings, MT, US

problem #9

May 162012

Journey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,000 miles

Apparently Dodge failed to fix the issue with the 2009 and 2010 Journey's. I have had the car since September 2011, and have put 19000 miles on the car. Now my rotors are warped and the dealership said they will cut me a deal and fix the rotors for $200. They said I am no longer covered under warranty because the brakes are only covered for 12 months/12000 miles. I know they extended the warranty on the 2009 and 2010 to 3yr/36000 miles. Piece of junk.

- wthomas, Waterloo, IL, US

problem #8

Apr 092012

Journey Mainstreet 6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

front brakes wore again at 30k , was told by dodge i didn't use there parts funnny dodge parts only lasted 13000 miles why would i use them again

the front brakes on the 2011 dodge journey need to be recalled the v6 and the third row most likely add extra weight they didnt account for

- Rich T., Glen Gardner, NJ, US

problem #7

Nov 072012

Journey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles

third set of brakes at 21000 miles!!!! Steering wheel is still shaking while braking... beginning to think the tires are now part of the issue. I was told by dodge that the Japanese tires are crap and might need to be replaced...really? it has 21000 miles!

- Jen M., Lake Zurich, IL, US

problem #6

Oct 012012

Journey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

still had issues with brakes and pulling.... they ground down the back rotors. still having issues! I hate this car!

- Jen M., Lake Zurich, IL, US

problem #5

May 012012

Journey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

I have had issues with my Journey since day three. The steering wheel was shaking, the brakes would pulsate etc.... Finally had brakes replaced...no help from the complaint dept.

- Jen M., Lake Zurich, IL, US

problem #4

Jun 012013

Journey Mainstreet 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,500 miles

My Journey is less than 2 years old with 18,500 miles. Rotors are already warped (car shakes violently upon braking at all speeds). Dodge states that brakes are only covered under their warranty up to 12,000 miles. Online sites are filled with complaints about similar problems in 2009-2010 Journeys and Dodge ended up extending warranties for those years as a result. Dodge claims to have addressed brake issues with the 2011 redesign but clearly the problem remains. They need to stand behind their product, and do the right thing by extending the brake warranty on 2011's as well.

- bgreenfi, Milton, VT, US

problem #3

May 102012

Journey Mainstreet 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,126 miles

I have had brake issues with my 2011 Dodge Journey four different times. The first time I had it two weeks and had to replace brake pads. The next 2 months later I had to replace brake pads again. Then May of 2012 with 15,126 miles I had the rotors turned. And now at 30,400 miles on July 5th of 2013 I am going in for new rotors front end because the front end steering wheel is shaking so bad I am afraid to drive it very far. I am thinking that this is an ongoing issue for a lot of other journey owners. I should of stayed with the Chevrolet!!!

- beverlykmi, Saranac, MI, US

problem #2

Jun 012012

Journey

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,000 miles

17,000 miles on my wife's 2011 Dodge Journey, front end started to shake when brakes were used, took it into the dealer, mechanic told her that it would be $850 to do both front/rear brakes and rotors. After she called frantic, I called the dealership and informed them of the 2009/2010 Journey issues that were "supposedly" fixed....Wanted to talk to management, they called me back and said that it would be a $100 dollar deductible to have the car fixed....Dodge still doesn't get it after all these years.

- Warren T., boston, ma, US

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