2011 Dodge Journey

The 2.0-litre CRD diesel model employs a dual-mass flywheel (DMF) to dampen torsional vibrations from the high-torque Volkswagen Pumpe-Düse engine. Due to the Journey's considerable vehicle mass and frequent family towing or urban stop-start duties, the internal DMF springs and friction damping plates wear out prematurely. Excessive rotational play leads to metallic chattering at idle, clutch pedal pulsation, and clutch plate slipping under high torque demand in fourth and fifth gears.

Symptoms: Rattling or metallic clattering noise at engine idle that changes or disappears when the clutch pedal is depressed, Vibration and shudder felt through the clutch pedal and vehicle floorpan when pulling away in first gear...

Est. repair cost: £650–£1,250

Early Dodge Journey models were originally engineered with undersized 294mm front ventilated brake discs that struggled to dissipate thermal energy generated when stopping this 1.9-tonne seven-seater. Under sustained braking on UK motorways or during hilly driving, excessive heat cycling causes rapid lateral runout and disc thickness variation. The warped rotors induce severe steering wheel shaking and brake pedal pulsation, prompting Chrysler to eventually release a heavy-duty brake upgrade kit with larger calipers and discs.

Symptoms: Violent shaking or vibration through the steering wheel when applying moderate brake pressure from 50mph, Pulsating sensation felt directly through the brake pedal during braking...

Est. repair cost: £180–£420

In seven-seat Journey models equipped with rear cabin climate control, aluminium coolant and air conditioning pipes run along the exposed vehicle underbody above the rear suspension to feed the rear heater matrix and evaporator. Exposed to British road spray and corrosive winter road salt, the thin-walled aluminium lines pit and oxidise near their mounting brackets. This leads to pinhole coolant leaks causing engine overheating, or loss of air conditioning refrigerant, leaving the rear passenger compartment without heat or chilling.

Symptoms: Sweet-smelling engine coolant puddling under the right rear wheel arch or floorpan, Slow, unexplained loss of engine coolant from the expansion bottle without obvious engine bay leaks...

Est. repair cost: £250–£650

The front suspension of the Dodge Journey utilizes MacPherson struts with cast steel lower control arms. The large rear vertical voided rubber compliance bushes endure constant load from the heavy front end when negotiating speed humps and potholed UK roads. The rubber debonds from the central metal sleeve, causing significant fore-and-aft movement of the front wheel assembly. This induces clunking over obstacles, vagueness during braking, and MOT failure for excessive suspension joint movement.

Symptoms: Dull thudding or knocking sound from the front floor area when driving over road bumps or sunken drains, Steering wander or an uneasy shifting sensation through the front wheels under hard braking...

Est. repair cost: £180–£400