2010 Dodge Journey - Which Engine?

[tcp71]

I would check out this one. Had a 2007 that was great. the 3.0V6 and 6 speed auto was very stout.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplac...wse_serp:ab3c5abd-ae02-42db-afd8-8a339f46f75d

 

[JoelB]

What sort of failures?

Chrysler/Daimler-Chrysler/FCA had a reputation for electrical issues.

Did the transmission hold up OK?

Throttle body failure, coolant leaks in multiple spots, overheating, phantom drain on the battery. Less critical was trim and buttons failing at lower miles than I would have liked.

I actually liked the vehicle to drive and use. Comfortable with good amounts of space. That particular example was just too much of a headache.

 

[Number_35]

I would check out this one. Had a 2007 that was great. the 3.0V6 and 6 speed auto was very stout.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplac...wse_serp:ab3c5abd-ae02-42db-afd8-8a339f46f75d

View attachment 261934

Mitsu tends to be underrated here (and thus the used vehicles often offer good value compared to Toyota and Honda).

 

[SwampSurvivor]

If it's the 4 cylinder it would be the "world" 2.4L which is shared with Hyundai/Kia and Mitsubishi. The 4 cylinder came with the infamous 41TE transmission which was .. very problematic.

I think the tigershark is kinda related to it as an evolution and the engine isn't related at all to the disastrous iron block / aluminum head 2.4L that came before it and blew the head gasket every 30,000 miles

 

[slacktide_bitog]

I also like 4- bangers, but an engine appropriate for a Dodge Caliber would (I think) be overworked in the larger Journey.

When I was looking for a minivan a few years ago, folks here talked me out of a Sienna with the 2.7 litre 4. Too much van for the HP and torque.

After having fun with repairs on another friend's Sonic, I don't think I'd consider an Orlando. It also misses the mark by not, as you noted, having AWD. I did like them when they came out c. 2012, and advised a friend to look at them. He bought a Grand Caravan instead, which has been excellent.

Edit: I like Mazdas, and have gotten good service out of all eight I've owned, BUT the CX-7 had a bad reputation here. Lots of engine problems with the turbo 2.3, mostly due to LSPI.

Yeah I remembered that thread on the 2.7L Sienna. 0-60 is 9.5s, not bad at all. You had found one nearby but it sold before you could see it

The 4-cyl Journey seems to be as simple as a modern SUV can be, and priced less than anything else meeting your requirements. It is more than adequate and not too slow for daily driving at all

You don't need the Hellcat SRT Journey

The wiki page mentioned just that but I didn't include it.

"Many problems with Chrysler automatic transmissions are started when the automatic transmission fluid or "ATF" is replaced or topped-up with standard, more common fluids like DEXRON or MERCON type fluids. Chrysler transmissions need to use their own fluid, designated as ATF+4 Synthetic type 9602 fluid from Chrysler, not any other or any other plus an additive. If any quantity of other type of fluid is added to the transmission, a complete drain, flush and replacement with the correct ATF+4 will be needed[citation needed].

The most common problems (shift stuck-, limp mode-, blocking problems) with the Chrysler Ultradrive transmissions are poor shifting quality and sudden locks into second gear ("limp-home" mode) caused by the transmission computer detecting problems with sensor data. Nine design changes were made in an attempt to fix clutch failure, and four were directed to excessive shifting on hills"

Redline C+ is the best fluid to use where ATF+4 is called for, despite not being licensed.

 

[iahawk]

I had a Journey of that era as a company car...with the 4 cyl. Second slowest car I've ever owned (next to the original '82 Chevy Cavalier). You couldn't catch someone on a 50cc scooter in that thing, and Interstate on ramps were dangerous. Journeys are junk and the 4 cyl makes it an even worse vehicle.

 

[Number_35]

Yeah I remembered that thread on the 2.7L Sienna. 0-60 is 9.5s, not bad at all. You had found one nearby but it sold before you could see it

The 4-cyl Journey seems to be as simple as a modern SUV can be, and priced less than anything else meeting your requirements. It is more than adequate and not too slow for daily driving at all

You don't need the Hellcat SRT Journey



Redline C+ is the best fluid to use where ATF+4 is called for, despite not being licensed.

Your memory is awesome! That was c. summer 2020. We eventually bought a 2007 Grand Caravan in March 2021. It's been surprisingly good.

 

[wag123]

The Journey is possibly the most unreliable vehicle sold in the US in the last 30 years. Recommending one to a friend or relative is a bad idea and if they purchase one you might never hear the end of it.
https://www.dashboard-light.com/vehicles/Dodge_Journey.html

 

[edyvw]

None. Tell friend not to drive on the same street where that Dodge is parked.

 

[Skippy722]

I had a Journey of that era as a company car...with the 4 cyl. Second slowest car I've ever owned (next to the original '82 Chevy Cavalier). You couldn't catch someone on a 50cc scooter in that thing, and Interstate on ramps were dangerous. Journeys are junk and the 4 cyl makes it an even worse vehicle.

I’m usually first to defend Dodge…. But no not this time. The journey was/is an awful vehicle.

 

[OVERKILL]

I’m usually first to defend Dodge…. But no not this time. The journey was/is an awful vehicle.

Yeah, agreed. A GC is a decent choice, even that vintage (though not as good as what came after) but the Journey was a pretty "meh" vehicle that was designed to be a value offering for a segment that didn't want a van, but couldn't step up to a GC or Durango. Other than the Neon, most of Chrysler's ventures into producing something inexpensive have resulted in products with mediocre-to-bad reputations.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Yeah, agreed. A GC is a decent choice, even that vintage (though not as good as what came after) but the Journey was a pretty "meh" vehicle that was designed to be a value offering for a segment that didn't want a van, but couldn't step up to a GC or Durango. Other than the Neon, most of Chrysler's ventures into producing something inexpensive have resulted in products with mediocre-to-bad reputations.

x2. After owning a few of the front wheel drive based Jeeps (Cherokee and Renegade), I wouldn't touch another. Clearly made to a different standard than anything RWD based. Never had anything major go wrong with the "real" Mopars and always love the way they drive.

 

[Number_35]

x2. After owning a few of the front wheel drive based Jeeps (Cherokee and Renegade), I wouldn't touch another. Clearly made to a different standard than anything RWD based. Never had anything major go wrong with the "real" Mopars and always love the way they drive.

About 10 years ago I drove a little c. 2010 Jeep something (Patriot? FWD-based anyway) from the motor pool a couple of times.

I think it had a CVT. Sad little thing in any case, and I wouldn't have known it was a Jeep but for the grille and badging. Fiat platform perhaps?

 

[Number_35]

The search has ended. They've bought a 2013 Acura MDX, one owner, regularly serviced, in really good condition.

 

[vwmaniaman]

I had a 2014 that saved my life in a head on collision. A taurus hit me head on at 55 mph. Two lane road motor quit on impact and coasted off the right side of the road and into a dirt bank. Totaled the journey but they checked me out and I had no injures. The V6 got 26mpg on the highway and was very quiet.

 

[OVERKILL]

The search has ended. They've bought a 2013 Acura MDX, one owner, regularly serviced, in really good condition.

Does that have the 3.5?

 

[Number_35]

Does that have the 3.5?

It has the 3.7 - a slightly bored and stroked version of the Honda J engine, with an 11.2:1 compression ratio, vs. the 3.5's 10.0:1.

 

[OVERKILL]

It has the 3.7 - a slightly bored and stroked version of the Honda J engine, with an 11.2:1 compression ratio, vs. the 3.5's 10.0:1.

Does it also shutdown half the cylinders? And if so, is it prone to the same rear bank issues as the 3.5?

 

[Number_35]

Does it also shutdown half the cylinders? And if so, is it prone to the same rear bank issues as the 3.5?

Good question! Per a thread on MDXers org, the MDX 3.7 was not equipped with VCM until MY 2014. Phew!

 

[vwmaniaman]

My Journey had the 3.6 v6. It had more power than it needed.