Sarah Mirando  |  September 1, 2010

Category: Legal News

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Dodge Journey Brake Class Action Lawsuit
 
By Sarah Pierce
  

09 Dodge Journey

UPDATE: A federal judge dismissed the Dodge Journey Brake Class Action Lawsuit December 4, 2012.

 

The brakes on 2009 and 2010 Dodge Journeys are inadequate, causing premature failure and repeated, unexpected repair costs, according to a class action lawsuit filed in New Jersey.

 

The class action lawsuit claims the braking system in these vehicles is too small for the size and weight of the 2-ton Journey, which was Dodge’s first attempt at building and selling a cross-over vehicle (i.e., a combination of a mini-van and SUV).

 

“It has been widely reported that the brake pads and rotors are too small and too thin to handle the braking duties required by the size and weight of the Journey. The result is a significant increase in brake wear commencing from the date of purchase. It is not uncommon for the brakes on the Journey to fail at barely 12,000 miles requiring replacement of the pads and often shaving or resurfacing of the rotors, which can cause class members as much as $400,” the lawsuit states.

 

The lawsuit goes on to allege that Dodge was aware of this defect from “countless owner complaints and dealer records,” yet did nothing to remedy the defect or to provide notification to owners or lessees about the defect. “Instead, Dodge has selectively provided some class members with company ‘goodwill’ in the form of free or reduced cost repairs.”

 

The class action also takes issue with Dodge’s advertising statements, which claim the Journey is “safe, reliable and durable,” and their denial of warranty coverage of the brake system.

 

The Dodge Journey Class Action Lawsuit is brought on behalf of all current owners or lessees of a 2009 or 2010 Dodge Journey in New Jersey or California, and former owners or lessees of a 2009 or 2010 Journey in New Jersey or California who paid for a repair related to the braking system. It is alleging consumer fraud; unlawful, unfair and fraudulent business practices; and breach of warranty, among other allegations.

 

The lawsuit estimates 100,000 class vehicles are currently on American roads, meaning class members have collectively paid millions of dollars in repairs to their defective Dodge Journeys. A copy of the Dodge Journey Class Action Lawsuit can be read here.

 

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Updated December 12th, 2012

 

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41 thoughts onDodge Journey Brake Class Action Lawsuit

  1. Julie says:

    I have a 2009 Dodge Journey RT. Today for the 3rd time I had to replace the brake pads & roters $364.00 worth again. This vehicle also has ignition problems & is generally a piece of crap. This vehicle only has 72000 miles. This is ridiculous.

    1. Matt says:

      Ignition is a bad ground wire coming from the battery to the post..problem is neg post sucks you have to ground it to the motor somewhere
      It can be tightened down for that good ground conection.should start everytime after that .mine did good luck

  2. TB says:

    we just bought a used 2012 dodge journey with 35,500 miles in april it now has 45,500 and both rear breaks and rotors have gone out and from what we see in the brake pads the brakes have been replaced before. there is no way this van should of had to have this done already. My husband has a 2012 Jeep we have had for 3 years and have never had to touch the brakes.

  3. ANTONIO J VIEIRA says:

    Also bought a used 2009 Dodge Journey Sxt had ignition problem once, had to replace starter and cable, problem with oxigen sensors and cathalic converter, blower fan relay problem caused overheat and had to change radiator once because of leakings, 2 times changed back rotors, 4 times chanced front and back discs and pads and these 4 times they were ceramic. I recommend to everybody IF YOU HAVE A DODGE JOURNEY GET RID OF IT….ID SOMEONE DONATE YOU ONE SAY THANKS AND TURN BACK,,,.AND NEVER EVER BUY DODGE JOURNEY EVEN IF IT IS FOR FREE… DONT GET ONE !!!

  4. Neisha says:

    PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ….SHAKING WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKE, MAY BE A BIGGER SAFETY ISSUE THAN YOU THINK…We bought this car used, a year and a half ago, we are the second owner and have had nothing but problems! We started noticing the shaking when you stepped on the brake, about 2 months after we bought the car, our first thought was that it was the brake pad, rotors etc. At first really thought nothing more of it.

    Later on we had an issue with a loud exhaust. After examining the exhaust we realized there was a hole in the flex pipe, next to the transmission. It had a hole because 4 of the bolts 6 bolts that hold the rear drive shaft into the transmission, were MISSING!!! That will cause the car to shake when you step on the brakes, because it is out of balance. It took 2 weeks to locate, purchase and receive the part from Dodge. When the mechanic first called to order the part…the certified Dodge tech had no idea what pipe he was talking about…really????!!!

    After replacing the pipe and bolts…funny thing happened about 6 weeks later the rear drive shaft fell out because all 6 bolts worked themselves out again!!!!
    I’m sorry but something as important as the drive shaft shouldn’t have a problem with bolts staying in. I feel fortunate to be alive and feel it’s a huge safety issue, which i will be addressing with Dodge.
    So maybe if people are having this vibration problem even when they replace tires and brakes, have your mechanic check the drive shaft and the bolts.

    Further more, you can’t find a repair manual or a break down of the schematics of the transmission. This car has been nothing but a nightmare! We have had other issues, but this is the biggest one.
    Stay away from this model….it’s a lemon and not worth the money or gambling with your life!

    1. Bri says:

      I know this is an old thread, but for people now just coming coming across it. I thought I’d mention I have a 2014 Journey. Replaced the drivers side rear caliper in August 2017 as pads were worn to metal and the caliper was seized. Bought a new caliper from Dodge and pads on both rear wheels. Now in February I have the same problem again on drivers side rear. Pads warn to metal and the caliper is seized.

  5. Mike Julian says:

    I replaced my brakes with aftermarket parts, got 95000 and still working good. Just think the brakes are the bread and butter for garages, Dodge has made it so easy to replace these brakes on your own, you should take advantage of this. For the back you need a special tool, its about 15.00 dollars

    1. Shannon says:

      What aftermarket brakes did you get for the journey ? Same fricking problems with brakes

  6. Alberto C. says:

    All you people whining and bitching about brake issues constantly should have thought…..duh…..let me look online about his to….if anyone…..has fixed this issue……the class action lawsuit has been dismissed by a federal judge…..and yes someone has fixed the issue…..they bought 2013 journey calipers….they are bigger and twin piston….the rotors are 330mm rather than 302mm for the front and even the calipers and rotors rear are bigger…people that have traded in fort he new journeys have no complaints….this is coming from a RN who has no time for DIY jobs or doesn’t know anything about auto jobs but still fixed my own brake issue……so all these…..dear diary issues…..I’m sorry but most sound…..whatever my journey is awesome and I can’t wait to buy my 2015 challenger srt8……oh buy the way if your going to buy used buy carmax…..first 30 days they cover EVERYTHING…. Five day return policy……and if your smart their extended 3 yr/ 125000 miles warranty just about covers ANYTHING other then pads and rotors and wires…….funny how most people just make decisions without thinking….I know I sound like a douche…..so what next time think where your buying your used car from….you very “smart” people

    1. Bri says:

      I know this is an old thread, but for people now just coming coming across it. I thought I’d mention I have a 2014 Journey. Replaced the drivers side rear caliper in August 2017 as pads were worn to metal and the caliper was seized. Bought a new caliper from Dodge and pads on both rear wheels. Now in February I have the same problem again on drivers side rear. Pads warn to metal and the caliper is seized.

    2. Kim Ford/Bad Girl Towing says:

      Wow what a jackass! I have a towing and repair business and was called for a winch out last night for a 2014 Dodge Journey that had brake failure. It went through the wall of the garage, through the back yard and into the creek with two older women in it. Dodge should be responsible for this and this vehicle is two years newer than the dismissal of the class action suit. The elderly women were all cut up from berry bushes and shook up from the trauma of the whole ordeal and now they are without a vehicle for now.
      By (not buy) the way, those warranties are a scammer! Take it from a mechanic! They will find ways to get out of paying for things and give the repair tech a serious ulcer.

      –Bad Girl Towing

    3. Greg says:

      Check out this article, use 2013 parts for break replacement.

      1. Stormy Melvin says:

        Hey Greg I don’t see a website. Could you try to share it again? I. Currently looking for a fix and would love to read the article!!

    4. Tina says:

      You do sound like a d….. achem.. Sarcastic.. the world is full of them. Glad your not my nurse

    5. Tina says:

      You do sound like a d….. aachemm.. Sarcastic.. the world is full of them. Glad your not my nurse, Alberto!
      Just replaced my transmission at 106k mi in 2011 journey. Brakes were an issue immediately – the day i drove it off the showroom floor. Countless repairs!! Need to ditch this car.

  7. Alberto C. says:

    First let me say that I already know that dodge has a iffy history with reliability…….that being said I only buy my vehicles from carmax….for numerous reasons but I am not posting to promote them…..I bought my 2009 journey sxt at 55000 and have not had A SINGLE PROBLEM, yes I had to find out the hard way about the brake issue but all I did was install 2013 calipers front and rear and problem solved……I had the wiring harness recall also and no issues to date….the purchase was in October 2010 the only problem is the wheel hub assembly needs replacing as of yesterday…..I have always been meticulous about preventative maintenance…..this has been the best vehicle I have ever owned…….I mean come on…..entertainment system…….third row……extra needed outlets….sharp style…..navigation……and sunroof……for only 19995…..it can’t be beat……one of two things has happened here…..either I bought the only quality journey or there is some user error going on that none is owning up to…..

  8. Daniel Spurlin says:

    I have had numerous problems with my 2009 dodge Journey mainly with brakes and rotors. My Journey is at 116k miles and I have had to replaces at least a pair of brakes or rotors every 6k miles I even dished out the money for ceramics pad which seemed to last about another 1k miles before they needed to be replaced as well. I also had to replace the radiator at 30k miles and replaced a pair of keys for about $350.00 and now there messed up again (yes I tried replacing the batteries) the car some times wont unlock pressing about 15 times then wait 10 min and it works but it unlocks a random door most of the time just the driver side door and sometimes just the passenger or one of the back seat doors. Sometimes you cant open the trunk at all because it is tied in with the door locks there no separate circuit or manual release. I came out one morning and found both front seat windows rolled down as if someone had pressed the unlock button 2 times which is what its supposed to do but the keys had been put up and no1 had access to them. Overall the most irritating thing is sometimes the car wont start. You turn the key and it clicks do that for 15 min at the end of a workday and then wait 5 min try again. Sometimes it only takes 1 round when it does this sometimes 5 or more and then it just mysteriously starts working for a week or month just long enough for you to think maybe it worked itself out or maybe it was a glitch and then it dies it again. I was planing on saving up and buying a dodge challenge which I have been eyeing since I saw the concept car. Now dodge can take its “Goodwill” fix it did for me one time and shove it along with the possibility of me buying that car from them all the money I was saving had to go to maintenance of this one. I think Auto Zone should send a card to Dodge thanking them for being cheap.

    Please excuse the numerous grammar and punctuation errors. I typed all this from my phone in a car that constantly shakes while braking. Im not the one driving its hard to see on this tiny screen and I just wanted to be done. I also wanted to add my 2009 dodge journey is an V6 RT. the RT’s are supposed to have the best brake package.

  9. Daniel Spurlin says:

    Please excuse the numerous grammar and punctuation errors. I typed all this from my phone in a car that constantly shakes while braking. Im not the one driving its hard to see on this tiny screen and I just wanted to be done. I also wanted to add my 2009 dodge journey is an V6 RT. the RT’s are supposed to have the best brake package.

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