The Dodge Journey is a popular mid-size crossover vehicle with a low price tag that offers seating for seven. The journey offers many options such as two different engines (2.4L or 3.6L) and five different trim packages. The length, much longer than other midsize SUVs, and height make many feel like it is more like a station wagon. Although at first glance this car should be perfect, the cons include poor fuel economy, handling, reliability, and other problems.
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When was the Design of the 2017 Dodge Journey First Introduced?
The design of the 2017 Dodge Journey was first introduced in 2009. This is why customers sometimes describe the interior as outdated. This is just one of several cons noted by owners of Dodge Journey.
What Engine Types are Available in the 2017 Dodge Journey?
There are two engines available in the 2017 Dodge Journey. The standard engine is the 2.4 liters 173 horsepower engine. This engine offers 166 pounds of torque which are paired to the 4-speed automatic transmission. This engine has a towing capacity of 1,000 pounds.
The other engine which is standard on the GT trim package and optional on all others is the 3.6-liter V6 engine with 283 horsepower. This engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The V6 can tow up to 2,500 pounds.
What is the Factory Warranty on a 2017 Dodge Journey?
The full warranty is 36 months or 36,000 miles. There is a Roadside Assistance Program as part of the warranty for a full 60 months. The Powertrain Warranty lasts for 60 months or 60,000 miles. The corrosion warranty is for a full 60 months.
How does the 2017 Dodge Journey Rank Compared to Other Crossovers and SUVs?
According to US News and World Report, the 2017 Dodge Journey has an overall rating of 7.1 out of 10. They arrived at this number after researching over 50 sources. It was listed last out of all 2017 Midsize SUVs. Also, it was ranked last for all SUVs in 2017 having a 3rd-row seat. As a used car, it was listed 62 out of 63 for used SUVs having the 3rd seat with a price tag under $15,000.
Is the 2017 Dodge Journey Considered to be Reliable?
With rankings at the bottom of the list, it all depends upon what you are looking for. Problems have been noted in steering, pick up, transmission, engines, and much more. So I would not call it the most reliable car for the money. Plus, it is at the bottom of the heap in terms of fuel economy. Overall it is rated between 2.5 and 3 for reliability, but do you want to be driving a car in the middle of nowhere with these scores? If you are just looking for a car to drive around town then it should be fine, but if you plan on driving your car long distances and short distances you may not find it to be that reliable.
Is the Dodge Journey still being made in the factory?
Although the Dodge Journey has been on the market for over 10 years, not much has happened in the design or mechanics. 2021 is the year the Dodge Journey ends. In 2009, when it was introduced there was the choice of two engines, the 2.4 liters or 3.5 liters. Over the ten years, there was the introduction of the Pentastar V6 engine. There was no significant change to the design inside or out. In 2020, costs were cut and the only engine option was the 2.4 liter with all of the complaints. No flags will be raised as the cars are driven off the showroom floors, as no one will notice.
Problems with Steering in the 2017 Dodge Journey
2017 Dodge Journey offers a heated steering wheel but it goes down from there. When you are driving straight like on a highway, this crossover vehicle has sport-like handling. If you are going around a turn, you may feel like you are turning the wheel more than you should have to. This is one of the complaints in the area of steering in the 2017 Dodge Journey. The car is not one to make you feel confident while driving it. When you go around turns the car feels like it is leaning.
What is the City and Highway Mileage for the 2017 Dodge Journey?
The 2017 Dodge Journey lags behind other similar crossover and SUVs in miles per gallon in city and highway ranking lowest in its class. The 2.4-liter engine has 19 miles per gallon in the city and 25 on the highway. The V6 engine miles per gallon is 17 in the city and 25 on the highway. The all-wheel-drive model features 16 miles per gallon in the city and 24 on the highway. For fuel economy, it is ranked number 13. Number 1 is the Ford Escape with 21 miles per gallon in the city and 29 on the highway.
Problems with Safety in the 2017 Dodge Journey
There are significant issues with safety in the 2017 Dodge Journey. The seatbelts or restraints are marginal at best. There are significant areas that vary in protection. For example, there is only marginal protection of your upper and lower legs and feet. Also, the vehicle cage is poor in terms of crash safety. Also, since the car leans when turning, it has a higher likelihood of rollover crashes. The vehicle is considered top-heavy and is rated a 3 out of 5 for this type of crash.
Does the 2017 Dodge Journey have any Significant Recalls?
There is a recall worth mentioning involving cruise control. It affects over 4 million vehicles. A condition may exist where the cruise control will not turn off. This may cause a crash if you are trying to slow down or stop.
Does the 2017 Dodge Journey have Transmission Problems?
There have been several problems reported in the transmissions of the 2017 Dodge Journey. One such problem occurs when you put your car into drive or reverse. The car may jerk or shake. The problem may be from the lockup control valve or the TCC accumulator. Another symptom of a problem with the transmission is when the car is stopped and you notice the speed go up 20 miles per hour or more and the car is shaking. This issue is caused by a bad output shaft speed sensor. At times while you are slowing down to come to a stop the engine may suddenly stall. This means that you need to replace the EMCC solenoid. Many customers say that when you drive the car it feels heavier than its weight of 3,818 pounds.
2017 Dodge Journey Steering Problems
The 2017 Dodge Journey has a rack pinion steering system. There have been numerous problems reported with this system. The most common is relative to going around turns. Customers report feeling like you have to turn the wheel more than you should. Other complaints include having too much play or unresponsive steering.
How Many Valves does the 2017 Dodge Journey have?
The 2017 Dodge Journey’s 2.4-liter engine has 16 valves. The job of the values is to control the amount of air and fuel that is allowed into the fuel.
Electrical Issues Reported in the 2017 Dodge Journey
The 2017 Dodge Journey customers report a slew of issues. These issues range from not starting and the battery wearing out early. There have also been reports of the power door locks malfunctioning. Repairs needed included TIPM, ignition node, and the starter which sometimes goes as early as 30,000 miles.
Problems with the Air Conditioning in the 2017 Dodge Journey
Problems reported about the air conditioner in this range from popping to a strange smell. Your air conditioner may even turn on and off by itself. A common complaint was that the AC was not getting cold and that it was draining the fuel level.
Brake Issues in the 2017 Dodge Journey
The average brake job cost just over $600. Replacing the rotors should cost about $580 so a pad and rotor job is going to run you close to $800. Complaints range from brakes that lock up to uneven wear. Another issue was fast wearing brake pads. This seemed to occur at around 20,000 miles. Average brake pads should last you around 40,000.
2017 Dodge Journey Engine Problems
Complaints about the engine range from lack of pick-up to strange noises. Reports of low mileage engines dying on the highway are also not unheard of. Ticking noises can be heard coming from the engine even when all regular maintenance is completed on the vehicle. You may turn off your vehicle only to have difficulty getting it started 5 minutes later. RPMs may fly up and down on your meter even if you are going slow.
How does the Storage Space in the 2017 Dodge Journey Compare to Other Vehicles in its Class?
The 2017 Dodge Journey offers 67 cubic feet of space when both rows of space are folded down. When just the 3rd row is folded down then you have just over 11 cubic feet. This can be compared to the 2017 Kia Sorento which has a total of 74 cubic feet when both rows are down. It has 12 cubic feet behind the 3rd-row seat.
What is the Cost to Own a 2017 Dodge Journey?
The 5-year cost to own a 2017 Dodge Journey is $30, 387. This is considered poor in its class. The breakdown is $8,600 depreciation, $6,600 fuel, $3,900 maintenance, $2,398 repairs, $1,646 financing, and $596 state fees.