What 169 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Dodge Journey

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE JOURNEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SAW SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE HOOD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE AND ADDED SOME COOLANT BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER DRIVING 5 MORE MINUTES. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE CONTACT SAW FLAMES FROM THE ENGINE. THE FIRE MOMENTARILY EXTINGUISHED ITSELF. THE STEERING WHEEL THEN COULD NOT TURN AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND WIRING WERE DAMAGED SUE TO THE FAILURE. THERE WAS NO REPORT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS KNOWN BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 139,000.

NHTSA ODI 11209289

THE CAR HAS BEEN SHAKING FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW, WORSE WHEN BRAKING. TWICE NOW, WE HAVE HAD TO STOP ABRUPTLY AND THE FRONT BRAKES DID NOT WORK CORRECTLY. ONCE IT DID CAUSE A MINOR ACCIDENT. THERE IS A LOUD GRINDING SOUND FROM THE FRONT WHEEL AREA AND POOR STOPPING AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES NOW FOR THE SAME COMPLAINTS. THEY REPLACED THE REAR ROTORS FOR SOME REASON. NOW THEY ARE REPLACING THE FRONT ROTORS. THE DEALER CLAIMED THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPORTS OF BRAKING/STEERING PROBLEMS FOR THIS YEAR/MODEL SO THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. THE PROBLEM IS MUCH WORSE AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS OF 60+. THE DEALER SERVICE CENTER ALSO ADVISED US THAT AFTER 12000 MILES, THE ROTORS/BRAKES/ETC WILL NOT BE COVERED BY WARRANTY ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN A NOTICEABLE ISSUE SINCE WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF PURCHASE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10440124