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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.
Updated December 12th, 2012
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41 thoughts onDodge Journey Brake Class Action Lawsuit
Have a 2010 Dodge Journey I purchased new in Feb 2011. Car now has 24K miles and going on 4th set of front brakes. Dealer now wants a 100 copay to fix the front and will charge full price to replace the rear ones whcih have already been replaced once. They have now extended the warranty to 3 years 36K miles with a copay but since there are so many problems with brakes the time and mileage should reset to zero each time they replace the brakes.
A petiton on change.org has been made! get involved!!!
I have been through the bad brakes too soon deal, the plastic water reservoir cracked for no good reason and had to be replaced at about 50K miles, The valve that recycles the fuel for the second burning needed replaced and now the car periodically will not start!! The dealership had the car for 2 days and it started correctly each time they tried. They said that unless it misbehaved while in the shop they had no way to tell what the problem was. I will ask them to check the Ignition Module now that I have read about that being a possibility. Why should I have to be doing the trouble shooting on this?? I don’t want to put the money into the suggested 600,000 mile to do list and not have a car I can not depend on to start!! Who do I turn to??
I am sitting in the dealer’s customer service area as I type this now. Whatfrustrating experience!! This is my 5th time dealing with my brake issue and i purchased the car in March 2011. The rear rodars are warped and too thin for resurfacing….again! NO MORE DODGE VEHICLES
FOR ME!!!
Contact this organization, hope it helps. This is the route i am going.
CAMVAP – Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan
camvap.ca
2009 Dodge Journey Purchased New – Same brake problems as previous complaints. Replaced front brakes with a “dealer deal” of $50.00 – As of 5/14/2012 vehicle has 27,000 miles on it – took it in for preventative maintenance (oil change/tire rotation) and was told I need to replace rear brakes system. (Estimated cost $305.00+). I understand pads wearing over time, however, these are freeway miles and rotors should last much longer than the current milage. I will deal with Chrysler and the dealer on this issue. I only hope I am listed in the California Class Action Suit. The vehicle was clearly manufactured with an inadequate brake system for the vehicle weight (and Chrysler admitted this with the “dealer deal”. Please advise if anyone has had luch arguing this fact with their dealer
Had to replace brakes twice by 40,000 miles . I replace 2nd pair with superior quality brakes costing $87.00 a pair plus labor,
I bought my 2009 Dodge Journey mid-2008. I have replaced the brakes AND rotors 3 times now and it is about time to replace them again. I have constant shaking on the road.. This car is a POS and I will NEVER buy another dodge product again.
i have a 2010 doge journey and had to get my rear and front brakes and rotors replaced along with the rear calipers because of a freeze up with the caliper. the dealership said chrysler knew the brakes were defective but because i didnt notice it in the first 12,000 miles it would not be covered i had to pay 100.00 deductible for the front and 100.00 for the rear, the car was still under the 36.000 mile warranty!!!! Explain that I had to get a new ignition module also cause if you hit a bump the car would turn off because the key would get loose it happened twice while driving with my kids in the car. I too will never own another dodge again
I own a 2009 Dodge Journey and at almost 85,000 miles I have had to redo my brakes….6 times I am not kidding or exaggerating. This is ridiculous and absolutely UNSAFE!!!
My wiring harness recall repair was done & now I have too many electrical issues to name. My ERG sensor is faulty and the dealer says $350 to replace and conveniently it is not covered by my extended bumper to bumper warranty.
The Dodge Journey is a death trap on wheels and I will NEVER own another Dodge product again.
My 2009 had all four brake rotors and calipers had to be replaced because of caliper freeze up. The company says it’s the way i drive.