Took the wife's SXT in to have the water pump replaced (18k miles) and asked them to check the rotors because I had noticed vibration during normal braking.

They confirmed the rotors were in fact warped and had chewed the pads down to 10%. It would only cost me about $400 to take care of the problem for both axles. The tech told me it's absolutely normal for rotors to warp at this early stage. Since brakes are normal wear and tear parts....no warranty coverage.

It only took me about 10 minutes with Google to find out there are no less than 2 class action suits against Chrysler for this exact problem. I also found literally hundreds of individual complaints about the exact same problem.

It seems that some genius Chrysler engineer decided he could cut corners by using a substandard rotor in the Journey. This vehicle weighs in at almost 2 tons empty. Add a couple of normal adults and you have one heavy vehicle.
Excessive heat build-up on the insufficient rotors and of course they are going to warp.

To top it all off, the tech says "He has no knowledge of this being an issue with the Journey". I offered to show him copies of the two class action suits, but he didn't seem interested. How could he, or anyone else in the service department with Chrysler NOT know about this issue?

I'm extremely disappointed with Chrysler's lack of concern and their attitude toward supporting their product. I've been dealing with this particular dealership for over 20 years, having bought about 13 vehicles from them during this time, and giving them all my service business. For a company in such dire financial states, can they afford to lose people like me....in large numbers.

Can anybody on this forum that might be associated with the auto repair business offer some explanation? I'm totally flabbergasted here.

Paul

 

Welcome to DF
Here is a TSB that came out in Nov of 2010. I would call the customer service center and ask them for assistance 1-800-992-1997.

SUBJECT:
Brake Pedal Pulsation, Steering Wheel Shake And/Or Floor Pan Vibration When Braking
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves measuring the thickness variation of the rear rotors to determine if it’s
necessary to replace or resurface the front rotors only or to replace or resurface both the
front and rear brake rotors.
MODELS:
2010 (JC) Journey
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
Brake pedal pulsation, steering wheel shake and/or floor pan vibration when braking
DIAGNOSIS:
If the symptom/condition is experienced proceed to the repair procedure.
PARTS REQUIRED:
Qty. Part No. Description
2 (AR) 04779783AA Rotor, Front Wheel Brake
2 (AR) 04721996AA Rotor, Rear Wheel Brake
SPECIAL TOOLS/EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:
1 PSE Approved On-Car Brake Lathe (Hunter or Pro-Cut)
NUMBER: 05-004-10
GROUP: Brakes
DATE: November 17, 2010
REPAIR PROCEDURE:
1. Raise the vehicle on a suitable hoist. Refer to the detailed service procedures
available in DealerCONNECT> TechCONNECT under: Service Info> 04- Vehicle
Quick Reference> Hoisting> Standard Procedure> Hoisting.
2. Measure rotor thickness variation of rear brake rotors (Fig. 1) number 2 at 12 equal
points around the rotor braking surface with a micrometer (Fig. 1) number 1 at a radius
approximately 25 mm (1 inch) from edge of rotor.
3. Was the thickness variation of the rear rotor less than .025mm (0.001 inches) ?
Fig. 1 Rotor Inspection
1 - Micrometer
2 - Rotor
a. Yes>>> Proceed to Step #4.
b. No>>> Proceed to Step #11.
4. Do you have an approved PSE on-car brake lathe?
a. Yes>>> Proceed to Step #8.
b. No>>> Proceed to Step #5.
5. Remove and replace the front brake rotors. Refer to the detailed removal/installation
procedures available in DealerCONNECT> TechCONNECT under: Service Info> 05-
Brakes> Brakes, Base> Hydraulic/Mechanical> ROTOR, Brake> Removal/Installation>
Front .
6. Drive vehicle to confirm condition has been corrected. If the vehicle continues to
exhibit the symptom/condition remove and replace the rear rotors. Service Info> 05-
Brakes> Brakes, Base> Hydraulic/Mechanical> ROTOR, Brake> Removal/Installation>
Rear.
7. Return the vehicle to the customer.
8. Using a PSE approved on-vehicle brake lathe, lightly resurface both front rotors.
NOTE: Follow all resurfacing directions and procedures associated with the
equipment used.
05-004-10 -2-
9. Drive vehicle to confirm condition has been corrected. If the vehicle continues to
exhibit the symptom/condition lightly resurface the rear rotors
10. Return the vehicle to the customer.
11. Do you have an approved PSE on-car brake lathe?
a. Yes>>> Proceed to Step #15.
b. No>>> Proceed to Step #12.
12. Remove both front and rear rotors. Refer to the detailed removal procedures available
in DealerCONNECT> TechCONNECT under: Service Info> 05- Brakes> Brakes,
Base> Hydraulic/Mechanical> ROTOR, Brake> Removal> Front/Rear.
13. Install new front p/n 04779783AA and rear 04721996AA rotors. Refer to the detailed
installation procedures available in DealerCONNECT> TechCONNECT under: Service
Info> 05- Brakes> Brakes, Base> Hydraulic/Mechanical> ROTOR, Brake>
Installation> Front/Rear.
14. Return the vehicle to the customer.
15. Using a PSE approved on-vehicle brake lathe, lightly resurface both front and rear
rotors.
NOTE: Follow all resurfacing directions and procedures associated with the
equipment used.
16. Return the vehicle to the customer.
POLICY:
Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.

 

Wow, thanks for this information Leonard.
So this indicates to me that there is no possible way any Chrysler service department could be unaware of this issue.

Just to update this post. I did get the dealership to agree to replace the rotors and pads at no cost to me, yesterday.
I had to return the Journey to service after the water pump was replaced because while my wife was on her way home, the ETC warning light came on.

I brought the car in and found my salesman and gave him the rant about the brakes....adding that we were done dealing with this Chrysler dealership.
He went back to the service department and came back a few minutes later telling me it would be taken care of at no expense to me.

I guess my biggest disappointment with the whole issue is that at no time did anyone we spoke to about this brake issue, give any indication that this was a common problem or that they were aware of it. I suppose this could be how Chrysler has dictated to the dealers on how to handle any inquiries, due to the pending litigation.

Well, we'll see what happens from here. Thanks again for the TSB. I always like to have the most information I can when dealing with something like this.

Paul

 

My dealership has "no idea" about an brake related TSB's for the Journey. It seems like these guys "drank the coolaid" or something because they say they dont know anything and just smile away. I had to replace my front rotors and pads at 18k, rear rotors were replaced at 23k and rear pads at 35k. Did it all myself because they said these were wear parts and not covered by warranty. I cant believe the junk they put on cars from the factory these days. Your best bet is to ditch the junk factory stuff and buy some decent aftermarket rotors and pads.

 

We just got a letter from Chrysler telling us that they are extending the warranty on the FRONT pads and rotors to 36K or 36 months. It's dated 3/10, and explains how to go about getting the service, LESS the $100 deductible.

While this is better than nothing, it still doesn't cover the rear brake components, and we shouldn't have to pay a dime to have poorly designed materials replaced to begin with.

I was able to get front and rear rotors/pads replaced by the dealership at no cost....after raising a big stink. We shouldn't even have to protest at all to get this issue taken care of. This was an engineering mistake from the very beginning, starting in 2009.

Well, good luck to anyone else having to deal with this.

Paul

 

Yep, I got the same letter a couple of weeks ago. I had hers checked at last oil change which was the first time the tires got rotated. No problems yet, but then again, in a year and a half of ownership, the thing only has 6k miles on it...

 

I have a 2010 Dodge Journey with 9,000 miles on it. The rotors started to go around 4,000 miles, but I initially thought I imagined it (that has never happened on a car I've owned), and then I've had to wait until I had a day off from work to take the car in to the dealership. Which we did a few days ago, and they supposedly changed the rotors...but the wheel is still shaking and pulsating. It also shakes when I'm not braking. What can this be? Or did the rotors go, again, after a couple of days? I'm stuck with this vehicle, I don't feel safe driving it, and when I tried to trade it into a Ford dealer, they offered me $10K less than I paid for it seven months ago. Help! Any insight? I have a call into the dealership, and will take the car in when I can get another day off from work.

 

Lot of things can make the front end vibrate. Most common cause is a tire that is out of balance. Alignment is second, then comes the worn front end parts.

$10k less for an upper $20-low $30k vehicle is about normal as soon as you drive it off the lot, despite what brand/model it is...


Mom's 2010 still runs like a top. I checked the rotors myself not two months ago. Has NEVER had any issue of any kind, although I have brought it in twice for recalls. Maybe just been lucky so far, because it seems Dodge cut about every corner you can cut on these vehicles.

Conversely, her next door neighbor bought a brand new 2010 Lexus GX, sticker was around $55k and I think about all the dealer would come down was to $51k. The thing has been into the dealer about six times so far for various problems, including NOT STARTING when she left work one day which required a tow. Got a new PCM (vehicle computer) to fix that one.

Buying a car is like a box of chocolates, never know what you're gonna get...

 

shakes even when you are not braking? probably wheel off balance. Some of those sticky weight may have fly off on the highway.
steering wheel shake or the car shake?

Don't trade it in for 10k less, I am pretty sure fixing it will cost far less than 10k.
especially u still have waranty. If you are afraid of it's long term reliability, factory extended waranty is an option.

Hammer is right, Buying a car is like a box of mysterious chocolate. My family had so many Toyota that ran like a champ for yrs. But my dad's 08 Highlander with 30k needs the motor taken apart for head work... even tho i ran synthetic oil religiously in it.