Hi Everybody,

My Journey was working fine until a few months ago, when the battery seemingly died. I replaced it (no small feat) and all was good for a bit. Now, every third day, I go out and the car is dead. The battery is brand new, but the car acts as if it is dead. I disconnect the negative lead, [put it back on, and voila, it starts again. The battery is fine. At least for a few days, and the repeats...over and over. I took it in for the recall on the steering column electrical issue and it lasted for a week after that, and then dead again. I see the forums that say lots and lots of people have had this problem...has anyone actually got it fixed in which it has stayed fixed? Since Dodge refuses to acknowledge that this is a problem, we are in a bad catch-22 in which the dealer can't/won't fix it because if they acknowledge that this is an issue, then they feel responsible for it, which they can't /won't do. So I am in the endless back-and-forth with repair places, who I suspect just disconnect the negative terminal, reconnect it, call victory and change me $200. If anyone knows (1) What this problem really is, and (2) any place in north Florida that will fix this problem for real, it would be most greatly appreciated. So frustrated and would be grateful for any help.

 

Hi JaxJourney,
I'm very sorry to hear about this. I understand how this would be frustrating. Please send me a private message with your VIN and current mileage so I can look into this for further handling.
Lydia
Dodge Social Care Specialist

 

FYI - Just replied via PM to your message.

 

My 2016 Journey is currently sitting at the dealership for this exact issue. Our Uconnect system started acting up about a month ago ("Cant unlock Maps") which I see is another known, and extremely common problem. Anyway, about 2 weeks ago we started dealing with dead battery issues, and it seems to die every time it sits more than an hour. We had the battery replaced, and the car stopped dying but continued to show it was in power saving mode, not allowing the Uconnect to power on and the dash would reset while driving. We were able to get it into a dealership for a diagnosis on Tuesday morning, and it sat on a machine all night to monitor batter usage. What they found was that when the car was powered down there was a parasitic draw coming from somewhere and depleting the battery. So after having the vehicle for 2 days, the diagnosis is that the starter motor is drawing on the battery causing it to drain down, and its about a $600 fix. Still waiting to hear about the Uconnect diagnosis, as they forgot to figure that out with the battery issues but this and other forums has me confident that the unit will need replaced. We have a claim with Chrysler, and they a possibly going to cover the cost for the Uconnect but it seems both of these issues are well known to Chrysler and a recall or campaign should be sent out. The car is out of warranty FYI, so I am really hoping Chrysler comes through as we are long time customers and own many Dodge vehicles.

 

I bought my car last Aug 2017 so owned it 13 months. I have had a dead batter 7 times now and 4 on the new battery. I hate the keyless start and wonder if that is the problem. We called the dealership and they said the model has no reported problems on this which is a lie as I see many suffering the same thing. Also when it is dead it is most difficult to get the passenger side and back doors open and the hatch was impossible. As a disabled senior this is even worse when standing in the rain with luggage and having to find someone to crawl into the back seat to pull open the locks. I cannot trust it nor the dealership and I can't get it fixed. Does Dodge stand behind their product???? After being involved with 2002 hemi pick up the worst one ever made I swore I wouldn't buy one again but here I am.

 

Hi
Since the 2nd battery April 2019 the car has only been dead twice this summer. The Dodge mechanic has suggested I use a battery charger on trickle to top it up now and then. He explained if I drive it only a few klms or let it idle it may not fully charge. I have had the garage fix the phone twice since steering wheel wire recall but it only works one day then won't load again so I have not learned how to use it. I too think the drain may be the radio. Keep your lights off , not on auto.
I too love the design of this car for comfort and storage however I will not buy a push start ever again due to the inconvenience of not knowing where the keys are or if it is still running. This is very dangerous bc I am deaf. I have had no brake problems. I purchases with 95,000 klms and now have 150000 klms or 100000 miles on it so there is a lot a like about it but never knowing if it will sort or if I left it running are 2 BIG NOs.

 

Glad to hear you are happy with your Journey.

 

I have been having the same problem with my battery. I just went to go somewhere again and I couldn't even unlock the doors. I am an elderly person who take her disabled husband to many doctors appointments and this is horrible. I really need dodge to fix this issue asap we are on a fixed income and cannot deal with this anymore. Someone from dodge get a hold of ke asap or I will go on a Twitter and facebook rant. Melinda white

 

Dodge is denying they have a problem.

 

I couldn't park my Journey at Park n Fly for a week because I knew it would be dead. I parked it at friends house and had her start it everyday but 3rd day dead again. They put a charger on it for me last day and it did start. That was Aug , Dead again in Oct and dead again after not driving it Christmas Day and now the hood prop fell off . Then again Left it running accidently yesterday while locked with keys in my pocket for over 2 hours while at church.
Listen up Dodge you need a Deaf member on your design team! Also whoever created those auto down windows were out of their minds and the push down for down they should be pull up levers for windows down. My dog almost fell out of the car opening the window and just imagine if that was a child and I cannot hear if the window is open or not which makes it even ore dangerous. It's far too easy to turn child window lock on or off while adjusting the side mirror .
Please do something about these battery drains. I cannot sell it privately like this and of course take a beating at a dealer. Comfy seats , good storage and nice ride but you never know if it will start!