Reliability

After twelve years and 150,000 km, the Journey has been mainly trouble-free. I put that down to the fact that, unlike most American-made cars, the Journey is made in Mexico. It still has the original brake pads and discs all round.

The only warranty issue was in its third year with failed satellite navigation due to a hard drive fault (a known issue with the 2014 model), which was replaced under warranty without issue, and maps were updated for free at the same time. Mind you, the maps are still stuck in 2017, so if your house was built after 2017, it will be in a paddock.

I have had fault code P0520 since 42,000 km, which relates to a faulty oil pressure sensor. There was a service bulletin in the USA to replace it. But good old Dodge Australia did not issue a recall. Maybe that is one of the reasons they are no longer around.

Replacement involves removing air box inlet manifold and about 6 hours of labour. Seeing the code has been on now for 108,000 km, I just keep driving it.

The Tyre Pressure Sensors failed in the 10th year. I purchased 4 for $60 from the interwebs and got the tyre place to replace them when I got new tyres. The rear-view camera decided to fail after 11 years. I got a new one from eBay for $50, and YouTube and 2 hours later, it was good as new.

How it drives

The Pentastar 3.6 V6 engine is smooth and has more than adequate power for a family car, but it’s no race car. The 6-speed torque-converted auto is somewhat reluctant to change down gears when going up hills. It will hover around 1000 rpm, which then requires a firmer press of the accelerator pedal.

To get it to drop a gear. I used to own a 14-foot boat weighing about 600kg all up, and the Journey towed this with absolute ease.

For fuel economy around town, you will be using around 12L per 100km. When it comes time for the annual 1000km road trip with the family, two dogs, and the roof pod for Santa’s presents, the Journey averages around 8.2L per 100km.

The Journey is never going to be described as a sports machine. It’s designed to move the family in comfort, not for outright speed. As for handling, we call it the Mexican boat for a reason:)

Ownership experience

Apart from the initial free service at Dodge Australia, I have had it serviced by an independent mechanic. Which is a good thing, seeing as Dodge are no longer in Australia. I get the service done every 12,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first.

Every 2 years I get the brake fluid flushed and replaced. This probably has contributed to the Journey still having the original brake pads and discs all round. Parts such as the air filter and cabin filter can be obtained thanks to the World Wide Web at a reasonable cost

In 12 years of ownership, the Journey has never let me down.

I have had to change the car battery twice, which is an absolute nightmare to do as the battery is located in front of the passenger wheel well and involves the removal of 13 plastic clips which are guaranteed to snap off the moment you breathe on them. Fun fact: roadside assistance will not change the battery for you, as it’s outside their service charter.

Features and practicality

As this is a 2014 model, it doesn’t have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. I does have an SD card for music and Bluetooth. You can keep the kids entertained for hours with the built-in DVD player playing the same DVD over and over.

Built-in booster seats come in handy for small children. Need to carry 2.7-metre length of timber or a canoe? Just fold the front passenger seat forward and put it in the car. Second-row doors open at 90 degrees to allow easy access to the third row.

Roof racks came standard, so when you buy that pod for the family road trip, you’re good to go.

Need to store valuables out of sight? The front passenger seat folds up for inbuilt storage. The second row footwell holds two waterproof storage containers that each can hold 12 cans and ice of your favoured beverage (or so I have been told).

Anything else?

Yes, I wish it used less fuel, especially around town, and the handling could be a bit sharper. I still enjoy driving it every day. Financially, it’s got the point: if I were to trade it in, I would get 2 tenths of bugger all. So I will keep driving it until something breaks.