Grinding Noise for over a year!

[SMiller]

We got our Journey delivered May 31st 2008. From day 1, it was a disaster. It was dirty inside, had a dent in the door, the dash was coming apart, parts missing and over 100 miles on a supposed BRAND NEW car. Within the 1st week of driving it we noticed a grinding noise coming from the front passenger side. No ryhme or reason for it. Didnt matter if we turned, accelorated or anything. Just happened when it wanted to happen. We have taken it in over 5 times to get part replaced. First they thought it was the resevoir (sp?). They replaced that three times. They tightened the pulley on the suspension or something like that. We took it back last Tuesday to 'fix' it again. And on the way home it did the same noise!! And now we have ANOTHER noise on the drivers side! My husband says it sounds like a hole in the brake line, like there is air getting into it. There is no rhyme or reason for that noise either, although we do notice when we push on the brakes it will sometimes STOP the noise?! But sometimes it doesnt do anything. It was literally a CONSTANT almost screeching, nails on a chalkboard, ANNOYING sound. And the brakes are top of the line, brand new. So after all this, my husband was a little upset. The countless miles, gas and time off of work to take this thing in to get it 'fixed' and it still not fixed. So he calls them up, says hes just tired and wants the dealership to take the car and give us another one. We tired of paying for something that is clearly not brand new and not worth the money were paying for it. They run an appraisal on it and say they can offer us 16 grand for it, and of course we owe 18. So we bring up Oklahoma's Lemon Law. Which first they told us didnt exist, until I pulled it up in front of them on my cell phone and went to Oklahoma.gov! Then they say they cant do anything for us. Literally, we are driving a time bomb. I am scared to drive this with my kids in it, and thats the WHOLE reason we got this car. It says in the lemon law that the manufactuer, or authorized dealer is required to give a full refund if a reasonable number of attempts have been made to fix the car. Well apparently they say they are not an authorized dealer, so I have to contact Chrysler. Who by the way is going BANKRUPT! So why in the world would they do a buyout for us?! We are literally screwed. Do not go to Fowler Dodge in Oklahoma City and Do NOT buy a Journey. I love my car but I hate all these problems!!! If anyone knows how I can try to get a buyout PLEASE help!!

[Nicki88]

Man I hate that for you. I wish I had found this forum before I bought a new Journey. I am taking it in tomorrow for its 3rd repair on the air in a month! Plus I took it in once for the rear view mirror. Im really upset with it but everything I have read it seems hard to get a new vehicle or buyout. You probably need to contact an atty in your area. Before you do that sit down and figure out how many days it has been in for repairs- that seems to be something they look at.

What is the new noise you are hearing? We have some noise that sounds like air releasing? Not sure what it is but they are going to look at it tomorrow b/c I drove it to the dealer when it was making the noise and made them come out and listen b/c last week they told me it was normal. Now that they heard it they know it isn't normal!

Good luck with this. I have read they will do everything possible to make this as hard as possible.

[sdeveau]

Wow, I feel really bad for you. I live in Canada, so the rules are a little different here, I wish I had some helpful advice to give you.

I can tell you one thing though, you're not alone. It seems as though half of the people who own Journeys have problems, and several of them. The other half have no problems. I want a vehicle built in that plant!

I think mine was built on the day before a long weekend, or the day after it. Someone was definately ******* the dog while they were supposed to be doing quality control!

[nAc_ChUcK]

We got our Journey delivered May 31st 2008. From day 1, it was a disaster. It was dirty inside, had a dent in the door, the dash was coming apart, parts missing and over 100 miles on a supposed BRAND NEW car. Within the 1st week of driving it we noticed a grinding noise coming from the front passenger side. No ryhme or reason for it. Didnt matter if we turned, accelorated or anything. Just happened when it wanted to happen. We have taken it in over 5 times to get part replaced. First they thought it was the resevoir (sp?). They replaced that three times. They tightened the pulley on the suspension or something like that. We took it back last Tuesday to 'fix' it again. And on the way home it did the same noise!! And now we have ANOTHER noise on the drivers side! My husband says it sounds like a hole in the brake line, like there is air getting into it. There is no rhyme or reason for that noise either, although we do notice when we push on the brakes it will sometimes STOP the noise?! But sometimes it doesnt do anything. It was literally a CONSTANT almost screeching, nails on a chalkboard, ANNOYING sound. And the brakes are top of the line, brand new. So after all this, my husband was a little upset. The countless miles, gas and time off of work to take this thing in to get it 'fixed' and it still not fixed. So he calls them up, says hes just tired and wants the dealership to take the car and give us another one. We tired of paying for something that is clearly not brand new and not worth the money were paying for it. They run an appraisal on it and say they can offer us 16 grand for it, and of course we owe 18. So we bring up Oklahoma's Lemon Law. Which first they told us didnt exist, until I pulled it up in front of them on my cell phone and went to Oklahoma.gov! Then they say they cant do anything for us. Literally, we are driving a time bomb. I am scared to drive this with my kids in it, and thats the WHOLE reason we got this car. It says in the lemon law that the manufactuer, or authorized dealer is required to give a full refund if a reasonable number of attempts have been made to fix the car. Well apparently they say they are not an authorized dealer, so I have to contact Chrysler. Who by the way is going BANKRUPT! So why in the world would they do a buyout for us?! We are literally screwed. Do not go to Fowler Dodge in Oklahoma City and Do NOT buy a Journey. I love my car but I hate all these problems!!! If anyone knows how I can try to get a buyout PLEASE help!!

I will pm u

[wyoram]

Usually with lemon laws the car has to be a safety issue or affect the resale value. Each state is different. You have already checked your state laws and know what will qualify as a lemon. If you have a lemon you will get nowhere with Chrysler without an attorney. And then it will probably still be a drawn out battle. Best of luck to you. I am currently exploring this option with my car.

[sdeveau]

Usually with lemon laws the car has to be a safety issue or affect the resale value. Each state is different. You have already checked your state laws and know what will qualify as a lemon. If you have a lemon you will get nowhere with Chrysler without an attorney. And then it will probably still be a drawn out battle. Best of luck to you. I am currently exploring this option with my car.

In Canada, there is no national lemon law, but each province has some consumer protection statutes. Ontario tried to pass a lemon law in 2002, but the efforts were not successful. Consumers can, however, submit disputes to the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP) for neutral third-party resolution.