dodge journey 2.4 auto

2017 Dodge Journey Review

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Edmunds' Expert Review

• Sporty handling instills confidence in any situation
• Standard all-wheel drive gives it all-weather capability
• Performance doesn't sacrifice fuel economy
• Innovative technology that delivers useful information
• Weak acceleration from the base four-cylinder engine
• Four-cylinder's outdated four-speed automatic transmission
• Below-average fuel economy
• Missing some of the latest safety technologies

Vehicle overview

The 2017 Dodge Journey soldiers on as a relic of the past in many ways. This affordable crossover with available three-row seating debuted back in 2009, and it hasn't received a full redesign since. Its advancing age is most apparent in the engine bay, where the Journey's base engine is getting on in years and lacks the efficiency, refinement and oomph of its more modern counterparts. It also comes paired with an outdated four-speed automatic transmission; smooth-shifting six-speed automatics are now the norm. You can also find fault in the way the Journey drives, as the Journey feels soft and ponderous around turns that most rivals would handle deftly.

Cost to Drive Cost to drive estimates for the 2017 Dodge Journey SE 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.55 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

One bright spot is the optional V6 engine. So equipped, the Journey accelerates more assertively than most budget-priced crossovers, and fuel economy is barely affected. Throw in the available 8.4-inch touchscreen — a longtime favorite of ours — and the optional third-row seat and rear entertainment system, and you've got a pretty satisfying family vehicle that should still cost less than you expect.

Overall, though, the Journey remains a decidedly mixed bag, so we recommend taking a close look at other models. Our top pick among similar vehicles would be the Kia Sorento. Although it can get rather pricey, it also comes in two- or three-row specification and offers superior handling, features and interior refinement. If you don't need three rows, we'd point you to just about any other roomy small crossover SUV, including perennial favorites such as the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4.

Every 2017 Dodge Journey comes standard with antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, active front head restraints, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and a driver knee airbag. Integrated second-row child booster seats are optional. A rearview camera and rear parking sensors are also available, but common safety technologies such as blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning are not offered.

In Edmunds brake testing, a front-wheel-drive, V6-equipped Journey came to a stop from 60 mph in 124 feet, an average performance for this class.

In government crash testing, the Journey received four out of five stars for overall crash protection, with four stars for front-impact crash protection and five stars for side-crash protection. In crash testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Journey received the top score of Good in the moderate-overlap front-impact, side-impact, roof strength and head restraint (whiplash protection) tests. In the agency's small-overlap front-impact test, however, the Journey received the lowest rating of Poor.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

The 2017 Dodge Journey has two personalities, depending on which engine you choose. The four-cylinder engine is noisy and really doesn't have enough power to get this crossover moving with any sense of urgency, especially when loaded up with passengers. The outdated four-speed automatic transmission can be clunky in normal operation, and it does the Journey no favors in the fuel economy department, either. Accordingly, we'd avoid the four-cylinder entirely and step up to the 3.6-liter V6, which gives you the power you're going to want. Unfortunately, the V6's six-speed automatic transmission can be slow to respond when a downshift is needed.

Around town, the Journey rides smoothly over rough pavement and bumps. However, the steering is on the slow side, and you might find yourself having to make more hand movements than you'd like. When driven harder through turns, the Journey's body leans noticeably. Overall, the Journey feels heavier than many other crossovers and doesn't inspire much driver confidence.

The 2017 Journey's cabin provides generally pleasing materials and textures for the price, while the gauges and dashboard have a functional and contemporary design. In general, Dodge has done a nice job of keeping the Journey's innards up-to-date despite the vehicle's advanced age. Moreover, the available Uconnect 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment interface is one of the best in the business, thanks to large, easily readable typefaces and icons and sensible menus. Few systems are more straightforward to use or pleasing to the eye.

Families will appreciate the selection of clever storage spaces squirreled throughout the Journey's cabin, particularly the cubby holes in the floor. You'll find a fair amount of legroom behind the front seats, and the optional integrated child booster seats are a nice bonus. Furthering the family-oriented mission is the Journey's widely available third-row seat, which is bundled with a separate rear air-conditioner. This seat is far from adult-friendly, but it's handy if you need to shuttle a couple extra kids to soccer practice.

Lower all the seats and the Journey provides 67.6 cubic feet of total cargo capacity, which is an average capacity among small crossovers.

2017 Dodge Journey models

The SE comes standard with 17-inch steel wheels, roof rails, heated mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, cruise control, dual-zone manual climate control, a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a sliding and reclining second-row seat, a 4.3-inch touchscreen, and a six-speaker sound system with a USB port and an auxiliary audio jack.

Optional for the SE (standard with AWD) is the Flexible Seating package, which adds a 50/50-split third row and tri-zone manual climate control.

Moving up to the SXT adds 17-inch alloy wheels, foglights, a unique front fascia, LED taillights (also standard on the SE AWD), body-colored exterior mirrors and the Flexible Seating package.

The Crossroad adds 19-inch wheels, gloss black and chrome exterior trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth and satellite radio.

The Crossroad Plus expands upon the Crossroad's feature content with tri-zone automatic climate control, LED interior lighting, leather upholstery with mesh inserts, a six-way power driver seat (with four-way power lumbar adjustment), a fold-flat front passenger seat with a hidden storage bin, an 8.4-inch touchscreen, an in-dash DVD player, an SD card slot and a cargo net.

The GT adds the V6 engine as standard, plus different 19-inch wheels, remote engine start, a body-color grille, a sport-tuned suspension, automatic headlights, perforated leather upholstery with red stitching, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, an interior observation mirror, a premium audio system with a subwoofer and a 115-volt power outlet.

Many features on the upper trim levels are available on lower trims via option packages. Other available features (depending on trim) include the Blacktop package (gloss black 19-inch wheels, grille and exterior trim), a sunroof, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, integrated second-row child booster seats, a rear-seat entertainment system and a navigation system.

By default, the 2017 Dodge Journey SE, SXT, Crossroad and Crossroad Plus come with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 173 hp and 166 pound-feet of torque. It drives the front wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 21 mpg combined (19 city/25 highway), a decidedly subpar rating for a four-cylinder crosstour.

Optional on those trims and standard on the GT is a 3.6-liter V6. It's good for 283 hp and 260 lb-ft and is matched to a six-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is standard with the V6 unless you get the GT, which offers either FWD or AWD. The front-wheel-drive GT returns 19 mpg combined (17 city/25 highway), while the AWD V6 models get a similar 19 mpg combined (16 city/24 highway).

We recorded a 7.8-second 0-60-mph time in a front-drive, V6-equipped Journey, which is a sluggish showing given this engine's output ratings. Still, the V6 gives you plenty of punch in most situations.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Consumer reviews, read what other owners think about the used 2017 dodge journey., trending topics in reviews.

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Not a sports car but fun with room for a big dog., dependable, affordable, life is a journey, reliable after all, 2017 dodge journey video, 2017 dodge journey expert rundown review, 2017 journey highlights.

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• Post-collision safety system

NHTSA Overall Rating

• Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Overall 4 / 5 Driver 5 / 5 Passenger 4 / 5
• Side Crash Rating Overall 5 / 5
• Side Barrier Rating Overall 5 / 5 Driver 5 / 5 Passenger 5 / 5
• Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings Front Seat 5 / 5 Back Seat 5 / 5
• Rollover Rollover 4 / 5 Dynamic Test Result No Tip Risk Of Rollover 18.5%
• Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test Poor
• Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test Not Tested
• Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original Good
• Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated Not Tested
• Side Impact Test – Original Good
• Side Impact Test – Updated Not Tested
• Roof Strength Test Good
• Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint Good

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Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) Chrysler Dodge Jeep (2007-2016) Rebuild

• Regular price $250.00

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How Much Does It Cost To Get A Timing Chain Replacement?

• Updated: February 12, 2023

It’s never fun to hear that you need to get the timing chain replaced in your vehicle. You know instantly that it’s not going to be a cheap repair, but just how much does it cost to get a timing chain replacement?

In this guide, I cover the factors that affect this repair cost. I also examine the timing belt more closely, and show you some symptoms you might notice when the timing chain goes bad. At the end of the article, I discuss whether it’s safe or not to continue driving with a bad timing chain. 

How Much Does A Timing Chain Replacement Cost?

The average timing chain replacement may cost $1,500 to $4,000 if you visit a professional repair shop. If you have the skills, equipment, and expertise to replace it yourself, you may only spend $500 to $900 instead, but it’s not normally an easy fix for the average home mechanic. 

Factors Affecting Timing Chain Replacement Cost

1. make/model of car.

While there are some newer models that have a timing chain, the majority of the vehicles are going to be older, mostly because timing chains often hold up quite long.

With this in mind, the type of vehicle you drive is going to have a big effect on how much you spend on the timing chain. Some brands have much lower prices for some reason. For example, Honda OEM timing chains are often cheaper than other brands in many cases. 

However, you normally have the option to purchase an aftermarket chain kit, which could save you a little bit of money. Just keep in mind that some aftermarket parts are junk, so you want to research the quality before making the switch. A timing chain is something you don’t want to take any risks with, as it could result in total engine failure.

2. Labor Rate

While the timing chain is an expensive part to replace, the labor is going to make up a significant chunk of the bill. There are some engines that require removing a lot of parts to get the chain out. It must also align with all of the tensioners, timing gauges, and gears to work correctly. 

Depending on where you live, you could have a hefty labor bill. If you live in the country, you might spend far less on labor than if you live in a busy city. Take the labor rate in your area and multiply by about four to eight hours to get an approximate cost.

Of course, if you can replace your own timing chain, you are going to save a lot of money. However, this isn’t a job that should be done by anyone without the experience required. 

RELATED: Mechanic Labor Rates Per Hour

3. Additional Repairs Needed

In most car models, it is not just the timing chain that is replaced during the operation. Tensioners, gaskets, and many other parts are often replaced at the same time as the chain is replaced.

It doesn’t cost much more for the parts. Plus, the labor will be cheaper while the chain is already off. As an example, the chain tensioner is another part that tends to go bad. The symptoms of a bad timing chain are similar to that of a bad tensioner, so it’s important to get the right diagnosis before making any repairs. 

What is a Timing Chain?

The timing chain is responsible for connecting the engine crankshaft and camshaft. It’s needed to ensure the right timing between the parts.

With a timing chain, the gears attached to the camshafts and crankshaft wouldn’t turn in unison with one another. In some vehicles, the timing chain can also run other vital components, giving it a dual purpose. 

RELATED: Timing Chain vs. Timing Belt (Which Is Better?)

How Does the Timing Chain Work?

The timing chain is located on the motor, behind the timing cover. If you think of a bicycle chain, the timing chain isn’t much different, except it’s much thicker. This vital part is used to pair the camshaft timing gear with the crankshaft timing gear.

It’s held in place with a timing chain tensioner. With this tensioner, the chain won’t skip or jump. It gets held in place, so the crankshaft and camshaft gears can turn at the appropriate speeds. 

Symptoms of a Bad Timing Chain

1. grinding noise.

If your car’s pulleys start to make a grinding noise, it could be that the timing chain isn’t in place. When the timing chain becomes loose, it can start to grind.

It also occurs if the bearings go out or the pulleys fail. To figure out what’s causing the problem, you must do a complete inspection. 

2. Engine Misfire

When the timing chain becomes loose, the camshaft and crankshaft are not aligned properly. This fault causes your engine to misfire. As the cylinder valves close at a different rate from what the engine needs, you are going to notice issues.

However, a misfiring engine is caused by lots of different issues, so you can’t just assume it’s the timing chain. It could also be from damaged valves, a bad spark plug or some other fault. When the engine misfires, you will probably also see a check engine light on your dashboard.

3. Difficulty Starting

If your vehicle’s engine doesn’t start, it could be due to a faulty timing chain. You also need to look at the ignition system, battery, and starter.

Still, don’t overlook the possibility that the timing belt has come loose. When this happens, the crankshaft and cam can’t synchronize, leading to an engine that won’t start. 

4. Banging/Knocking /rattling noise

If you have a loose belt, it could bang or knock in the engine bay. The chain can bang into the pulleys or the chain cover. 

However, this is only going to occur if the chain has become very loose. In comparison, a loose timing belt creates more of a slapping sound. 

5. Reduced Fuel Economy

Whenever engine operations aren’t optimized, your car can use more fuel than normal. In general, you aren’t going to notice the drop in fuel economy unless you are paying close attention.

Additionally, the lack of power could become noticeable. To get your car going normally, you might need to push more aggressively on the pedal, which in turn, also uses more fuel. 

Can I Drive with a Bad Timing Chain?

It’s not advisable to drive once the timing chain is damaged. If you even suspect that it could be going bad, you should inspect it right away. Depending on the damage, you might even prefer to have it towed to the nearest service center.

Otherwise, driving with a bad timing chain can lead to engine failure. If the valves and pistons collide because of the faulty timing, your motor could be destroyed. Instead of simply needing a new timing chain, you will be looking at a rebuilt or replaced engine, which is much more expensive to deal with.

Additionally, if the timing chain breaks completely, the engine won’t start. You will be forced to replace the timing chain before you can drive anywhere. That’s why I always recommend getting everything looked at, no matter how minor you believe the symptoms might be. It’s better to err on the side of caution and save yourself from future headaches.

Categories: Engine , Estimator

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