Clutch Recall (2/23/23): Clutch Pressure Plate May Overheat -- Affecting 70,000 Manual Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators

[ErrngeElise]

Guessing that since the “remedy is under development” this is going to delay my build similar to when the other recalls came out for this and they held production of the MT trucks for a while.

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[DanW]

I wouldn't mind a new clutch out of the deal. But I can't complain about mine. 75k miles with no issues and it still feels like it did when new. I don't baby it, either.

 

[Beewdawg]

I'm just hoping that they'll reprogram the PCM to restore the torque they took away from the first recall

 

[DanW]

I'm just hoping that they'll reprogram the PCM to restore the torque they took away from the first recall

They did NOT take away any torque. That's only in the overheat condition. It is similar to a limp home mode that most cars have for certain malfunctions or overheating conditions.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Wow, they admitted it's not the clutch part itself but a design flaw. Wonder how they're going to fix the issue now.

That's almost a contradiction. Maybe they are saying the part was made correctly and there isn't a manufacturing defect, but Jeep designed it all wrong.

To me the remedy is to replace the whole clutch with something that will handle the torque.

The design of the stock clutch is the problem, not a manufacturing defect!

Replacing the clutch with aftermarket certainly solved my overheating issues.

That's the way the text quoted above reads - the part is fine, it just won't work for the intended use.

I've recently seen images of two Jeeps that have had both recalls have mega problems. One busted the bell housing, the other caught fire and burned to the ground.

It's made correctly, they just made it too small and light?

 

[mountainpass]

It's made correctly, they just made it too small and light?

When I first started shopping I was initially gonna keep my current truck at time ( manual Tundra ) and buy a 2 door Wrangler until I sat in back seat of said Jeep, anyway it had a manual and I about pushed clutch pedal threw the firewall. Guess they wanted it to appeal to soy boys, and women sadly it was at a cost. I was concerned about it being so light but shopped for manual Gladiator until 1st recall. Finally decided automatic but before I found the right one the 2nd recall came out.

Recently started wanting a manual again .....

 

[Duece McCracken]

If I have issues, I will probably just swap to a centerforce myself.

I continue to have zero faith in any dealership's repair department.

 

[redriderjf87]

So far my Vin isn't on the recall (Oct 21 build)...

I'm going Centerforce at some point regardless though so not too worried as long as it doesn't crap out tomorrow.

EDIT: mine is listed now as of March 6. Wonder how long the "remedy" will take.

 

[MrKnowitall]

The design of the stock clutch is the problem, not a manufacturing defect!

Replacing the clutch with aftermarket certainly solved my overheating issues.

To elaborate (it's what I do...), the OE JL/JT clutch is a dual disk design. It's supposed to have some advantages in terms of feel, holding power, and required pedal pressure, but doesn't dissipate heat as well. In a Jeep, it just isn't the best choice. The "aftermarket replacement" changes the whole package to a conventional, single disk unit with a heavier flywheel. It is much better suited to off-road operation. Shame on Jeep for clinging to this poor choice, and shame on them for not offering the 4.88 option on the JT.

 

[redriderjf87]

It's supposed to have some advantages in terms of feel, holding power, and required pedal pressure...

That's the thing, I don't think it actually has any of those advantages (unless it's rated for more power/torque, which I admittedly don't know the rating off hand).

So I'm still trying to figure out the reasoning to even use a dual disc, or was it just a horrible execution of that design by Jeep, such that it turned all of dual disc's advantages into disadvantages.

 

[bd100]

EPA required fuel efficiency mandates, thus engine start/stop, thus lightweight flywheel, thus the fancy clutch.

 

[redriderjf87]

That's the other part of it I was wondering

 

[AleYeah]

I'm increasingly worried that by the time I'm financially ready to pull the trigger on a JT, a stick won't even be an option for a new order.

 

[IanNubbit]

That's almost a contradiction. Maybe they are saying the part was made correctly and there isn't a manufacturing defect, but Jeep designed it all wrong.

To me the remedy is to replace the whole clutch with something that will handle the torque.



That's the way the text quoted above reads - the part is fine, it just won't work for the intended use.

I've recently seen images of two Jeeps that have had both recalls have mega problems. One busted the bell housing, the other caught fire and burned to the ground.

It's made correctly, they just made it too small and light?

I think you walked your self through it. This means that replacing them with the same design will not fix the issue. There was a recall on some cherokees last year, Trans cooling line rubber section was recalled due to a bad batch from goodyear. This would be an example of the design being fine but a defect casuing the recall. An example of design being the problem not the manufacturing defect would be the first recall in Model T's. The stuffing in the seats that they where designed with was the defect, not just a batch of the material.

 

[IanNubbit]

For people with JT/JLs on order, there IS a stop sale going on at the momment, theres a good chance any units that already have a powertrain installed will finish assembly and be sent to dealers waiting for the recall parts/repair. Similar to what happened with Ram 2500+ recently. I already know of 3 units sitting on the lot we currently have that are part of this stop sale.

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