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

[corey21rubicon]

Hey everyone! I just picked up my Gladiator from the dealer with the ACT clutch installed. On the short drive home, all I can say is WOW what a difference! The pedal has much more feel; you can feel the stronger return on the pedal, and you can actually feel the engagement point! I still have to drive some more to break it in (ACT recommends 300-500 miles of stop and go city driving), but so far I’m very impressed! Now to submit for reimbursement….

Any update on reimbursement?

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[bajt]

Any update on reimbursement?

I tired the reimbursement route twice so far. The first time they made me jump through many hoops and in the end they refused - they said that I can resubmit when the parts are available.

I tried a second time when I received a mailer from FCA stating explicitly that if I had replaced the parts I could apply for reimbursement. Again the same hoops, and the same refusal after numerous calls and e-mails:

"Please be informed that since the recall does not have a remedy yet, the parts are not yet determined, hence clutch will still be under the 12/12 warranty and will not be covered on the 19A recall. You may submit another request once all parts are available to be reimbursed.

We appreciate your cooperation. "

I am on the fence about waiting or contacting one of the law firms that are already on this. It is quite frustrating, especially given that in my case I was forced to replace the clutch since the truck had become completely unsafe to drive.

Maybe @JeepCares can shed some light here ?

 

[corey21rubicon]

I tired the reimbursement route twice so far. The first time they made me jump through many hoops and in the end they refused - they said that I can resubmit when the parts are available.

I tried a second time when I received a mailer from FCA stating explicitly that if I had replaced the parts I could apply for reimbursement. Again the same hoops, and the same refusal after numerous calls and e-mails:

"Please be informed that since the recall does not have a remedy yet, the parts are not yet determined, hence clutch will still be under the 12/12 warranty and will not be covered on the 19A recall. You may submit another request once all parts are available to be reimbursed.

We appreciate your cooperation. "

I am on the fence about waiting or contacting one of the law firms that are already on this. It is quite frustrating, especially given that in my case I was forced to replace the clutch since the truck had become completely unsafe to drive.

Maybe @JeepCares can shed some light here ?

That makes no sense. Sorry man good luck - keep us updated!

i don’t want to have to deal with all this but also don’t want my truck to catch fire with my kids in it…. Sounds like a real big Jeep lawsuit waiting to happen. Like end the company lawsuit.

 

[redriderjf87]

I tired the reimbursement route twice so far. The first time they made me jump through many hoops and in the end they refused - they said that I can resubmit when the parts are available.

I tried a second time when I received a mailer from FCA stating explicitly that if I had replaced the parts I could apply for reimbursement. Again the same hoops, and the same refusal after numerous calls and e-mails:

"Please be informed that since the recall does not have a remedy yet, the parts are not yet determined, hence clutch will still be under the 12/12 warranty and will not be covered on the 19A recall. You may submit another request once all parts are available to be reimbursed.

We appreciate your cooperation. "

I am on the fence about waiting or contacting one of the law firms that are already on this. It is quite frustrating, especially given that in my case I was forced to replace the clutch since the truck had become completely unsafe to drive.

Maybe @JeepCares can shed some light here ?

I feel your pain. I hate being penalized for other people's screw ups.

Jeep, just admit you screwed up and give me some money towards a properly designed clutch system.

Customer safety should be more important than saving a buck.

 

[Max-t]

Sounds like a real big Jeep lawsuit waiting to happen. Like end the company lawsuit.

I know you’re just angry but man this forum HATES jeeps. Just like the windshield folk or death wobble folk. They think everyone has their problem and that it’s somehow specific to jeep and not only that but through some negligence.

deep breaths.
It is starting to get to about the time I’d expect a fix to be announced tho.

anyway. The recall was specifically instated to AVOID a lawsuit is all I really had to add. Like putting a traffic cone on the crack in the sidewalk.

 

[Max-t]

an announcement should be coming soon as to what and when the repair will be. (Expecting an automatic transmission… ha ha)

I’m hoping they DE-program the old recall and give back the torque. As well… man… wait to see what they do or spend the grand or so and get the aftermarket clutch/pp/flywheel and hope it works well with the operating system.

 

[Rahkmalla]

I’m hoping they DE-program the old recall and give back the torque

They didn't lower general torque output, they only reduced torque when overheating is detected. Don't overheat your clutch and you don't lose torque.

I'm still torn on if I think the dual mass setup in a vehicle this heavy is just extra prone to problems with lazier or less skilled manual drivers.

You can find so much stuff this forum and elsewhere about people doing absolutely braindead stuff like using their clutch instead of their brake to hold the vehicle on a hill. Makes you wonder: could these overheating events potentially affect anyone, or are people out there doing dumb shit that a more traditional clutch assembly setup would let them get away with.

Of course we'll never know.

 

[corey21rubicon]

I know you’re just angry but man this forum HATES jeeps. Just like the windshield folk or death wobble folk. They think everyone has their problem and that it’s somehow specific to jeep and not only that but through some negligence.

deep breaths.
It is starting to get to about the time I’d expect a fix to be announced tho.

anyway. The recall was specifically instated to AVOID a lawsuit is all I really had to add. Like putting a traffic cone on the crack in the sidewalk.

Bro. They literally admit the faulty part they installed cause fires. They also do not have a fix. They also will not give you a rental car. They also will not refund you if you fix yourself.

So the choices are either pay YOURSELF to fix THEIR mistake... (either by paying for rental or pay to fix the part)... OR risk your family's lives by continuing to drive.

That is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

I love my truck, I love jeep, but you claiming I'm being unreasonable is very moronic.

 

[redriderjf87]

All they have to do is offer a little money towards having a properly designed aftermarket clutch kit installed, with a customer signed waiver that FCA isn't responsible for future clutch related failures within the warranty period.

 

[AKDrifter]

That is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

There are already lawsuits happening. It will not end Chrysler. GM went bankrupt and the government would not allow them to go out of business. Chrysler in whatever entity it is or becomes, will be around for a long, long time. 27 people burned to death in Pintos, Ford paid the largest product liability penalty ever awarded at that point, and moved on, continuing to build the Pinto for years afterwards. The government will always have the Big 3s back. I'm not happy with what we've been given, it's nuts that Toyota and Jeep set out to build a transmission for the new Jeep and this is what they came up with. It is pretty terrible they're not reimbursing people, giving out loaners, or even just coming up with a fix to a recall. How do you recall something with no plan to fix it seriously... But they will not be ended over this.

 

[corey21rubicon]

All they have to do is offer a little money towards having a properly designed aftermarket clutch kit installed, with a customer signed waiver that FCA isn't responsible for future clutch related failures within the warranty period.

100%. But they won't for some reason. That is not smart. If any truck catches fire any time after they sent out the recall with no solution letter - instant lawsuit & instant loss. I talked to lawyers and they said there is a case now but if there is an injury or god forbid death? ... Oh boy. Wouldn't want to work for that company.

 

[corey21rubicon]

But they will not be ended over this.

You're taking me way too literal and focusing on the wrong parts of what I'm saying.

I just don't understand how they can offer no solution, no work around, NO reimbursement for us fixing it ourselves. That is my point. When I said "company ending lawsuit" that may be a bit extreme but if my family got injured for example because of their mistakes, I would hire every lawyer I could to bleed them dry - and I am 100% sure I'm not the only person who thinks that way.

 

[Max-t]

Bro. They literally admit the faulty part they installed cause fires. They also do not have a fix. They also will not give you a rental car. They also will not refund you if you fix yourself.

So the choices are either pay YOURSELF to fix THEIR mistake... (either by paying for rental or pay to fix the part)... OR risk your family's lives by continuing to drive.

That is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

I love my truck, I love jeep, but you claiming I'm being unreasonable is very moronic.

You can civilly sue anyone you want for almost anything. You can even be completely wrong and win.

their issuing of the recall was to prevent lawsuits. You can still do it due to the inconvenience.
Like I said, it is the same legal president as putting a cone over a tripping hazard. “Sorry for the inconvenience, we both know it’s wrong now, watch your step.”

notice it’s not a “do not drive”. If it really was causing fires and threats at a rate higher than average, it would be a do not drive. When the recall was issued two had come torn apart, none caused fires.
yea it’s a manual transmission so if you choose to bash on it or don’t use it well, it can’t shut you down…you can have a much higher chance of having it fly apart. FYI, they fly apart already sometimes, this one is just a bit more prone due towhat has been judged by beep to be their fault…. At least publicly. As a reminder, people are towing with these just fine. It’s a “when the clutch heats up”. If you’re not just learning how to drive, you should be fine.

you’re being dramatic. If your clutch breaks at this point, warranty it. I for one don’t like the design of the flywheel. So I’ll probably go ahead and do it myself. I don’t need their fix as it would Be a waste of resources. Their fix will install something very similar to the original at best. Which is fine, for a modern car I guess. But I don’t like it.

 

[Max-t]

I got to get on that “law suits about to be filed” database.

 

[corey21rubicon]

their issuing of the recall was to prevent lawsuits.

If it really was causing fires and threats at a rate higher than average, it would be a do not drive.

you’re being dramatic.

"We know we messed up, it was our fault and it's a faulty part but now that we told you and offer you absolutely no fix or reimbursement you cannot sue us if you still need to use the vehicle you purchased from us for transportation and your family burns alive as a result" - Jeep

That is what you are saying. You either work for Jeep or have one of the lowest IQs on the planet.

The faulty part has LITERALLY caused fires. It isn't just a possibility now - it has happened.

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