Clutch recall driving review

[SRO]

The majority of the bad reviews I've read about the clutch replacement seemed to have far more to do with the software upgrade. In some cases the software installed was wrong (4.10 flashes put on 3.73 seemed to happen a lot), in some cases the software was not accepting changes to gearing and tire changes when input manually, and in some cases they couldnt diagnose what is wrong with a stock setup. In some cases one aftermarket tuner won't work at all to update gears and tires, but another will work just fine.

I can't positively confirm this, but when they redid the software for the '21 model year which came out on 8/15- it seems to have corrected some of these errors-lets hope so.

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[redriderjf87]

Just got the clutch recall done today, wanted to give my 2 cents.

As someone who's been a strong critic of the factory clutch (weird clunk, light flywheel feel) and highly skeptical of the recall being more than a software band-aid, I will eat a small helping of crow.

At least on the short drive home, the clutch actually feels slightly heavier and a bit smoother / more dampened (no more clicking sound on downshift). Felt a little easier taking off from a stop and a little more responsive on tip-in in the lower gears. Software was also updated so that may be part of it for all I know.

The service guy even said it feels like a clutch should, I took it with a grain of salt, but I think he was right on.

TLDR: as a skeptic of the JT clutch, I recommend getting the recall done, a decent improvement in my experience.

Service sheet attached.

 

[USMC32GTR]

Does anyone know if the torque capacity of the new clutch is higher? Or any other spec info? I’d rather have them install an aftermarket clutch with me paying for parts but something tells me they won’t do that.

 

[mrhemi]

Nope, FCA will not install an owner supplied clutch as part of the recall. I tried, the owner of the dealership is a friend of mine and he could not make it happen.

 

[redriderjf87]

My 2022 Gladiator just had the 19A recall completed. As posted previously, I will provide my driving observations. First, note that my Gladiator is a 2022, however it was sold new last March, so did not have 3 years of wear on the clutch and associated parts. It had 4000kms showing when it went in for the work.
After about 400kms, I will says the new clutch is an improvement over the original (which I absolutely hated). The engagement is more consistent and lower down in the travel. I would like to have more pedal pressure though, but I can live with it.
An unexpected surprise is the accelerator response. An ECM reflash is a mandatory step in the recall supposedly to give enhanced protection (read that, reduced power and torque) in the event of high clutch slippage and heat. Although I can get no one at FCA to elaborate on the details of the reflash, it appears the crappy throttle response has been corrected. Accelerator input/response is now proportional and linear, making driving a manual transmission more enjoyable.
I have six manual transmission vehicles in my fleet that my wife and I drive regularly. They all have their idiosyncrasies, but the Gladiator was really a pain to drive properly. Having the recall completed has given it a better driving experience, especially when compared with our other vehicles.

I forgot to mention in my other post but you're spot on. I noticed some kind of improvement in either power or throttle response (or "torque management" between shifts), which was the opposite of what I was bracing for.

Another weird thing is I am absolutely positive that the truck is a little louder when I'm getting on it (it sounds good). I'm not sure how it's possible if they didn't touch the exhaust, but I noticed that right away pulling out of the dealer. Not sure if that's just me though.

 

[WoolyKris]

Just picked up my truck from the dealer after 19A recall. I agree with other posts, clutch does feel a lot smoother, no slipping what so ever, huge improvement over the old one. Time will tell if it lasts…

 

[BuffaloSoldier]

I have a Mojave and I was on the fence about getting the recall done until someone at the dealership said that if the clutch fails and causes additional damage beyond the clutch, and the recall hasn’t been done, FCA may not cover additional damage caused by the original clutch failure.

 

[USMC32GTR]

I have a Mojave and I was on the fence about getting the recall done until someone at the dealership said that if the clutch fails and causes additional damage beyond the clutch, and the recall hasn’t been done, FCA may not cover additional damage caused by the original clutch failure.

Surely there would be some kind of time limit from the announcement of the recall until they consider themselves no longer liable? To give people time to arrange the fix and get it done.

 

[4xjeepr]

Beware....I had my clutch replaced under the 19a a couple of months ago on my 2020 Sport S. Since then, I've had "service transmission" pop up as many as 15 times since the recall was completed. Last time it happened was tonight once I arrived home. I'm driving normally and nothing rough. When this comes up, shifting from 1st thru 3rd is crap with a hesitation at clutch release. I've talked to the dealer several times. They told me to bring it in so they can scan it. Nothing shows on the scans so they send me away saying there is nothing they can do and have no idea why this is happening. I think this is something I'm going to have to live with until Stellantis figures something out.
Any ideas @JeepCares ?

 

[loganjeeps]

I forgot to mention in my other post but you're spot on. I noticed some kind of improvement in either power or throttle response (or "torque management" between shifts), which was the opposite of what I was bracing for.

Another weird thing is I am absolutely positive that the truck is a little louder when I'm getting on it (it sounds good). I'm not sure how it's possible if they didn't touch the exhaust, but I noticed that right away pulling out of the dealer. Not sure if that's just me though.

This is very interesting and appreciated feedback. I have actually been more concerned about the poor performance interim computer flashes I have seen people get as part of the recall before the clutch itself became available.

 

[JeepCares]

Hi there @4xjeepr!

We would like to look into your concerns. Please send us a private message to get started. We're here to listen!

Hannah
Jeep Cares

 

[wswindon]

I was one of the ones that didnt have good luck. Dealer said they had the parts, they didnt, and it took them about 2 weeks to install (other issues from warranty, no courtesy vehicle and kept saying oh just one more day). Once i got it back it felt about the same, normal meh feeling.
My bad luck was that the tech never torqued/Loctite the carrier bearing bolts so after a fun day at the beach (washboard) my driveshaft fell out.

*edited to add pic

 

[Randys_Glad]

Just got back from a 30 mile drive after having the clutch replaced in my 2022 Mojave. This is just a quick review for those who are on the fence about replacing the clutch. I had 16,000 miles, many of them towing, on my original clutch.

The replacement took 4 days at the dealer and about a week to get the parts. My impression of the original clutch wasn't positive. I thought the friction point felt almost like cardboard - the engagement was too mushy and imprecise. The new clutch feels very familiar and car-like and much better than the old clutch. It is an immediate improvement in driveability and feel. It is not a stiff, truck-like clutch. The feel is friendly and the engagement is immediate and snappy. It is much more fun to drive and feels more like the truck I originally hoped I'd be buying when I ordered a manual.

If you're on the fence or considering getting an aftermarket replacement, I'd just go with the new warranty clutch. It's much better than I'd expected and a welcome improvement over the original. I'm taking a 12 hour trip towing a race car next week and will update with my experience.

Any update on how it towed? What is the weight of the race car?

 

[4xjeepr]

I was one of the ones that didnt have good luck. Dealer said they had the parts, they didnt, and it took them about 2 weeks to install (other issues from warranty, no courtesy vehicle and kept saying oh just one more day). Once i got it back it felt about the same, normal meh feeling.
My bad luck was that the tech never torqued/Loctite the carrier bearing bolts so after a fun day at the beach (washboard) my driveshaft fell out.
What's more fun is their paperwork says they billed Mopar for the hours and parts, completed the recall but according to Mopar, its never been done. But that other reverse sensor was completed while it was there.

I'm in the same boat as you. Had mine done in Lexington, got it back and feels exactly the same. Plus, I have a service transmission light come on every so often. Then it functions even worse shifting between 2 and 3rd.

 

[veblenesque]

Any update on how it towed? What is the weight of the race car?

Towed great! No problems towing a 2200 lb car on a 1200 lb trailer. Even had a few hard downshifts getting up hills and the clutch remained smooth and easier to shift. It’s interesting hearing the bad experiences - it sounds like you really need to find a competent tech.

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