Bestop and Jeep have totally dropped my case. BEWARE

[ShadowsPapa]

Also read though this: https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov...-consumer-information/cars/the-iowa-lemon-law

Yeah, I've referred to that a few times over the years, but in this case, my JT doesn't fit any of these -
Additionally, to qualify as a “lemon” under the Iowa Lemon Law, your vehicle must have a problem or defect that renders the vehicle unfit, unreliable, or unsafe for ordinary use or significantly diminishes the value of the vehicle.

It's not unfit, unreliable, or unsafe, and I can't prove any diminished value.

So I rather doubt it would be a lemon law candidate.
Complaint about issue not resolved, yes, but the two companies are at odds as to the reason for the issue. And the dealership is siding with Jeep.

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[ecidiego]

AI opinion but well prompted...

If the Sunrider (that’s the soft top panel that flips back over the front seats) is listed on your Monroney label — the official window sticker — that means it was included in the vehicle’s original equipment as sold by Jeep (FCA/Stellantis).

Anything on the Monroney label is part of the manufacturer’s configuration at the time of sale.

Therefore, if it’s defective or nonfunctional under normal use, it usually falls under the Jeep new vehicle warranty, not a third-party accessory warranty.

Check your Monroney label wording.

If it says something like “Sunrider for Hardtop” under Factory Options, Jeep should cover it.

If it’s under “Dealer-Installed Accessories” or “Jeep Accessories”, it’s a Mopar item.

 

[ecidiego]

@Bestop why don't you just spend the money and fix this? Seems easier than permanently alienating buyers. Many are watching this play out.

You admitted there is a difference... what was it? What product revisions were made?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

AI opinion but well prompted...

If the Sunrider (that’s the soft top panel that flips back over the front seats) is listed on your Monroney label — the official window sticker — that means it was included in the vehicle’s original equipment as sold by Jeep (FCA/Stellantis).

Anything on the Monroney label is part of the manufacturer’s configuration at the time of sale.

Therefore, if it’s defective or nonfunctional under normal use, it usually falls under the Jeep new vehicle warranty, not a third-party accessory warranty.

Check your Monroney label wording.

If it says something like “Sunrider for Hardtop” under Factory Options, Jeep should cover it.

If it’s under “Dealer-Installed Accessories” or “Jeep Accessories”, it’s a Mopar item.

From the left column - which is continued on the right side - (all optional equipment on the window sticker is in these shots below -

 

[Sweetums]

Yeah, I've referred to that a few times over the years, but in this case, my JT doesn't fit any of these -
Additionally, to qualify as a “lemon” under the Iowa Lemon Law, your vehicle must have a problem or defect that renders the vehicle unfit, unreliable, or unsafe for ordinary use or significantly diminishes the value of the vehicle.

It's not unfit, unreliable, or unsafe, and I can't prove any diminished value.

So I rather doubt it would be a lemon law candidate.
Complaint about issue not resolved, yes, but the two companies are at odds as to the reason for the issue. And the dealership is siding with Jeep.

I think the top letting the outside enter the inside makes it "unfit" to drive in any weather conditions other than "nice".

 

[Sweetums]

@Bestop why don't you just spend the money and fix this? Seems easier than permanently alienating buyers. Many are watching this play out.

You admitted there is a difference... what was it? What product revisions were made?

Because some dickhead with an MBA is busy stepping over pounds to save pence. He's interested in the quarterly reports, not buyer loyalty and selling tens of thousands of dollars worth of product in the future; that won't get him his Q4 bonus.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

@Bestop why don't you just spend the money and fix this? Seems easier than permanently alienating buyers. Many are watching this play out.

You admitted there is a difference... what was it? What product revisions were made?

I get that, but what if the reason it doesn't fit is due to the vehicle itself.
And - since Jeep labels and sells it, they should be paying Bestop for any efforts to resolve it.
(my opinions, of course! For what they are worth)

 

[ecidiego]

I get that, but what if the reason it doesn't fit is due to the vehicle itself.
And - since Jeep labels and sells it, they should be paying Bestop for any efforts to resolve it.
(my opinions, of course! For what they are worth)

I agree. If only a manufacturer was willing to spend insignificant money ( compared to their margins ) to figure this out...

It seems like a bunch of shit chucking apes casting blame to be honest. Really embarrassing... the state of the industry.

 

[NC_Overland]

Yeah, I've referred to that a few times over the years, but in this case, my JT doesn't fit any of these -
Additionally, to qualify as a “lemon” under the Iowa Lemon Law, your vehicle must have a problem or defect that renders the vehicle unfit, unreliable, or unsafe for ordinary use or significantly diminishes the value of the vehicle.

It's not unfit, unreliable, or unsafe, and I can't prove any diminished value.

So I rather doubt it would be a lemon law candidate.
Complaint about issue not resolved, yes, but the two companies are at odds as to the reason for the issue. And the dealership is siding with Jeep.

You’d have to prove that the roll cage is out of spec, and not a mid model year change. If it is indeed out of spec and why it’s not fitting properly then it is absolutely a safety issue. Which is why I’ve repeatedly said that you should consult with a lemon law attorney. I never said hire one. Most consultations are free anyway.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Well, Bestop has totally bowed out even though they were SO CLOSE to having something custom fit. So very close. Their last attempt was actually a step BACKWARDS, I think they looked at things wrong and moved the front of the thing way up too high to be able to latch the font clamps.

Had they gone the other way, it likely would have worked.

I'd warn any Jeep owner - do not think of buying one of these sunriders unless you have a guarantee it can be sent back if it doesn't fit correctly.
Part of the issue is that we have people like Jon in MN who accepts crap fit and calls it good. That's why the rest of us struggle with crappy fits - too many fall in love with a product that just plain won't fit all Jeeps and they accept bullshit fit - customers like that are part of the problem. We get products that don't work or don't fit correctly because the customer is ok with hacking things instead if holding someone accountable, so the rest of the buyers out there are stuck

Here's the complete Bestop message - not that I disagree, but still, they and Jeep haven't even talked. So how is it possible that they can make a product, and never sit in a room with Jeep to ensure things go right.



Vehicle(s)2010 JKU
Today at 10:40 AM
Hello Bill,
We understand your continued frustration and want to assure you that your case has been handled with the highest level of attention across multiple departments within Bestop. This situation has involved collaboration and direct oversight from leadership in our Engineering, Quality, Customer Service, and Corporate teams. All working collectively to identify and resolve the issue with your Sunrider for Hardtop. From the beginning, our goal has been to ensure you have a properly functioning top, and we’ve taken numerous steps to achieve that. The first action was to provide a set of updated latch clamps, designed to raise the clamping position by approximately 4mm. This adjustment was intended to alleviate the interference you were experiencing with the door seal. After installation, you were kind enough to share feedback confirming that the change did not result in significant improvement.
In response, our Engineering team continued to work with you directly. They provided detailed technical guidance and 3D drawings illustrating further fitment adjustments that could be made to your installation. With these adjustments, there was some progress; the seal began to sit more evenly along the door rail, though the improvement did not fully resolve your concern. To continue supporting you, we sent a newly modified Sunrider assembly engineered specifically to address your vehicle’s reported condition. At the same time, we brought one of your original Sunrider assemblies back to our facility for comprehensive evaluation. The unit was tested on our nominal buck — a full-scale, precision model representing the OEM vehicle’s design intent and it fit properly without the issues reported in your case. Additionally, our Quality team identified two other vehicles near our Colorado headquarters exhibiting similar symptoms. Both were brought in for inspection, and after applying the same latch and fitment adjustments recommended by our engineer, those vehicles achieved a proper seal and normal function.
These consistent results strongly suggest that the condition you are experiencing is not related to the Sunrider product itself, but rather to vehicle-specific factors outside of Bestop’s control. We have reached a point where all feasible product- and installation-based solutions have been exhausted. While we fully appreciate the impact this has had on your experience, further resolution will require involvement from Jeep, as any remaining contributing factors appear to be vehicle-related.
Please know that Bestop has acted in good faith and with full cooperation throughout this process, dedicating significant engineering, quality, and leadership resources to assist you. At this time, there are no additional steps we can take from a product standpoint. We encourage continued communication with Jeep to explore potential next steps on the vehicle side.
Thank you for your patience and for working with us through this process.

 

[JeepOfTheseus]

These consistent results strongly suggest that the condition you are experiencing is not related to the Sunrider product itself, but rather to vehicle-specific factors outside of Bestop’s control. We have reached a point where all feasible product- and installation-based solutions have been exhausted. While we fully appreciate the impact this has had on your experience, further resolution will require involvement from Jeep, as any remaining contributing factors appear to be vehicle-related.
Please know that Bestop has acted in good faith and with full cooperation throughout this process, dedicating significant engineering, quality, and leadership resources to assist you. At this time, there are no additional steps we can take from a product standpoint. We encourage continued communication with Jeep to explore potential next steps on the vehicle side.
Thank you for your patience and for working with us through this process.

If they want to offer their product as factory equipped, they need to back it up under the same scrutiny as factory equipped options. I get that it says "by Mopar", but it's using their registered named.

Credit where it's due: it sounds like they tried. However, in outlining their attempts they actually admitted that other vehicles can exhibit fitment issues. To say that the updated latch/design fixed it doesn't really mean anything because we ultimately land on "not related to the Sunrider product itself, but rather to vehicle-specific factors outside of Bestop’s control".

Which brings me back to the original point: it shouldn't be a factory equipped option if it can't be equipped on a factory vehicle.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Which brings me back to the original point: it shouldn't be a factory equipped option if it can't be equipped on a factory vehicle.

Looks to me like sort of a craps shoot as to if one will fit your Jeep.
Many use that seal tuck hack and claim it fits correctly - no, it doesn't you are lying to yourself and others. It's too low up front if you have to do that. Even Bestop says that - and has said "do not tuck the seal".
People are so anxious to love it, they ignore any issues and that means - it's very possible there are hundreds, if not thousands, that they will not fit correctly (but some, like a certain member here will still love it as admitting it's not good is to admit they accept 2nd best and it would also show they made a mistake.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I'm going to press Jeep on this until I at least get something back from them one way or another.
I've left a message with my attorney asking what it will cost to verify a question I have - and left the question with them as well. We'll see what they say - and if I get a certain answer, I'll have Jeep stuck on this.

I've asked Bestop if they can explain to me how to gauge the proper pressure on the front clamps, and see if I can get some more information from them.

At this point, I suspect Jeep owes Bestop some money.

 

[NC_Overland]

I'm going to press Jeep on this until I at least get something back from them one way or another.
I've left a message with my attorney asking what it will cost to verify a question I have - and left the question with them as well. We'll see what they say - and if I get a certain answer, I'll have Jeep stuck on this.

I've asked Bestop if they can explain to me how to gauge the proper pressure on the front clamps, and see if I can get some more information from them.

At this point, I suspect Jeep owes Bestop some money.

Your case is definitely with Jeep. Btw, the advice that I gave you was after I asked a lawyer at the girlfriend’s firm who has dealt with GA lemon law cases. He’s not a lemon law attorney, nor licensed in IA, but he’s dealt with some cases and who pressed that you need to pursue the safety angle, if it is indeed a rollbar issue, and he seconded that it’s definitely not a dealer accessory if on the monroney label and that’s a foolish stance on their part. This is all obviously unofficial advice. FYI. FWIW.

 

[Eagle22]

Looks to me like sort of a craps shoot as to if one will fit your Jeep.
Many use that seal tuck hack and claim it fits correctly - no, it doesn't you are lying to yourself and others. It's too low up front if you have to do that. Even Bestop says that - and has said "do not tuck the seal".
People are so anxious to love it, they ignore any issues and that means - it's very possible there are hundreds, if not thousands, that they will not fit correctly (but some, like a certain member here will still love it as admitting it's not good is to admit they accept 2nd best and it would also show they made a mistake.

You know what Billy?…you seem to be a very angry young guy. You attack people who refuse to conform with the narrative that you want, in order to try to dominate the conversation.
You use “many”, “hundreds”, and “thousands” of supposed Sunrider failures, yet you provide no evidence/support.
I could claim that there are many…hundreds…thousands of satisfied Bestop customers - but I have no quantifiable evidence. But I’m willing to bet you there are MANY more satisfied customers out there than there are upset customers like you.
For me… I have two Sunriders (bought in 2021 and 2024) and I have now used them interchangeably on a ‘21 Gladiator Overland, a ‘24 Wrangler Sport S, and now, a ‘25 Gladiator Mojave. I have close to 100,000 miles of driving, including a recent 8,000 mile cross-country trip with the Sunriders - I have been through terrible rain storms, snow, wind storms on the plains, and high-pressure car washes - I have never had a drop of water leakage and/or wind leaks. And unlike you - I only speak for myself - I don’t presume to speak for others.
I don’t think you should presume to speak for others - and I certainly take exception when you presume to speak for me. You have no basis of experience to make those claims.
I’m sorry that you’ve had a bad experience with your Mopar/Jeep Sunrider - sorry you got a warped/crooked/out of tolerance Mojave or whatever is wrong with your Jeep.
- My Bestop Sunriders have been superb - best modification I have made on all three of my Jeeps.
Speak for yourself and for what you can document with quantifiable evidence

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