Setting Expectations with JT Issues

[REDBEAST]

Just the opposite - consider yourself among the VAST majority.
People who have no issues and don't want any changes don't go to web sites or forums. They drive happy. You never hear from them.
If visiting a hospital don't expect to see the human race at its best - they'll look like a race ripe for conquering.
Consider that only a few JT owners come to a forum like this, and as my son says, it's fewer and fewer young people that do forums. Mostly old geezers like me.
So of the thousands of JT owners, a few come here - what's the active membership now? I dunno, am curious.
Now of those JT owners who DO come here and join - how many are talking of the same issues? Not a large percentage of the forum membership. Now that is NOT to minimize their pain or troubles! Not at all, just to show the numbers as they likely really are.
Those who buy and love and have no troubles won't come here and grab attention about how wonderful and trouble-free their JT is.
IF there's a problem or question, people join a forum - they need resolution, so they talk about it. No resolution, they talk louder (again - that's NORMAL and FINE - not dissing anyone or suggesting they are gripers or whiners or just being loud - they have a problem this is one way to find or get a solution - you don't sit at home and keep quiet if you have a trouble with a 50K truck! You do what you should and must - you seek answers.

My point is - - what you see here is a very small number of folks who have troubles.
A small number of JT owners join a forum. And even of those that do - out of every 100 forum members, it's a very small percentage that have issues.
So when you look at the web for how good something is - you won't find it. Most people are quiet if the item is great. Why would they go and make noise or try to get help if something is great?

In short, you don't go to a hospital or doctor if you feel great.

I've had fantastic luck with Jeep products, from my first - a 87 Comanche, to current - 2 Grand Cherokees and this truck and many in between.

Well, I would stand corrected but I'm sitting down.

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[Epb1981]

Sorry to hear about all these issues. I now feel lucky that I almost none of these. Just had a loose cable on the rear view camera and am dealing with the bad steering box issue where it feels like I'm driving a boat.
I'm wondering if there were more issues with the earlier/LE vehicles? Mine was built in Oct and it's tight in the driveline and the engine is quiet. The transmission programming is suspect, like you mention. I'm hoping programming updates will become available. Mine loves to lug the engine, it needs a "sport" mode.

Can you elaborate on your statement about the transmission???

 

[TrailHiker]

I find it highly unlikely that one JT, especially at LE, would have all the issues previously reported by other owners, who only had one or two of these issues?
Cheers

 

[JeeperCreeper]

3 months and 16,000 miles in (yes, THAT many miles in 3 months) and my only issue had been the tonneau cover flapping at highway speeds.
It was replaced under warranty, but still flaps at highway speeds. Think that might be something I have to just live with.

 

[MrJeep]

Can you elaborate on your statement about the transmission???

There is nothing wrong with the transmission a reprogramming of the shifting wouldn't fix. I have another vehicle with an 8 speed that doesn't lug the engine like this does. It's clearly programmed to save fuel at all costs. A shift programming to optimize performance (sport mode) should be available, like in most auto equipped cars costing this much.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

There is nothing wrong with the transmission a reprogramming of the shifting wouldn't fix. I have another vehicle with an 8 speed that doesn't lug the engine like this does. It's clearly programmed to save fuel at all costs. A shift programming to optimize performance (sport mode) should be available, like in most auto equipped cars costing this much.

Or costing less....

 

[smlobx]

There is nothing wrong with the transmission a reprogramming of the shifting wouldn't fix. I have another vehicle with an 8 speed that doesn't lug the engine like this does. It's clearly programmed to save fuel at all costs. A shift programming to optimize performance (sport mode) should be available, like in most auto equipped cars costing this much.

Funny you say that...mine seems to downshift at the slightest incline. I’m having a hard time seeing 8th gear at all.
We have a GC Ecodiesel with the 8 speed and that combination is amazing! I hope a “flash” can bring mine more in line.
At this point there is no way I’m going to larger tires and frankly I don’t think I’ll need them anyway.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Funny you say that...mine seems to downshift at the slightest incline. I’m having a hard time seeing 8th gear at all.
We have a GC Ecodiesel with the 8 speed and that combination is amazing! I hope a “flash” can bring mine more in line.
At this point there is no way I’m going to larger tires and frankly I don’t think I’ll need them anyway.

EXACTLY I hardly see 8th - even on the highway. It's often windy here and even a 10 mph wind means I don't hit 8th unless it's pushing me forward. Any of our hills - she kicks down. Last weekend coming home from church it stuck pretty much in 6th and 7th - 55 mph limit, hills. Even when the limit went to 65, there was a breeze so it rarely shifted up.
It just runs the engine at such a very low RPM compared to anything else I've ever owned, or own, I can see why it won't upshift and stay there. It's not going to have power at 1800 rpm or less for any hills or wind resistance on a flat front.
I guess that's ok - but I'll prove it ok or not ok once I start pulling loads. I don't expect any mpg out of this at all pulling my trailer. It likely will never leave 6th.

 

[bbk0925]

I find it highly unlikely that one JT, especially at LE, would have all the issues previously reported by other owners, who only had one or two of these issues?
Cheers

I find it highly unlikely that one JT, especially at LE, would have all the issues previously reported by other owners, who only had one or two of these issues?
Cheers

I share your surprise at the number of issues. Trust me, they are real. Based on the feedback so far, I think my JT is an outlier. Glad to hear from so many satisfied owners to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I posted to the forum to see how viable my concerns for the poor build quality on my JT are as I engage with FCA. As I said before, this is my fourth Jeep. Based on the flawless performance of the previous three, I had high expectations for the JT, especially given the $60K price tag.

I have to admit that losing the heater core right out of the box has heightened my awareness for any other potential problems. I can’t tell you how disappointing it is to have a vehicle you’ve waited so long for require that the entire dash be ripped out within the first 500 miles, and require three visits to the dealer within the first month. With each tick of the lifter, each moan from the steering column, each clunk from the driveline, and each whiff of coolant, I go back to my 2017 Wrangler to confirm the issue is unique to the Gladiator. So far, the Wrangler is superior in every way.

I’m still a big fan of the Gladiator, just extremely disappointed at the execution on mine. Thanks to all for the feedback. I’m looking to drop it at the dealer next week and will update this thread on the results.

 

[ColoradoGlad]

100% agree with the driveline slop/clunk... It's pretty bad going into reverse, but it clunks both ways...
I'm on the list for the driveshaft recall, but I just haven't found a dealership in the area that has the parts or is even versed in the recall...
That might be my clunking...

 

[JeepCares]

100% agree with the driveline slop/clunk... It's pretty bad going into reverse, but it clunks both ways...
I'm on the list for the driveshaft recall, but I just haven't found a dealership in the area that has the parts or is even versed in the recall...
That might be my clunking...

We can help with the recall part. Send us a private message with your VIN and the dealership you want to work with and we can get started.

Kaitlin
Jeep Cares

 

[surge101]

I definitely have noticed number 4, not sure if it's something I should be concerned about... Also have noticed number 8.

 

[Rickinsc]

I have had my JT since September 11780 mi no problems, but it will clank sometimes when I put it in gear.

 

[Just_Joe]

I've been reading posts about some of the issues encountered with the JT. The LE I bought a couple of months ago has several of the reported issues, and more. I'm trying to find out from those driving the JT, and newer Wranglers, how many of these issues are correctable, or have to be lived with. To date:

1. A faulty sensor rendered the cruise control inoperable when I drove it home from the dealer (2 1/2 hours away). Had it reset and it's working fine.
2. The heater core started leaking underneath and had to be replaced with less than 500 miles. In addition to the occasional smell of coolant inside, I'm often met with a strong smell of coolant outside of the truck. Is anyone else experiencing the coolant smell?
3. The infamous ticking lifter. One service manager said "they all do that." I'll be working with a new dealer going forward.
4. I occasionally get a rub/chirp in the steering column. Also, there is consistently a low moan in the steering when turning from side to side. I've heard this sound in older vehicles with failing power steering pumps, but never on something new.
5. The rear windows will now not work.
6. This truck has more driveline slop the any vehicle I've ever owned, and this goes back to the early Bronco I drove in my youth. It clunks when going into reverse with the slight bind you get when pulling too far forward into the curb, and when downshifting from third to second and second to first.
7. The engine way over revs before kicking down into passing gear when hitting the gas. It doesn't go any faster, it just revs high and then eventually kicks down a gear.
8. Climate controls. Enough has been posted about this, but the heater controls are more of a suggestion than a command.

My family also have two 2017 Wranglers. Both have been bulletproof, with all aspects of driving them; driveline, transmission, engine, etc., much tighter at 30K miles than the Gladiator with 1700 miles. With virtually the same engine as the JT, neither of them has a ticking lifter.

I should also add that I have a case opened with Jeep customer care. My case has been escalated twice, but so far, there has been no real action or response as to what my expectations should be, and how I can be protected against potential problems arising down the road from these early issues. Sorry it's long, but feedback on any or all of these early issues would be appreciated.

I have the low moan from the brakes and hissing from the brake booster but thats it so far. 1,200 miles

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