Soft Top Popped Open on the Interstate

[TNGatorBrad]

Hey guys... My JT has 120 miles on it and I bought it 4 days ago.

Yesterday, I was driving on I65N towards Nashville and my soft top popped open on the driver side and then the force of the wind popped open the passenger side. It scared the crap out of me but I steered with my knees and closed the top back.

This happened 6 more times on my drive to/from Nashville.

I was going 75-77 mph and it was windy (Weather said 10-15mph) but I've owned multiple Jeeps, and driven faster in worse weather, yet NEVER had a soft top's structure fail like this.

If those little hooks had released, my soft top would have been ripped off of my Jeep and potentially caused a wreck on the interstate.

So, I was going to take it back to the dealership but I can already hear their excuse... "we couldn't replicate the problem so there is nothing that we can do."

Have any of you had your soft top pop open while driving?

Can you tighten the front latching mechanism?

What do you think that I should do?

I seriously almost wrecked twice because it happened while I was passing someone the first time and later when an 18 wheeler zipped passed me. The other 5 times, I was able to shut the top back without incident.

However, this is an extremely dangerous problem and I have to be able to drive my JT on the interstate.

HELP!

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[hjdca]

I read a couple of threads on this forum where they tightened the front clamps on the soft top (not the jeep hooks) by loosening them and moving them back towards the back of the Jeep. Evidently, there is some slop in the holes that allows you to move the clamps back. I have not tried it on mine, but, I read it here in some posts.

Note: Also, there were some "floppy' soft tops that made noise while closed in the beginning of the JT runs early last year. I read that a few members here got their soft top replaced under warranty with the "fixed" version. So, also check your build date on the driver's side door jam. If it is before mid year 2019, then, you may have one of these earlier soft tops.

 

[TNGatorBrad]

Thank you for the information... I will check out both options after work today.

 

[LFD 607]

I just installed my soft top today and ironically, took it through a major rain storm. It began dripping underneath my visors. Some channel had water filling in it and I know it’s because the latches do not latch tight enough. I can flip the latches open with my pinky finger with hardly any pressure at all. I can see how the top easily popped open on you. I just sent this question through the Mopar site to see if it was like that for anyone else. Now I’m not sure what to do. My boyfriend and I tried to see if the latches could be adjusted or something.
Definitely don’t want it popping open.

 

[LFD 607]

Ok!! Actually adjusted the screws shown here in the picture and I have a much better seal. Latches actually latch and click shut. Phew. Simple fix. Thank you to who ever made the suggestion.

 

[LFD 607]

I read a couple of threads on this forum where they tightened the front clamps on the soft top (not the jeep hooks) by loosening them and moving them back towards the back of the Jeep. Evidently, there is some slop in the holes that allows you to move the clamps back. I have not tried it on mine, but, I read it here in some posts.

Note: Also, there were some "floppy' soft tops that made noise while closed in the beginning of the JT runs early last year. I read that a few members here got their soft top replaced under warranty with the "fixed" version. So, also check your build date on the driver's side door jam. If it is before mid year 2019, then, you may have one of these earlier soft tops.

Thank you for this information. Very helpful!!

 

[takeitsleazy]

I’ve never had a top come close to doing that. I’d demand a fix; you’re well within warranty. Good luck, that’s really dangerous

 

[TNGatorBrad]

Update... @JeepCares

MY SOFT TOP RIPPED COMPLETELY OPEN ON THE INTERSTATE!

I was driving home from a soccer game on Sunday and my left soft top latch popped open, then my right latch popped. I go to grab the latch and close it AND THE ENTIRE TOP RIPPED BACK into the open position.

I pulled over and closed the top but the frame is bent. The top would not stay closed. Every time I drove over 35mph, it would pop open again.

So, I took it to my local dealership. They "tightened the latches".

It didn't work... the soft top makes noise now. You can hear air coming into the cab. Then, I got back on the interstate this morning and the soft top popped open again.

I cannot drive over 65mph in this jeep because it is not safe.

God knows what liability I have if the top flies off and causes a car wreck. Not to mention, it scares the absolute shit out of everyone in the truck whenever it pops open.

I'm giving the dealership one more chance before contacting my lawyer.

I have 4700 miles on a $50K vehicle that I can't safely drive the speed limit in.

I know I'm not the only person who has experienced this... there is something wrong with the gladiator's soft top design.

 

[JeepCares]

Update... @JeepCares

MY SOFT TOP RIPPED COMPLETELY OPEN ON THE INTERSTATE!

I was driving home from a soccer game on Sunday and my left soft top latch popped open, then my right latch popped. I go to grab the latch and close it AND THE ENTIRE TOP RIPPED BACK into the open position.

I pulled over and closed the top but the frame is bent. The top would not stay closed. Every time I drove over 35mph, it would pop open again.

So, I took it to my local dealership. They "tightened the latches".

It didn't work... the soft top makes noise now. You can hear air coming into the cab. Then, I got back on the interstate this morning and the soft top popped open again.

I cannot drive over 65mph in this jeep because it is not safe.

God knows what liability I have if the top flies off and causes a car wreck. Not to mention, it scares the absolute shit out of everyone in the truck whenever it pops open.

I'm giving the dealership one more chance before contacting my lawyer.

I have 4700 miles on a $50K vehicle that I can't safely drive the speed limit in.

I know I'm not the only person who has experienced this... there is something wrong with the gladiator's soft top design.

We are sincerely sorry to hear that this happened! Please know that our team is available to you via private message for additional support during your next dealer visit. For further assistance, please send us your VIN and mileage. Thank you,

Kathryn
JeepCares

 

[TNGatorBrad]

We are sincerely sorry to hear that this happened! Please know that our team is available to you via private message for additional support during your next dealer visit. For further assistance, please send us your VIN and mileage. Thank you,

Kathryn
JeepCares

Thank you. I'll send you the information, momentarily.

 

[Maggie0558]

Hey guys... My JT has 120 miles on it and I bought it 4 days ago.

Yesterday, I was driving on I65N towards Nashville and my soft top popped open on the driver side and then the force of the wind popped open the passenger side. It scared the crap out of me but I steered with my knees and closed the top back.

This happened 6 more times on my drive to/from Nashville.

I was going 75-77 mph and it was windy (Weather said 10-15mph) but I've owned multiple Jeeps, and driven faster in worse weather, yet NEVER had a soft top's structure fail like this.

If those little hooks had released, my soft top would have been ripped off of my Jeep and potentially caused a wreck on the interstate.

So, I was going to take it back to the dealership but I can already hear their excuse... "we couldn't replicate the problem so there is nothing that we can do."

Have any of you had your soft top pop open while driving?

Can you tighten the front latching mechanism?

What do you think that I should do?

I seriously almost wrecked twice because it happened while I was passing someone the first time and later when an 18 wheeler zipped passed me. The other 5 times, I was able to shut the top back without incident.

However, this is an extremely dangerous problem and I have to be able to drive my JT on the interstate.

HELP!

this just happened to me with my 2020 Jeep gladiator On interstate 10 in Louisiana traveling to Houston. Scared the crap out of me!

 

[TNGatorBrad]

@Maggie0558 - After 3 trips to the dealership, Jeep replaced the latch and strike plate in the driver's side and ot hasn't opened on the Interstate again (yet).

I am being safe and staying under 75mph just to be safe.

Every time I drive during a storm or in high winds, I just keep checking the latches to ensure that they aren't getting loose.

If I have another issue with my soft top, I will be demanding that Jeep trades it out for a hard top.

Anyway, I'm sorry that you are having problems.

@JeepCares was awesome and really helped me take care of this issue with my local dealership. They were horrible but Jeep Cares ensured that all my concerns were addressed.

I would suggest PMing Jeep Cares. Good luck!

 

[BAT]

This has happened to me twice just recently. Never had any issues before for the most part although I always thought one of the latches was kinda loose. Was driving in Galveston Friday across the bridge and it was pretty windy about 25 MPH head wind. I was doing about 65. All of a sudden one latch gave and before I could do much the other did. I somehow managed to grab the top and slowed immediately. Managed to get off the bridge and then secure it back down. It scared the crap out of me. Then yesterday was driving down the freeway doing about 75 and the Right side latch popped loose and that side started to open up. I slowed as much as I could got off and secured it again. Going to bring it to the dealership and see what they say. Hopefully I won't have to fight with them like everything else.

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