New JT Gladiator Steering Issue TSB 08-074-20 (for "Improved Steering Feel")

[ShadowsPapa]

supposed to check power steering fluid level after XX miles. take a look, maybe its low?

I get that, too, but in my case it's arthritis.....

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[Membrain]

Dropped mine off on Saturday (8/29) with the service department of the dealer from which I purchased.
Conversation with the service advisor (SA) elictited their response that they were aware of the TSB and that of all the JT's they have sold, they have had only had 1 other complaint to date.

I replied that I really found that hard to believe or that those other owners are unware an issue might actually exist.

My description of the issue to the SA continued with included statements of having driven other JT's both with and without the problem, as well as having someone else drive my JT, and then adding the phrase "fearful of my safety while driving on the interstate while working abnormally hard to maintain my lane alignment."

The tech looked at it yesterday (8/31) and confirmed there was indeed something amiss that matched my description of the issue. The part was ordered and should be available today (9/1). As far as the bolts go, I am not yet aware of their status / availability for my replacement task.

I'm looking forward to checking out the repair results.

2 SEP 2020 UPDATE:
2020 Jeep Gladiator (JT) Rubicon
Ordered 9 June 2020
Received 21 August 2020

Got it back last night and while it does drive different than before it went in, I can say it is a definite improvement.

For those following this thread and waiting their turn for the repair, here is the pertinent info:

TSB#: 08-074-20 (dated August 10, 2020)

Original OEM aluminium steering box PN: P68418449AE

New / Replacement OEM steel steering box PN (IAW TSB): P68507576AA

Pictures for reference:

Old:

New:

TSB Parts:

 

[JK4AER]

Dropped mine off this morning to start the process. Here's hoping they agree I do have a problem.

 

[rowbarre]

I just caleld the service guy at my dealership & wanted to ask before driving in (its 2 towns over) because I have the synergy brace. I just told him that I hear there is a fix for the steering & when I told him its wandering he said "isnt there a bulletin for that" I said yeah & he put me on hold to call the parts guy. He couldn't reach him, but it sounds like they are going to not throw a fit for brace, not make me bring it in to check out beforehand & just charge me an hours labor with the brace on there. Sounded like they would remove & reinstall it.

This is the FIRST time I have ever called the dealership service dept on any car (never bought a new car before the JT) and I am so far pleasantly surprised. Feels a bit wrong asking for something to be fixed for free.. I have always bought 10k cars & trucks & just drove them into the ground & moved on.

What dealer did you work with? I had a similar experience with Peterson in Nampa. I have an appointment tomorrow to get the work done.

 

[FREEZE451]

Well, I'm going to see how generous my dealer is going to treat me in Fargo, ND.

I, full well knowing, adjusted my steering box myself - don't regret it one bit and would do it again - but am guessing this may throw a wrench in the mix.

They are slammed today so I left them a message.

If they fix it, great, I'd love to be a poster child for things gone right and stories I can tell my grand children of how a dealer bent over backwards for me after I modified it myself.

If they don't fix it, meh, I'll be a poster child for things that didn't go %100 my way, I didn't die, I can still drive to and from work and still admire this awesome vehicle.

Fingers crossed.

Well I finally got the service advisor on the phone - who said to bring it on Friday for an appointment.

When asked if their dealership would do it, he said they just need to make sure it needs to meet the criteria etc..

Anyways, if all goes well I'll keep this updated if it really impacts it.

We shall see!

 

[bastage]

What dealer did you work with? I had a similar experience with Peterson in Nampa. I have an appointment tomorrow to get the work done.

Dennis Dillon in Caldwell.

 

[Joker4L]

with all my mods, they would look at me and laugh. I will just have to deal with it. Maybe they can at least do the updated software

 

[FREEZE451]

with all my mods, they would look at me and laugh. I will just have to deal with it. Maybe they can at least do the updated software

I'd be curious what the cost of this is - being I physically modified my steering box - maybe it's worth the hassle to have it done..

 

[bastage]

with all my mods, they would look at me and laugh. I will just have to deal with it. Maybe they can at least do the updated software

I will have a pile of stuff sitting in my garage waiting on this just to try to minimize the pushback.

 

[Joker4L]

with all my mods, the jeep drives so much better than stock. Def room for improvement but I am pretty happy with how she rides now

 

[CDN_Launch]

Bought my Rig in December, too busy with Christmas after immediate notice of JT steering after first two-handed, white knuckle drive on major highway with lots of transport trucks...just plain scary.

So, my steering issue fight began January 2nd, and after 13 days without my truck and no success getting anything fixed, even with FCA engagement, I figured I’d wait it out for a recall.

Just left the dealership, heading in thinking this would finally be over...NOT!!
Everything passed on the FCA notice checklist, so they could do nothing...again!

Frustrating is beyond an understatement!
A vehicle this expensive, and my 2003 TJ drove better with a 4” lift and 33” boots.

I am so angry, I’m considering filing a class action suit against FCA, as this issue makes driving extremely dangerous...and the worst part is, I feel half-crazy every time I leave, as there is supposedly nothing wrong!
I have easily over 3 million kms driving experience, and have driven and owned all sorts of vehicles, including jeeps...this is the most frustrating thing I have ever encountered, especially that a manufacturer will not own up to!

 

[danielspivey]

Bought my Rig in December, too busy with Christmas after immediate notice of JT steering after first two-handed, white knuckle drive on major highway with lots of transport trucks...just plain scary.

So, my steering issue fight began January 2nd, and after 13 days without my truck and no success getting anything fixed, even with FCA engagement, I figured I’d wait it out for a recall.

Just left the dealership, heading in thinking this would finally be over...NOT!!
Everything passed on the FCA notice checklist, so they could do nothing...again!

Frustrating is beyond an understatement!
A vehicle this expensive, and my 2003 TJ drove better with a 4” lift and 33” boots.

I am so angry, I’m considering filing a class action suit against FCA, as this issue makes driving extremely dangerous...and the worst part is, I feel half-crazy every time I leave, as there is supposedly nothing wrong!
I have easily over 3 million kms driving experience, and have driven and owned all sorts of vehicles, including jeeps...this is the most frustrating thing I have ever encountered, especially that a manufacturer will not own up to!

choose another dealer and bash that dealer to everyone you know until you are dead....

 

[Gren71]

Urgent. Yeah it’s bone dry. What’s the part number for our power steering fluid on the new box

Wow...good catch. Awesome suggestion steffen707!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Bought my Rig in December, too busy with Christmas after immediate notice of JT steering after first two-handed, white knuckle drive on major highway with lots of transport trucks...just plain scary.

So, my steering issue fight began January 2nd, and after 13 days without my truck and no success getting anything fixed, even with FCA engagement, I figured I’d wait it out for a recall.

Just left the dealership, heading in thinking this would finally be over...NOT!!
Everything passed on the FCA notice checklist, so they could do nothing...again!

Frustrating is beyond an understatement!
A vehicle this expensive, and my 2003 TJ drove better with a 4” lift and 33” boots.

I am so angry, I’m considering filing a class action suit against FCA, as this issue makes driving extremely dangerous...and the worst part is, I feel half-crazy every time I leave, as there is supposedly nothing wrong!
I have easily over 3 million kms driving experience, and have driven and owned all sorts of vehicles, including jeeps...this is the most frustrating thing I have ever encountered, especially that a manufacturer will not own up to!

Daniel is right - find another dealer.
Go to page one of this thread - there's a link in post 1, page 1. That's the TSB. Print it, take it to a different dealer.
There is NO CRITERIA - no "FCA notice checklist" to deal with.
They are to check for some codes, make sure it's kosher in that there's nothing else causing it, then the last line on page 1 of the TSB says if there are no codes, no other errors, proceed with the replacement as per page 2 of the TSB.

You have a JT made for the North American market - so you are covered.
Trim level, version, month of build, VIN, none of that matters, period.
You only need to have two things -
a JT made for the North American market + steering wander, pull, or looseness.
So this bunk of "notice checklist" is BS - unless you have other stored codes and so on.
This is the exact instructions from FCA/Jeep to all dealers -period =

DIAGNOSIS:
Using a Scan Tool (wiTECH) with the appropriate Diagnostic Procedures available in
DealerCONNECT/Service Library, verify all related systems are functioning as designed. If
Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) or symptom conditions, other than the ones listed above are
present, record the issues on the repair order and repair as necessary before proceeding further
with this bulletin.
If the customer describes the symptom/condition listed above, perform the Repair Procedure

That last line above says it all - they have no out. Page 1, last sentence -
If the customer describes the symptom/condition listed above, perform the Repair Procedure

Point that out to them.

 

[briscoelab]

Should be getting our Rubicon back this afternoon. Dropped it off Monday to get checked out, parts ordered that day, steering box arrived yesterday... bolts didn't show up until today. Dealer has been great, but there is definitely a supply chain issue with the bolts. This isn't to be unexpected... small glitches while dealing with a pandemic are a fact of life. We should be happy things are progressing at all.

I'll post comments after I pick it up.

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