Recall: Manual Transmission / Clutch Recall for 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator (Notice: 21V-028)

[ShadowsPapa]

Hmmm since were on the topic of manual transmissions. Let me ask this in this forum since im sure everyone has a manual. When i shift into neutral from 3rd or 4th to coast downhill or on a flat road the rpm will go up after releasing the clutch to around 2.5k rpm and come down to 1k rpm. Doesnt do it all the time, just ocasionally. Is this normal?? Again, it happens when shifting into neutral and coasting around 30 to 40mph. Obviously i dont have my foot on the gas when shifting into neutral.

Interesting - my 4.0 will keep the RPMs up to about 1500 until I come to a stop and then will drop down to 750 or so, idle speed once I stop.
If I push in the clutch or shift to neutral, either one, the RPM stays up in the mid teens until the thing coasts or comes to a stop. And it's a 94.
I had always wondered if it was something to do with building up too much excess fuel on downshifts and high vacuum situations - but with the clutch in, there's no engine braking and no no high vacuum. And - I'd expect an injected engine to not have that happen anyway.

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[JeepCares]

I posted this same thing over on the JL Wrangler Forum:
I know there were a couple questions on this thread about what the fix is. I don't have much, but this is what I do know:
In rare occurrences, an overheated manual transmission clutch pressure plate may fracture or break. The remedy is a software change that will reduce the amount of power allowed to the clutch when the vehicle is improperly launched in higher gears. The voluntary safety recall to reprogram the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software to reduce engine torque capability when clutch assembly temperatures rise to a level that may damage the inner pressure plate.

It's not much, I know. If more information becomes available, I will share it.

Kaitlin
Jeep Cares

 

[SelfmodJT]

All im saying is that i hope they give a definitive reason for this happening. Is it hardware or something else. Im thinking hardware is the best case scenario because ill buy a new clutch and be done with it and give me a 100k mile extended bumper to bumper warranty to make up for it.

I posted this same thing over on the JL Wrangler Forum:
I know there were a couple questions on this thread about what the fix is. I don't have much, but this is what I do know:
In rare occurrences, an overheated manual transmission clutch pressure plate may fracture or break. The remedy is a software change that will reduce the amount of power allowed to the clutch when the vehicle is improperly launched in higher gears. The voluntary safety recall to reprogram the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software to reduce engine torque capability when clutch assembly temperatures rise to a level that may damage the inner pressure plate.

It's not much, I know. If more information becomes available, I will share it.

Kaitlin
Jeep Cares

So does an aftermarket clutch rectify this problem? So it is the clutch? Why does it still affect jeeps that were under the first recall?

 

[SelfmodJT]

You can check now at recalls.mopar.com.

Kaitlin
Jeep Cares

I just put in my vin# and it says there are no recalls? Is this up to date? I thought 100% of manuals were recalled?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Is it me, or is the problem description almost identical to the March '20 recall?

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2020/RCLRPT-20V124-8022.PDF

Yet, that required a new clutch...

What I found interesting about the document from almost a year ago now is that they had the tech do other things, then take the truck out and test the clutch with a high-RPM quick-release of the clutch and if the engine stalled, no need to replace the clutch, if the engine RPM stayed or increased, replace the clutch. So they did not absolutely say "replace the clutch" - they said "do this stuff, then test it, and replace if it fails this test".
There's a ton of detail out there - and it's almost as if they are covering bases - and then that hasn't completely worked for everyone and they are going further. Even the clutch vendor was involved. You can also find quarterly reports on this recall.

 

[stickshifter]

I posted this same thing over on the JL Wrangler Forum:
I know there were a couple questions on this thread about what the fix is. I don't have much, but this is what I do know:
In rare occurrences, an overheated manual transmission clutch pressure plate may fracture or break. The remedy is a software change that will reduce the amount of power allowed to the clutch when the vehicle is improperly launched in higher gears. The voluntary safety recall to reprogram the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software to reduce engine torque capability when clutch assembly temperatures rise to a level that may damage the inner pressure plate.

It's not much, I know. If more information becomes available, I will share it.

Kaitlin
Jeep Cares

This is why I suggested in an earlier post that it seems like a hardware issue. It seems like (so I am speculating here) a stronger clutch pressure plate would be able to handle a situation in which "the vehicle is improperly launched in higher gears." All clutches will overheat under rough use, so I suppose one could argue that the problem just comes down to user error, and is not a problem of an inadequate clutch. Hard to know based on the existing evidence. Do folks with the manual notice excessive clutch burning under other stress-conditions? For example, reverse is not geared very low in these trucks; are folks smelling burning clutch when backing up a steep drive way?

Does anyone know of other vehicles that have a similar kind of failure? I've only owned manual transmissions since I started driving nearly 40 years ago, and I've never heard of this kind of failure. But I'm not a mechanic or an insurance actuary - so I only have personal knowledge to draw on. If it were my truck, I would not take it in to get it de-tuned (even if the power-cut only takes place under narrow parameters). I'd do some more research, and if I found that an aftermarket clutch would resolve the problem, I'd probably cough up the money. I ran a Centerforce clutch in a turbo-charged 22R Toyota desert racer back in the day, and it was super-strong. The only downside was that it was pretty heavy. I don't know if the new Centerforce clutch for the JT is also really heavy, and if it is - that will be a big change from the stock clutch which is one of the lightest I've ever driven. Best wishes to everyone in tackling this. If its any consolation, it seems like the failure rate is really low. Its a huge bummer that the manual has this concern - I'm guessing everyone on this thread shares a love of driving a manual.

 

[Xxtavixx]

Im not ok with a power cut here, and I cannot imagine anyone is. For a 2 month old vehicle, my third issue is a recall that will likely reduce torque in an underpowered vehicle.

As much as I like the vehicle, if i feel a reduction in power i would rather take a buy-back and walk away.

 

[SelfmodJT]

Im not ok with a power cut here, and I cannot imagine anyone is. For a 2 month old vehicle, my third issue is a recall that will likely reduce torque in an underpowered vehicle.

As much as I like the vehicle, if i feel a reduction in power i would rather take a buy-back and walk away.

I agree!!! I dont want to have to buy 24 inch tires lol. Might as well bought a suzuki.

 

[SelfmodJT]

Im not ok with a power cut here, and I cannot imagine anyone is. For a 2 month old vehicle, my third issue is a recall that will likely reduce torque in an underpowered vehicle.

As much as I like the vehicle, if i feel a reduction in power i would rather take a buy-back and walk away.

Sigh, even if they did to do a buyback how many of us spent thousands on mods already? Itll be a pain in the ass to get it all back to factory. Im glad i didnt put a lift in yet, that was actually one of the last mods i was going to do. Im glad i waited but for a lot of people im sure that was done in the first week.

Also, my bro had a buy back for a lemon law for a volvo and volvo said they would only reimburse the note and amount paid on that note. THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE THE DOWN PAYMENT??? What kind of bs is that??

 

[Munkey Boy]

As someone who has yet to receive his MT Gladiator, I'm obviously concerned that I will receive an already detuned vehicle straight out of the box. The recall says "voluntary", but that wouldn't likely apply to those in my situation. And as someone who has waited since 12/18 for not a single word about the status of the very base model other than "we got parts" being told that his future truck may have a tendency to grenade the clutch, I'm thinking the deposit is the best money I ever spent if it only confirms that this bar was never meant for the likes of me.

I have no compassion towards dealers, but they are going to inherit one hell of a shitshow if FCA tells them to lower the torque for their customers. Jeep should really weigh the option of fixing this issue PROPERLY (without detuning) if only to avoid the miles of litigation and class actions for false advertising and any lemon laws for any 3.6L producing ONE foot/pound less than 260.

However, we know nothing here, the announcement was brief and uninformative at best. There's an issue, FCA will address it, then we will be given options. I think we're all on board in hoping that the parent company that gave us the Hellcat can see that we too are not the bread and butter gumdrops they make their profits on. We are the sons you bail out on a Saturday night only to stitch up properly.

 

[SelfmodJT]

As someone who has yet to receive his MT Gladiator, I'm obviously concerned that I will receive an already detuned vehicle straight out of the box. The recall says "voluntary", but that wouldn't likely apply to those in my situation. And as someone who has waited since 12/18 for not a single word about the status of the very base model other than "we got parts" being told that his future truck may have a tendency to grenade the clutch, I'm thinking the deposit is the best money I ever spent if it only confirms that this bar was never meant for the likes of me.

I have no compassion towards dealers, but they are going to inherit one hell of a shitshow if FCA tells them to lower the torque for their customers. Jeep should really weigh the option of fixing this issue PROPERLY (without detuning) if only to avoid the miles of litigation and class actions for false advertising and any lemon laws for any 3.6L producing ONE foot/pound less than 260.

However, we know nothing here, the announcement was brief and uninformative at best. There's an issue, FCA will address it, then we will be given options. I think we're all on board in hoping that the parent company that gave us the Hellcat can see that we too are not the bread and butter gumdrops they make their profits on. We are the sons you bail out on a Saturday night only to stitch up properly.

I just read this from car and driver.......
Jeep said in a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that this isn't the result of a faulty part. Rather, it's a design issue and will be remedied with updated software to reduce engine torque when the clutch assembly's temperature rises too high. If the problem develops in one of the affected trucks, drivers may smell a burnt odor before it fails.

So they are admiting its a design issue??? So it make no difference if the clutch is replaced with a better aftermarket.

 

[SelfmodJT]

I think we need to all pool together for a lawsuit. Basically if you dont get the voluntary recall update you will always have a possibility of it happening since they are admiting its a design flaw. What happens if you dont get the update since its voluntary and your clutch ends up catching on fire???

 

[Xxtavixx]

I just read this from car and driver.......
Jeep said in a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that this isn't the result of a faulty part. Rather, it's a design issue and will be remedied with updated software to reduce engine torque when the clutch assembly's temperature rises too high. If the problem develops in one of the affected trucks, drivers may smell a burnt odor before it fails.

So they are admiting its a design issue??? So it make no difference if the clutch is replaced with a better aftermarket.

This is my exact concern. What about towing? Mountain driving? Bigger tires? I live in FL where vehicles face extreme heat under normal operation...

 

[Munkey Boy]

Shit, I live in Arizona, most stuff just bursts into flames because it happens to be Tuesday.

 

[tjbrown23]

Is it just me or can nobody read what the statement actually says? "updated software to reduce engine torque when the clutch assembly's temperature rises too high." The key word is WHEN, no where does it say they are detunning your truck or limiting torque in all situations just WHEN the temperature reaches a certain threshold. The design flaw is not with the hardware but software to allow the temperature to reach a critical stage and cause the issues only a handful of people have experienced. I write very technical government documents in my profession and verbiage is crucial. This is just a limp mode when the clutch assembly is too hot beyond normal use.

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