8 Speed Auto Transmission slipping problems at 13,000 miles (3rd time in for repairs)

[ZX6steve]

2020 Gladiator Max tow, 8 speed auto. 13,000 miles on the odometer.

Transmission started slipping majorly when it is shifting from 3rd gear to 4th gear (like it goes into neutral for a moment, then bangs into 4th with a surge)

No reverse intermittently.

Check engine light came on.

Took to dealership right away. Was told that vehicle will not even be looked at until January 3rd, (16 days from now) because I don't have an appointment.

Service advisor asked if I wanted to drive the truck back home and make an appointment and bring it back then. Hhhmmm....probably not a good idea to keep driving the vehicle in its current state, as it will likely cause further damage, leave me stranded once again, and void my warranty. So I declined bringing it back, and left it at dealer. Like I really had a choice?

I asked for a loaner vehicle or rental, because I am now without a vehicle for at least 3 weeks, was told that warranty does not cover loaner vehicle, and that it has not even been determined if this is a warranty issue, which is laughable.

Here's the worst part. I have had this truck towed to the dealership twice already. For issues not related to the current problem. The previous issue ended up being the PCM, which left me stranded twice. I thought I was done with issues with this truck. The reason I bought a brand new, nearly $50,000 vehicle is for piece of mind and reliability. You are supposed to be able to take these vehicles out to the middle of nowhere and back. Soooo disappointing!!!! Am I the only one that thinks that if there is a warranty related issue that I should be provided a vehicle while mine is being repaired? I'm still making payments on the vehicle, I'm still paying to insure the vehicle, I still need a vehicle to get to work every day. And it should be a comparable vehicle, I need a truck. That's why I bought one. Now I will have to rent a vehicle on my own dime? For several weeks? That could cost me thousands. This is unacceptable!! FCA needs to do the right thing here. What can you do to help me @JeepCares And I don't mean just opening a case file, giving me a "case number" and then taking no action, which is what happened the last time my brand new truck got towed into the dealership(twice). I mean take some action, and get me a comparable loaner vehicle while your company works on your companies faulty vehicle that I continue to pay for!

This is my 4th Jeep vehicle. I have been a loyal Jeep owner for the past 20 years. I'm hoping to stay being that loyal customer, but I'm considering changing that. Hey @JeepCares My Jeep Gladiator is at Jack Powell Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Escondido, California. If they can't provide me a vehicle, then get me one from another local dealership or rental car business, ASAP. I would love to be able to post on this site about Jeep taking care of me, the consumer. Please help me do that @JeepCares

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[Maximus Gladius]

Man, lots here to comment on. What is your MILAGE?

My gut said ‘if this was mine, I’d have it home and check the fluid level in the tranny’. It’s actually very easy to do and not overwhelming or impossible as some may think. If it’s not a far drive, go get it, bring it home and check it. If you’re having to rent on your dime, at least the truck is home, and much safer than sitting outside in some dealership lot.
My dealership has curtesy vehicles for their customers so maybe check others??
When my JTR was at the dealership for 50 days last summer for a cam replacement “misfire”, they gave me a rental from Enterprise. Dealership paid over $2000 cad for that. It was a gong show dealing with my truck purchased dealership so I was on the hunt for a credible service department that had a service manager that could critically think and after “interviewing” the new service manager, was convinced I finally found a good place …and I truly have.

My gut says you’re not going to void your warranty if you get your truck. Slipping gears now or slipping gears later is still slipping gears within a warranty window. What if you were further away when bringing it in the first time?? The dealership’s decision to make you pay for a rental is “cost prohibitive” and you had to go find a dealership that wants your business. Go save your truck and bring it home. If you don’t know how to check the level, PM me and we can connect about that.

Hopefully ShadowsPapa will chime in here and give opinion on slipping gears.

 

[USMC-SSGT]

Did you try posting the exact same thing in 3 different threads?

 

[Hootbro]

Been hashed in many other threads.

Loaners are not a right regardless unless you have bought into an extended warranty that has language to that.

There is not a cost to quality nexus. You just bought a vehicle with more things that cost more and more chance of something going wrong. If cost to quality was a thing, Italian Exotic supercars would be the pinnacle of quality.

As to things being "unacceptable", what choice do you have otherwise?

Jeep does not care if you leave the brand, there is enough people from other brands coming over to Jeep for the same like things to offset you leaving.

That being said, you are entitled to your fit and feeling on it and is understandable. You really do not have a lot of choice other than to suck it up and wait it out as there is others ahead of you at the dealership. Dealerships for the most part do not triage their customers.

 

[ZX6steve]

Interestingly, I just received an e-mail from FCA/Stellantis.
Its from Mr. Mark Champine, Head of North America Customer Experience
with an invitation to take a survey called "Jeep Gladiator Vehicle Quality Feedback"
hhhmmm.......wonder how that's gonna go.

Just an FYI. I am a die hard Jeep guy. As soon as I heard Jeep was gonna bring back the Gladiator, I knew I was gonna buy one. I love this forum, lots of good stuff on here, lots of great folks with good info and advice as well (and like any other forum, some trolls/know it all's, see above). Having said that, I know that we all love our Gladiators on here, this is a place to express that, and share our love for our vehicles with other like minded enthusiasts here. Nobody wants to read about negative stuff on here about the vehicles we love. I get it. I hate to have to be that guy. I have experienced a litany of problems with my Gladiator, unfortunately. I come on here to communicate those things, not to bash Gladiators, but to hopefully put some info out there for other people to digest, and possibly respond back with similar experiences and advice to move forward with. Keep loving those Gladiators. I will update when my truck eventually gets fixed, so that others might benefit from the info in the future.

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

It is really telling that these dealerships are backed up for weeks, not in a good way. (I know its that way with every dealer not a knock against Jeep/Fiat/Chrysler). I know parts are scarce but its not like you leave X vehicle sitting in your bay while you are idle.

 

[ZX6steve]

Man, lots here to comment on. What is your MILAGE?

My gut said ‘if this was mine, I’d have it home and check the fluid level in the tranny’. It’s actually very easy to do and not overwhelming or impossible as some may think. If it’s not a far drive, go get it, bring it home and check it. If you’re having to rent on your dime, at least the truck is home, and much safer than sitting outside in some dealership lot.
My dealership has curtesy vehicles for their customers so maybe check others??
When my JTR was at the dealership for 50 days last summer for a cam replacement “misfire”, they gave me a rental from Enterprise. Dealership paid over $2000 cad for that. It was a gong show dealing with my truck purchased dealership so I was on the hunt for a credible service department that had a service manager that could critically think and after “interviewing” the new service manager, was convinced I finally found a good place …and I truly have.

My gut says you’re not going to void your warranty if you get your truck. Slipping gears now or slipping gears later is still slipping gears within a warranty window. What if you were further away when bringing it in the first time?? The dealership’s decision to make you pay for a rental is “cost prohibitive” and you had to go find a dealership that wants your business. Go save your truck and bring it home. If you don’t know how to check the level, PM me and we can connect about that.

Hopefully ShadowsPapa will chime in here and give opinion on slipping gears.

Thanks for the reply Maximus. It is tempting to go break my Gladiator out of jail honestly. I am familiar with how to check the fluid, lots of videos out there with step by step demo's, and I'm pretty handy, do all of my own work on our vehicles. I honestly don't think its the fluid. All of the other gears are shifting just fine, and it doesn't slip when going around corners, which is a common symptom of low trans fluid level. Its also throwing code #P1DA8. Which is a code for an incorrect gear ratio in the clutch pack. Its an internal transmission issue with the 3rd or 4th gear clutch pack. The trans will eventually be replaced. They will likely try to "fix it" with a PCM reflash, which may "band-aid" the problem, then they will probably change the valve body, which again, will not fix the problem. Its gonna need a new tranny. I'm convinced. Time will tell. I will be looking for another dealership this week that may be able to look at my truck sooner, and that may have loaner vehicles. I have horrible luck with dealerships here in southern California. Customer service is a lost art today, at least where I reside. Thanks again for the advice bud.

 

[ZX6steve]

So, I posted this issue 10 days ago, and tagged @JeepCares and have yet to even get a response? Is it @Jeepdontcare? Thanks for the help Jeep. Total bummer. Looks like I will have to consider my rights in the California Lemon Law.

 

[ilovebikes99]

So, I posted this issue 10 days ago, and tagged @JeepCares and have yet to even get a response? Is it @Jeepdontcare? Thanks for the help Jeep. Total bummer. Looks like I will have to consider my rights in the California Lemon Law.

Why are you holding back? So you can save some giant corp money? If it's at the dealer for 30 days lemon law and gbye

 

[NC_Overland]

You said you bought it used? That ZF 8 speed in these is pretty much flawless and your issues aren’t normal at all. I hate to say it, but it sounds like it’s been really abused. I’d dump it and get another one. Especially, with the crazy resale value these days.

 

[NC_Overland]

Why are you holding back? So you can save some giant corp money? If it's at the dealer for 30 days lemon law and gbye

Didn’t he say he bought it used? SOL then.

 

[Gladiator_92]

My good friend's 2020 JL with ~25,000 miles on it just did the exact same thing earlier this month. Massive amounts of trans slippage and then slamming gears. Once he came to a stop it locked the trans in park and he had to get it towed to dealer. They told him he needs a new trans and that it is probably a factory defect. He's been without a jeep for weeks while they wait for the trans to come in and probably will be until mid January... will be covered under warranty though.

 

[DAVECS1]

Been hashed in many other threads.

Loaners are not a right regardless unless you have bought into an extended warranty that has language to that.

There is not a cost to quality nexus. You just bought a vehicle with more things that cost more and more chance of something going wrong. If cost to quality was a thing, Italian Exotic supercars would be the pinnacle of quality.

As to things being "unacceptable", what choice do you have otherwise?

Jeep does not care if you leave the brand, there is enough people from other brands coming over to Jeep for the same like things to offset you leaving.

That being said, you are entitled to your fit and feeling on it and is understandable. You really do not have a lot of choice other than to suck it up and wait it out as there is others ahead of you at the dealership. Dealerships for the most part do not triage their customers.

Actually if you bought your Jeep new, or have paid for the Jeep waves program, loaners are a right. New vehicles come with a number of months with free Jeep Waves benifits.

I have been stuffed on this twice and have not raised much of a fuss, but it does day in the paperwork free courtesy vehicles during service.

 

[Hootbro]

Actually if you bought your Jeep new, or have paid for the Jeep waves program, loaners are a right. New vehicles come with a number of months with free Jeep Waves benifits.

I have been stuffed on this twice and have not raised much of a fuss, but it does day in the paperwork free courtesy vehicles during service.

Been hashed out before in other threads, the language of the Jeep Wave loaner benefit is for same day service of routine maintenance and not for anything beyond that. So a vehicle in for extensive repairs or wait beyond the one day do not qualify for a long term loaner.

Some dealerships offer a loaner but that is on them at a local level to determine but still does not follow under an entitlement to that the customer gets one.

 

[JeepCares]

So, I posted this issue 10 days ago, and tagged @JeepCares and have yet to even get a response? Is it @Jeepdontcare? Thanks for the help Jeep. Total bummer. Looks like I will have to consider my rights in the California Lemon Law.

Hi, ZX6steve. If our team misses one of your comments or tags, you can always send us a private message directly for assistance. We try to get to everyone, but sometimes posts can get lost. If you want to discuss your concerns further, send us a message. Thanks.

Kate
Jeep Cares

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