ALL Steering gear orders (NOT) cancelled !!!

[ShadowsPapa]

90% of people who complain come from IFS BMWs and sedans.

Rack and pinion quick-ratio steering on so many vehicles, including so-called SUVs today makes it worse.
I've driven all sorts of trucks over more than 4 decades and this is among the best behaved trucks I've had. It compares to my 2011 Chevy Silverado.
Now when I get into my wife's 2021 GC that thing drives me nuts as you move the wheel 1/8" and you are turning a corner! Yikes!
But this JT compares favorably to my other cars and trucks.
It's a truck, not a high-end Mercedes or BMW and it doesn't have rack and pinion steering (thank goodness!)

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[rmerkushen]

You really haven't followed this issue very long, have you?
I think you are dreaming of an ideal world with ideal dealers and shops.

No dealer is going to tow it and then give you as loaner for months on end. Tow it based on what? A complaint? Right.

Perhaps, and I don't know and can't judge how bad others were. Based on my experience, driving my truck was a nuisance. Yes a couple of white knuckle moments on Chesapeake bay bridge. I am running 35 inch tires with 4.5 inch backspacing, so that exaggerated the issue as well. Forgot to mention, I am also running adjustable teraflex steering stabilizer. Running it on medium and hard setting helps drastically with wondering.

There are always ways to resolve situation, take it to the dealer where you purchased you truck and speak with your sales person and his manager. All the can do is escalate and put you on the list.

What I am saying is you will need to wait regardless. Dealers are not going to get your stuff quicker, they simply can't. Getting upset is only going to work you up unnecessarily, I am sure they will get to you. Yes, I have multiple cars that I could drive while waiting for this fix. I think I still drove the gladiator the most as I luv the damn thing.

 

[rmerkushen]

Surely you are joking?

Why would I..

 

[rmerkushen]

Constructive comment there! Shame

Same message I was trying to convey.. Relax, they will get to you eventually..

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Mine is fixed. However, since day one, I have been an advocate for those who have this issue - I've followed, watched videos, gone back and forth with private messages, etc. so have seen and been aware of many many examples.
Thankfully, mine wasn't as bad as many, and now it's just plain nice - it's fixed.

 

[rmerkushen]

I picked up my Gladiator from the dealership a couple hours ago and took it for a good drive. I did some interstate driving to get a feel at high-speeds and some city driving to get a feel for stop/go, round-abouts, and lower speeds. Wow, what a difference the new steering gear made! It handles like a completely different truck.

When I got home I looked under the hood. Most folks following this thread probably already know the replacement steering gear is steel and painted black. Nothing surprising there. If anyone wants pictures I can post tomorrow.

In my case this upgrade has made a noticeable impact on the steering characteristics. It feels much tighter, much more controllable. Worth it!

I plan to install the Synergy Mfg. front track bar and sector shaft brace this weekend. I'll report here if that makes any difference too.

Add upgraded stabilizer to it, it tracks straight. TSB makes a huge difference, my steering play is non-existent.

 

[BryantJT]

Just another data point for those naysayers. I have test driven 3 2020 JT's, 2 were Rubicon, one Overland, of the Rubicon's one new one and one used with 3500 miles. I've also driven one new 2021 Rubicon. All 3 2020 models had sloppier steering and wandered more than my 2006 TJ with 160,000 miles on it that is running a 4" lift and 33s. The 2021 was nearly as tight as my 2019 Ram Rebel half ton. If the dealer with the 21 would have been open to negotiate I'd have brought it home the same day, instead I have a custom order from 8 hours away at a better price than any of the above.

 

[PyrPatriot]

So if Chrysler is making this a recall, at least that's the reason I was given by my dealership, then I wonder how much longer this will drag out and if it affects people coming up on their 36k warranty

 

[Ravenron]

So if Chrysler is making this a recall, at least that's the reason I was given by my dealership, then I wonder how much longer this will drag out and if it affects people coming up on their 36k warranty

If you're closing in on the 36k portion of your warranty, simply have your dealer document your issue (make sure you get copies and include with the TSB). This way you'll be covered once FCA figures out how to handle demand. Your dealer should confirm this approach as valid as well...

 

[Jeeperjamie]

I know it sucks having bad steering but I'm about sick of seeing a new thread started on the issue every week. It sucks but in reality they probably don't care because it's only like 2% of owners are having a issue. I still got my aluminum box and have had no issues. Some are bad some not, 15,000 miles on mine and no issues. People running out without issues and demanding a new box, you can think those people for your delay. FCA are in the business of making money and if you think your going to get a by back because of a bad steering box, your dead wrong. If they are making a effort to fix it and a fix can be done, it doesn't matter how long it takes, there isn't a judge going to force a by back. Plus Covid may not be a good excuse but plenty of stuff has shut down over it. I'm in the building material business and we got stuff on back order for months because of Mills shutting down. Sucks but it's reality. Glad mine drives awesome

 

[Jeeperjamie]

Dont forget 90% of you never drove solid axle rigs in yr life much less a jeep. heard about this steering problem via internet and just think you gotta have the new box if you actually need it or not. I honestly dont blame them.

This

 

[WaterDR]

You are NOT making monthly payments to FCA....even if you think you are.

 

[CWGrisw0ld]

I know it sucks having bad steering but I'm about sick of seeing a new thread started on the issue every week.

I'm so sorry this happened to you.

 

[MrZappo]

I know it sucks having bad steering but I'm about sick of seeing a new thread started on the issue every week. It sucks but in reality they probably don't care because it's only like 2% of owners are having a issue. I still got my aluminum box and have had no issues. Some are bad some not, 15,000 miles on mine and no issues. People running out without issues and demanding a new box, you can think those people for your delay. FCA are in the business of making money and if you think your going to get a by back because of a bad steering box, your dead wrong. If they are making a effort to fix it and a fix can be done, it doesn't matter how long it takes, there isn't a judge going to force a by back. Plus Covid may not be a good excuse but plenty of stuff has shut down over it. I'm in the building material business and we got stuff on back order for months because of Mills shutting down. Sucks but it's reality. Glad mine drives awesome

2% ? Where did this number come from ? Maybe you should drive one with the steel box before forming an opinion ?

I'm sure that some people are "getting a new one just for the sake of it" but these things don't just pop up out of thin air ... Go to any public place where people complain about things (youtube, wherever) and look for gladiator issues ... The steering has come up in dozens of places over and over WELL BEFORE FCA announced their acknowledgement that there "may be an issue" ... It is likely the most common complaint. Even before the defect was acknowledged, reviewers all over the internet in many different forums referred to the steering being "sloppy". It is a common theme. This would suggest a rate of far more than 2% that I imagine was PFA "Plucked from air" ...

And as you have pointed out, they are in business to make money ... TSB's and Recalls are very expensive and avoided to the highest degree possible ... And yet there IS a steering box TSB ... Why do you think that is ?

Even on this forum (which is a complaint magnet), the most common serious issues are the steering and engine misfire issues ... The rest of issues although legit do not seem widespread ...

My engine runs perfect (smooth as glass) but I'm not on here telling the folks with engine noise that it is in their heads ...

These are gen 1 vehicles. They are largely great. They also have several pervasive issues that FCA is working to fix while providing extremely poor communication to its client base ...

The theme of this thread and most of the others is clearly that people:

1) Love the vehicle generally
2) Appreciate that there IS a TSB and that the issue is being acknowledged
3) FCA seems to do the right thing generally
4) FCA communication is poor and is the root of most of the frustration discussed here ...

And, ya know, if ya don't like the thread, move along then ... There is a lot of reading material here.

 

[Higher_Ground]

All I can say about the "you've never driven a ..." comments is that it really doesn't matter what sort of experience you have in other vehicles that aren't built the same even if they do indeed have similar mechanics. You have an actual vehicle to vehicle comparison with the only changes being the steering gear and a software update. Just read the posts from people who have had the fix: nearly 100% of them say it has improved their steering. And not just a little, but "dramatically" and "I can tell without leaving the parking lot."

I was on the side of "mine drives fine" but who am I to argue with all the people who have gone through the trouble to have it replaced and say there is a significant improvement? And it's not like the dealers would do this just to appease us... they have acknowledged a problem!

I'm hoping they do indeed have a full recall for all affected VINs. Mine isn't so much of a problem that I refuse to drive it, but given the chance to have it drive better why would I or anyone else pass that up?

How long it takes isn't an issue for me as long as it's done on their dime. If I have to wait 12 months I have that luxury. However, I fully understand that others are experiencing issues bad enough to keep them from driving altogether. I feel like they should keep up the heat until someone fixes their vehicle.

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