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do these trucks break down a lot?

gentlejax

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I bought my mojave on 22nd of April. took it back 23rd. havnt seen it since. I took it back to address some sort of fluid leak. I thought it was from transfer case. I just called to ask about eta and was told "next friday, he Ok'd the repair of some other things. so that when I got it back everything would be great" ...what that means or what that is I dont know. I asked for detailed receipt when its done for my records. im not paying a dime for the work but I still need to know what was done.

ive gone from angry to wondering if this is a start of a nightmare i will want out of pretty quickly. I ordered some wheels yesterday. I think I am going to cancel that.

is this a regular thing? something breaks and it takes weeks or months to fix?
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GuzziMoto

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No. It is not normal for them to break down. But if yours does have an issue and it needs a part to fix it, you may have to wait for that part to show up.

It sounds like you have an issue with the dealership.

But maybe a Jeep isn't for you.

For comparison, we have two Jeeps, a JKU and a JT. The JKU we have had since 2016. Neither one has ever been at a dealership for more then a day.
 

JeepOfTheseus

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It's kind of a two-way street for me: I bought a Jeep because I wanted to tinker, and now I've realized it's good to be able to tinker since I have a Jeep.

That said, you need to provide context:

"I just bought the Jeep and there is a fluid leak." - One might guess/assume this is a new(er) Jeep and would be surprised by this.

"I just bought the Jeep with 72k miles and there is a fluid leak." - Well, yea...you're getting deep into maintenance territory at this point. Almost any vehicle is gonna need some TLC at that point. Seals/gaskets can start to break down resulting in minor leaks that may not be catastrophic at first, but you usually try to stay on top of them if you're working in that area anyways. It sounds like that's what the dealership is doing. But if you're really curious/concerned, you should just ask them - don't sit around and wait for the receipt. Find out why it needs to stay longer, what parts are they waiting on, is it something you can put off or maybe order your own and take care of it?

Do they break down a lot?

Short answer: No.
Real answer: No, but they require standard maintenance like any vehicle, and are subject to premature failure if neglected.
 

DirkG

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This is an internet forum, so you're going to get the "this truck sucks" and "I wouldn't buy anything else" crowds.

You know you didn't buy a Honda, but you also know that nobody gives a crap about approaching a Honda Ridgeline owner. These vehicles have personality, good and bad, and there's risk with that personality.

We personally have had 3 Jeeps and they'll all been amazing vehicles. Keep in mind we've also owned 9 Acuras, so we understand the value of reliability.

Most issues get resolved by the dealership and you can go on with enjoying your Jeep. My suggestion is to buy those wheels and have fun with it. If you end up having more issues and want to sell it, fortunately they have good resale value and many, many willing buyers. :beer:
 

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WambliSka

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I've always heard "Jeeps are unreliable vehicles". Yeah.... I'm on my FIFTH and the last 2 have been Gladiators!!! The first one was a '03 Rubicon that I passed along to my son after driving it for 2 years at my ranch, and he put that thing through HELL rock crawling in AZ and passed it along to another buddy who's probably STILL trying to kill it.

I guess that statement is either bullshit or God just loves me because all of mine have been flawless and I've taken all of them not just on a fair amount of off-roading adventures but also on loooooooooooooong highway trips during various expeditions and a whole lot of cross country moves both N to S and E to W. The last one was in a '22 JT towing a 5x8 u-haul trailer full of REALLY heavy crap from NC to AZ. Did I mention FLAWLESS?

The only semi-serious issue I've ever had was a light wobbly front end that needed some wrenching and things like bearings on a 2005 Rocky Mountain Edition. To be fair I launched the damned thing full airborne over tall sand dunes at a beach by my house in Florida playing Rat Patrol (now I'me really dating myself), maybe more than once. I bought that Jeep used with only 10k miles on it and sold it 6 years later for $2,000 more than what I paid for it after putting 65,000 miles on it :CWL:

I see older Jeeps with over 100k miles on them selling locally for crazy money, in some cases more than the MSRP when they were new. What other vehicle on earth can you do that with?
 
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gentlejax

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I guess I worded that wrong. should have maybe said "is there a issue with parts for these things " or something more like that. Because it was what I thought a simple leak and a alignment. I was told they ordered the "tie rod" but that was 3 days later.

when I asked for update on day 10 I was then told they were doing some other fixing. its not costing me anything so I said ok and thanks. then asked to get a list of repairs when its done.

I know I didnt buy a Lexus but everyone says they are terrible but yet I see a dozen every day to and from work. so there must be millions of them running around.


I did buy a used one though. 70k which doesnt bother me. ive seen a few people with new ones and problems right after. that would make me feel worse if I needed a new motor after 5k miles. I bought this one cause it was very clean and ran good. figured it wasnt beat on too much.

dealer is doing what I think is more than they had to but I also think they know they represented it as better than it was so they are making it right.
 

Bandit’s Lair

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They sometimes do have problems but once those problems get corrected, either by you or the dealer, they’re pretty solid vehicles. I had a TCM issue with my last Jeep that took 3 visits to 2 different dealers to resolve but it got resolved and I never had another issue with the TCM. Sensor on the fuel gauge went out. Replaced it. Rear locker grenaded in the driveway for some reason. Replaced with ARB. If I break or wear out parts that can be upgraded I upgrade to something I think is better. Kinda how Jeeps go.
 

Mac

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I have had a have '12 JK, '14JKU and '20JT. Only issues have been 1 leaking axle seal on the '14JKU and the heated steering wheel stopped working on the JT. Over 150k miles between the three. Jeeps have been more reliable than my '20 Honda CRV and my '10 Toyota Tundra. All 5 vehicles have been purchased new.
 

Labswine

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I've read a lot of posts of people, like you, with issues but, I feel this is a microcosm of the total vehicles out there. People tend to post more here looking for answers to issues they have making it look like these are problem vehicles. Go look at other boards for other vehicles, and you'll find the same things.

I've had my Overland since 7/19 (ordered 5/19) and it's only got around 46,5XX miles on her (the joys of being retired) and I also tow a 27', 5,100 lb (with all we want or need) travel trailer with her.

Overall, I have had zero mechanical issues with her. I just had the batteries replaced...both the main and the aux, because they had simply aged out, being at least 7 years old. Only other issues were having to have the hard top replaced under warranty because of a leak, and the passenger door seal replaced because it also leaked, out of warranty.

Other than that, I've got no complaints.

As far as your issue, as others have said, the delay maybe a parts availability issue or the stealership is feeding you a line of BS. I've been lucky that, even though very expensive, my stealership where I bought mine has been honest and on the ball about things. That being said, after the warranty expired, I've been taking mine to a very trusted mechanic (I've used them for almost 10 years and my Dad at least for ten years before me) for routine work and anything extra because 1), they're good, and 2) because they are much less expensive than the stealership.
 

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Gvsukids

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so there must be millions of them running around.
Optimistic. I've replaced a motor under third party warranty, but the motor wasn't really ever excellent. There have been other issues, but once fixed, the Jeep has been great. Fun to drive and over 108k.

that would make me feel worse if I needed a new motor after 5k miles
There is one who had 3 motors replaced before 20k miles. The dealership might not carry every part, and the supplier could be behind. I waited a month before another local dealer gave my dealership a motor, otherwise, I don't know if it would have ever come in.
 

Iinux38

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My Gladiator (I purchased new in 2023) has only had a rear window leak (known issue and dealer replaced), and the blend door for hvac that would rattle randomly (also replaced by dealer). She’s been a great Jeep and knock on wood she continues to be a great Jeep.
keep in mind when the dealer replaced my rear window it took almost 2 weeks because they had to order the the glass. Jeep provided me with a loaner during that time. It was sometimes hard to get a clear answer as to when the part would come in and when it would be ready for me to pick up Hopefully your dealership has given you a loaner.
 

BourbonRunner

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Like anything else, with regular maintenance you should avoid big stuff and catch the big stuff early.. But I'm not one to talk, I have a BMW. I work too hard to be this financially irresponsible but here we are.

At this point the truck is 6 years on. Common issues are a known commodity as are in most cases the fixes by now either from the factory or in the aftermarket. Take it all with a grain of salt. Enthusiasts love their vehicles and are the first to b!itch when they break.
 

Dilly’S Willy

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The issue really here is finding a dealer that A) gives a shit, and B) employs quality technicians, not mechanics (aka parts pullers).

I'm in a similar situation where dealerships don't want to honor warranties nor be held accountable for their actions. Dealing with corporate currently.

For reference, I've had no mechanical issues or CELs in 20k miles since last August. Yes, I put 20k additional miles on between August and now.


I AM however having 2 small stumbles at 2200 and 2800 rpm under very light throttle input (around 17inHG) in third gear, if anyone can offer insight before dealing with more dealer drama under warranty?
 

Casique

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Five years today, never been in for any warranty work, or issue.... I did self repair a leaky rear window - thats it.
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