Jeep Cares is Awful... My Jeep Swimming Pool

[SaiintNick]

Sometimes that "expansion" means a lot of driving. Here, I could find another dealer or two within an hour, but - the dealer I already use is pretty much the best in a 100 mile radius. I wouldn't trust Ankeny to do it - they are the ones that told me my winch was draining my batteries - with that big RED OFF switch right next to the battery, and that traction control doesn't kick in under 35 mph.
I feel for people needing to find a decent dealer in some of the more "rural" or sparsely populated areas. They are in perfect areas for Jeeps, going off-road, trails, adventures, but come to service - dealers are few and far between.

Yeah I live in St George Utah and the dealership monopoly sucks. I had to have my Wrangler die in Vegas to get a Gladiator. So I guess whenever I have my first minor problem I'm going to have to light my Gladiator on fire.

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[Hootbro]

I am confused here. So you bought a vehicle in November 2023 and was titled then and sat on their lot for that whole year waiting on the recall and basically gave up 12 months of warranty with no usage?

 

[Gvsukids]

I am confused here. So you bought a vehicle in November 2023 and was titled then and sat on their lot for that whole year waiting on the recall and basically gave up 12 months of warranty with no usage?

Sounds like it. Long time for the clutch recall and the window leaked because it sat outside for a year. Could be a dealership problem or maybe see if insurance will help out.

 

[Jeeper44mag]

Just venting, but very open to any suggestions...

I purchased my 2023 Gladiator in November of 2023. I was not able to accept delivery of it until December of 2024 due to the clutch recall.

In January, I noticed a leak coming from my rear window on my hard top. It is not the from the slider, but from the actual glass itself. It's not an awful leak, but living in the PNW it's a persistent one. This is in addition to the other leak which was with the front pax door seal which was received collapsed from the factory. Not pleased that I had to drain inches of water multiple times, but at least the drain plugs are convenient and the carpet is easy to take out... That was fixed under recently under a warranty claim for the door seal. That claim was entered at the same time as the claim for my rear window.

My rear window claim was denied. It was denied because Jeep only covers glass for 12 months... The 36 month/36,000 miles be damned. However........ If I had a power sliding window they would cover the leak. It is because I have a manual window that they will not cover it. There is no damage, the leak is not with the slider, but with the actual seal of the main window. This would be covered if I had a power window.

My dealer apparently has to do this a lot on the power windows, and was very surprised to find that my manual window was not covered. That stated, they submitted a goodwill request. Jeep, being the wonderful company it is decided that they would cover 80% of the repair which would leave me with $479 to pay out of pocket. That is insane... The glass cost itself they have at $1,600.... I've replaced entire windshields (with heating elements) for $350 all in...

I called Jeep "Cares" to see what could be done as this made no sense to me. Even thought it is a manufacturer's defect on the seal, my glass isn't covered because it's a less complex system? After being promised a contact within 2 days, nobody called me. I did not expect a resolution in two days, but I did expect a call/email as promised. I waited 4 days and then called them looking to see where my request to fully cover the replacement was. I was put on the line with a very snarky women who said that they had internally already run it up to a supervisor and that the supervisor denied my request for full coverage. She refused to offer any further assistance and scolded me for thinking that Jeep should replace a leaking window after 12 months of ownership (my claim was put in on month 13). She said she believed it was totally acceptable for a vehicle purchased brand new to have leaks that were not covered by the manufacturer after 12 months with no damage present.

She then proceeded to tell me that if the dealership had mentioned "manufacturers defect" in there diagnosis that Jeep would probably have covered it. I brought this up with the dealership asking to resubmit the paperwork... The dealership actually showed me how they submit the claims and there is no section to even explain "manufacturer's defect." It was roughly 8 yes/no questions with a couple drop down fields. They were happy to help, but confused as to how they could even put that into a claim.

I'm flabbergasted. The truck was purchased brand new. It's leaked the entire time I've owned it. There is no damage to the rear window, and the fact that the same manufacturers defect is fine on a manual window at 13 months, but would be replaced on a power window makes no sense. The Jeep Cares experience was awful. It was like talking to an insurance adjuster who gets joy out of telling people no.

I like my truck, but I really dislike the Jeep brand. All of the crap people throw at Jeep is well deserved in my opinion. I'll be keeping this truck for awhile, but without major changes in the way Jeep supports its product, I will be buying a non-Stellantis product for a next vehicle. We're looking to purchase a 3/4 ton pickup and a toy-hauler this year, and the Chevy is looking a lot nicer than the RAM now after this experience.

I realize this is a common problem and there are other ways to fix that rear window leak of which I'll try to do. I'm not spending almost $500 when we all know that is the actual cost to get this replaced.

For anyone who says, "it's a Jeep thing..." ...... YOU are the problem. By allowing this company to continue to cut corners and making excuses for it, you are the reason that this brand is losing respect amongst the automotive community as a whole from a QC standpoint. So many people use that as a joke to describe not the quirks, but the legitimate issues with the brand; it's embarrassing.

Thanks for those who read my rant.

Dude.... fixing the back glass leak is a $15 & 15 minute DIY fix. Find it with the search function here in this forum. Literally less time than it took you to post this rant. Don't get me wrong... yes, it *should* have been done right the first time by Jeep, but.... *if* you like the vehicle otherwise, invest a few minutes of your time to resolve what is such a SIMPLE fix.

 

[BlackRuby23]

This is getting me thinkin'...

Part of the problem is that water has a chance to pool at the top of the window. Water can act like an acid or a base, so eventually, like plumbers putty, the sealant for these windows is going to spring a leak at some point.

I've built a couple aquariums in my day and aquarium silicone is heavy duty stuff. It can be in contact with water, salt or fresh, for like ever and not spring a leak. I have half a mind that the next time my rear window leaks I'm going to fill that entire gap at the top with aquarium silicone.

Yes, this will definitely work. I have it in my mind that I may do this at some point for a permanent fix if the tubing leaks. The key will be to prep and clean it well then do a really tidy job. The gap is fairly deep, too, so the sealant won't have to show, either. Another sealant that would work well would be Proflex RV sealant in clear. That stuff lasts years and isn't as difficult to remove as silicone.

 

[sunrise089]

I am confused here. So you bought a vehicle in November 2023 and was titled then and sat on their lot for that whole year waiting on the recall and basically gave up 12 months of warranty with no usage?

I think he has a typo on the date that he’s posted multiple times. It frankly makes this whole saga enormously more difficult to follow as a direct reading of what he posted would mean the jeep is still under warranty.

All I can say to the OP is 1) props on getting a manual; 2) it sounds like the warranty claim was properly denied; 3) single-vehicle anecdotes mean little and can be found on everything from Toyota Corolla forums to 70s Jaguar forums, ie across the scale of vehicle reliability; and 4) why you think Jeep Cares is some sort of concierge service is puzzling to me; car dealers (Tesla aside) use a franchise model so Jeep Cares didn't sell you your truck. Being mad at them is sort of like being mad at Google because an Amazon item you bought was defective and your order confirmation email came in via gmail.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Water can act like an acid or a base,

Depends on your local atmosphere. Pure water is neutral pH. (I do plating, and have to monitor the pH of everything and keep the tanks in a very narrow range)
A lot of what is gathered as the rain falls, for example, makes it acidic.
At a car wash (I worked in one as a teen, the owner of the place I worked doing mechanical things also owned a car wash) - that stuff is caustic - very high pH, to emulsify and remove grease and other road stuff.
So between rain and car washes, you get a crazy mix of high pH and low pH, both equally bad for paint, sealants and other "stuff".

I've built a couple aquariums in my day and aquarium silicone is heavy duty stuff. It can be in contact with water, salt or fresh, for like ever and not spring a leak. I have half a mind that the next time my rear window leaks I'm going to fill that entire gap at the top with aquarium silicone.

Interesting - been a while since we've had an aquarium, but our last one - hex shape, was sealer on every joint, it was mechanically held together only at the top and bottom and where the side panels joined each other must have been the type of sealer you refer to.
Hmmmm............

 

[red/green hawk]

Depends on your local atmosphere. Pure water is neutral pH. (I do plating, and have to monitor the pH of everything and keep the tanks in a very narrow range)
A lot of what is gathered as the rain falls, for example, makes it acidic.
At a car wash (I worked in one as a teen, the owner of the place I worked doing mechanical things also owned a car wash) - that stuff is caustic - very high pH, to emulsify and remove grease and other road stuff.
So between rain and car washes, you get a crazy mix of high pH and low pH, both equally bad for paint, sealants and other "stuff".

I just meant that it can act like both. If you add water to a base it acts like an acid in that it brings the pH down and if you add it to an acid it acts like a base and brings the pH up. Don't really know why I added that to my first post...

Interesting - been a while since we've had an aquarium, but our last one - hex shape, was sealer on every joint, it was mechanically held together only at the top and bottom and where the side panels joined each other must have been the type of sealer you refer to.
Hmmmm............

I know it will hold up to water just not sure how it will hold up to things like temperature extremes and if it reacts negatively to direct sunlight. I still have a little bit in a tube somewhere. A little experiment might be in order.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I just meant that it can act like both. If you add water to a base it acts like an acid in that it brings the pH down and if you add it to an acid it acts like a base and brings the pH up. Don't really know why I added that to my first post...



I know it will hold up to water just not sure how it will hold up to things like temperature extremes and if it reacts negatively to direct sunlight. I still have a little bit in a tube somewhere. A little experiment might be in order.

Sunlight would be an interesting question.

 

[Labrat1970]

A couple things:

First:

My '23, purchased new in January '24, was rapidly losing the new car smell until one day I was like "what is this wet sock/dog smell in this thing?" after months of rains. I was looking and looking for a rotting food wrapper or something. That's when I found massive leaks in the rear, filling up the storage bins below the window, and wet carpet on the rear floors.

As it was raining, I was able to trace the leaks to the rear window. As I did some research and pondered a trip to the dealer, I found I was beyond the 12 months warranty. That's when I found that this is a defect with the window itself, and that some people have had 3 window replacements and it still leaks. I then came upon the "fix," which is running 7mm vacuum tubing (meant for windshield washer fluid) between the window and the hard top itself. Most use silicone, I used standard rubber. Mine has been dry as a bone since.

Next:



I'd remove this, because it's really off-putting. You're lashing out at people who have nothing to do with your plight because you're angry.

I have been bashed about complaining about this leak as well “because it’s a Jeep thing“ so the OP is spot on

 

[Marmaduke]

I think he has a typo on the date that he’s posted multiple times. It frankly makes this whole saga enormously more difficult to follow as a direct reading of what he posted would mean the jeep is still under warranty.

All I can say to the OP is 1) props on getting a manual; 2) it sounds like the warranty claim was properly denied; 3) single-vehicle anecdotes mean little and can be found on everything from Toyota Corolla forums to 70s Jaguar forums, ie across the scale of vehicle reliability; and 4) why you think Jeep Cares is some sort of concierge service is puzzling to me; car dealers (Tesla aside) use a franchise model so Jeep Cares didn't sell you your truck. Being mad at them is sort of like being mad at Google because an Amazon item you bought was defective and your order confirmation email came in via gmail.

You’re 100% right on my typo. My bad. I own that entirely. I’m about to move, and been doing too many happy hours with family and friends.

I bought the Jeep because my local Toyota dealership tried telling me that Toyota didn’t make a manual Tacoma and they wouldn’t order one (lol).

By the book… Sure, it was correctly denied. That stated, 12 months of warranty on a window to not leak is pretty pathetic. Jeep refusing to cover the issue is pathetic. I’m fully aware there are 5 minute fixes that cost $20. This isn’t about my inability to do it. I put a lot of money down on this truck and waited to take delivery because of a Jeep issue. In return, I get told, “sucks to suck” by their customer service rep. If this post helps contribute to one lost sale then it’ll be time well spent on my end. Call me petty

You’re right, single vehicle anecdote is useless, but this is a well documented problem (kind of like how the stickied buying guide says to check that your suspension is torqued correctly…. Because “it’s a jeep thing.”)

Yeah my dealership sold the vehicle, but they didn’t build it nor do they warranty it. Jeep builds it, and the warranty is with Jeep. The dealership simply carries our approved warranty services and bills Jeep for the work. “Jeep Cares” is the consumer facing contact point for a Jeep owner. Who else should I contact? If I’m missing something, please correct me, but this is exactly how franchises work.

 

[Hootbro]

By the book… Sure, it was correctly denied. That stated, 12 months of warranty on a window to not leak is pretty pathetic. Jeep refusing to cover the issue is pathetic. I’m fully aware there are 5 minute fixes that cost $20. This isn’t about my inability to do it. I put a lot of money down on this truck and waited to take delivery because of a Jeep issue. In return, I get told, “sucks to suck” by their customer service rep. If this post helps contribute to one lost sale then it’ll be time well spent on my end. Call me petty

To what degree of culpability do you take on for any of this?

I still do not understand how you took some type of ownership for the vehicle for this but not delivery? I understand the recall put a stop sale in place but you still were able to purchase it?

My apologise if I missed something already stated, but your situation just seems way weird of how everything unraveled.

 

[Marmaduke]

To what degree of culpability do you take on for any of this?

I still do not understand how you took some type of ownership for the vehicle for this but not delivery? I understand the recall put a stop sale in place but you still were able to purchase it?

My apologise if I missed something already stated, but your situation just seems way weird of how everything unraveled.

I’ve done a poor job of describing the timeline. I’ll put it correct below:

November 2023 - Vehicle purchased
December 2023 - Vehicle delivered
January 2025 - This specific leak found and dealership appointment made

That is the timeline. That’s why I say “in service 13 months” since I got the truck delivered in December and I caught this leak the following January.

Regarding culpability… None. I did not install the window. The window is not damaged. I have never removed the hard top. I have never been in an accident. This leak is smaller (but definitely exists), and I do not sit in the back of the truck when I drive it, so while I believe it has present for much longer I didn’t catch it until January.

Hopefully that clarifies.

 

[Hootbro]

I’ve done a poor job of describing the timeline. I’ll put it correct below:

November 2023 - Vehicle purchased
December 2023 - Vehicle delivered
January 2025 - This specific leak found and dealership appointment made

That is the timeline. That’s why I say “in service 13 months” since I got the truck delivered in December and I caught this leak the following January.

Regarding culpability… None. I did not install the window. The window is not damaged. I have never removed the hard top. I have never been in an accident. This leak is smaller (but definitely exists), and I do not sit in the back of the truck when I drive it, so while I believe it has present for much longer I didn’t catch it until January.

Hopefully that clarifies.

Thanks, clears it up for me.

Have you tried another dealership? Most to include me that have had a rear window leak had it covered by the 3/36 warranty. JeepCares is just going to parrot whatever the dealership tells them.

 

[ecidiego]

Just venting, but very open to any suggestions...

I purchased my 2023 Gladiator in November of 2023. I was not able to accept delivery of it until December of 2024 due to the clutch recall.

In January, I noticed a leak coming from my rear window on my hard top. It is not the from the slider, but from the actual glass itself. It's not an awful leak, but living in the PNW it's a persistent one. This is in addition to the other leak which was with the front pax door seal which was received collapsed from the factory. Not pleased that I had to drain inches of water multiple times, but at least the drain plugs are convenient and the carpet is easy to take out... That was fixed under recently under a warranty claim for the door seal. That claim was entered at the same time as the claim for my rear window.

My rear window claim was denied. It was denied because Jeep only covers glass for 12 months... The 36 month/36,000 miles be damned. However........ If I had a power sliding window they would cover the leak. It is because I have a manual window that they will not cover it. There is no damage, the leak is not with the slider, but with the actual seal of the main window. This would be covered if I had a power window.

My dealer apparently has to do this a lot on the power windows, and was very surprised to find that my manual window was not covered. That stated, they submitted a goodwill request. Jeep, being the wonderful company it is decided that they would cover 80% of the repair which would leave me with $479 to pay out of pocket. That is insane... The glass cost itself they have at $1,600.... I've replaced entire windshields (with heating elements) for $350 all in...

I called Jeep "Cares" to see what could be done as this made no sense to me. Even thought it is a manufacturer's defect on the seal, my glass isn't covered because it's a less complex system? After being promised a contact within 2 days, nobody called me. I did not expect a resolution in two days, but I did expect a call/email as promised. I waited 4 days and then called them looking to see where my request to fully cover the replacement was. I was put on the line with a very snarky women who said that they had internally already run it up to a supervisor and that the supervisor denied my request for full coverage. She refused to offer any further assistance and scolded me for thinking that Jeep should replace a leaking window after 12 months of ownership (my claim was put in on month 13). She said she believed it was totally acceptable for a vehicle purchased brand new to have leaks that were not covered by the manufacturer after 12 months with no damage present.

She then proceeded to tell me that if the dealership had mentioned "manufacturers defect" in there diagnosis that Jeep would probably have covered it. I brought this up with the dealership asking to resubmit the paperwork... The dealership actually showed me how they submit the claims and there is no section to even explain "manufacturer's defect." It was roughly 8 yes/no questions with a couple drop down fields. They were happy to help, but confused as to how they could even put that into a claim.

I'm flabbergasted. The truck was purchased brand new. It's leaked the entire time I've owned it. There is no damage to the rear window, and the fact that the same manufacturers defect is fine on a manual window at 13 months, but would be replaced on a power window makes no sense. The Jeep Cares experience was awful. It was like talking to an insurance adjuster who gets joy out of telling people no.

I like my truck, but I really dislike the Jeep brand. All of the crap people throw at Jeep is well deserved in my opinion. I'll be keeping this truck for awhile, but without major changes in the way Jeep supports its product, I will be buying a non-Stellantis product for a next vehicle. We're looking to purchase a 3/4 ton pickup and a toy-hauler this year, and the Chevy is looking a lot nicer than the RAM now after this experience.

I realize this is a common problem and there are other ways to fix that rear window leak of which I'll try to do. I'm not spending almost $500 when we all know that is the actual cost to get this replaced.

For anyone who says, "it's a Jeep thing..." ...... YOU are the problem. By allowing this company to continue to cut corners and making excuses for it, you are the reason that this brand is losing respect amongst the automotive community as a whole from a QC standpoint. So many people use that as a joke to describe not the quirks, but the legitimate issues with the brand; it's embarrassing.

Thanks for those who read my rant.

Jeep doesn't give 2 shits about customers. You can fix it yourself for $20. Seriously...save yourself the aggravation. I fixed mine 2 years ago. Never leaked again.

Jeep has known about this issue for 6 model years and done nothing about it. They don't care.

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