Jeep Gladiator Dead in >24 hours. Never buy from Lake Elsinore CDJR.

[Hootbro]

I agree it sucks you had a issue so short after delivery and the selling dealership are tards in their slow response, but at the end of the day you got a simple warranty issue that has to be resolved.

At this point, you are not legally entitled to any refund or unwinding of the deal with the selling dealer. The servicing dealer is processing the warranty claim and repair and it will take however long it takes.

So unless your issue and the resolution of the repair starts to fall within your states lemon law, you can flail about and demand this or that, but you are not at this point entitled to anything more than is already being done.

Nobody wants to be "that guy" on a new vehicle purchase, but it is just your turn in the barrel. Mine may come when I take delivery and I will probably be equally pissed, but I understand there is a process to these types of things and one has to ride that process out.

Good Luck.

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[NJKen]

Technically OP returned the vehicle within 48 hours, so he could make a case for a full refund under California law...

 

[Gtlamans]

This is to serve as a warning to never EVER buying a vehicle from Lake Elsinore Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram & a warning about FCA’s quality control.


This is series of events that may not read particularly exciting but it is a series of frustrations of complete failures by Lake Elsinore CDJR that needs to be documented & discussed somewhere. They took our money & though malicious intent or staggeringly overwhelming incompetence took 6 FULL DAYS to reply to our issue of being sold a defective & dangerous vehicle.


A quick TL;DR is that Elsinore sold a vehicle I think they knew had an issue.

• Vehicle prep after signing paperwork took an extra 1.5 hours.
  
• The Gladiator lost all power steering fluid in 114 miles because of faulty steering box.
  
• Lake Elsinore CDJR did not return our multiple calls & messages for 6 DAYS despite assuring a Manager or General Manager would.
  
• Lake Elsinore CDJR had me tow a vehicle purchased >24 hours before to a different dealership.
  
• Lake Elsinore CDJR has made no offer to fix this issue or put me in another vehicle.
  
• I want a Gladiator. I will get another gladiator. I do not want Lake Elsinore CDJRs Gladiator.

Here is a rundown of timeline I have dealt with. I will update this timeline as it progresses. I have a feeling this is far from over.


Tuesday 5/14/19

• 2:30pm 5/14/19. Purchased a 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon from Lake Elsinore CDJR. Jeep had >10 miles.

Wednesday 5/15/19

• 9am 5/15/19. Noticed oil in driveway. Power steering fluid reservoir DRAINED & fluid weeping from steering shaft input to steering box. 114 miles on odometer.
  
  
• 9:48am 5/15. Call Lake Elsinore CDJR service. Advise them I have a NEW 2020 vehicle purchased the day before that is undriveable. Service advises me to call FCA roadside assistance as their dealership “does not have tow capabilities.
  
  
• ~11am 5/15/19. FCA roadside assistance picks up vehicle to take to McPeeks in Anaheim. Elsinore CDJR is “outside the 14 mile tow area.”
  
  
• 2:23pm 5/15/19. Call Mcpeek for update & what they have found. They can not start on vehicle as VIN is too new to show buyer/owner of vehicle. I am told Lake Elsinore CDJR is non-responsive to requests for info.
  
  
• 2:25pm 5/15. Personally text & call receptionist to send McPeek info they need now.
  
  
• 2:40pm 5/15. Receptionist messages me she did so.
  
  
• Day 1. NO CALL BACK from Lake Elsinore CDJR. Multiple messages left. Voicemail & operator.

Thursday 5/16/19

• Mcpeek advises new steering box. All parts “blocked” & unavailable. Mcpeek working with area managers to resolve issue.
  
  
• McPeek Advises opening Care Report through FCA 1-800 # to help put pressure on situation.

• No solution by end of day. No part # or order placed.
  
  
• Day 2. NO CALL BACK from Lake Elsinore CDJR. Multiple messages left. Voicemail & operator.

Friday 5/17/19

• Called Mcpeek for update. None to give. Trying to find part or way to get part. McPeek advises there will be no updates over weekend.
  
  
• Called on update for “Care report.” Told it is moved up to case manager with a “Dylan.” Given case number. Was told I would receive a call. I was not called.
  
  
• DAY 3 NO CALL BACK from Lake Elsinore CDJR.

Monday 5/19/19

• Visit McPeek for update. They advise that parts availability says June 4th at the earliest. They do not seem optimistic.
  
  
• 1:30pm Call for update on Care Report as no call was received.
  
  
• Dylan, FCA case manager calls me while I am on the phone with FCA 1 800 #.

Very frustrating conversation. Says he needs me to tell him what I want him to do. Says he doesnt understand the issue. Offers NO SOLUTION. Does not call me back when we become disconnected.

• Abriana (who I was on the phone with initially from FCA when Dylan interrupted) calls me back to inform me that in the 10 minutes we were disconnected she has contacted both McPeek service & Lake Elsinore CDJR.
  
  
• Escalation to supervisor reveals report is filed as “Just a tow” still. Supervisor Anthony assures me he will review Dylan’s frustrating call log & change status of report from “Tow issue.”
  
  
• DAY 6. 6 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. 5 Days after notifying them there was an issue, Sales associate Bobby calls me because Abrianna has contacted him.
  
  
• Advise Bobby I need a full refund. Vehicle is inoperable for 4 weeks, at best. Likely longer. MORE IMPORTANTLY, Vehicle was sold defective & dangerous to drive.

Tuesday 5/20/19

• Certified mail sent to Lake Elsinore CDJR & CEO of FCA Group Mike Manley requesting full refund for defective vehicle. Copied as email to both parties as well.
  
  
• Receive email reply from CEO Michael Manley’s assistant, Jennifer, advising she has looked into the issue & is taking over all related matters.
  
  
• As it stands now I am dealing directly with her.

Chrysler failed to deliver a vehicle that was not a hazard on the road. Even a technically savvy person would have likely driven the vehicle to failure had an observant person not noticed the oil spots early on. I’m not sure what happens when you drive a vehicle with no power steering fluid for too long but I’d sure rather not find out at 70mph on the freeway. Or in the middle of the San Bernardino mountains off-road. My mother drove this vehicle to dinner the evening before. I’m unsure how this wasn’t an emergency for Lake Elsinore CDJR to handle immediately but they managed to put it off for 5 days. It is also beyond me how you can sell an anticipated vehicle the day after it is first delivered to the dealership, be advised it is out of commission immediately for, at best, 4 weeks & not offer a replacement. Let alone a rental car.


In summary, avoid Lake Elsinore CDJR at all costs. Their reviews tell the same story from many frustrated customers. I realize dealerships probably attract negative reviews, but I wouldn't eat at a restaurant that has 3.9 stars. You can say we should have known better or done our homework but without this issue it likely wouldnt have mattered what we thought of the dealership & it’s inhabitants.
The reality is these dealerships are the face of the manufactures. We were eventually able get help from pretty high up, it remains to be seen if that really solves anything, but until we can knock on the manufactures door & yell at them these slimy dealerships are the conduit for enjoying & dealing with these brands we choose. Many customers aren't so lucky to have some support at the manufacturer level like we have manahed to squeeze out here.


For Lake Elsinore CDJR to act in this manner is unconscionable.

@JeepCares I do not appreciate that your thread is locked "to avoid confusion" and you request DMs. Seems like a way to get ahead of launch issues & keep them off the searchable internet. I see you encourage @'s but your efforts seem to point towards keeping rustled feathers flattened.

Feel free to chime in with your issues. Feel free to ask questions. Feel free to spread this.
Feel obligated to look under/in/around your new Gladiator with a magnifying glass when you take delivery.

WOW!!

 

[steffen707]

Technically OP returned the vehicle within 48 hours, so he could make a case for a full refund under California law...

or wisconsin law, i think you have 72 hours.

 

[steffen707]

This is to serve as a warning to never EVER buying a vehicle from Lake Elsinore Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram & a warning about FCA’s quality control.

Bummer, this never would have happened if you were carrying plywood, just saying.

 

[JeepCares]

This is to serve as a warning to never EVER buying a vehicle from Lake Elsinore Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram & a warning about FCA’s quality control.


This is series of events that may not read particularly exciting but it is a series of frustrations of complete failures by Lake Elsinore CDJR that needs to be documented & discussed somewhere. They took our money & though malicious intent or staggeringly overwhelming incompetence took 6 FULL DAYS to reply to our issue of being sold a defective & dangerous vehicle.


A quick TL;DR is that Elsinore sold a vehicle I think they knew had an issue.

• Vehicle prep after signing paperwork took an extra 1.5 hours.
  
• The Gladiator lost all power steering fluid in 114 miles because of faulty steering box.
  
• Lake Elsinore CDJR did not return our multiple calls & messages for 6 DAYS despite assuring a Manager or General Manager would.
  
• Lake Elsinore CDJR had me tow a vehicle purchased >24 hours before to a different dealership.
  
• Lake Elsinore CDJR has made no offer to fix this issue or put me in another vehicle.
  
• I want a Gladiator. I will get another gladiator. I do not want Lake Elsinore CDJRs Gladiator.

Here is a rundown of timeline I have dealt with. I will update this timeline as it progresses. I have a feeling this is far from over.


Tuesday 5/14/19

• 2:30pm 5/14/19. Purchased a 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon from Lake Elsinore CDJR. Jeep had >10 miles.

Wednesday 5/15/19

• 9am 5/15/19. Noticed oil in driveway. Power steering fluid reservoir DRAINED & fluid weeping from steering shaft input to steering box. 114 miles on odometer.
  
  
• 9:48am 5/15. Call Lake Elsinore CDJR service. Advise them I have a NEW 2020 vehicle purchased the day before that is undriveable. Service advises me to call FCA roadside assistance as their dealership “does not have tow capabilities.
  
  
• ~11am 5/15/19. FCA roadside assistance picks up vehicle to take to McPeeks in Anaheim. Elsinore CDJR is “outside the 14 mile tow area.”
  
  
• 2:23pm 5/15/19. Call Mcpeek for update & what they have found. They can not start on vehicle as VIN is too new to show buyer/owner of vehicle. I am told Lake Elsinore CDJR is non-responsive to requests for info.
  
  
• 2:25pm 5/15. Personally text & call receptionist to send McPeek info they need now.
  
  
• 2:40pm 5/15. Receptionist messages me she did so.
  
  
• Day 1. NO CALL BACK from Lake Elsinore CDJR. Multiple messages left. Voicemail & operator.

Thursday 5/16/19

• Mcpeek advises new steering box. All parts “blocked” & unavailable. Mcpeek working with area managers to resolve issue.
  
  
• McPeek Advises opening Care Report through FCA 1-800 # to help put pressure on situation.

• No solution by end of day. No part # or order placed.
  
  
• Day 2. NO CALL BACK from Lake Elsinore CDJR. Multiple messages left. Voicemail & operator.

Friday 5/17/19

• Called Mcpeek for update. None to give. Trying to find part or way to get part. McPeek advises there will be no updates over weekend.
  
  
• Called on update for “Care report.” Told it is moved up to case manager with a “Dylan.” Given case number. Was told I would receive a call. I was not called.
  
  
• DAY 3 NO CALL BACK from Lake Elsinore CDJR.

Monday 5/19/19

• Visit McPeek for update. They advise that parts availability says June 4th at the earliest. They do not seem optimistic.
  
  
• 1:30pm Call for update on Care Report as no call was received.
  
  
• Dylan, FCA case manager calls me while I am on the phone with FCA 1 800 #.

Very frustrating conversation. Says he needs me to tell him what I want him to do. Says he doesnt understand the issue. Offers NO SOLUTION. Does not call me back when we become disconnected.

• Abriana (who I was on the phone with initially from FCA when Dylan interrupted) calls me back to inform me that in the 10 minutes we were disconnected she has contacted both McPeek service & Lake Elsinore CDJR.
  
  
• Escalation to supervisor reveals report is filed as “Just a tow” still. Supervisor Anthony assures me he will review Dylan’s frustrating call log & change status of report from “Tow issue.”
  
  
• DAY 6. 6 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. 5 Days after notifying them there was an issue, Sales associate Bobby calls me because Abrianna has contacted him.
  
  
• Advise Bobby I need a full refund. Vehicle is inoperable for 4 weeks, at best. Likely longer. MORE IMPORTANTLY, Vehicle was sold defective & dangerous to drive.

Tuesday 5/20/19

• Certified mail sent to Lake Elsinore CDJR & CEO of FCA Group Mike Manley requesting full refund for defective vehicle. Copied as email to both parties as well.
  
  
• Receive email reply from CEO Michael Manley’s assistant, Jennifer, advising she has looked into the issue & is taking over all related matters.
  
  
• As it stands now I am dealing directly with her.

Chrysler failed to deliver a vehicle that was not a hazard on the road. Even a technically savvy person would have likely driven the vehicle to failure had an observant person not noticed the oil spots early on. I’m not sure what happens when you drive a vehicle with no power steering fluid for too long but I’d sure rather not find out at 70mph on the freeway. Or in the middle of the San Bernardino mountains off-road. My mother drove this vehicle to dinner the evening before. I’m unsure how this wasn’t an emergency for Lake Elsinore CDJR to handle immediately but they managed to put it off for 5 days. It is also beyond me how you can sell an anticipated vehicle the day after it is first delivered to the dealership, be advised it is out of commission immediately for, at best, 4 weeks & not offer a replacement. Let alone a rental car.


In summary, avoid Lake Elsinore CDJR at all costs. Their reviews tell the same story from many frustrated customers. I realize dealerships probably attract negative reviews, but I wouldn't eat at a restaurant that has 3.9 stars. You can say we should have known better or done our homework but without this issue it likely wouldnt have mattered what we thought of the dealership & it’s inhabitants.
The reality is these dealerships are the face of the manufactures. We were eventually able get help from pretty high up, it remains to be seen if that really solves anything, but until we can knock on the manufactures door & yell at them these slimy dealerships are the conduit for enjoying & dealing with these brands we choose. Many customers aren't so lucky to have some support at the manufacturer level like we have manahed to squeeze out here.


For Lake Elsinore CDJR to act in this manner is unconscionable.

@JeepCares I do not appreciate that your thread is locked "to avoid confusion" and you request DMs. Seems like a way to get ahead of launch issues & keep them off the searchable internet. I see you encourage @'s but your efforts seem to point towards keeping rustled feathers flattened.

Feel free to chime in with your issues. Feel free to ask questions. Feel free to spread this.
Feel obligated to look under/in/around your new Gladiator with a magnifying glass when you take delivery.

Hi Redbullhamster,
We are very sorry to hear about your experience. It seems as though you are in the best place to get your concerns addressed. If you would like us to look into your case at anytime or need any further assistance, please send us a message with your VIN and case number. We do encourage DMs because we ask for private information. We locked our "Hello From Jeep Cares" thread as a way to keep the same customer concerns within the correct threads/sections of this forum in order for us to track them better internally. If you need any further assistance, feel free to reach out to us!
Alex
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[RIPLER]

I would be just as pissed as the OP and there's nothing wrong with venting his frustrations. From what it sounds like the dealership dropped the ball and leaving it up to the OP to resolve the issue. I would demand that the dealer that the truck was bought from go get it from the dealer where it's at and have the original dealer solve the issue along with providing you with a loaner.

 

[Ichthus]

Reminds me of a story about a guy back in the 1960’s. He bought a brand new Corvette, drove about 3 blocks down the road and had a catestrophic engine failure. He got out of the car, in the middle of the road, turned around and found himself looking through the window of a Volvo dealer with a shiny new P1800 in the showroom. Over 1,000,000 miles later he was still driving that Volvo coupe, having covered several different continents.

 

[furrymurray]

Hey man, Sorry for the people giving you shit about your aggravation on here. I would pissed just like you in this situation. I hope everything works out for you buddy and you get back in your Gladiator as soon as possible. Good luck!

 

[steffen707]

Reminds me of a story about a guy back in the 1960’s. He bought a brand new Corvette, drove about 3 blocks down the road and had a catestrophic engine failure. He got out of the car, in the middle of the road, turned around and found himself looking through the window of a Volvo dealer with a shiny new P1800 in the showroom. Over 1,000,000 miles later he was still driving that Volvo coupe, having covered several different continents.

I've seen a Volvo at an autox in Milwaukee with over a million miles. He said he was on his way to a museum to have it put on display...
.. Might be the same guy.

 

[Billy]

I would be just as pissed as the OP and there's nothing wrong with venting his frustrations. From what it sounds like the dealership dropped the ball and leaving it up to the OP to resolve the issue. I would demand that the dealer that the truck was bought from go get it from the dealer where it's at and have the original dealer solve the issue along with providing you with a loaner.

I stand with OP. This is egregious. $60k, and they can't even get a call out to this guy? And WTF? Isn't the steering box shared with the JL? Get one and get this thing fixed! As far as forcing the JT back to the selling dealership, NO WAY, given their response to this. Now, to return it and toss it through the front window, YES. (I bet they didn't even throw in a set of floor mats...)

 

[billyjk7]

I would be angry about the failure of the part also. My thoughts:

1. Your dealership sucks.

2. Any....and I mean any vehicle can and will have faulty parts from the factory no matter how hard they work on quality control, sometimes shit just happens.

3. This is your first post.......so you decide to make your first post a stomping hussy fit in some kind of effort to get FCA to make it all better for you faster.?

4. All is learned from your post is to stay away from that dealer.

5. I cant wait to get my Gladiator! Thanks JEEP!

 

[2020 SCRAMBLER]

Does the California lemon law apply in your case?

 

[SleepyJeep]

Sorry to hear about your experience and that you had to go through this. As a lot of people here have echoed nothing we can say will make you feel better - I just hope that Jeep just gets you a new Gladiator and that should make you happy!

And for the record, you can vent all you want in this forum even if it is your first post as far as I am concerned . It happens to the best of us and sometimes that is also the purpose of a forum like this is to vent and express our frustrations. Trust me we LE owners or at least the ones who have ordered the LE and still haven't gotten our Jeeps so far definitely vent our frustrations out here LOL

 

[Daddiator]

I hate to be that guy, but to make sure we’re interpreting you properly, when you use the > symbol are you meaning it to be less than? You say you took delivery with >10 miles on the odo. This would mean the truck had greater than 10 miles, anywhere from 11 to 111,111 or beyond. With your title, you say the truck is dead at >24 hours. Do you mean that it died two days later or you’ve had it for a month before it died?

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