Jeep Gladiator issues

[FormerToyotaGuy]

It's my understanding that buy back or lemon laws can differ from state to state. However, we had a SUV (won't mention manufacture because it wasn't their fault) it went in several times for a panoramic sunroof creaking. The dealership worked on it several times and each time it got worse. They offered a trade in for a new model and wife was done with dealing with dealer so we took the money and she got all she put in to it and bought a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland and couldn't be happier.
My Gladiator Rubicon is a year old and zero issues, I love the truck.
If your heart is set on a 4 Runner start the lemon law process, no body should have to deal with those problems with a new car. I had a 3rd Gen Tacoma before the Gladiator and it was a good truck zero issues with it. I just found it boring and everyone had one. I had an FJ I bought new drove for 8 years and zero issues. So Toyota is a good vehicle, but so far our family loves our Jeeps .....anyone can get a lemon every now and then...

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[MagnusWolf]

I don’t know for this is the case with your rig but all manufactures build a lemon once in a while. My father in law had an Audi A8 for three years that was never right and I made the mistake of buying it. After a year of it being in the shop every moth to the tune of $1,000-2,500 I traded it in on a 2011 Grand Cherokee. One of the best cars I have owned very few issues.

But I have owned other Audis that were great cars. If your JT is as bad as it sounds I would try to get them to buy it back as well. Mine makes me smile every time I get in it, 28,500 miles.

I don't know if I would consider this a lemon either but the dealership did this total loop around when my initial complaint was a knocking from the front brakes after it sits when it's cold and wet out. I figured it would be a simple rotor and pad replacement, but then the techs started messing with my rear axle and it opened a can of worms. And I'm still getting the brake knock and leaking right rear axle seal.

 

[MagnusWolf]

It's my understanding that buy back or lemon laws can differ from state to state. However, we had a SUV (won't mention manufacture because it wasn't their fault) it went in several times for a panoramic sunroof creaking. The dealership worked on it several times and each time it got worse. They offered a trade in for a new model and wife was done with dealing with dealer so we took the money and she got all she put in to it and bought a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland and couldn't be happier.
My Gladiator Rubicon is a year old and zero issues, I love the truck.
If your heart is set on a 4 Runner start the lemon law process, no body should have to deal with those problems with a new car. I had a 3rd Gen Tacoma before the Gladiator and it was a good truck zero issues with it. I just found it boring and everyone had one. I had an FJ I bought new drove for 8 years and zero issues. So Toyota is a good vehicle, but so far our family loves our Jeeps .....anyone can get a lemon every now and then...

The thing is I don't really want a 4runner, I want a properly functioning jeep which is why this whole thing is stressing me out. It's just soul crushing to have the only brand of vehicle I like give me problems on top of all the other stress I have. The 4runner is a last resort because I would be depressed if I didn't have a jeep.

 

[Aonarch]

Well I still haven't heard from them, still at the shop. At this point they need to get the axle fixed right and I will crawl under the truck and inspect everything after they are done. As far as the front end brake noise my guess is they won't do anything as it happens after it sits when it's cold and wet out so it may need new pads. It's just depressing that I work hard to pay for a truck I really want and I deal with all these other problems that this has to be all screwed up. I am going to call a representative from stellantis on Monday and tell them what's going on.

This probably won't make you feel better, but I've lemon'd (Buy back) four cars in my life.

Two Volkswagens (Windows for one, Sunroof for the other), one Ford Mustang (Transmission), one Chevy Camaro (Caught on fire in the first week).

My mom has lemon'd one, a GMC Yukon for fuel issues.

My uncle lemon'd a Buick (Caught on fire).

My small sample size of friends and family, have never had issues with Jeeps in decades of ownership.

 

[MagnusWolf]

So they texted me back saying they think its residual gear oil from the axle shaft replacement, I don't buy it at all. I have replaced axle seals and bearings without any "residual oil" and they claim they are still trying to test drive it for the brake knocking. I can already tell I am going to be going back there again with a leaking axle seal. I have about had it with this.

 

[Gl4dy8r]

I have a 2021 Mojave that I bought in February. I drive a lot more than the average Joe, as it just passed 45,000 miles. At 12,000 the right rear axle had to be replaced, at about 30,000 I started getting a weird clicking noise at slow speeds turning forward that they can't figure out, and just the other day as I passed 45,000 miles the axle locker started flashing on the dashboard. Took it in this morning and looks like I'm getting a new rear differential. Yes, it has spent weeks in the shop out of the less than year I've owned it, but I love my Gladiator and the warranty(I have the maxcare 7-year unlimited mileage warranty through Mopar). 4runners are cool, but I know what I signed up for: a lot of fun sprinkled with some issues!

 

[MagnusWolf]

This probably won't make you feel better, but I've lemon'd (Buy back) four cars in my life.

Two Volkswagens (Windows for one, Sunroof for the other), one Ford Mustang (Transmission), one Chevy Camaro (Caught on fire in the first week).

My mom has lemon'd one, a GMC Yukon for fuel issues.

My uncle lemon'd a Buick (Caught on fire).

My small sample size of friends and family, have never had issues with Jeeps in decades of ownership.

Did you have to take them to court or was that all done at the dealerships?

 

[MagnusWolf]

I have a 2021 Mojave that I bought in February. I drive a lot more than the average Joe, as it just passed 45,000 miles. At 12,000 the right rear axle had to be replaced, at about 30,000 I started getting a weird clicking noise at slow speeds turning forward that they can't figure out, and just the other day as I passed 45,000 miles the axle locker started flashing on the dashboard. Took it in this morning and looks like I'm getting a new rear differential. Yes, it has spent weeks in the shop out of the less than year I've owned it, but I love my Gladiator and the warranty(I have the maxcare 7-year unlimited mileage warranty through Mopar). 4runners are cool, but I know what I signed up for: a lot of fun sprinkled with some issues!

The low speed click while turning I would check the ball joints, jeep has a TSB for that. I only have 3500 miles on mine after 8 months of owning it.

 

[Aonarch]

Did you have to take them to court or was that all done at the dealerships?

It depends on your state, but in Georgia we have a set lemon law process and criteria. Look up your states lemon laws.

Dealerships bought back two of those cars (Chevy and a VW). Ford I had to go through lemon law (Consumer Protection Office), and corporate VW bought back the other.

 

[Dryfly24]

Sorry for your troubles. Sounds like a lemon. I’d invoke that lemon law if they are fixing your issues. It happens unfortunately. My 2021 Mojave has been flawless……..knock on wood.

The problem with lemon laws from my understanding is that the way they are written usually requires three incidents of the same issue in order to qualify. So you can end up with an absolute turd of a vehicle constantly breaking down for different reasons. But if each of those mechanical issues is of a different nature from the previous one, you are SOL.

Which to me is bullshit and pretty much works against the spirit of the law in the first place.

 

[MagnusWolf]

Well they handed me back my truck, said gear oil was residual so I told them I will monitor it and if I see anymore I will be back. They couldn't duplicate the brake pad noise as the weather was dry out so that may just be a wash. I guess if it keeps annoying me I will just replace the pads. They told me the truck was sitting on the lot several months before I bought it so maybe "lot rot" has something to do with it. I try to keep the truck clean and well maintained so we will see where it goes. My main concern is the rear axle seal right now. I still love the truck I just wish it didn't have all these little issues. Anyway Thanks for everyone's input and help.

 

[MagnusWolf]

The problem with lemon laws from my understanding is that the way they are written usually requires three incidents of the same issue in order to qualify. So you can end up with an absolute turd of a vehicle constantly breaking down for different reasons. But if each of those mechanical issues is of a different nature from the previous one, you are SOL.

Which to me is bullshit and pretty much works against the spirit of the law in the first place.

I wouldn't say its breaking down, it just has problems that are annoying and should be fixed easily, its just not be handled by the right technicians.

 

[FormerToyotaGuy]

As someone mentioned above some "lemon laws" require it going in for the same thing several times over. That was the case with wife's last car. However, we also had a LED taillight go out which was probably just a fluke BUT I used that as "this is a POS car, its got like 9k miles on it the sun roof is rattling and now a tail light goes out...." The other thing is most dealerships don't want bad PR and with the internet you can explain what happened to future customers so it may be in their best interest in making it right.
The one thing I would recommend (just my opinion here) is Do not work on it yourself or 3rd party mechanic. The dealer can then make claims it's not theirs or the manufactures fault but yours or the mechanic of your choice once you open something up.
It's a pain in the neck, but every time something even minor comes up ...bring it in and start documenting it. Also, ask the dealership for a copy of all the records the vehicle has come in for work.

 

[MagnusWolf]

As someone mentioned above some "lemon laws" require it going in for the same thing several times over. That was the case with wife's last car. However, we also had a LED taillight go out which was probably just a fluke BUT I used that as "this is a POS car, its got like 9k miles on it the sun roof is rattling and now a tail light goes out...." The other thing is most dealerships don't want bad PR and with the internet you can explain what happened to future customers so it may be in their best interest in making it right.
The one thing I would recommend (just my opinion here) is Do not work on it yourself or 3rd party mechanic. The dealer can then make claims it's not theirs or the manufactures fault but yours or the mechanic of your choice once you open something up.
It's a pain in the neck, but every time something even minor comes up ...bring it in and start documenting it. Also, ask the dealership for a copy of all the records the vehicle has come in for work.

Thanks for your advise, I told the service writer I was going to monitor the rear axle and if I notice more gear oil I will bring it back. I keep all the repair orders so I have proof what was looked at. Also I like your user name "FormerToyotaGuy"

 

[lrtexasman]

Thanks for your advise, I told the service writer I was going to monitor the rear axle and if I notice more gear oil I will bring it back. I keep all the repair orders so I have proof what was looked at. Also I like your user name "FormerToyotaGuy"

The new 4Runner should be here in around 15 months. I imagine you will know before the general public does.

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