Lease almost over..worth keeping my Eco-diesel or return?

[Jteakus]

I wouldn't trade my diesel JT for any other mid sized truck. My 2020 JL diesel is about to hit 100k miles and has only had oil changes.
Edit: Diff fluid and trans fluid too

Sponsored

 

[SargeDiesel]

The GMC Canyon / Chevrolet Colorado are at the top of my list if my next truck isn't a full size or another Gladiator. The 2.7L is pretty proven at this point. In the fullsize trucks it seems to have garnered quite a bit of trust. I'm sure its not without fault - but so far I'd buy one.

As for your diesel. Diesels do NOT like short commutes / rides. Some of the repair bills will be high out of warranty - like if it needs a turbo at some point - which seems to be not uncommon. You have already had one of the other expensive weak links addressed. It might be worth considering a genuine Mopar extended warranty if you decide to keep it - atleast the drivetrain only warranty.

Something to keep in mind about the Elevation trim level. Those do NOT have a two speed transfer case like our Gladiators (NO low range), so keep that in mind if it is relevant to you. You'll need an AT4 trim or higher.

I've been on this forum for years, I also own a JTRD. Your post is the first I've ever heard someone mention JTDs having a "common" turbo failure.
Not saying it hasn't happened just because I haven't read/heard about it... but I've never heard of it.

EDIT: how funny, although my statements are still true, I just read yesterday's forum summary and low and behold there was an ecoD turbo replacement post... but still thats the only one I've heard of, or familiar with. He had an excellent experience, but was still under warranty.

 

[SargeDiesel]

Frosty the Snowman will survive summer vacation on the shores of Hell before I'd ever own an EcoDiesel beyond powertrain warranty.

I've had two, one being a Gladiator, and both were trash with oil leaks and other issues. The Gladiator actually randomly caught fire before it reached 20,000 miles.

Then this week a video hit Dave's Auto Center channel on YouTube about a guy who had the infamous oil cooler failure on his EcoDiesel and because that failure wipes out everything else in the driveline his cost to get the Jeep back on the road is going to be many many thousands of dollars.

Unless you have REALLY deep pockets I would ditch that Jeep like a hot potato the minute the lease expires. There are so many midsize 4x4s to choose from these days with high-torque gasoline engines that have none of these problems, it makes zero sense to keep an EcoDiesel. There is not one thing about owning a diesel that's worth risking that much of an expenditure.

Been on this forum since 22. The Gladiator actually has a great track record IMO. Seems you've just had bad luck.

 

[Free2roam]

If it wasn't a Rubicon model I'd buy it from you to save it for later. I'm ticking 84k on my Ecodiesel

 

[ChrisNLA]

I've been on this forum for years, I also own a JTRD. Your post is the first I've ever heard someone mention JTDs having a "common" turbo failure.
Not saying it hasn't happened just because I haven't read/heard about it... but I've never heard of it.

EDIT: how funny, although my statements are still true, I just read yesterday's forum summary and low and behold there was an ecoD turbo replacement post... but still thats the only one I've heard of, or familiar with. He had an excellent experience, but was still under warranty.

I tried to word it carefully. I saw a few instances of it here, but only after seeing the one posted recently that led to other discussions / instances.

I still maintain, I wouldn't personally keep a diesel if working from home unless I had long drives planned for it or towed with it. I nearly ordered one for myself in 2022 - but my five mile commute would have not been kind for it.

They're nice trucks otherwise. I looked for one used recently but decided for me it was too much risk to own outside of warranty when considering the payment on them (used ones are at a premium), especially if it hadnt already had the pump recall done.

 

[SargeDiesel]

I tried to word it carefully. I saw a few instances of it here, but only after seeing the one posted recently that led to other discussions / instances.

I still maintain, I wouldn't personally keep a diesel if working from home unless I had long drives planned for it or towed with it. I nearly ordered one for myself in 2022 - but my five mile commute would have not been kind for it.

They're nice trucks otherwise. I looked for one used recently but decided for me it was too much risk to own outside of warranty when considering the payment on them (used ones are at a premium), especially if it hadnt already had the pump recall done.

Totally agree.
I've been fortunate, I take many more short trips than long hauls in mine. When I pull a trailer, its a mico camper and very light. I do occasionally go on 45 min - hour drives. With that said, I did have an issue with my fuel injectors, replaced all but 1 under warranty. But was told it wasn't common and some where bad from the factory. Had the HPFP replaced under warranty, but only recently, never had an issue with it prior. Hopefully I will continue to receive good service from my JTRD, I really like it... but as you stated, the OP might be better suited with something else.

 

[Jteakus]

Short drives not really an issue after delete as long as oil gets to temp and burns off humidity.
OP will most likely not have that option though, CA.

 

[biodiesel]

A common question getting some common responses as expected. I would keep that low mileage diesel, but I’m biased as am keeping mine past warranty lol.

We started off with a 2015 Ram EcoDiesel (2nd gen engine). We loved it so much, we ordered a 2020 Ram EcoDiesel (3rd gen engine) to have as a backup truck. Today, the 2015 Ram EcoDiesel continues to be our daily driver and the 2020 Ram EcoDiesel is the designated tow rig. We bought the 2023 Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel (December build date) because it was the last year produced, otherwise we would have waited a few more years.

Just as @Vtur mentioned, we're also planning to keep our 2015 Ram, 2020 Ram, and 2023 Jeep well beyond the warranty period. As a matter of fact, I'm planning to keep all three vehicles at least 20 years. It's hard to believe, but our 2015 EcoDiesel is already 11 years old.

I wouldn't worry too much about parts. Stellantis is still selling crate engines for the 2014 - 2019 EcoDiesel. Plus, the engine builders are buying critical engine parts from Europe. The aftermarket has also stepped up and supplied very high-quality parts, e.g., Speed of Air Pistons.

I love diesel engines, so that's where I'm a little biased. With that said, all three of our Ecodiesels have been great vehicles. The 2015 and 2020 have been very reliable and affordable outside of the warranty period.

In my opinion, vehicle ownership should be something you absolutely love and enjoy. Psychologically speaking, if you love a vehicle enough, then you don't mind putting money into owning and maintaining it. To a point, that is part of the ownership experience.

A lot of these questions about keeping vehicles really boils down to your financial goals. It feels really good to buy a new vehicle, pay it off, and know that it can give you many years of good use. My wife and I can't afford to buy a new $50,000 - $100,000 vehicle very 4 - 8 years for the next 30+ years, so we have to be somewhat strategic about our vehicles purchases and how long we keep them. It's crazy to think that many Americans will spend between $500,000 - $1,000,000 on vehicle ownership over a lifetime!

So yes, I'm rich enough to afford a new vehicle but poor enough that I have to keep it!

 

[ChrisNLA]

We started off with a 2015 Ram EcoDiesel (2nd gen engine). We loved it so much, we ordered a 2020 Ram EcoDiesel (3rd gen engine) to have as a backup truck. Today, the 2015 Ram EcoDiesel continues to be our daily driver and the 2020 Ram EcoDiesel is the designated tow rig. We bought the 2023 Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel (December build date) because it was the last year produced, otherwise we would have waited a few more years.

Just as @Vtur mentioned, we're also planning to keep our 2015 Ram, 2020 Ram, and 2023 Jeep well beyond the warranty period. As a matter of fact, I'm planning to keep all three vehicles at least 20 years. It's hard to believe, but our 2015 EcoDiesel is already 11 years old.

I wouldn't worry too much about parts. Stellantis is still selling crate engines for the 2014 - 2019 EcoDiesel. Plus, the engine builders are buying critical engine parts from Europe. The aftermarket has also stepped up and supplied very high-quality parts, e.g., Speed of Air Pistons.

I love diesel engines, so that's where I'm a little biased. With that said, all three of our Ecodiesels have been great vehicles. The 2015 and 2020 have been very reliable and affordable outside of the warranty period.

In my opinion, vehicle ownership should be something you absolutely love and enjoy. Psychologically speaking, if you love a vehicle enough, then you don't mind putting money into owning and maintaining it. To a point, that is part of the ownership experience.

A lot of these questions about keeping vehicles really boils down to your financial goals. It feels really good to buy a new vehicle, pay it off, and know that it can give you many years of good use. My wife and I can't afford to buy a new $50,000 - $100,000 vehicle very 4 - 8 years for the next 30+ years, so we have to be somewhat strategic about our vehicles purchases and how long we keep them. It's crazy to think that many Americans will spend between $500,000 - $1,000,000 on vehicle ownership over a lifetime!

So yes, I'm rich enough to afford a new vehicle but poor enough that I have to keep it!

I used to get rid of vehicles every couple years but after getting into Jeeps I keep them longer. Six years on the last one. Four on this one so far.

Not really so much to do with it being a Jeep specifically so much as ive been getting back to vehicles i can truly use.

 

[biodiesel]

Short drives not really an issue after delete as long as oil gets to temp and burns off humidity.

Our 2015 Ram EcoDiesel is bone stock. It gets driven 7 miles to work and 7 miles home 9 months of the year. We live at high elevation, so that includes below freezing temperatures from October - April. At my last oil change, the engine had 422 idle hours, 3,242 driving hours, and 3,664 total engine hours with 132,619 miles on the odometer. When it's not a daily commuter, it does a fair amount of towing. So far, the engine has been flawless and the UOA reports come back good. In my opinion, short commutes are tough on the emissions system, but I don't think it's as hard on the engine as we think it is. I've been doing it for 11 years without any issues.

 

[ChrisNLA]

Our 2015 Ram EcoDiesel is bone stock. It gets driven 7 miles to work and 7 miles home 9 months of the year. We live at high elevation, so that includes below freezing temperatures from October - April. At my last oil change, the engine had 422 idle hours, 3,242 driving hours, and 3,664 total engine hours with 132,619 miles on the odometer. When it's not a daily commuter, it does a fair amount of towing. So far, the engine has been flawless and the UOA reports come back good. In my opinion, short commutes are tough on the emissions system, but I don't think it's as hard on the engine as we think it is. I've been doing it for 11 years without any issues.

To your point, I think the big thing is making sure it gets a good run in there to break up the short distances. I am not so much worried about the engine itself so much as the emissions systems that get upset with a lot of short runs.

 

[biodiesel]

Not really so much to do with it being a Jeep specifically so much as ive been getting back to vehicles i can truly use.

That's a good point. We buy trucks because that's what we utilize the most. The Jeep Gladiator will also be used to get to and from our property in inclement weather. It will also be used for light duty towing as well as hauling materials, supplies, food, etc.

 

[biodiesel]

To your point, I think the big thing is making sure it gets a good run in there to break up the short distances. I am not so much worried about the engine itself so much as the emissions systems that get upset with a lot of short runs.

That's correct. Those who run the highway 90% of the time will have fewer emissions issues simply because their trucks are burning cleaner. Short trips will result with a dirtier combustion, more frequent regens, and more EGR. These are all hard on the emissions components, plus the intake ports will eventually need to be cleaned.

Our 2015 is still running the factory DPF, SCR, and intake manifold. The only emissions components that have failed is the EGR cooler and DEF pump. It's somewhat common for the EGR cooler to fail on the Gen 2 EcoDiesel because it gets clogged with soot. My DEF pump failed at 113,732 miles. At that time, I had the DEF injector clog several times, which puts a lot of stress on the DEF pump. I now run an additivated DEF, so I don't have those issues anymore. Fortunately, I was still under the AEM warranty at that time, so both the EGR cooler and DEF pump were replaced under warranty.

 

[biodiesel]

The GMC Canyons are nice, but they're not Gladiators. I'd keep my EcoDiesel JT and enjoy as much miles as I can. Good luck

I've really become a big fan of modern midsize trucks. Today's Gladiator, Ranger, and Canyon/Colorado are very capable. They're very similar to the size and capability of full-sized trucks of the 1990s. The Gladiator is more utilitarian than GM and Ford which is great if that's what you're looking for. Personally, I'd keep the Gladiator and buy a luxurious Ram Dakota. It would be nice if the Dakota had an optional diesel engine.

I never really thought the Gladiator was in much competition with the Ranger and Canyon/Colorado. As much as I love the Gladiator, I wouldn't want to daily drive it.

 

[S JEEPN]

Hey all

Been a while since I posted here.....'23 Rubicon here with eco diesel. Bought it when I was commuting to clinic (healthcare worker here). Then job moved to full remote and we use our EV more now for short runs .

Only have 15k miles on it and zero issues. Had a fuel pump recall and dealer kept it for a week (part backordered). And got another new recall and I've made appointment to drop truck off at dealer this coming monday.

Lease is coming up in 3 months and due to diesel variants holding good resale, I'm about $5k positive vs lease payoff.

Don't mind buying it out either but the only thing that concerns is lack of diesel parts later on?? Also, not sure how reliable Eco-diesel will be once out of warranty (next year).

I've considered GM Canyon Elevation 4x4 as well. GM is giving insane lease deals on these right now ($400/month with $2k down). I have been in contact with a GM broker over at LeaseHacker forum and I can buy my truck and then trade it and roll that equity into the lease with zero out of pocket. The residuals and money factor are really good as well currently (seems GM is trying to lure buyers back into their trucks). OR I can just finance it out since I have tier 1 credit.

The only thing on the GM is the new 2.7 4 cylc turbo. Not sure how reliable it is over time. And gas milege is meh for even a small 4 cyc engine but since I work remote, it's not much of a critical point except more runs to Costco gas station.

Anyone here has considered GMC Canyon?

If i was in that situation I would keep the Gladiator the diesel is a pretty nice set up in a midsize and the issues have been pretty much worked out to keep it reliable. In my case i would keep it because the fun of the Gladiator like past Jeeps is too hard to find in another vehicle. if you do not feel that satisfaction when driving it buying out the remainder and getting something maybe the Chevy with the increased value sounds like a great option or just turning it in skipping the buyout hassle. Keeping it You can use the mundane short trips you have to take as an excuse to occasionally take a distance run somewhere fun in it to burn off the moisture and buildup to keep it in better condition. No matter what you drive short trips that do not bring everything up to temperature long enough can be an issue so again use that as excuse to entertain yourself whatever you choose.

Sponsored