Rear Window Leak - Difficulty with Dealerships

[TOOBSOCK]

Hello all,

My JTR recently developed the well-documented rear window leak on the hardtop. It's still well within my warranty period, however I am having some issues getting it fixed.

I was told by the closest dealer to my house that they "don't do that type of repair". I didn't press because there is another one that isn't too far away and I would rather deal with a helpful dealership.

The second Dealership was initially helpful in that they confimed I indeed had a rear window leak and that it needed to be fixed. However, they said they don't employ anyone in service who can fix it (really no surprise) and would have to figure out if a local auto glass company could do it (or something to that effect).

After having the Jeep for about 10 days, they called and said they don't have the ability to fix it and referred me to a place 2 hours away that supposedly they had called around and found could do it. When asked if they are going to take the Jeep to get it fixed, they said "no, you have to take it yourself".

This was just yesterday and I haven't had a chance to really press the issue and I haven't gone to pick up the Jeep yet.

I assumed if the Jeep is under warranty that its on the dealer to fix it and they can't really deny repair (obvious reasons aside).

Question: Does anyone have any recommendations of a Dealership in the MD/NoVA/DC area that is easy to work with on this specific repair?

TIA!

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[Lost1wing]

From what I have read here, the dealers are contracting the window replacements. It is sad to think that are not capable of repairing on site. I have heard of windows breaking during the remove install process. There are a few here that had luck repairing their own.

 

[AdamH]

Same issues here but a twist

I had a 2020 JTR when they first came out and had the leak. My local dealership was able to fix on-site by installing a new window. Never had another drop come inside the cab.

Bought a used 2021 JTR about 6 months ago (still under warranty) private party and within a week noticed the same leak. Took it to the same dealership and used the same service advisor. He told me they no longer perform this service in-house - that they take it to a nearby glass shop for the fix which was to take out the existing window and reseal it. However if the glass breaks then and only then would they order a new glass and it could take 3-5 weeks for the glass to come in. Yea no.

I chose to go to O'Reillys and get some clear windshield sealant. Can't remember the name but on the label it boasts about being more fluid to get down into where it needs to go. I ran a bead across the top of the window. You cannot tell I did anything and since then I have had no leaks whatsoever.

 

[TOOBSOCK]

Same issues here but a twist

I had a 2020 JTR when they first came out and had the leak. My local dealership was able to fix on-site by installing a new window. Never had another drop come inside the cab.

Bought a used 2021 JTR about 6 months ago (still under warranty) private party and within a week noticed the same leak. Took it to the same dealership and used the same service advisor. He told me they no longer perform this service in-house - that they take it to a nearby glass shop for the fix which was to take out the existing window and reseal it. However if the glass breaks then and only then would they order a new glass and it could take 3-5 weeks for the glass to come in. Yea no.

I chose to go to O'Reillys and get some clear windshield sealant. Can't remember the name but on the label it boasts about being more fluid to get down into where it needs to go. I ran a bead across the top of the window. You cannot tell I did anything and since then I have had no leaks whatsoever.

What luck, haha. I don't mind the wait time so much as I mind the thought of my Jeep sitting at the dealer with a busted back window for 3-5 weeks. I can only cynically imagine they won't give due diligence to making sure its sealed from the elements properly.

I may pursue your method if I don't get anywhere with them. Plus, it could also give me the ammo I need to convince my wife we need a soft top for the Jeep while I "fix" the hardtop.

 

[The Bean]

Hello all,

My JTR recently developed the well-documented rear window leak on the hardtop. It's still well within my warranty period, however I am having some issues getting it fixed.

I was told by the closest dealer to my house that they "don't do that type of repair". I didn't press because there is another one that isn't too far away and I would rather deal with a helpful dealership.

The second Dealership was initially helpful in that they confimed I indeed had a rear window leak and that it needed to be fixed. However, they said they don't employ anyone in service who can fix it (really no surprise) and would have to figure out if a local auto glass company could do it (or something to that effect).

After having the Jeep for about 10 days, they called and said they don't have the ability to fix it and referred me to a place 2 hours away that supposedly they had called around and found could do it. When asked if they are going to take the Jeep to get it fixed, they said "no, you have to take it yourself".

This was just yesterday and I haven't had a chance to really press the issue and I haven't gone to pick up the Jeep yet.

I assumed if the Jeep is under warranty that its on the dealer to fix it and they can't really deny repair (obvious reasons aside).

Question: Does anyone have any recommendations of a Dealership in the MD/NoVA/DC area that is easy to work with on this specific repair?

TIA!

Sorry to hear you’re getting the runaround. I had my window leak issue in March of last year after the Jeep started smelling like mildew. Living in Florida at the time and had a bunch of rain storms that was just dumping rain into the Jeep.

I took it to my local dealer and they had it for a day to do a leak test and place the warranty claim. A week later they scheduled the appointment and replaced the glass. They actually had to order an entirely new rear hardtop to install the new glass.

They used a glass subcontractor to do the actual install. It’s been almost a year and the issue hasn’t reoccurred, and I never had any issues of them damaging anything in the Jeep during the replacement process.

I worked at a dealer group for 3 years, no dealership these days do glass in-house. It’s all subcontracted out to local companies.

 

[Greenterror9]

FWIW, I am in the DMV and the rear window on my 21 Overland began leaking with approx. 35k on the odometer. I took it to the dealer I purchased it from and they promptly confirmed the leak, ordered a new back glass, and coordinated the install with a local glass shop. My dealer is Tate Jeep in Frederick MD. They do only look at leakage problems 1 day a week so be sure to schedule an appointment.

 

[wchevron]

Is it noticeable if you have the leak, will you see water somewhere? If it was leaking and I'd have to wait until I smelled mold, I'd be screwed.
Had a Ford Explorer that developed a leak. For a couple of weeks my wife kept saying I smelt faintly like mold. Never smelled anything. FInally she came into the car and could barely sit in it because of the smell. Brought it to the dealership. Service manager said they opened the doors and put a fan in it to get rid of some of the odor, within 5 minutes the entire service bay smelled like mold. I never smelled anything the entire time I was in it..

 

[RiverMtnBeach]

Anyone had to get this fixed more than once? I already had a whole new rear window warranty-fixed on my '20 about 2 years ago. Noticed last rain it's leaking AGAIN, but now out-of-warranty.
Wondering what kind of response I'll get from the dealer, but haven't had time to take it in yet. Of course they say "bring 'er in!" - just want to be prepared.
Hey @JeepCares, is there a service bulletin or something to back me up? What usually happens in this case if a warranty repair fails 2 years later? Seems to me like the clock should start over on the "fix" if not right.

 

[TOOBSOCK]

Sorry to hear you’re getting the runaround. I had my window leak issue in March of last year after the Jeep started smelling like mildew. Living in Florida at the time and had a bunch of rain storms that was just dumping rain into the Jeep.

I took it to my local dealer and they had it for a day to do a leak test and place the warranty claim. A week later they scheduled the appointment and replaced the glass. They actually had to order an entirely new rear hardtop to install the new glass.

They used a glass subcontractor to do the actual install. It’s been almost a year and the issue hasn’t reoccurred, and I never had any issues of them damaging anything in the Jeep during the replacement process.

I worked at a dealer group for 3 years, no dealership these days do glass in-house. It’s all subcontracted out to local companies.

Thanks for the info, hoping I can get it fixed soon.

 

[TOOBSOCK]

Is it noticeable if you have the leak, will you see water somewhere? If it was leaking and I'd have to wait until I smelled mold, I'd be screwed.
Had a Ford Explorer that developed a leak. For a couple of weeks my wife kept saying I smelt faintly like mold. Never smelled anything. FInally she came into the car and could barely sit in it because of the smell. Brought it to the dealership. Service manager said they opened the doors and put a fan in it to get rid of some of the odor, within 5 minutes the entire service bay smelled like mold. I never smelled anything the entire time I was in it..

I was folding the rear seat top down and noticed it was damp, then noticed there was water intrusion tracks coming down from the rear window. Confirmed it was leaking with a garden hose.

 

[jac04]

If you are handy, you can fix it yourself:
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...e-their-top-scratched-seats-ripped-etc.66403/

 

[VA Gladiator]

I'll chime in on this. Can tell you that Tysons RAM Jeep doesn't do back glass. I had mine done at Farrish jeep and my recommendation is don't take it there. They scratched and gouged my top 3 weeks ago and all Ive gotten so far is "Yeah we know it's damaged but the glass company hasn't decided how they want to fix it so we'll call you when they do"

 

[PJTree]

What luck, haha. I don't mind the wait time so much as I mind the thought of my Jeep sitting at the dealer with a busted back window for 3-5 weeks. I can only cynically imagine they won't give due diligence to making sure its sealed from the elements properly.

Additionally, I believe they state that its kept outside and that its not their responsibility if its stolen/broken into it.

 

[TARHEELKIDD]

Add me to the list for the rear glass leaking. It appears to 3 very small leaks. I guess I will be heading to the dealership. I bought this used on March 24th with a little over 36,000 miles. I did purchase the estended full warranty. I was not wanting to have to use it already.

 

[Caveman]

Is it noticeable if you have the leak, will you see water somewhere? If it was leaking and I'd have to wait until I smelled mold, I'd be screwed.

For my part, I only noticed that I had this leak when driving over things like speed bumps. I heard a weird sloshing sound. Looked for water and saw none. But in reading the many threads on this leak in this forum, I figured out that water was likely leaking at the rear window seal and accumulating in the hard top below the rear window. I did a hose test and confirmed the leaky window seal. I am well past my bumper-to-bumper warranty, so I did the silicone tubing fix described elsewhere in this forum a few weeks ago. A post-repair hose test makes me cautiously optimistic that I've stopped the rear window leak, at least for now.

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