Setting Expectations with JT Issues

[bbk0925]

I've been reading posts about some of the issues encountered with the JT. The LE I bought a couple of months ago has several of the reported issues, and more. I'm trying to find out from those driving the JT, and newer Wranglers, how many of these issues are correctable, or have to be lived with. To date:

1. A faulty sensor rendered the cruise control inoperable when I drove it home from the dealer (2 1/2 hours away). Had it reset and it's working fine.
2. The heater core started leaking underneath and had to be replaced with less than 500 miles. In addition to the occasional smell of coolant inside, I'm often met with a strong smell of coolant outside of the truck. Is anyone else experiencing the coolant smell?
3. The infamous ticking lifter. One service manager said "they all do that." I'll be working with a new dealer going forward.
4. I occasionally get a rub/chirp in the steering column. Also, there is consistently a low moan in the steering when turning from side to side. I've heard this sound in older vehicles with failing power steering pumps, but never on something new.
5. The rear windows will now not work.
6. This truck has more driveline slop the any vehicle I've ever owned, and this goes back to the early Bronco I drove in my youth. It clunks when going into reverse with the slight bind you get when pulling too far forward into the curb, and when downshifting from third to second and second to first.
7. The engine way over revs before kicking down into passing gear when hitting the gas. It doesn't go any faster, it just revs high and then eventually kicks down a gear.
8. Climate controls. Enough has been posted about this, but the heater controls are more of a suggestion than a command.

My family also have two 2017 Wranglers. Both have been bulletproof, with all aspects of driving them; driveline, transmission, engine, etc., much tighter at 30K miles than the Gladiator with 1700 miles. With virtually the same engine as the JT, neither of them has a ticking lifter.

I should also add that I have a case opened with Jeep customer care. My case has been escalated twice, but so far, there has been no real action or response as to what my expectations should be, and how I can be protected against potential problems arising down the road from these early issues. Sorry it's long, but feedback on any or all of these early issues would be appreciated.

Sponsored

 

[MrJeep]

Sorry to hear about all these issues. I now feel lucky that I almost none of these. Just had a loose cable on the rear view camera and am dealing with the bad steering box issue where it feels like I'm driving a boat.
I'm wondering if there were more issues with the earlier/LE vehicles? Mine was built in Oct and it's tight in the driveline and the engine is quiet. The transmission programming is suspect, like you mention. I'm hoping programming updates will become available. Mine loves to lug the engine, it needs a "sport" mode.

 

[JeepCares]

I've been reading posts about some of the issues encountered with the JT. The LE I bought a couple of months ago has several of the reported issues, and more. I'm trying to find out from those driving the JT, and newer Wranglers, how many of these issues are correctable, or have to be lived with. To date:

1. A faulty sensor rendered the cruise control inoperable when I drove it home from the dealer (2 1/2 hours away). Had it reset and it's working fine.
2. The heater core started leaking underneath and had to be replaced with less than 500 miles. In addition to the occasional smell of coolant inside, I'm often met with a strong smell of coolant outside of the truck. Is anyone else experiencing the coolant smell?
3. The infamous ticking lifter. One service manager said "they all do that." I'll be working with a new dealer going forward.
4. I occasionally get a rub/chirp in the steering column. Also, there is consistently a low moan in the steering when turning from side to side. I've heard this sound in older vehicles with failing power steering pumps, but never on something new.
5. The rear windows will now not work.
6. This truck has more driveline slop the any vehicle I've ever owned, and this goes back to the early Bronco I drove in my youth. It clunks when going into reverse with the slight bind you get when pulling too far forward into the curb, and when downshifting from third to second and second to first.
7. The engine way over revs before kicking down into passing gear when hitting the gas. It doesn't go any faster, it just revs high and then eventually kicks down a gear.
8. Climate controls. Enough has been posted about this, but the heater controls are more of a suggestion than a command.

My family also have two 2017 Wranglers. Both have been bulletproof, with all aspects of driving them; driveline, transmission, engine, etc., much tighter at 30K miles than the Gladiator with 1700 miles. With virtually the same engine as the JT, neither of them has a ticking lifter.

I should also add that I have a case opened with Jeep customer care. My case has been escalated twice, but so far, there has been no real action or response as to what my expectations should be, and how I can be protected against potential problems arising down the road from these early issues. Sorry it's long, but feedback on any or all of these early issues would be appreciated.

We're sorry to learn about your experience. If you would like us to look into the status of your case, please PM us your case number.
Alex
JeepCares

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I've been reading posts about some of the issues encountered with the JT. The LE I bought a couple of months ago has several of the reported issues, and more. I'm trying to find out from those driving the JT, and newer Wranglers, how many of these issues are correctable, or have to be lived with. To date:

1. A faulty sensor rendered the cruise control inoperable when I drove it home from the dealer (2 1/2 hours away). Had it reset and it's working fine.
2. The heater core started leaking underneath and had to be replaced with less than 500 miles. In addition to the occasional smell of coolant inside, I'm often met with a strong smell of coolant outside of the truck. Is anyone else experiencing the coolant smell?
3. The infamous ticking lifter. One service manager said "they all do that." I'll be working with a new dealer going forward.
4. I occasionally get a rub/chirp in the steering column. Also, there is consistently a low moan in the steering when turning from side to side. I've heard this sound in older vehicles with failing power steering pumps, but never on something new.
5. The rear windows will now not work.
6. This truck has more driveline slop the any vehicle I've ever owned, and this goes back to the early Bronco I drove in my youth. It clunks when going into reverse with the slight bind you get when pulling too far forward into the curb, and when downshifting from third to second and second to first.
7. The engine way over revs before kicking down into passing gear when hitting the gas. It doesn't go any faster, it just revs high and then eventually kicks down a gear.
8. Climate controls. Enough has been posted about this, but the heater controls are more of a suggestion than a command.

My family also have two 2017 Wranglers. Both have been bulletproof, with all aspects of driving them; driveline, transmission, engine, etc., much tighter at 30K miles than the Gladiator with 1700 miles. With virtually the same engine as the JT, neither of them has a ticking lifter.

I should also add that I have a case opened with Jeep customer care. My case has been escalated twice, but so far, there has been no real action or response as to what my expectations should be, and how I can be protected against potential problems arising down the road from these early issues. Sorry it's long, but feedback on any or all of these early issues would be appreciated.

Is it REALLY a ticking lifter? Mine has a slight tick as I walk around the front with it running. but it's minor and first oil change I am going to request a more proper oil be used -
This is from an engineer who tests oils for wear resistance -
>>many engines that call for 5W20 are happier, and make less mechanical noise with 5W30<<
And these have what, 0w20? I'm going for 5w30. That's what I have moved over to with my performance vehicles and one of them actually picked up about 100 rpm more at idle after changing oils, I had to set the idle speed down (dual carbs so old-school) to me proof that it was the right move.
My wife's Grand Cherokee with 3.6 is silent - I mean silent. No ticking, no injector or lifter sound. My JT 3.6 sounds like my 4.0 with a radical cam - like a truck engine.

The high revs make no sense unless something is slipping - it should do the opposite - very slight bog or hesitation just prior to the kick-down and then a jump in RPM.
Happy with heater controls - works fine, temp pretty close to what I set considering it's a thin-walled, flat-walled, not well insulated vehicle. The walls of the Jeep cab are what, half as thick and with all the roof and panel seams, I actually expected it to be a bit cool in the cab, but it's not.
Power steering pump should be a whine sound, I wonder if there's a steering column bearing issue or wiring or plastic rubbing that should not rub. Just a THOUGHT from experience (my WJ has a similar sound and it's a bearing going south in the column)

The driveline should be tight - no clunking, no noises, no binding.

Good luck - sounds like some legit issues there. Know that they aren't all that way - my complaints are few.

 

[The Acme Company]

I have had my LE since May and am at 3800 miles. My only issue has been a flimsy inner fender. No lifter issues, no steering issues—flawless.

 

[WXman]

Had a early build JLU that went to the shop for a routine airbag recall, and a failure of the ESS system that didn't affect anything else on the Jeep.

So far, I've got about 10,000 miles on the JT and it's flawless.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

We've had such GREAT luck with Grand Cherokee that it's all my wife ever wants to look at or consider when she's ready to trade. Any issues have been small or cosmetic for the most part aside from a right front door window regulator letting loose one time, letting the window drop in the middle of winter. Trip to the dealer- fixed. Never any drive train issues. Not a single one.
We've never been afraid to try or buy a Jeep vehicle and I have a feeling that's not going to change any time soon. Even got my son into a Jeep - a Compass, and he's been satisfied with it save for the really short fuel range due to the tiny fuel tank those have.

 

[TennesseePA]

I have had my LE since May and am at 3800 miles. My only issue has been a flimsy inner fender. No lifter issues, no steering issues—flawless.

Same thing here with a few exceptions. My Bluetooth speaker has never worked and the dealer has a replacement on order. And I am up to 12,500 miles on it now without a single mechanical concern.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Same thing here with a few exceptions. My Bluetooth speaker has never worked and the dealer has a replacement on order. And I am up to 12,500 miles on it now without a single mechanical concern.

Those BT speakers aren't even made by Jeep.......... so, frankly, you haven't had a problem with a Jeep manufactured product.

 

[RVcruzer]

Never had any issues with mine. There was a recall to replace the driveshaft. It seem that some u-joints did not get any grease at the factory. Mine was fine but they replaced it anyway under the recall. No clunking on mine but that might be what you are experiencing if your u-joint is dry and wearing out..

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Never had any issues with mine. There was a recall to replace the driveshaft. It seem that some u-joints did not get any grease at the factory. Mine was fine but they replaced it anyway under the recall. No clunking on mine but that might be what you are experiencing if your u-joint is dry and wearing out..

Hey good catch. A dry and wearing u-joint will clunk (it's also a risk if it totally fails)
A notice should have been sent out, or at least the dealer should look to see if that one is a problem - look anyway, you never know if something was missed.
A worn or dry joint makes a lot of noise, can be quite a clunk

 

[TrailHiker]

There was a recall for this last spring after the issue was discovered. It only affected JTs made before June.
Cheers

 

[REDBEAST]

I've been reading posts about some of the issues encountered with the JT. The LE I bought a couple of months ago has several of the reported issues, and more. I'm trying to find out from those driving the JT, and newer Wranglers, how many of these issues are correctable, or have to be lived with. To date:

1. A faulty sensor rendered the cruise control inoperable when I drove it home from the dealer (2 1/2 hours away). Had it reset and it's working fine.
2. The heater core started leaking underneath and had to be replaced with less than 500 miles. In addition to the occasional smell of coolant inside, I'm often met with a strong smell of coolant outside of the truck. Is anyone else experiencing the coolant smell?
3. The infamous ticking lifter. One service manager said "they all do that." I'll be working with a new dealer going forward.
4. I occasionally get a rub/chirp in the steering column. Also, there is consistently a low moan in the steering when turning from side to side. I've heard this sound in older vehicles with failing power steering pumps, but never on something new.
5. The rear windows will now not work.
6. This truck has more driveline slop the any vehicle I've ever owned, and this goes back to the early Bronco I drove in my youth. It clunks when going into reverse with the slight bind you get when pulling too far forward into the curb, and when downshifting from third to second and second to first.
7. The engine way over revs before kicking down into passing gear when hitting the gas. It doesn't go any faster, it just revs high and then eventually kicks down a gear.
8. Climate controls. Enough has been posted about this, but the heater controls are more of a suggestion than a command.

My family also have two 2017 Wranglers. Both have been bulletproof, with all aspects of driving them; driveline, transmission, engine, etc., much tighter at 30K miles than the Gladiator with 1700 miles. With virtually the same engine as the JT, neither of them has a ticking lifter.

I should also add that I have a case opened with Jeep customer care. My case has been escalated twice, but so far, there has been no real action or response as to what my expectations should be, and how I can be protected against potential problems arising down the road from these early issues. Sorry it's long, but feedback on any or all of these early issues would be appreciated.

Sorry to hear you are have issues with your JT. I also have a JTLE and have had none of the problems you described with 3.7K miles. i guess I should consider myself lucky.

 

[Bruticus]

I've been reading posts about some of the issues encountered with the JT.

FWIW, I think we're hearing mostly from the small, but vocal minority with problems (as you'd expect). I've owned/leased roughly 3-dozen vehicles in my life--including expensive Audis, Volvos, and Porsches--and the JT is the FIRST vehicle I've ever owned with absolutely zero flaws from the factory (or otherwise). I have zero regrets.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Sorry to hear you are have issues with your JT. I also have a JTLE and have had none of the problems you described with 3.7K miles. i guess I should consider myself lucky.

Just the opposite - consider yourself among the VAST majority.
People who have no issues and don't want any changes don't go to web sites or forums. They drive happy. You never hear from them.
If visiting a hospital don't expect to see the human race at its best - they'll look like a race ripe for conquering.
Consider that only a few JT owners come to a forum like this, and as my son says, it's fewer and fewer young people that do forums. Mostly old geezers like me.
So of the thousands of JT owners, a few come here - what's the active membership now? I dunno, am curious.
Now of those JT owners who DO come here and join - how many are talking of the same issues? Not a large percentage of the forum membership. Now that is NOT to minimize their pain or troubles! Not at all, just to show the numbers as they likely really are.
Those who buy and love and have no troubles won't come here and grab attention about how wonderful and trouble-free their JT is.
IF there's a problem or question, people join a forum - they need resolution, so they talk about it. No resolution, they talk louder (again - that's NORMAL and FINE - not dissing anyone or suggesting they are gripers or whiners or just being loud - they have a problem this is one way to find or get a solution - you don't sit at home and keep quiet if you have a trouble with a 50K truck! You do what you should and must - you seek answers.

My point is - - what you see here is a very small number of folks who have troubles.
A small number of JT owners join a forum. And even of those that do - out of every 100 forum members, it's a very small percentage that have issues.
So when you look at the web for how good something is - you won't find it. Most people are quiet if the item is great. Why would they go and make noise or try to get help if something is great?

In short, you don't go to a hospital or doctor if you feel great.

I've had fantastic luck with Jeep products, from my first - a 87 Comanche, to current - 2 Grand Cherokees and this truck and many in between.

Sponsored