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caveat emptor - let the flaming begin

13K views 81 replies 39 participants last post by  Scottina06 
#1 ·
Ok guys, so let the flaming begin, but I really regret buying this Jeep. Let me begin by saying this is a very nice vehicle, and one day will be worthy of the Jeep name but not yet. I am an avid Jeep fan with an 85 CJ, and an 08 JK, so I am the first to regret saying these words. At the end of the day, this vehicle is shy of perfection in many ways. To call this a refined luxury vehicle is just a stretch by any imagination. I have had this truck back to the dealership so many times for fit and finish and electrical problems, not to mention the two replacement dashes because of the phoenix heat melting the glue used to secure the leather. I dont even want to mention the shuddering... studdering.... bucking whatever the hell you want to call issue with the transmission/ecm/torque converter.
Many of you report no issues with your rigs and I wish you many many miles of trouble free use, but I was not so fortunate.

Im not being picky, Im not being over sensitive, I want to shove this thing down chryslers a$$.
 
#42 · (Edited)
There seems to be a number of members who are stalking the WK2 section just waiting to proclaim how wise they are because they will NEVER buy a first MY vehicle and by inference, how STUPID we are because we are buying / have bought one.

Might I suggest those who have no interest in OWNING a 2011 WK2 refrain from posting in the WK2 section unless they have something constructive to say?

As for the OP's issues, I would have started the lemon law paperwork about half way through that laundry list if these issues weren't resolved as they we discovered. You can always stop the process if things get worked out and in some cases the simple act of filing gets the manufacturer to do a buy back before it goes to court if they know it's got serious issues.

OTOH, most of these seem like minor issues that the dealer should be able to resolve. and although it sucks that is the risk you take on not only a first MY vehicle but the first of a particular sub model of a first MY vehicle. Kind of like the double whammy.
 
#54 ·
Well, I've been buying & driving vehicles for 45 years. During that time I've bought 6 new first year vehicles, including both the '93 and '11 GC. It's fun being the first guy on the block, and in the city, having a new model. Since I don't have a brand loyalty, I just buy those vehicles that appeal to me the most. These have included GM, Ford, Chrysler and a few European and Japanese products.

I usually keep my vehicles for 3 to 5 years. Based on my experience, I can honestly say that my first year vehicles have had no more problems than those I've purchased in the middle of their model run. In some cases, the 1st year vehicles have had less problems.

However, I feel you can't really compare vehicles built more than 5 years ago to those built today (statistically, or otherwise), since technology, design and manufacturing processes, and materials have all changed so much. The only common denominator I've found over the years is the quality of the dealer's service department.

Unfortunately, as in any high volume production run, there will always be some units that fall through the quality cracks. But for me, based on my first impressions, my '11 GC is one of the best vehicles I've driven off the dealer's lot - ever.
 
#58 ·
This cannot be repeated enough times.

It was *the* main issue I had when buying this vehicle. I researched many Jeep dealers and finally made the decision when I was comfortable buying one from a place where I would be getting it serviced. (it also meant driving further to the dealer, but I'm in Philly, so it wasn't a big issue)
 
#57 ·
I purchased a 1999 Ford Super Duty 3/4 ton truck after watching that vehicle develop on-line for a long time, just like I have been watching the WK2 progress. That truck was one of the first of its kind in the Phoenix area and it has been the best truck I have ever had (I've had 6 total) and still have for that matter. Both vehicles fit my idea of what I was looking for at the time.

The Ford was a first year release and I was nervous back then and had misgivings galore. I hope to have the same luck with the WK2 but realize the potential for problems and is why I plan on getting the Lifetime warranty, Max care version for it. Jeep has a lot to lose if this vehicle fails and I believe they will do whatever is feasible to make it right (within Fiat limits of course). Good luck to all of us potential owners!
 
#64 · (Edited)
From my vantage point it looks like the overwhelming majority of '11 buyers are happy with their vehicles with mostly minor to no issues to report. I also agree that it will take more time to come to a definite conclusion, but all indications are that Jeep has done a much better job with this GC launch than the WJ and WK before it.

Personally, I think the 2nd MY is the sweet spot for purchase in terms of bugs being worked out, better pricing, and still a high level of content. History has shown this to true for many new model introductions. However, that doesn't make waiting the right choice. Everyone has to decide for themselves as to how to best spend their coin.

Quite honestly, the folks that bought the '11s are enjoying the piss out of them and I am jealous. :D
 
#76 ·
Just an update for you all. So the Jeep is back in the dealership again today. There is a module under the passenger seat area and a relay in it has gone on a fritz. The relay is clicking very rapidly and sounds like someone typing a thousand words a minute on a computer keyboard. This may have left the car stranded somewhere if the relay would have completely failed. Thank god it held on for the trip over. Also, they are looking into replacing the torque converter as the jeep is shuddering really bad now. If I decelerate from 60 MPH the truck bucks all the way down to 30MPH.

7500 Miles on the ODO now.......
 
#77 ·
Kgrencer, so sorry to hear of your problems. As for buying the first year, I have bought 3 models in their first year-'73 olds cutlass, '81 olds cutlass, and '03 mitsubishi outlander. The first cutlass was not bad. The second was. I filled out a survey for olds and told them all that had been wrong with my vehicle and I never heard from them again. I think the dealer could have done more. The day I picked up the '81 and was driving home, I discovered it had no horn! That should not have been and that was just the beginning. The Outlander was terrific! It was our second vehicle and not only was it the first year, it was the first model year it was ever made! My brother told me I was nuts to buy it. Guess who wanted it when I gave it away??? He loves it! It was an awsome vehicle for me. In the nearly 8years I owned it, I had no real problems. Just routine maintenance. He is also warning me again about the new '11 Overland I just ordered. We will have to see on that one. Kgrencer, keep us posted. I wish you the best!
 
#78 ·
Ok, so I just got an update from the dealership. Apparently the "relay" clicking under the seat was actually the battery cable that came loose from the post and was arcing. They now say they are not able to reproduce the shudder. Do you all think that could have potentially been causing all the shudder/bucking??? If the battery was arcing, and relays were losing connection because of it, maybe the injectors etc were losing power? The dealership says there is an internal bulletin for this issue and that is why they looked there??

Man alive
 
#80 ·
loose, dirty, bad cables/connections would absolutely casue all kinds of problems. The WK guys know this. The WK was/is really touchy with its cables/connections. Any corrosion etc. on the connections causes all sorts of problems.
 
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