I should have seen the writing on the wall. I bought a new 2012 Overland 5.7L which now has 21000 miles on it and luckily it is still under warranty. After reading about problems with the Quadra Lift system on this forum, and others, I thought it wouldn't happen to mine. Well it did when suddenly I got the "service air suspension immediately" message. I had used the system often as it was supposedly designed, mainly the park and aero modes. I brought it in to the dealer who changed the control module. I then encountered the same problem a mile down the road along with a "system cooling" warning. I brought it in again and was told that they will consult with Chrysler on a solution. As of now all of the control buttons constantly blink and the suspension is inoperable but the Jeep is still drivable. Will update on the repair progress but I am TOTALLY convinced that ALL QUADRA LIFT SUSPENSIONS WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL. I wish I never went with it. It is beyond me how such an ill designed system is put out on the market. There should be a RECALL
Sucks to hear you're having problems this early. I just hit 23 miles and no issues with the air suspension and I use it daily like you for aero mode, sport, and park/entry. Good thing you're covered as I assume it can get very expensive to repair.
Although there have been many reports of problems, when a poll was conducted here last year the majority of responders had no problems. Recalls are typically for safety related items, not convenience features.
For some reason, diagnosing these systems seems to be more difficult than most. Don't let it upset you ... It's just a machine.
I had the same fear when planning on my 2015 model in the fall. However the poll showed something like 98% have had no problems. And they shouldn't, since air suspension has been used in cars for over 100 years.
Just guessing, but part of the issue is when the QL system fails, it's pretty abrupt and has a large impact, since it's a single system that potentially affects the entire vehicle.
Where as generic shocks/struts, etc. are 4, individual systems, so it's pretty much impossible to have a systemic failure of the entire suspension. You can have one blown shock, but never all of them. One blown shock is bad, but not necessarily fatal to the operation of the vehicle.
This makes failure of the QL system even more likely to draw ire and dismay from customers, especially something like a system leak that can make the vehicle un-drivable.
Who knows how many folks have suspension issues that we simply don't hear about.
The same can be said for folks who have had no issues...it's actually less likely that folks who are problem free with "post" anything since people are more inclined to seek out assistance for problems rather than deliver kudos.
That said, one of the reasons I purchased a MaxCare lifetime extended service contract is because of all the expensive components including QL that potentially could fail and be costly to replace over the 5-7 years I'll likely hold this JGC...
I agree that eventually they all will fail but I would also agree that eventually every part in the vehicle will fail if you own it long enough. Eventually could be a long time. There really is no time limit on eventually. There really have not been a lot of qudra lift problems recently talked about on here.
Not very confidence inspiring but I've taken my 2011 hemi in and just got her back recently... I believe this is the 7th or 8th time I have taken her in to deal with the air suspension. I'm considering the possibility of getting rid of it and replacing it with a normal suspension system once my extended warranty is out... because there's no way I'm paying for crap JEEP can't fix. So far I've received the car and no issues but it's only been a few days. *sigh*
I agree with you. Air suspension is a total waste of money. Once it fails... it seemingly never stops failing. If it doesn't fail, you're one lucky sob! Unfortunately, I don't have faith in them anymore and will probably never purchase a vehicle with air suspension ever again.
Been in the dealer shop for over a week to diagnose the problem. Was told that the compressor needs to be replaced. Wonder what the cost would be without being under warranty. Am I looking to less than three years until it fails again? I'm not waiting for that to eventually happen. Selling!
Eventually yes, but what I meat was prematurely eventually, as compared to the rest of the vehicle's systems. ..and eventually stick the unsuspecting owner with a HUGE repair bill once out of warranty. Jeep paid for their crappy system this time but I'm not waiting around for the next time for it to "eventually" fail again. Good luck to other Quadra Lift owners.
The saga continues...compressor and control module replaced at 23,000 mi. I know better than to test the system BEFORE leaving the dealer lot. which I did. I ran it through the modes and it again failed and is undriveable. I can't believe that Jeep still equips these systems in the newer models. I asked the dealer what the estimated cost would be if it was out of warranty. The answer was over $3,500 plus the cost of a rental. I would have to say that Jeep made no money on my sale. Do yourselves a favor and don't buy Jeeps with Quadra Lift. Maybe they will somehow get the hint.
How do you mean "undriveable"? Did the suspension lose all lift? Only other experience I have had with a failed air system was on a Rover. Yeah, it failed but that just meant it was stuck in that height setting. Drove it for months like that. Just wondering, since it is a strong assertion.
At this point the rear fails to lower and only one of the front air bags will raise to any level with all of the typical system failure messages. The dealer has been working with Jeep techs for weeks with no solution as of yet. I referred the matter to Jeep customer service 800-992-1997 today who opened a case file. Was told that a rep will contact me in a day or so after consulting with the dealer and Jeep techs. I am pushing for a buy back or free Max Care Warranty if reasonably fixable. Keep yalls posted.
A complete overhaul of the system (minus balloons) took 10 days in a loaner car. I've had it back for 3 weeks now without any problems. YEAY! I just settled my case with customer service for a free 8yr/120,000 mi Max Care. It starts at date of purchase, so I essentially have 5 1/2 years or 97,000 mi till its completely out of warranty. Was NOT a pleasant process and was the worse customer service experience ever. It took numerous calls and over 2 months to get through their B.S. and make them stand up for their product. I pushed hard for a lifetime but settled for less to save my sanity. Some might say its a worthy settlement but the process to get there ain't worth a Quadra Lift.
Why? While there certainly have been some issues on some jeeps, such as with the OP's, the majority don't have any issues at all. There are hundreds of thousands of these things on the road! Remember that folks are more likely to post about problems than they are to post about their happiness...nature of online forums.
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OP, I'm glad you got your repair and hope that the extended service contract at least gives you some room to breath.
The only problem I had with the Quadra Lift was when I first got the JGC, I installed aftermarket HID lights which caused all kinds of problems with the QL. An that is because they installer forget to use the Hi-Cam electronic ballast for the lights. It took a while to figure out the problem and it was the service dealer that picked it up. Once that was remedy, the QL was reset by the service center.
I have now over 52K on my JGC and I use the QL in Aero mode every time when I am on the highway, parking mode when somebody needs and the other 2 modes when I needed it. I have no problems since that episode.
I need help. My 2011 GC is currently sitting in the garage with no air in the system. It's down in park/exit level, but the button and screen shows it is at normal ride height. No error message on the EVIC, it just won't move from park/exit height no matter what i press. I can't drive it because I'm worried it will damage multiple other components. Called Jeep to open a ticket this evening, calling dealership in the morning. Had it in the dealership for 2 days back in April 2013, it has never been able to reach OR2 level. They found no leaks or issues. All other levels worked until this. Control Module? Compressor? Thoughts?
You should be able to drive it to the dealer...keep your speed down and know it will not be comfortable. I had a similar issue, but it was cold-related and intermittent. After troubleshooting, they replaced the compressor.
It's not covered by the power train warranty. It is covered by a MaxCare Extended Service Contract minus the deducible chosen when purchasing that contract.
Yeah, I know that. But I don't think I can purchase a Max Care Warranty at this point with it sitting at the dealership, right? I meant would you involve Jeep customer care in this anymore than I have? I feel like a 2011 Jeep suspension should not fail this badly, especially while someone is driving. I consider this a safety issue that they should know about and act on. What if my wife would have wrecked yesterday because of it?
At a minimum I don't think I should have to pay diagnostic fees again and again to be told nothing is wrong, then it have a massive failure. It may be because of the cold air, which could have depleted all of the nitrogen somehow? I'm sure they will want to rule that out, but there are 50+ Grand Cherokees on their lot new and used that aren't bottomed out looking like a low-rider in this weather
I'm just frustrated that it wasn't fixed the first time, and I paid a lot to have them tell me nothing was wrong after being without a car for 4 days. Here we go again I suppose...
As long as the mileage and time since in-service is within the eligibility specifications, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to purchase the MaxCare Extended Service Contract, even in your circumstance. But whomever you buy it from would have to confirm on that. (I used Zeigler...best price at the time)
I'm not sure why you are being charged for a second diagnostic fee for the same problem, especially in a short time period...that sounds like something you need to discuss with your dealer service department.
Well, the original issue was April 2013 like I mentioned, and I've taken it to a new dealer. Chrysler opened a case and assigned a case manager today. The dealer called me and said there is zero nitrogen in the tank/lines. I'm guessing the valve the Peter/others have said has failed due to cold weather blew on mine too and leaked all of the nitro out. Regardless, they're charging me $250 to refill it with nitrogen and begin to diagnose the issue. They think there is a leak somewhere, but i don't necessarily think that's the case. I wish I would have bought a GC without the QL. It's never worked correctly.
Well, it's good they are going to work with you, although there's no assurance of what the end result will be since it's out of warranty. The cost of a MaxCare Extended Service Contract is similar to the cost of the compressor and you get a rental car with it, too...'just sayin'...
I agree with above about the maxcare. The price to replace some of these parts is getting crazy, $2350 for a QL compressor, a guy was on here the other day that needed that front center sensor replaced was told $1850, these headlight assemblies are over $1000 each. If you plan on holding onto the jeep for a long time the little over 2k for the lifetime maxcare is something to think about. starting to remind me of the don't own it out of warranty BMWs, well maybe not that bad but these replacement prices are a little surprising
Thanks guys, I appreciate the responses. The case mgr from Chrysler is supposed to call me back tomorrow with options. If the dealership won't cover much of the repair, I will go down the path of talking to the case mgr about a maxcare warranty. I think my only options would be a 1, 2, 3, or 4 year warranty. Either unlimited miles (more expensive), 12k/year option, or 15k/year option. You were right, I could buy a 3 year/45k warranty for much less than this repair. I only put maybe 13k on each year. I'll let you know what comes of it!
'Just to be totally anal ...the MaxCare contract is not a "warranty". It's an Extended Service Contract which is a completely different thing. Historically, I was never one to buy these contracts, but with all the tech on these higher trim level vehicles these days that is expensive to service and replace, I consider the money I put toward the MaxCare contract a bargain over the 6-7 years I'll be driving my Summit. Paying $100 to replace a $2300 part (which is more than I paid for the lifetime contract) plus the cost of a rental for a week already has put me ahead of the game.
Same old story with the Quradra Lift. Why should the consumer be burdened with the cost of a Maximum Care warranty to insulate themselves from a faulty system? A failure of that system is costly and catastrophic. Jeep knows of the problems with the system and fail to acknowledge it with at least a service bulletin. Jeep tried to be crafty to set themselves apart from the rest of the high end SUV market at the expense of the consumer.
QL is just one component of 5000+ that's covered by the MaxCare contract and I didn't buy mine "just" for that one system. QL isn't unique to JGC, either...consider the platform that the JGC was built on that was shared by another "high end" SUV.
Wow, big negativity on the air suspension and jeep in this thread. Hey things break, it happens. Good comments here about only hearing ticked off customers complain, there are hundreds of thousands of QLs on the road, 98% happy. Jeez vigo gets his QL repaired,under warranty too, get a free extended contact and then continues to bitch. You can't make everyone happy. Go get a Honda pilot, lol. I'm happy with QL best riding vehicle I've evr driven. Furthermore it seems like issues have dissolved from 2011, 12, 13 to 2014. Hope my doesn't break but if it does I'll take it in and get it fixed....not bang out a handful of nasty grams on a forum. GL enjoy that free service contract, lol
Jeep ended up covering $2250 and asked me to pay a $250 "deductible", so it worked out really well in my situation. @Jeepstare, while I agree most GC's on the road don't have this issue, look at how many have, there are tons of threads on issues with the QL, and that's just the people who bother to get online and post something. I have never seen any TSB's to help us with major issues out, have you?
If you would just get yours fixed and pay up that's great, but reality hits a little closer when you get slapped with a $2500 quote to replace the compressor. The lady at Jeep Customer Care even agreed that was
outrageous for the part, not to mention its on national back order. It's on back order because so many people have had them replaced It took my dealership 7 days to find one available.
I'm not here to bash Jeep by any means, they make great vehicles, I've just had a rough go around with the QL system.
Regardless, I love my GC, and I am glad it's fixed and the QL works perfectly and I'm back on the road. But most of all, I'm glad my wife didn't get hurt when the QL started to deflate and bottomed out, while she was driving.
All is good now, getting ready to haul our boat to the lake, and the GC hauls it like a champ.
My Overland has been in the shop since Monday (now Friday) just got off the phone with them and they are expecting it to be fixed in 2 weeks from now.
That is 3 weeks I'll be without my Jeep.. We were supposed to go away next week and tow our boat.. that is now cancelled
We are getting a rental on the dealership but wife is loosing it and suspect we'll be going in on Monday to work out a trade for something else.
We have owned it for 8 months. This is the 5th trip to the shop in total after this is done it would have spent 6 weeks in the shop. That means it spends about 15% of the time in the shop.. Just so happy I have maxcare!
I just bought a 2011 overland in early feb. 2 weeks later the QL error came. They replaced a controle module. Error still there. They ordered a new compressor. Took them a week to install. Now it works great so far. It's been 3 weeks and working good. They fixed it free since i just bought it. I need the maxcare warranty though. I wonder if I can still get it on a 2011 with 37k on it.
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