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Push Start Fell Inside Dash

28K views 57 replies 33 participants last post by  LouC 
#1 · (Edited)
Leaving a building in west LA this evening to go to a laboratory in Garden grove and then home, I pushed the push to start button and the dang thing fell inside the dashboard! At least it started and I was able to get home. Once home, I got a flashlight and saw that the button assembly is a cylindrical object maybe 1.5 inches diameter by 3.5" long, and it was laying inside the dash. I also saw the knee airbag and realized I had no idea how to take off any of the lower dash plastic. I was able to reach inside around the leather boot on the steering column and get a finger on the button, and reach another finger inside through the button hole and push it to shut it off. This is not a good sign. I see one fractured and flimsy looking plastic support visible inside the hole in the dash. The push start button is something which will be used many times over the life of a vehicle, so it would be reasonable to design it to be extra sturdy, but this looks flimsy. I'll see what it looks like once the dealership takes it apart. How much you want to bet they will say they need days or weeks to get parts?
 
#4 ·
How hard did you push? The button feels pretty solid to me, but I would have freaked if this happened to me.
 
#7 ·
Oops, I was tired when I got back yesterday. It is a 2014 Grand Cherokee Overland (V8, 4x4, "Technology") I bought 10/19. It had about 900 miles on it when the part broke yesterday. I just got back from the dealership in Huntington Beach. I asked to see the failed part, so went back to the shop parking lot with Dean. Several of the mounting points for the switch module broke on the back of the chromed plastic piece with wood on front - four or five. The guys joked with me about pushing too hard, but I am sure I could not develop enough force with one finger to break it as it failed.

They say the part is in the southern California warehouse and they will have it tomorrow.
 
#12 ·
It is repaired. The service counter guy said that the technicians and them looked at the failed old part and could not see anyone being able to develop enough finger force to break it. The two service counter guys we spoke with are clearly worried that they will soon have more such failed parts.
 
#15 ·
Just had this happen today, wife took GC Altitude to work went to shut off
and push button fell inside dash. Dealer said it's happened before but very uncommon. They gave rent a car but not sure how long they would have
vehicle.


Between steering movement over every little bump and rattles, and now this all within 11,000 miles this might be mt first and last Jeep product.

I'll post out come when vehicle is finished



Jon
 
#18 ·
Always wondered why we don't assemble the IPs ourselves...
 
#22 ·
This would suck donkey kong.

But the sarcasm is funny though.
 
#23 ·
I just had this happen yesterday with my 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x4 3.6 L.

Dealership initially quoted one week to replace the part but after pushing sales manager they said they would have the part sent via overnight. It was really scary as I had no way to turn off my vehicle and drove straight to the dealership.
 
#24 ·
How many miles you got on there? Hoping this doesn't become a bigger issue.
 
#27 ·
Its a horrible design and it only has 16000 miles on it. It started to happen last night and i could still reach the button but this morning when I went to grab some groceries it fell all the way in. They had to take apart the whole dash to turn it off so I am pretty sure hooking the wires and pushing the button wasn't an option.
 
#45 ·
:lol::lol: And let me tell you while we're all complaining, that damn SHINY Plastic Crap they added to the little door to where you plug in your electronics, SUCKS ! I can't tell you how many times I've gotten BLINDED by the suns reflection off that CRAP ! AAAAHHHHHHHHHHH ! all better, i feel all better now thank you ! Yup, blood pressure is back to "normal," the hives attack has subsided and Im breathing easier too . . . Honey ! No need to call 911, I think I'm gonna make it ! ! ! ! ! :lol:
 
#29 ·
Any pics of how it looks? Off the dash and when dealer removed it.
 
#33 ·
Thanks! That does look scary if it happened to me.
 
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