[JWS360]

So, I was at another dealer today for a test drive & looked at the rear hatch.

Sure enough, the gaps around the rear taillight area was not uniform, not were the lenses on the hatch flush with those on the vehicle body. On the left side the outer body lens stood proud about 1/8", while they were close to flush on the right. On the right, however, they did not match up as well on the hop horizontal edges!

I recall reading threads on this. Is this a common problem? If so, is it something the dealer can remedy? It is indeed unfortunate that such quality issues slipped by. Saw the same thing on a few others as well. Makes me nervous.

 

[BobsWK2]

It's a common problem on the 2014's. That's all I'll say.

 

[tony4311]

I was hoping they'd have this sorted out by the time they built mine but nope. Built on the 11th, picked up yesterday and it's off. I'm not sweating it really though as I got the lifetime warranty. The gap on the left side isn't huge, in fact it's what I'd expect to see between body panels when they move and are quite heavy. The passenger side however is VERY close. Enough that if it was a manual closing door I'd be more concerned about it. As it stands now I'll just have the dealership note it in the computer next time I'm there so it's on record in case anything comes from it. I'd imagine there will be a service bulletin about it some day.

 

[hemi15]

Mine had the problem, it was rubbing to the right side, dealer fixed it.

 

[Aiyer]

Perhaps it is cheaper to fix it as a warranty issue (I mean, how many owners actually notice this to take it to the dealer?) than readjust the tools/robots, etc at the assembly line. Adjusting at factory could mean production stop or some downtime which could cost more to CJF. It is not a safety issue, so why bother is what they are thinking.

That's my thought. Luckily for me, the rear hatch on mine seems fine.

Cheers,
-S

 

[vnbWK2]

Anyone have pics to show the misalignment? Mine is slightly off but not bad At all.Guess I would like to compare.

 

[GCL2014]

Mine is shifted slightly to the left. I don't have a pic to post, but if you look at the Jeep from the back, it is easy to spot. Will tell dealer to fix when I bring it in next week.

 

[BobsWK2]

Perhaps it is cheaper to fix it as a warranty issue (I mean, how many owners actually notice this to take it to the dealer?) than readjust the tools/robots, etc at the assembly line. Adjusting at factory could mean production stop or some downtime which could cost more to CJF. It is not a safety issue, so why bother is what they are thinking.

That's my thought. Luckily for me, the rear hatch on mine seems fine.

Cheers,
-S

IF and its only an if, this is the attitude Chrysler takes about poor quality control, then it won't be long before they are begging for a bailout again. And next time they won't be so lucky.

 

[JWS360]

IF and its only an if, this is the attitude Chrysler takes about poor quality control, then it won't be long before they are begging for a bailout again. And next time they won't be so lucky.

Yup, exactly. Happened to be at an event in the area this weekend & saw 2 2014 JGC's in the parking lot. Both had completely misaligned rear hatches. On both the right hatch taillight was within 2mm of rubbing the adjoining body mounted taillight, while the left gap was WAY wider. Neither was all that well aligned in the horizontal plane.

Most interestingly, I happened to walk by as the owner of one was walking by & asked him how he liked it. Much to my surprise he told me that he likes this one, which was recently given him as a replacement for a far more troubled one bought 4 months ago or so. Made me wonder. In any event, I later saw another 2014 in a supermarket lot & observed the same poor fitting.

This is basic quality control and we aren't in 1969. All the other players have stepped up their games. The Jeep has great engineering and enormous potential. Basic fit & finish should not be an issue.

 

[Scottina06]

Hmmmm....just looked at 20+ wk2's at freedom dodge jeep in lexington ky and NONE had a misaligned hatch.

 

[JWS360]

Hmmmm....just looked at 20+ wk2's at freedom dodge jeep in lexington ky and NONE had a misaligned hatch.

That would indeed be good if they have remedied the problem. I saw it on at least 3 or 4 at a local dealer. Perhaps these were earlier production units. Fixing a problem shows someone cares.

 

[tony4311]

That would indeed be good if they have remedied the problem. I saw it on at least 3 or 4 at a local dealer. Perhaps these were earlier production units. Fixing a problem shows someone cares.

Mine was just built on the 11th of this month and has the issue...

 

[JWS360]

Mine was just built on the 11th of this month and has the issue...

Well, so much for my attempt to be positive....

I wonder how so many can be shipped with the hatch damned near rubbing tail lights on the right and a much wider gap on the left, with the tail lights themselves not flush as from the hatch to the body.

Again, this is basic fit and finish. We aren't talking super high tech here. Just adjust the damned doors before they ship!

 

[Jeff_H2O]

Mine has the same misalignment everyone is talking about. But to be honest, I never even noticed it until I saw the threads on it. Yes it's off, but it's not that bad. I'd be more worried the dealer would inflict more issues trying to fix it than if I just leave it the way it is.

 

[moosehead]

The rear hatch is attached and aligned to the body via two hex bolts at the top hinges. Easy dealer adjustment.

 

[JWS360]

The rear hatch is attached and aligned to the body via two hex bolts at the top hinges. Easy dealer adjustment.

If its so easy then why isn't it done at the factory? Does such also explain the poorly fitting and misaligned lens assemblies?

Not to beat a dead horse, but panel fit/finish is basic quality control. One cannot wonder what is amiss inside if the supposedly easy stuff keeps getting ignored.

 

[yjbeach]

I was looking for the thread with picture of this can't find it. I think it was on this forum.

 

[Jeff_H2O]

I found these pics in my phone from when I was doing the reverse light comparision from LED vs Standard. In the pics you can see the alignment that is off on the tailgate.

The left side has a noticeable gap and the right side is very flush and tight with no gap and close to rubbing. See below: (sorry for the bad quality, this was actually one big photo of the rear that I cropped closer to see the gaps, so that's why resolution is bad, from the zoom).

Left Rear (noticable gap)

Right Rear (no gap, very close together, almost rubbing)

 

[acilate]

Perhaps it's just the angle/poor resolution, but it almost seems like the tail light on the quarter panel is out of place, not the gate.

 

[tomk]

just another datapoint: mine was built 6/15, and the tailgate/lamps are not misaligned at all.