Hi,
This is my first post here, so sorry if it is a bit long but I wanted to share my experience so maybe you guys can help me.
Four years ago, I bought my 2012 Wrangler Unlimited Sport brand new and I loved it from the beginning. I haven’t taken it off road or anything crazy, just driving it to go to work every day, and a side form the transmission being a bit sluggish, I didn’t experience anything bad. I live in the Los Angeles area and had been taking my Jeep to Hooman for all the services except for a couple of times that I went to a third party because it was more convenient.
October 2015. I had only 36,727 miles at this point, and the warranty just expired:
1. I noticed that my Engine check light kept coming in and out. I contacted the dealer and they told me it was probably the gas cap. So I changed it, and for a bit I didn't get the signal again until one day it came back. So then right when I was about to take it to the dealer, the car wouldn't start.
2. I took it to the dealer, this time I went to the new one in Santa Monica. And they find:
-The battery failed to load, so it had to be replaced__$263.22
-The problem with check engine was because of loose gas cap, they tightened it__$0
-All my freedom top had leaks when it rained, they replaced all the sealing__0$
-The cooling system was dirty, they flushed it and replaced it__$130.80
-Power Steering fluid was dirty, they flushed it and replaced it__$68
-Transmission fluid was dirty, they flushed it and replaced it__$194.96
-Brake fluid was dirty, they flushed it and replaced it__$68
-They performed a Synthetic differential service__$188.62
-Oil change and tire rotation__$66
-Air filter replacement__$15
-The power steering high-pressure hose was leaking, they replaced it__$572.60
TOTAL_$1677.95
I obviously could not believe that a 3 1/2 year old car with only 36k miles would have that many problems but I went on and paid for all that hoping that I would not have any problems at least for a long time.
3. After a few days my "Check Engine" light came back on. I contacted the dealer they told me to bring it back. But I was busy and by the time I could make it, the signal turned off.
4. January 2016 (just about 3 months later and 38,413 miles) next maintenance was due. This time I took it to a 3rd party because I wanted to make sure Jeep wasn´t over selling anything.
They found:
-A leak on the Power Steering
-A leak on the gear fluid, gear fluid was dirty
-A leak from the timing chain cover
-A leak on the Thermostat housing
So I went back to the Jeep dealer in SM and told them all this. I have to say they were super nice and fixed all this for free:
-Repaired the leak on front timing cover
-Repaired leak on drive belt Tensioner and replaced belt tensioner
-Repaired leak from gearbox due to bad internal sealing
-Repaired leak from water pump coolant
At this point I was a bit lost because every place I went they called things differently (I am not very good with cars). But I wanted to believe the Jeep dealer and the fact they took care of all this for free made me happy and proud to be a Jeep owner.
but...
5. August 2016, 41,824 miles. I am taking my car for another regular service. I wanted to go to Jeep, but I didn’t have much time because of work so I took it to a 3rd party mechanic that had amazing reviews online. They found all this:
-Power Steering pump is leaking
-Transmission pan gasket is leaking
-Front differential is leaking
-Thermostat is leaking
-Brake rotors are worn
I am facing another $1,600 in repairs for about the same issues (except the brakes and thermostat) in about 6 months. That means I would be spending $3,200 in the period of 8 months.
So now I do not know what to do. I am not sure if the Jeep dealer I am going aren’t doing their job correctly or if my car is a lemon and no matter what I do, from now on I will have problems. I could took it back to Jeep and make them fix everything again hopefully under repair warranty, but I will not be confident after the experience.
I took it to CarMax and they appraised it for $23,000. What do you guys think I should do? Should I get rid of it and get a new car? Or fix it and stay on top of it, risking the fact that I might be spending a lot of money in repairs?
Thank you so much.
This is my first post here, so sorry if it is a bit long but I wanted to share my experience so maybe you guys can help me.
Four years ago, I bought my 2012 Wrangler Unlimited Sport brand new and I loved it from the beginning. I haven’t taken it off road or anything crazy, just driving it to go to work every day, and a side form the transmission being a bit sluggish, I didn’t experience anything bad. I live in the Los Angeles area and had been taking my Jeep to Hooman for all the services except for a couple of times that I went to a third party because it was more convenient.
October 2015. I had only 36,727 miles at this point, and the warranty just expired:
1. I noticed that my Engine check light kept coming in and out. I contacted the dealer and they told me it was probably the gas cap. So I changed it, and for a bit I didn't get the signal again until one day it came back. So then right when I was about to take it to the dealer, the car wouldn't start.
2. I took it to the dealer, this time I went to the new one in Santa Monica. And they find:
-The battery failed to load, so it had to be replaced__$263.22
-The problem with check engine was because of loose gas cap, they tightened it__$0
-All my freedom top had leaks when it rained, they replaced all the sealing__0$
-The cooling system was dirty, they flushed it and replaced it__$130.80
-Power Steering fluid was dirty, they flushed it and replaced it__$68
-Transmission fluid was dirty, they flushed it and replaced it__$194.96
-Brake fluid was dirty, they flushed it and replaced it__$68
-They performed a Synthetic differential service__$188.62
-Oil change and tire rotation__$66
-Air filter replacement__$15
-The power steering high-pressure hose was leaking, they replaced it__$572.60
TOTAL_$1677.95
I obviously could not believe that a 3 1/2 year old car with only 36k miles would have that many problems but I went on and paid for all that hoping that I would not have any problems at least for a long time.
3. After a few days my "Check Engine" light came back on. I contacted the dealer they told me to bring it back. But I was busy and by the time I could make it, the signal turned off.
4. January 2016 (just about 3 months later and 38,413 miles) next maintenance was due. This time I took it to a 3rd party because I wanted to make sure Jeep wasn´t over selling anything.
They found:
-A leak on the Power Steering
-A leak on the gear fluid, gear fluid was dirty
-A leak from the timing chain cover
-A leak on the Thermostat housing
So I went back to the Jeep dealer in SM and told them all this. I have to say they were super nice and fixed all this for free:
-Repaired the leak on front timing cover
-Repaired leak on drive belt Tensioner and replaced belt tensioner
-Repaired leak from gearbox due to bad internal sealing
-Repaired leak from water pump coolant
At this point I was a bit lost because every place I went they called things differently (I am not very good with cars). But I wanted to believe the Jeep dealer and the fact they took care of all this for free made me happy and proud to be a Jeep owner.
but...
5. August 2016, 41,824 miles. I am taking my car for another regular service. I wanted to go to Jeep, but I didn’t have much time because of work so I took it to a 3rd party mechanic that had amazing reviews online. They found all this:
-Power Steering pump is leaking
-Transmission pan gasket is leaking
-Front differential is leaking
-Thermostat is leaking
-Brake rotors are worn
I am facing another $1,600 in repairs for about the same issues (except the brakes and thermostat) in about 6 months. That means I would be spending $3,200 in the period of 8 months.
So now I do not know what to do. I am not sure if the Jeep dealer I am going aren’t doing their job correctly or if my car is a lemon and no matter what I do, from now on I will have problems. I could took it back to Jeep and make them fix everything again hopefully under repair warranty, but I will not be confident after the experience.
I took it to CarMax and they appraised it for $23,000. What do you guys think I should do? Should I get rid of it and get a new car? Or fix it and stay on top of it, risking the fact that I might be spending a lot of money in repairs?
Thank you so much.