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Advice on how to proceed

2K views 23 replies 20 participants last post by  tonybhall 
#1 ·
So, i'm an owner of a 2011 jeep wrangler, purchased the vehicle about 2 months ago. purchased used, vehicle was a buyback due to a leaky top. Jeep had it repaired and it came with a 1 year guarantee against leaks.
So far, i've driven the vehicle for about 3 weeks of the 2 months i've owned it. Most of that time is waiting for it to rain again to call the dealer and tell them it still leaks. Its been in the shop for at the longest 3 weeks to the day.
I have a chrysler case manager who has been helpful in a sense but it takes forever for them to get any kind of information and today was the final straw.

My dealer has done everything possible, replaced all the seals more than once, had numerous star cases opened, have put on over 8 different sets of freedom top panels from vehicles on there lot and they still can't get it to stop leaking. They told me to contact chrysler to inquire about them buying back the vehicle.
My chrysler case manager informed me today that chrysler will not buy the vehicle back as i am not the original owner.

I'm at my wits end, i haven't had a chance to speak with the dealership after receiving this call as to what there next step is going to be. Its in writing, guaranteed to be leak free for 1 year from date of purchase. As of right now, that is not the case, and its not as if its just a drip of water here or there. I've got water coming in from behind the rollbar on the passenger side in any sort of braking in the rain it will come in onto the passener door panel, coming in above the rear view mirror and also leaking into the drivers side door and ending up near the seatbelt retractor on the floor.

If you were in my shoes how would you proceed?
 
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#4 ·
I find that hard to believe they can't figure this out I purchased two freedom panels from a guy on Craigslist a hard top from a dealership in Denver that was warranty replacement and had the glass removed. I purchased all the glass put it all back together have about $700 into it installed it on my Jeep with factory half doors and it doesn't leak how can they not figure out your leak it makes no sense. There's no way they could have put a hardtop from a different jeep and still have the same leak there's just no way something ain't right.
 
#5 ·
Hell JM, I would usually make up an answer at this point, but this one has me stumped. Have you taken it to an independent servicer? Maybe someone who has done some real 4x4 work? I have experienced that some Jeep dealer mechanics have been, well, newbs that don't know better. I know, hard to believe...
 
#10 ·
Agreed, maybe going over the paperwork may answer some questions. If the dealership has a guarantee and its not met, im sure there is something you can do. Maybe the dealership will swap you out for another one under their "warranty" :pcwhack:
 
#11 ·
Maybe the leak isnt coming from the roof? Water could be working its way down into an old seal in a random spot. Theres a video on youtube where a guy does his own water test and finds the leak is coming in from a broken weld.
 
#14 ·
If you were in my shoes how would you proceed?
I would fix it myself. Tape off the vents in the tail gate, close all doors and windows, with engine idleing put the HVAC blower on high, in the Mode AC mode (no recirc) and use a soapy water solution applied to the top outside of the roof in the general area of the leak. Where you see soap bubbles, that is were the seal/weather strip is defective or not making a good tight seal. Keep in mind the poor seal area may not be the same location where you see the leak from inside the vehicle, due to the way water can run down to lower parts.

I did have a similar problem at my windshield header. The fix was not difficult. Sort of like finding a puncture in a tire. In my case, I did not want to go to the dealer so I added some silicon adhesive to the windshield weatherstrip to fill in the compressed, defective area of the seal. Now when the roof is installed, I have a tight seal.
 
#16 ·
I'd guess something bigger than a leaking top is at work here. I'd call an attorney and insist they buy it back, especially since you bought it after a buy back. It's a lemon. I'd suggest asking them to trade you for a soft top but who's to say the Jeep isn't leaking somewhere else or the cause of the leak might lead to other problems (bent windshield frame, broken weld, etc. wouldn't high on my lift of problems to have).
 
#17 ·
well, to update those that may be watching this, i spoke with my dealer again, the warranty against leaks is backed by Jeep, not a third party or the dealership.
Got a call from the gentleman at the dealer who i've been dealing with, there is a brand new 3 piece hardtop on the way to the dealer from Jeep under warranty. I've been told it will take 7-10 days to arrive.
I'll update this thread once its put on the jeep. I told the dealer if this top leaks someones going to have to break out the check book and it wont be me.
 
#18 ·
I really hope the new top solves the problem. I can imagine how frustrating this is for you. Good luck!
 
#19 ·
New top is installed, windows were swapped over, and the new top still leaks. Actually worse because it leaks onto the radio at this point. I have told the dealership that i want out of this vehicle, if they can't make it happen i will contact an lawyer as that is my only recourse of action.
 
#20 ·
Well one day you will be able to buy a Wrangler with a non removable top and it wont leak. My best suggestion would be that if you can deal with the leak pull the carpet out and have the inside of the tub lined or maybe Bedtread. Wrangles leak that is a fact of life some do some don't.. My 2012 with OEM soft top leaks like crazy, bought a used Hard top from a 2010 and it is leak free even with the windshield latch removed. The Wrangler is a very expensive vehicle, it should not leak any real amount of water, but some is to be expected just due to the removable top option. I hope they get it figured out, in the past I used a a water replant on seals that helped some but not much.
 
#21 ·
I would try and get another Jeep or see what a lawyer can do. I have a '12 Unlimited with both tops, full and half doors and have also had the windshield folded down, as you can see in my profile pic. Mine doesn't leak a drop anywhere. Don't settle for anything less.
 
#23 ·
Damn, that is ridiculous. How does the 1yr warranty against leaks actually play out if this is what you're getting. This is crazy.
 
#24 ·
Yeah, that's some bull crap. What does the paperwork on the no-leak guarantee say they are required to do if they can't stop the leak? And what's the point of a guarantee if they don't honor it. At that point, it's NOT a guarantee.

Have you asked them if they're using some alternate dictionary to get their definition of "guarantee?" If they don't resolve this issue, I'd lawyer up. It sucks that you have to do that to make them do the right thing.
 
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