I've spent the year battling my dealership and Chrysler over the leaks in my 2013 Rubicon Unlimited. It's been serviced six times yet still the water finds it's way through the doors and especially through the hardtop freedom panels onto the touchscreen media console. I had an online lemon law attorney take my case at no charge but apparently I got what I paid for...nothing. They told me Chrysler refused to compensate me in any way and they were done. I finally got my Attorney General's office to take the case despite Chrysler stating they don't have a lemon law agreement with my state. I assumed that the lawyer at the AG's office was representing me but learned two days ago that she's on the arbitration board hearing my case and that I am representing myself against an attorney from NY representing Chrysler. My hearing is in two days. Has anyone else been through this and what was the outcome? ANY SUGGESTIONS?!
Do a search. There is a Member here (same situation) and got a buyback with legal fees settlement on a leaks case.
Yes, he had a Lawyer. Ended up costing him $26
I guess what I'm looking for is input from any individuals who have gone to arbitration with Chrysler and the outcome they experienced. I've heard of some individuals being offered new Jeeps or even refunds equal to the sticker price minus a mileage calculation. I've gone through panels, weather strip replacements, door readjustments and whatever other tricks they devised. The floorboards continue to get saturated and water still pours down onto the media/nav console. The last certified leak specialist who traveled a distance just to work on this thing says it's "operating consistent with all Wranglers". I would like to argue that this is not consistent with all Wranglers and if Chrysler has made payouts in situations like mine, they are acknowledging that very point.
You should have had him write that verbatim on paper. I'm sure they'd love to have every potential consumer see that a leaking Wrangler is operating consistently. HAHA
Honestly though, I think Wrangler owners should stop trying to get a Lemon law buyback for a leaking top. If this continues, Fiat/Chrysler is going to *stop* producing Wranglers with convertible tops/removable hard tops altogether. That will be a sad day.
Anything that a dealer throws at your leaking Wrangler, you could do on your own, and probably better. Use Shin-Etsu silicone grease and buy foam weatherstripping that you can attach yourself. There's a good chance you can stop the leak on your own. Sure, it's going to take some time out of your day, but so will taking it to a dealer and letting them have your Jeep for a day or two.
I will say, though, that if a leak actually damages your electronics, you should have the dealer pay to replace the electronics. No doubt about that.
I occassionally get a tiny bit of dribble after the tops been in/out a lot but nothing like what you describe - Normal? Doubt it.
Then Every Wrangler would be soaked all the time.
I'm curious how it goes. I've been only twice so far for leaks on my hardtop. So hopefully they can fix it on the third attempt otherwise I'll be seeking legal council as well. Good luck.
sadly, i'm not too far behind you, spent the last 4 months battling jeep for issues of leaking onto the radio, gauges and top header panel under the windshield seal, also getting pooling on the drivers floor board.
spent over 7 weeks at the dealership, they've gone as far as putting a new top on, and replacing the new seals on the new hardtop, adjusting doors, and still to no avail.
i'm mentally not far away from getting a lawyer and the area manager here has said he put his "money" in the new hardtop, which in reality, made it worse. That its not his problem anymore.
jeep customer care has been minimal help. my dealership has been great with the entire thing, its to the point i have the service manage stating he can't fix the jeep.
This is a real mystery. What makes a Jeep leak and keep leaking after everything is replaced? I Feel for you all, that sucks.
Its different if you get stuck in the rain with the top down. That's an aw shit but to be wet even when you don't want is just wrong. Sounds like the jeep is bent or twisted not allowing a good seal.
What should I do if my new vehicle falls under the Lemon Law?
First, the dealership should try to repair it. If it cannot be repaired, you may file a complaint with the Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board c/o Rhode Island Attorney General's Consumer Protection Unit, or you may arbitrate the matter through the manufacturer’s dispute process or the BBB (see above). If the outcome is not to your satisfaction, you will need to consult an attorney.
Or maybe not ... if your 2013, which is over a year old, was not serviced at least four times within one year of purchase. When exactly did you purchase it new?
Does Rhode Island have a Lemon Law?
Yes. To summarize the lemon law, a used vehicle will qualify if it has been in for service three times for the same defect within its dealer warranty period or has been out of service for 15 days within the warranty period.
A new vehicle qualifies under this law if - within one year or 15,000 miles - the vehicle has been serviced four times for the same defect and the defect still exists.
In two days? Make sure you get your repair orders out and organized.. read and study them. Jot down in chronological order the issue, parts replaced and dispositions. The repair orders are legal documents and it’s what they look at during arbitration.. the problem statement, dates, mileage, any notes and repeated attempts of corrective actions. Typically if there are any gaps or "no problem found" that's not considered a repair attempt.
I've been through this with Toyota and it was a bitch... Toyota wouldn't order a buy back. They were dead set on repairing the defect... this went on for two years.
It took the president of a Penske dealer to make it happen..
Gather your ammunition... you're about to go into battle with heavyweights.
A friend of mine had a 2012 that leaked and showed me on my 2014 where the leaks came in, he since sold his but the difference on mine compared to his is that there is tape by the leak area near the drivers side door and the passenger side hard top. This apparently was the fix for the leak problem that earlier models had. He constantly went back and forth and than decided to get rid of his cause it leaked so bad. To date , I have not experienced any leaks and I have been caught in some pretty bad rain storms in the months that I've owned. At least
I know where the areas are and where to check if a leak develops
Is it consistent across all wranglers? I think to some degree it is. And here Chrysler is using it to their advantage all while trying to hide the fact or fight those who complain.
If I were to be going the lemon law route and Chrysler was claiming its normal, I would make them show me where in any online description, brochure, disclaimer, or any paperwork I signed that I was getting a vehicle that will leak water into the interior. If that can't be provided (and I am sure it can't) it's a lemon that they've tried to fix and couldn't. And you win. It's a mold (health) electrical (hazard) and nuisance issue and is unacceptable. But research your state law because someone I saw mentioned that water leaks are valid lemon claims.
!
I hear the argument that if this keeps up Chrysler may do away with removable tops altogether. If so then let it be. I owned wranglers since 1995. None except my JK has leaked.
Bottom line Chrysler and its engineers allowed a faulty design to enter production ( whether by installer or manufacturer error or both) and they need to own that and correct that problem for people who won't accept paying for it.
Is it consistent across all wranglers? I think to some degree it is. And here Chrysler is using it to their advantage all while trying to hide the fact or fight those who complain.
If I were to be going the lemon law route and Chrysler was claiming its normal, I would make them show me where in any online description, brochure, disclaimer, or any paperwork I signed that I was getting a vehicle that will leak water into the interior. If that can't be provided (and I am sure it can't) it's a lemon that they've tried to fix and couldn't. And you win. It's a mold (health) electrical (hazard) and nuisance issue and is unacceptable. But research your state law because someone I saw mentioned that water leaks are valid lemon claims.
!
I hear the argument that if this keeps up Chrysler may do away with removable tops altogether. If so then let it be. I owned wranglers since 1995. None except my JK has leaked.
Bottom line Chrysler and its engineers allowed a faulty design to enter production ( whether by installer or manufacturer error or both) and they need to own that and correct that problem for people who won't accept paying for it.
To execute a buy back it will need to be safety related...
Bring photos and whatever visuals you have to illustrate to the panel the extent of the problem - a picture is worth a thousand words. Create a .ppt slide deck to make it easy to flip through the pages.
Keep calm and stick with the facts..
Elaborate on the health issue... unsafe for children and elderly ..
I appreciate all of the replies. This is in response to a few of the inquiries: I special ordered the vehicle in April 2013 and got it in May 2013. I had it serviced 5 times within the year which makes me eligible for the lemon law which states I need 4 attempts. The 6th repair was at Chrysler's request once they were contacted by the AG. Part of filing for the AG hearing was to document every interaction I had with the dealership. I have every service report with dates, notes and emails. I also have video of the water leaking (actually streaming) into the vehicle the day after the last repair attempt was made on July 3rd. It rained heavily on the 4th and the video clearly shows water coming through the door sills (I used white paper towel to show the saturation in contrast to the black interior), and for the freedom panels, I simply drove a few feet and applied the brakes, and the water just flowed in from the junction above the rear view mirror. Those who have seen this video are quite shocked and I'm hoping the AG board members will be as well. I'm focusing more on the overhead issue as water streaming in while driving could be such a major distraction that I inadvertent swerve across three lanes on the highway at 65 mph and hit a school bus in a horrific collision with Chrysler's liability in question!
If it helps, mine has never leaked. It's proof that it is possible they don't all leak and it's not normal. Sorry you haven't been able to have it fixed by now, I'm surprised they haven't tried replacing the entire hard top yet.
You may also find some useful info in this - it's supposed to be a draw down on how to fix leaks - they know about this issue, it's not like it's unknown. You may want to print out the PDF for proof they knwo, and highlight the areas saying that when it's not fixed, to replace.
Mine doesn't leak one day but will leak the next and that's without messing with the top at all. I don't worry about it cause it's a Wrangler. Guess some people want their Wrangler to be high tech and waterproof. Like a liberty or the trail hawk. Hhmmm
I guess it would depend on the severity of the leak. If I had a damn water fall every time it rained, then I would be upset about it.
But if it's only a drop or two, I don't get it. Carry a rag and be done with it.
But I can't see someone going to this extent for only a couple drops of water. It would have to be significant before I would go through all this rigamarole, Id imagine the same would be true for the OP. I'd be curious to see the videos.
The first JK I every drove was in Hawaii with the hard top and removable panels. We never took the panels off there and where caught in one rain storm. Water poured into the vehicle, a steady stream, not just a drop or 2. When I ordered my JK I opted for the soft top and no water what so ever. My CJ7 back in the day came with the hard top and never leaked either.
I have yet to remove any portion of my hardtop, it has been totally watertight to date.
I fear that the instant I remove the freedom panels it will leak like a sieve afterward. A drip or two wouldn't be a big deal, but if it was like some I've read about....
I've had what were truly "Lemon" vehicles, from bad electronics to mechanics. Chrysler has never been known to be a reliable manufacturer of vehicles. They have a real shitty history of problematic cars. For their special purpose the Jeep stands alone, but if you want a reliable, trouble free, comfortable, dry vehicle, go with Toyota, Nissan or Land Rover. I bought a JKU, knowing Chrysler's history. I bought one because it was cheaper and cooler than the other vehicles, and it's a toy for me. I know the purchase was a "crap shoot". I'm sure there are a lot of dependable Jeeps out there and I'm just hoping I got one. The minute it becomes an aggravation to me I'm trading it in, and that will be my last Chrysler. Life is too short to be aggravated fighting fights that you can't win. Get divorced, I mean trade in the car once the aggravation factor gets too high where the Jeep is no longer fun.
Show up, tell them your story, show your docs , listen to Chrysler's mouth piece flap his gums, then go home and see what happens. The worst they can do is deny your claim
There have been 2 buy backs through Chrysler at Winnie Dodge in Texas. One was a 2014 jku. The other was a 2014 jk. Both bought back after less than 2 months. One was leaking just like yours. The other was through the drivers side door. So it is a factory issue. Demand a buy back.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Ask a question
Ask a question
Jeep Wrangler Forum
9M posts
468K members
Since 2005
A forum community dedicated to Jeep Wrangler owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about reviews, performance, trail riding, gear, suspension, tires, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, for all JL, JT, JK, TJ, YJ, and CJ models!